Chapter 211

Chapter 211: Chapter 211

Heather

Watch your back. One’s going to come at you from behind. Don’t get distracted. I’m going after Luciana.

I hopped onto a pew. The wolves were slashing at the demons, working together with Claudia and Raphael. Claudia fired off a few spells, tossing them different directions to help the wolves. Raphael’s bat glowed as it slammed into a minor demon’s head, turning it to ash.

Cosette and Van were killing it. Literally. Dead demons piled around them. More were climbing over the bodies of the fallen, but as they fought—back-to-back—they looked invincible. Their shining blades slashed violently, but somehow gracefully, through the air.

I hoped everyone would stay safe as I focused on my goal. On my enemy. I trusted them to keep the demons under control and out of my way while I worked my way to Luciana.

She stood next to the pit, hands held high above her head in summoning. Her skin had taken on a green tinge, far beyond any olive undertones. Her long, wavy hair was around her face instead of her usual braided halo and her flowing skirt was shredded along the bottom.

I couldn’t make out her words, but the magic started to build. It brushed against me like sickening oil on my skin, and my stomach turned.

I started forward, jumping from one pew to the next. They were broken and on their sides, but I managed to balance.

I quickly activated a few vials, feeling them heat with magic as I held them. "Luciana."

She lowered her arms and tilted her head toward me. The pit stopped rumbling, so that was a start, but the sight of her made me wobble on my perch.

Her eyes were solid red orbs. Her two front teeth had lengthened into fangs.

My arms lowered as I gasped in shock. What the hell had she become?

She laughed, and it was the deep, rasping laugh of a demon.

It was true. She might have started out as a witch who wanted power, but she was fully demon now.

I threw the vials just as Luciana started moving her fingers.

Her spell hit me, knocking me to the floor. Three rat-sized demons scuttled toward me, and I couldn’t stop myself from screeching. I kicked them away before they could bite.

I kipped up, and she was there. Standing in front of me. Spit dripped from her fangs. "You’re mine now, Heather."

That voice. It wasn’t her. My eyes widened as my breathing sped. I had to move.

She weaved her fingers in a fast spell, and I flew across the floor. My head crunched against a pew, and blood dribbled down my forehead.

I sat up, and the world wobbled. I tried to shake off the dizziness, but I didn’t have time. Luciana was already running for me.

I had one more vial. I quickly muttered the words and threw.

Her shoulder jerked, but she was still coming for me. The vial hadn’t doing anything to her. It didn’t even burn her skin.

I reached in the bag again, and my fingers brushed the canvas.

I had no more spells. No weapons.

Brent howled and I felt his fear for me, but there was nothing he could do. Nothing any of them could do. They were busy fighting for their lives, too.

Fear made my blood run cold as Luciana cackled and lunged at my leg. I tried to roll away, but her nails dug through my tender muscle.

I screamed.

"Your magic will be mine."

"No!" I was stronger than this. I kicked at her face, but she only jerked back an inch.

Holy shit. The demon in her was too strong.

I sat up in one quick motion, and jerked her nails out of my leg. My whole calf went numb, but I threw her off. She hit a pew a few feet from me, and lay still for a second.

She craned her neck at an impossible angle. I looked into her eyes and in the blood red orbs, I saw myself burning in a pool of flames. I blinked and her eyes were plain red again.

My mouth went dry. The demon was trying to scare me, and was doing a damned good job of it.

I got up, hobbling as I dragged my injured leg. What the hell was I going to do? I was out of potions—but they were useless anyway. I’d kicked her hard enough to break her neck, and she just fucking shook it off like it was nothing.

I heard her laugh, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

The pew behind me slammed into my legs, and

Luciana cackled again.

I glanced back. She was maybe ten feet, staying just far enough behind me to taunt me.

I moved faster. I needed cover. I had to figure something out before she got tired of chasing me and ended this.

"You’re a wolf!" Cosette’s voice cried out. "Be a wolf and end it before we all get killed."

She was right.

But I was also a witch. I needed to be both if I was going to win this.

I leaped over a pew to gain some room from her. My leg protested, foot slamming into the wood as I fell to the ground.

Luciana climbed on top of it. "Nowhere to run now."

I made a quick knot in the air, moving my fingers fast. Willing it to work. When the knot completed, the magic slammed into place. She hit the knot, and bounced back a few steps.

Thank God my magic held long enough for me to let the wolf out. But only in my hands.

My fingers lengthened, and I picked myself up off the ground just as she swung at me.

I twisted and her fist went right past my face. She kicked and I blocked. Luciana might not have known how to fight, but the demon sure as hell did.

I let instinct take hold. All Brent’s years of knowledge poured through me, and I used them as I waited for her to give me a window.

Her shoulder dropped, and I swiped. "Die!" I poured all my will into the word. My nails ripped across her neck, parting her skin as if it were butter. As her blood—black and red—slid cover my hands, coating my skin, I was glad Clauda’s magic was still holding.

I waited for Luciana to fall to the ground—to turn

ash—but she was still moving. Slower now.

"Die!" I yelled again, throwing more power behind the word. This time she staggered as I swiped my claws across her stomach.

I didn’t waste time. "Die!" I let the power fly as I hit her again. She froze and started to fall.

I caught her before she hit the ground and gagged at the feel of her demonic energy in my arms. Her heartbeat was slowing as blood pooled out of her, and I dragged her to the pit.

I stared down it, and hoped this was enough to put a stop to the chaos around me.

Brent was still fighting demons. He was hurt, but not down.

The sounds of demons screeching and hissing, as we whittled down their numbers told me the tide was turning, but it wasn’t over.

I had to close the portal.