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

Hell's Throne - Chapter 25

I knew our luck was running too well.

We had made it into Tartarus and then back to the city boundary relatively unscathed. I knew with certainty that our good fortune couldn't last. Things were never that easy. At least, that was what my life in the supernatural had taught me so far.

I hated being right.

It started with a prickling on the back of my neck. Someone was watching us – the touch of their gaze burning into my flesh. I didn't have to look to know that trouble had arrived.

"We're being watched," I warned in a low voice before glancing at the warriors behind me. "Be on guard."

Lucius's orb thudded painfully against my chest as I came to a halt. I had taken a piece of the leather from the beast's nest to fashion a sling and, though it had held up under the weight of the orb, its comfort had worn off quickly. My chest felt bruised and tender from the repeated impact of the orb against my flesh. Still, I pushed through the pain because it was small in comparison to what it would mean if I could give Lucius what he had been missing.

The castle doors were within sight yet still too far away. The rough and rocky terrain of Tartarus has been replaced by more civilised surroundings but it offered little comfort. I could feel danger lurking close by. Far too close for comfort. For a moment I almost sure I felt them breathing down my neck. Eyes alert, I tightened my grip on my sword as I scanned the surrounding landscape. It was as if all of held their breath. There was the same eerie stillness that had existed in Tartarus but here it felt wrong.

Usually there was evidence of life everywhere, even if it was the underworld. But now, the air was strangely devoid of everything. There was no distant chatter from the town. There were no chuckles of the castle patrols as they attempted to pass time. All of these sounds were just – absent.

Castiel had paused a few feet ahead, sword held aloft and knees bent as he prepared for an attack. He met my eyes for a second and offered a stiff nod.

Rolling my shoulders, I pressed my hand on to the orb to ensure it was still secure, before allowing my sword to become corporeal. The comforting weight filled my hands as gripped it firmly with both hands.

For a moment everything hung on a precipice, both sides waiting for the signal to begin.

And then there was a loud crunch as one of the warriors behind me shifted on his feet. It was far too loud in the stillness and, as if it was the starting pistol, noise erupted around us. They emerged from behind trees, walls and bushes in a rapid wave. It was just one large surging mass of angry demons of all shapes and sizes. They flooded in from every direction until they quickly surrounded us on all sides.

Adrenaline coursed through my blood and I felt myself slipping back into the familiar battle stance. Back to back with Castiel, my sword was poised and ready to strike as I stared up into the angry faces of our enemy. Their lips were curled into feral snarls and their eyes were cold. They were definitely not a welcoming party.

With a great lunge, the first demon hurled a dagger straight towards me. Moving lightly on my feet, I darted to the side and used my sword to deflect the blade. It clattered to the floor at my feet.

And then everything was moving so quickly I had barely a moment to think. My body moved on instinct, twisting and turning through the motions as I dodged, ducked, and weaved around the attacks coming my way. They were relentless. And so was I.

I jabbed my sword forward and it cleaved through fabric and flesh like a hot knife through butter. The light in the demon's eyes faded quickly. My stomach rolled uncomfortably in response. Taking a life was so easy and yet I still felt the weight of it upon my soul.