Inside Umbra's Ruins ✓ [Umbra's Fate #2]

ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ: ʟᴏʀᴄᴀɴ

"There's no sign of demons around here."

Clio's voice rang in Lorcan's ear. A chill ran down his spine, he still hadn't gotten used to the headphones and microphone that Demir prepared for them.

"All clear around here too," he replied. "Flora?"

"Nothing on my end. Petal is almost done."

The young man looked at his watch, the clock hands almost marked midnight. The demons' favorite time to go hunting, despite the fact that in recent weeks they would go out to kill humans even in broad daylight.

Midnight, on a crossroad. Sometimes the classic works better than trying to be creative, and the demons seemed to be the type of creatures that respected traditions.

The streets were empty at that time of night, the humid wind was the only one that kept them company. From his position behind the billboard, Lorcan could see everything, which was almost the same as seeing nothing.

The starry sky, the road and the field that stretched out around them. There was nothing else.

"I can speak for myself," Aífe complained. "And I told you a million times that I have a name."

"It's a code name," Flora defended herself.

"Then why don't you have your own code name?"

"Because you are our special guest, the demons already know us, but your case is different. It's to keep your identity a secret."

"Flo, we can smell your lie even from this distance," Clio interrupted the conversation.

"I set up the equipment to facilitate the mission, not for you to play with it," Demir said, his irritation clear in his tone. "I'm here for Agatha, try not to mess up the plan."

"We are all for Agatha." Lorcan directed his gaze to the area where the three streets intersected. "I think it's time for Aífe to come out. If you see anything strange, just give the signal and we'll be with you right away."

"I'll take your word for it, don't let me turn into demon food," Aífe replied.

"I wouldn't dare let them scratch you, you're safe with me," Flora assured him. "And with the other three too, but they're not as cool as me."

"Thanks for doing this," Lorcan let his vulnerability out for a second. "Not everyone would accept being baited to catch a demon. I owe you a big one."

"I'll add it to my list, along with what Wonder Woman, defender of the ladies, owes me for breaking a big part of my shop."

Silence took over the atmosphere, they no longer had anything else to say. Or perhaps it was the nerves that stole their words.

Lorcan's hands trembled in his pants pockets. He wished he had taken more time to plan the mission that might bring Agatha back to him. A couple of hours after the encounter with the young woman was all he had, not enough time to pay attention to details or to do the correct research.

The only thing left for him was to trust in the abilities of his friends.

He followed Aífe's figure with his eyes, her timid steps taking her to the center of the crossroads. Although the distance prevented him from recognizing the young woman's expression, it was clear to him that she was nervous. Her body trembled as if it were a winter night and every time the wind blew, she turned to look for the source of the sound.

The more time passed, the greater Aífe's sway became. She pretended to be waiting for someone, from time to time taking her cell phone out of her bag and taking a look at it.