The Crini examines me and Adair, its red eyes flaring demon-bright. The monster creeps closer, its long tentacles raised high. I move into battle stance, my tail arching over my shoulder.
Across the stadium floor, the Tinea fights Lincoln, its diamond claws sparring with the Prince’s baculum sword. Angling its head-lump toward the Crini, the Tinea lets out a series of angry chirps. I don’t speak Tinea, but I’m guessing it’s something like ‘back off buddy, I got her.’ The Crini pauses, shivers, and slinks away.
Adair grins. “See, what I mean? They won’t touch the Scala Heir, although this thing–” she kicks the dead Manus demon “–almost crushed me when it fell over.”
“The other demons avoid you because Armageddon sent the Tinea.” I’m careful to whisper every word. “As long as you stand totally still and keep your voice down, the Tinea can’t track you. So stay quiet and don’t move, okay?”
“Sure, whatever.” Adair glances around the stadium floor, her body language screaming ‘she’s not with me.’
Rage coils inside my belly. I’m trying to save Adair’s life and, like her jackass of a father, she’s too stuck-up and stubborn to see it.
Adair speaks in a full voice. “Look, all I’m worried about is a ride home. I should never have agreed to stop by the Arena this morning, only the ghoul asked so nicely.”
Ride home? Is she serious? “Demons are attacking Purgatory, Adair.”
“So?”
I’m about to say ‘so your people probably evacuated,’ but she’s keeping her voice down (sort-of) and not moving. Why push it? “I’m sure someone will be here soon.”
Adair freezes. “Lincoln!” She jumps up and down. “My Prince is here to save me.”
Enough, already. My hands grip her upper arm. “What part of ‘stand still and shut up’ was unclear?”
“Lincoln! Oh, Lincoln!” She tugs us both toward the Prince and the Tinea.
I dig my heels into the Arena floor and hold her arm firm. “Adair, what did I say? Stay quiet and don’t move. Lincoln is fighting a demon right now.”
She squirms harder under my grasp. “Let me go!” She turns to me. “How dare you–” She freezes, her eyes carefully inspecting my face. “Hey, when did you get those blue irises?”
Unholy moley. I can see where this is going, and it’s not a happy place.
“I don’t have blue irises. You’re seeing things.” Not my best lie.
“Did you come here with Lincoln? You two disappeared at the party after your little Cunnus girl thing.” Her tiny eyes thin to slits. “I need to talk to the High Prince. Now.” She pokes my rib cage with her pointer finger. “I’ll have you know, he and I are basically almost-engaged.”
I take a deep breath. “Sure you are.” I want to kick her. So. Hard. “Focus, Adair. Remember the nasty worm demon?”
“Lincoln!” She yanks against me with all her strength.
I speak in the loudest whisper I can manage. “Adair, stay still.”
She drags us both a few feet across the stadium floor. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Panic flickers in her eyes. “You’re pretending to be the Scala Heir, aren’t you?” She shoots a desperate look at Lincoln. “Well, you’re not. I’m the Scala Heir. I’M THE SCALA HEEEEEEIR!”
Crap.
The Tinea stops. Angling its lumpy head, it sniffs through two jagged nose-holes. “Scala Heir.”
Oh no, it smells the scent of igni on me, just like Armageddon did.
Lincoln hacks away at the Tinea’s body, but the wounds heal as soon as they’re made. The only way to kill a Tinea is to cut all four wormy limbs at once. Which is why no one’s ever done it.
The demon plunges its arms into the ground, its body quickly burrowing under the soil of the Arena. It leaves behind a narrow hole in the stadium floor. I stare at the darkened pit, wishing I could jump in and hide for a little while. Maybe just until Adair’s dead.
Lincoln sprints in our direction. “Don’t move!”
“See, I was right. My Prince will save me.” Adair’s face twists into a haughty smile. “I’m thrax, and thrax know demons. That worm-thing was nothing to worry about.”
Ugh, I can’t believe she’s this thick. Leaning my weight on my right hip, I watch her hop about and call for her Prince. Oh yeah, I believe.
“The demon will resurface any second.” I grip her arm tighter. “Don’t move or it will show up right by your–”
“Lincoln! I knew you’d come for me.” She jumps up and down. Again.
I sigh. “Adair, you need to work on your listening skills.”
Lincoln stands beside the false Scala Heir. I release her arm; she cuddles into his chest. “Oh, my Prince! I was so frightened.”
Rage boils through me. Hands off, he’s mine.
Lincoln pats her back. “Everything will be fine, Adair.” His gaze shifts to me. “Myla, you said you’d keep her still.”
Sweet Satan! No way are my Adair management skills getting critiqued here. I set my fists on my hips. “I tried. She’s kind-of a bitch.”
Laughter dances in Lincoln’s eyes.