Demon's Trust (The Chronicles of Arcayos #1) - Raven Dark Page 0,123
go through there?” I ask. “Arcayos said humans can’t pass through the Gateways to Elorian or Hellinon. Is the In Between the same as those realms?”
“I guess we’ll have to find out.”
The space beyond is pitch-black. I blow out a breath, grip my pistol tighter, and step inside. Footsteps scuff the rocky ground behind me as Hagor follows me in.
Before I get more than a pace inside, there’s a hiss and a series of pops. Firelight bursts forth on wall sconces mounted about a circular stone room, empty except for a darkened archway at the other end.
I freeze, holding my breath. Waiting to disappear or burst into flame.
Nothing happens.
Behind me, there’s a soft rumbling. I whip around.
The rock wall is reshaping itself, stone chunks solidifying until the archway is only a few slivers of light. I leap toward the arch, but those few slivers vanish. The archway is gone, leaving only solid wall.
“Fantastic.” Claustrophobia sets in and sweat trickles down my back.
Hagor gives me a helpless shrug. “Sorry, Detective.”
Except for the archway across the room, there’s no other exit, and I don’t think that’s a way out of here.
Goose bumps race across my skin. I rub them away. A secret magic seems to permeate the place, dark and pulsing on the inside of my skull, right next to Arcayos’ presence.
The glowing nimbus that is his mind seems brighter now.
“This isn’t what I expected the In Between to look like.” I was expecting something like what I saw at the Lord of Darkness’ castle in Legend, much darker, with smoke and fire everywhere, with demons and monsters barring our way.
“It shouldn’t be,” Hagor whispers. “This isn’t the In Between.”
“This is the appetizer before the main course?”
“Nicely put.”
My throat goes dry. “I suppose that was too easy. Stick close to me.”
“Aw, Detective. I’m touched that you care so much.”
Shaking my head, I hold my gun up between my palms, ready to aim it at the first thing that moves. Pebbles, dirt and dust crunch under my boots as I make my way toward the arch. When we reach it, there is a sudden, sharp fizzing sound. A thin, glowing membrane of light appears, blocking the entry. I leap back. Hagor gasps.
The barrier, transparent and swirling with blue and black energy, crackles dangerously. Frustration bites into me.
Hagor flicks his hand at the barrier. A few drops of blood hit the energy field, but it doesn’t disappear. He lifts his shoulders. “Didn’t think that would work.”
There’s no other way. I screw my courage to the sticking place and holster my pistol. Then I grab Hagor’s shoulder and walk forward. Arm out, head turned to the side, eyes squeezed shut, holding my breath.
Hagor shouts and tries to pull away, but I hold fast. Warm, almost hot energy stings my skin, growing more intense as it passes over me from front to back. It burns my cheeks. My heart batters my ribs.
One more step, and the stinging on my skin fades to a tingle and is gone. I blink as iridescent blue flames burst to life on torches mounted on the walls, illuminating a long, narrow passage. I look behind me. The membrane is gone.
“Fuck!” Hagor yells, jerking free of my grip. He straightens his silk blazer and his bad tie, giving me the stink eye.
“What’s your problem now?”
“You had no idea what that barrier was going to do. You could have fried us both.”
I know, I’m being mean, but there’s just something about him I don’t trust or like. He reminds me too much of Ricky, the kind of guy whose loyalty changes depending on which way the money flows, and who’d sell you out to save his own ass in a heartbeat.
I peer down the dimly lit passage. The flames are blue, glinting off something on the walls. Metal statues carved from what looks like black steel, each one ten feet tall. They line the passage from end to end, up to a set of steps that lead to a pedestal at the end of the passage. Despite the firelight, cool air makes me shiver, and there’s an unsettling darkness lying over the place that has nothing to do with an absence of light. A sickly sweet stench permeates the air, making me gag.
It’s the smell of death.
“Now this is more like it,” I whisper. My voice echoes off the walls, startling me. “Come on.” I start down the path, looking everywhere at once, senses on high alert. My lungs are tight.