Cursed Demon Kissed 2 Page 0,74

and black. Nothing grew. There was no light. The place was drenched in darkness. I was certain I would see that place before I left the Underworld.

A plan. What kind of plan could I devise? I couldn't just run in, all samurai warrior on them, and try to slash everything with my silver blade. There would be too many of them. That meant I had to sneak in. I was back to relying on stealth to get me inside. I sucked at stealth, but it seemed to be my only option. I was still going to have to sneak in and plan to efanotate Collin out. If something went wrong, I had no back-up plan. I'd be trapped here forever. Kreturus wanted me as his bride. Whatever that meant. Since a demon kiss was horrid, I assumed a demon marriage was fantastically terrifying.

Stretching, I arched my back and leaned against the wall. Gazing into the sky, I looked around for the dragon, but the cavern ceiling was an inky black. The dragon blended in so well that it was invisible. What role did that beast play in all of this? Was it watching me and reporting to someone? Or was the dragon wild? I'd assumed everything down here was Kreturus'. But, maybe that wasn't true. I couldn't imagine anyone taming that gigantic creature enough to make it obey. Startled, I flinched when I saw the dragon's glowing red eyes in the shadows across from me.

I didn't know if it could understand me, but I spoke to it anyway, "Who are you? Why are you following me?" I didn't expect it to answer. It was an animal. But at the same time, I felt like it understood me. It's ancient eyes held wisdom that I lacked. What kind of wisdom they contained was beyond me.

I rose, slowly, and walked towards it. Its enormous head rested on its forearms. The creature's talons were retracted. It watched me as I crossed into the shadows where it lay without moving. I stopped without getting too close. "What do you want with me? That must be the reason you're following me. Everyone wants me. Am I your next meal or are you looking for something else?" I cocked my head, looking at the beast. It was beautiful. I'm sure that made me a total freak - admiring the beauty of something sent to kill me - but he was. Each massive scale was black in the center that faded into a rich purple at the edge. When the light moved across his body, it illuminated him in a breathtaking way. His eyes were brilliantly stunning and utterly terrifying. Those jeweled eyes followed me, seeming to understand what I said, though he didn't respond. Before I turned away I said, "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen...Everything from your eyes to your lacey wings. I know I should be terrified of you, but I'm not." We looked at each other, surrounded by silence.

Eventually, I backed away and began walking again. After a few minutes, a gust of wind hit my back, as the dragon took off and flew away. Maybe he wasn't smart. Maybe he couldn't speak. I didn't care. He seemed like me in some ways - massively powerful and completely alone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Descending deeper into Hell was terrifying. There were more beasts down here. They had grotesque bodies and deformed heads. Most of them looked like rotting beasts that were dipped in acid with decaying skin falling off their gangly frames. And the stench! The sulfur was so thick I could barely breathe. The living weren't supposed to enter down here, but I was very much alive. The oxygen could run out. That was a thought I didn't even want to ponder. I moved my body silently through the shadows, avoiding any creature I saw. It made my progress slow down significantly, but I couldn't risk being caught.

During the last descent, before I found all the freak-show creatures, I practiced calling my powers. I tried to call the purple flames that engulfed Shannon, or the shattering fists that cracked the Guardian's teeth. Fixating on anger didn't work although I did notice I was usually pissed when my powers came to me. The powers had to be a mixture of good and bod, although they felt neither Martis or Valefar. If they'd been Valefar, I'd know. All of their power is paid for in pain. Using the power when it came to me didn't