Hell's Throne (The Devil's Assistant Series - 5 ) - Unedited

Hell's Throne - Chapter 20

Returning to consciousness was slow. The effects of the drug receded bit by bit leaving a lingering lethargy in their wake. Smacking my lips loudly to remove the cottony taste in my mouth, I forced open my eyes. I was greeted with nothing but darkness. The only sound was the near constant drip and splash of water hitting the already sodden floor.

As I lifted my head, pain shot up my neck. Groaning quietly, I lifted my hand to rub at the knotted muscles. Everything hurt. Water had seeped into my clothing causing the fabric to chafe with every movement. It rubbed uncomfortably against my earlier injuries.

Reaching my hand out to the side, I willed my sword into corporeal form. The hilt appeared within the palm of my hand, its white light instantly chasing away the shadows around me.

I blinked to clear my vision, the light stabbing against my retinas. The room started to spin as my body struggled under the onslaught of uncomfortable sensations.

"Oh god, I feel sick." I grumbled, leaning my head back and closing my eyes as I fought back the nausea.

Though everything throbbed in protest, I opened my eyes once more. Most of the gas had dissipated however there were some lingering vapours which drifted along the floor. It almost looked as if they were alive, the fingers of smoke reaching out towards me.

I shook my head to clear the thought. My stomach lurched in protest. I turned to the side and heaved, my head throbbing painfully. After several long seconds of cramping stomach muscles in an attempt to purge my empty stomach, I slumped back against the wall.

Even though my body was tired and I felt as if I had a raging hangover, relief flooded through my body. I had lived. I had been outnumbered and at the mercy of Terran and his men and yet I had been spared.

I knew I could fight if I was pushed to. And yet I had entered a situation where I was outnumbered. It was a risk I took willingly. I should have waited. And now I was alive at Terran's mercy. He was toying with me. Playing a game that he thought he would win no matter what. It didn't take a genius to know there was something more happening here. He had to have leverage to have so much confidence in his odds.

Blinking, I remained slumped against the wall as I fought through the mental fog.

I bolted upright. Everything came into focus with startling clarity as if the clouds had parted. My head and stomach protested at the sharp movements but I fought against the sensation.

"Danny," I gasped, scrabbling up on to my feet as quickly as my body would allow.

Lethargy continued to drag at my limbs. I placed a steadying hand against the wall as I shuffled along, placing one shaky step in front on the other. My sword light lead the way. Every part of me fought to move faster and get there sooner.

In my heart, I knew that Terran wasn't lying. He could have said anything to hurt or terrify me. He could have just killed me. I knew within my gut that there really was a spy in the palace. Terran was a demon who liked to boast when he had power over someone else.

He had managed to corrupt everything with doubt and uncertainty. I had trusted the staff in the palace. Naively I had assumed they could all be trusted. Many had worked for Lucius and Hades for hundreds of years. They were treated well and with respect. What could make them turn against him? What could make someone turn into a traitor?

Drawing in a steadying breath, with my sword still clasped into my hands, I hurried through the darkened tunnels. My legs didn't work as they should. I gave them instructions but they had a mind of their own. Staggering from left to right, my body bounced off the walls as I fought to remain upright. Every few steps I would trip over thin air, my stomach making another lurch as I regained my balance.