That’s the second time she referred to Hunter as just a dog. My eyes go to him as I realize she doesn’t know. And that’s why Hunter hasn’t shadowed out of the cage yet. We have to strategize and kill the demons before they kill my friends.
“Well, who’s it going to be?”
“My dog,” I rush out, and Laney and Harrison protest, thinking I picked a dog over them.
“Interesting,” Asaroth says and waves her hand at the cage. The rusty door swings open and Hunter runs over, standing loyally at my side. I run a hand over his head and look at Asaroth with a smirk.
“Kill her,” I say and Hunter lunges forward, shifting into shadow form as soon as his paws leave the ground.
Asaroth’s black eyes go wide and she throws her arms up. “Kill the witch!” She takes a quick step back, and the big Pricolici jumps toward us, but it’s no match for Hunter in his shadow form. Hunter throws the thing to the ground, and I bring my hand up again, summoning another ball of fire and throwing it at the Harvesters. They hiss and shriek, frantically running around.
“Get her!” Asaroth bellows and lunges for me, shoving me back into the dirt wall. I fall down, roots and stones scraping at my skin. Before my butt even hits the ground, her foot lands on my stomach.
Pain shoots through my ribs. She raises her foot to do it again. Expecting it, I grab her ankle and pull her down. It doesn’t work to my advantage since she lands on top of me and punches me hard in the face.
Blinded by pain, I extend my hand and grab at anything I can. My fingers close around a lock of hair, but it slips from my fingers as she hits me again. I push myself up, reaching out, and wrap my fingers around the amethyst pendant. I yank it back until the chain snaps and the stone breaks off in my hands. Terror takes over Asaroth’s face as the gemstone falls to the ground. I look her right in the eyes and thrust my hand forward, sending a red-hot wave of fire right onto her chest.
I scramble to my feet, madly grabbing a throwing star to throw at the Harvester that’s barreling toward me. I throw the star, hitting the demon in the arm.
The Harvester looks down, annoyed if anything. It’s enough time for me to pull the dagger from the sheath and rush forward. I don’t allow myself to hesitate. I skid to a stop a foot in front of the Harvester. Raising the dagger, I shove the blade through its sternum and into its heart. The Harvester erupts in bright blue flames. I dodge its smoldering body to run over to Harrison and Laney. Using the dagger, I slice through the ropes and free their arms.
“Are you guys okay?” I ask and help Laney untie the gag.
“Define okay,” Harrison says. His voice is shaky, but that’s enough of a yes for me.
“Get Ethan and get out of here.” I give him one of the throwing knives. “Hurry!”
I spring back to my feet. Hunter has the Pricolici on the ground and has his jaws clamped around its throat. Blood drips down the Pricolici’s muzzle. I look away as Hunter bites down. With a final yelp, the Pricolici’s body goes limp and Hunter runs back to me.
“Good boy,” I pant, sucking in air and watching Asaroth and the remaining Harvesters run out of the cavern.
Is she retreating? Or calling for more demons?
Not taking time to think about anything else, I race to Ethan’s side. Harrison’s working on getting him untied.
“I found a hex tablet or something,” I say, pulling the gag from his mouth. “I broke it in half and don’t know if that was enough to—”
“It was,” Ethan says, wincing as he gets up, and I realize he’s even more banged up than I thought. “I’m not sick anymore, but I—” He winces again, hand going to his side. “—have a few broken ribs.”
“You guys get out of here. I’m going to find Asaroth and kill her.”
Howling echoes through the tunnel. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. Hunter growls, edging toward the opening of the tunnel. Dammit. She had called more demons. If they come down here, we’re all sitting ducks. I’m the one she wants. I’m not risking another friend.
My eyes meet Ethan’s.
“Go,” he says, knowing exactly what I’m thinking. He bends down and picks up one of the throwing knives to use to defend himself with. “Kill the bitch.”
“I will,” I promise.
Without a second look back, I sprint away with Hunter close behind. We climb out of the tunnel, emerging into the root cellar again. Light pours in from the hole above us, and if I can get out, I can stop the Pricolici from coming in and going after my injured friends.