Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
The moment she saw their adversary in his mind, the one he had summoned and who no doubt was streaking toward them, her breath caught in her lungs. It took every ounce of discipline not to allow her heart to accelerate and give her away.
Tora, we’re in trouble. He’s summoned a winged serpent from the underworld. I have only heard of them from one ancestor. Only one. It has fangs and drips venom. Even a drop on you or our dragons could kill. That’s how dangerous they are.
Dragon fire? Will that kill it?
No, they are impervious to dragon fire. As far as I know, they are the only creatures who are naturally resistant.
We will have to send the dragons away from here. Tora was practical. How did your ancestor defeat it?
Silke was silent, reluctant to give the bad news. The serpent ended her life.
Lily had to go, and she had to leave fast. Already, Silke could feel the triumph in the mage. That same euphoria spread to the remaining demons. They were certain they could kill the demon slayer. Lilith would be delighted with them. The shouting swelled in volume. Spears rained down on the dragons.
Get us low, Lily, Silke ordered. The moment Tora removes the shield, go away from here. You can’t take the chance of staying close. The serpent may be able to find you. I know they’re connected to dragons.
Lily obediently, if reluctantly, dropped to the garden floor some distance from the house. Tora removed the shields, and both dragons took to the air, flying toward the ancient forest. Tora and Silke dove into one of the many depressions secreted between the rows of shrubs.
Can you send it back, Silke? Reverse the summons?
No. He had a fail-safe built in. When he called for the serpent, the other demons joined with him. I would have to know which ones and duplicate their voices. Some are already dead.
If you can see the spell, perhaps I can reverse it, Tora ventured.
The wind blew through the yard, a fierce gust, not cold as it should have been, but so hot it scorched the tops of the shrubbery. The plants shrank lower. All flowers closed into tight buds. The earth shuddered. The incessant drone of insects stopped abruptly until there was absolute silence. Even the demons ceased to shriek. No one moved.
Silke found herself holding her breath and forced air through her lungs to relax. She would have one chance to kill the serpent. If she didn’t, all would be lost. Tora, her mother, Benedek. This was her fight. Her battle. She hadn’t expected to face a serpent of hell, but then, as a slayer, she had to expect the unexpected.
It didn’t occur to her to call out to Benedek. He had his own problems, likely as crucial as hers. She was the slayer. This was her duty. She’d been born for this task. It was also very terrifying. The serpent was huge and foul. He was fast and venomous. He could spit. He could use his wicked fangs. Or his tail like a whip.
You can do this, Silke, Tora assured her. You were born for this moment.
Be ready to direct dragon fire to the demons while I do my best to rid our world of the serpent. She pushed her backpack across the ground until it was under Tora’s palm. The crystal sword wields dragon fire.
I’ll keep them off you.
I suspect the serpent won’t put up with them interfering between us. He was summoned and will want to kill the demon slayer.
The wind brought the stench of fire and brimstone. The hair on her body immediately reacted, standing up as the winged serpent swept into the yard. He stopped abruptly in midair, his wicked yellow eyes taking in everything around him.
Silke didn’t want him to find Tora. Tora was her ace in the hole. She had to kill the rest of the demons while Silke dealt with the serpent.
The mage is on the roof. He is crouched near the edge, in the shadow of the bow window overlooking the yard. Make certain he dies. He is in the form of Castello, but he is mage, Silke said.
She stood up slowly, facing the serpent, a small smile on her face. She was in the habit of stashing weapons around the yard, and her bow and arrows were most often kept in the hollow of the old tree close to her. Holding the serpent’s malevolent stare, she made her way casually to the tree and leaned one hand against the trunk, fingers inches from her only real weapon. It took only a moment to set up her rope with the arrows, hiding the activity behind the thick tree trunk.
The serpent ducked his head, swaying it back and forth as he opened his mouth, revealing long rows of teeth. Venom ran down his fangs, glistening white-yellow, dripping on the thick stones that formed the path leading to her home. The venom sizzled and smoked, a noxious odor rising. One of the demons who was close, hiding behind a large stone, began to cough and choke. The serpent turned his gaze momentarily onto the demon. He looked what he was, pure evil.