Inferno of Darkness (Divisa Huntress #2) - J.L. Weil Page 0,47

giving myself time to comprehend all that could go wrong, I wrapped my arms around the spawn of Satan, suppressing a shudder of revulsion. I never wanted to be this close to the evil brother again, but if it got me my freedom, it would be worth it… or so I kept telling myself over and over again as I clasped my hands behind his back and threw my entire body weight over to one side—all one hundred and twenty-five pounds.

It was enough. Just barely, but I managed to throw us both off balance and off the horse.

His fingers untangled from my hair in an attempt to stop gravity from winning. “Dammit, Lexi—”

As we fell, I released my grasp and slammed my hands into his chest. Then I shoved, separating us so we fell to the ground feet apart. My foot came up, connecting with the side of his face.

Crack.

His head snapped to the side. It was all the space I needed.

Scrambling to my feet, I took off, not waiting to see if I’d broken his jaw. I prayed I had, regardless that he would heal. I wanted the satisfaction of having hurt him.

The frigid air froze my lungs, but I didn’t stop, didn’t dare call out for my family, fearing Soren would find me and carry out all those disturbing things he’d spent months fantasizing over, every detail of pain and torture.

I did not want to die.

I did not want to be imprisoned.

I did not want to be the queen’s pawn or Soren’s plaything.

One moment the ground was under my feet as I ran, and the next I was sailing through the air. I hit the earth, elbows and palms scraping against rocks and dirt I couldn’t see. The impact jarred me for a breath or two. Get up! Get up! My instincts were screaming at me.

I moved my legs, but something was holding me back. Boney fingers were twined around my ankles, nails digging into my skin as the coppery scent of my blood tinged the air under my nose. “Bastard,” I hissed between my teeth, blindly kicking out with my other foot.

Thud.

A groan sounded, to my satisfaction, as one of my blows struck Soren, and I was up again, running.

Don’t look back. Just keep going. Keep going!

And I did. My feet flew over the ground, dodging at the last second any trees or obstacles that appeared in my path. The longer I ran unable to tell left from right, the more fear began to overtake the anger I’d been reliant on to keep me from falling apart.

I remembered what it was like to be broken and unwhole, my soul splintered. To be locked away, shackled and helpless. I remembered what it was like to want to live, to be willing to do anything to get home.

Keep it together, Lex. You’re not going to be lost forever. Ashor won’t let you. It was absurd for me to assume the Prince of Darkness would come for me, considering he himself was trapped.

And yet, his voice purred in my head.

“Damn straight, I won’t.”

A shadow of darkness danced in front of me, and sweet relief burned through my lungs. I didn’t question the sudden appearance of the otherworldly darkness and surged forward, following as it weaved in and out of the mist, making sure to stay close behind for fear of losing my guide.

Had Ashor really found me? Was it his powers hurtling through the in between, paving a path for me? Honestly, I didn’t care, as long as it brought me to Ashor.

Faster—I had to go faster. My demon strength only got me so far. Eventually, even I would run out of steam. I only hoped I’d be far from Soren when that happened.

Just when I didn’t think I could run anymore, I broke free from the mist, stumbling over uneven ground.

It wasn’t Ashor who waited for me in the clearing. It was Cayden.

And my family.

Although I was filled with relief, there were also traces of disappointment. I’d been desperate for Ashor to be the one to find me, a part of me clinging to the hope of it.

But he wasn’t here.

No. I was here to save him, I reminded myself with steely resolve.

“Where is he?” Cayden demanded, eyes dark with fury.

“I don’t know,” I panted, taking in greedy breaths of air. “Not far behind me.”

The punisher was dressed from head to toe in black, his blond hair secured at the nape of his neck. Strands escaped, framing his face.