Magic Undying (Dragon's Gift: The Seeker #1)(57)

I glanced behind to see it charging after us, its fangs glinting in a head the size of a VW Bug. It was gaining, fast enough to make me consider turning and fighting. But a moment later, I spotted the doorway at the end of the hall.

It was narrow enough that the monster wouldn’t fit.

We raced toward the door, hurtling up the stairs. A roar sounded from below. I glanced back to see the monster howling its rage to the ceiling before disappearing in a poof of dust.

Whew.

Enchantment broken. Gratefully, I hurried out of the stairway behind my friends.

And straight into a crowd of more than fifty demons.

“Shit!” Cass said.

We were in the great hall of the main building. It was so big, and so high-ceilinged, that it was the only place this could be. Within, the demons caroused, no doubt killing time while their master sought Arthur’s charm.

I caught sight of the Ubilaz demon leaving the room.

“There he is!” I said, just as the rest of the demons noticed us.

“Fight time,” Cass said. “We’ll hold them off. You follow the Ubilaz.”

“On it.” I clutched my sword and raced into the room with my friends.

The demons roared and ran toward us. It was close to the worst odds we’d ever faced, but with Roarke and Aidan on our side, we had a chance.

As he ran, Aidan shifted into a griffin. Roarke, already in his alternate form, took off into the air, charging the nearest demon. He broke the neck of one without ever setting foot on the ground, then headed for the next. In his griffin form, Aidan dodged a massive fireball, then bit the head off the demon that had thrown it.

Cass’s magic swelled on the air as she hurled a lightning bolt at a pair of demons. Thunder cracked as the jet of white light slammed into them and fried them to a crisp. Nix fired her arrows in quick succession, taking out three demons straight through their eyes.

My friends could handle this. I just had to get to the other side of the hall. To do that, I had to make it through the demon in my way. It was a massive beast with huge horns sweeping back from his head and clawed hands that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a dinosaur.

I raced toward him, sword at the ready. When I neared, he swiped out with a massive claw. I went low, expecting his attack, and sliced at his legs with my sword. He roared and stumbled. Before he could right himself, I hopped up and stabbed him in the back.

“Go!” Cass called.

I yanked the blade free and ran for the exit, leaving the sounds of battle behind. The night was cold and silent as I sprinted out of the great hall. I skidded to a halt, straining my eyes and ears as I searched for the Ubilaz demon.

But I saw nothing except the quiet, grassy courtyard. No demons, no people.

Damn it!

I tried to calm my racing breath enough to focus on my dragon sense. Come on, come on. Let me find Arthur’s resting place.

But the magic protecting this place stayed strong, blocking my ability.

When I opened my eyes, a faint silver glow appeared in the distance. My gaze raced around. Was I doing that thing again?

But no. Nothing else was changing.

The glow coalesced slightly, forming a person.

A ghost!

I hurried toward it, determined to make use of my weird gift and ask a ghost for directions. It was a long shot, but that was the only kind of shot I had.

The ghost wore a dirty apron over pants and shirt that didn’t look medieval. At best, they were eighteenth or nineteenth century. My heart sank. He wasn’t old enough to know where the tomb was.

“Can I help ye, lass?” he asked.

This close, I could tell that the substance on his apron was dried clay. A potter, perhaps.

“Um, I’m looking for Arthur’s tomb,” I said.

His eyes brightened. “Ah, I’ve been there once. I’m Potter Thompson, lass. I’ll lead ye right to it.”

My heart leapt at this crazy bout of good fortune. “Really?”

“Of course.” He set off along the wall, headed toward the east side of the castle compound at a quick pace.

I hurried alongside.

“I found it once while I was living, you know. But I ran for it—too afraid was I that I would wake the king. I could never find it again in life, but I kept looking. Perhaps it’s why I didn’t pass on. Finally found it as a ghost. But then, only one of our kind could find it.”

“Uh huh.” I nodded, though I didn’t entirely understand what he’d said, and picked up my pace, trying to encourage him to move more quickly.

Fortunately, he took the hint and quickened his stride. “It’s just so lovely to see another person,” he prattled on. “Not those nasty demons.”

Maybe that was why he was helping me. Whatever the reason, I’d take it.

When we reached the ruins of what looked to be an old church, he pointed to the door. “There’s a tunnel entrance in the East Abbey. It will take you straight to the tomb.”

“Thank you so much.”

“Hurry now. I didn’t like the look of the demon that came this way. The entrance is in the far left corner. Behind the tapestry. There is no door. You must use your Phantom form to enter.”

My head whipped toward him, my jaw almost dropping. “What?”

“Your Phantom form, lass. Don’t think I didn’t recognize you. It’s why I’ve helped you.”