I’m still somewhat dazed after completing my Necromancer Series trilogy, but the final book is out and here’s an excerpt depicting Ruby and Ewan’s mad dash to escape creatures in the demon realm. Enjoy!
“We need to move. We shouldn’t stand around in one spot for too long.”
I did my own scan of our area, suddenly anxious. “So where are we exactly?”
In response, a piteous howl sounded in the distance, and I cursed while a tremor rippled through me. That wasn’t the answer I was looking for.
Ewan grimaced. “These are the Myz forests. Consider it our version of Tolkien’s Mirkwood Forest.”
“Yea,” I said with mock enthusiasm. “I was hoping for another questionable, scary forest teeming with demon rejects.” Of course, of course the goddamn Death Cult Sanctuary had to be located in a place where demons avoided, where nameless beasts wandered, where I had to search for a questionable relic that may or may not rip my world apart.
Ewan took the lead and led us down a path thick with trees. Their roots protruded from the ground like tentacles of the Kraken itself, busting past the frothing waves. Branches swaying above us formed a canopy. Their thick foliage blocked out the daylight while the ground bore the wet smell of decaying organic matter. While this resembled a human jungle—on acid—experience had taught me that the next moment could introduce any number of strange creatures or flesh eating flora. The more I stared, flicking my gaze side to side, back and forward and up, the more I caught a shake of leaves or twinkle of orb-like lights.
To temper my nervousness, I broached the topic of Ivo and the fight. “Won’t Ivo seek us out when he finds out Damon is alive?”
“He won’t find out, not for a while. For all he knows, I delivered a fatal stab to Damon. Portia took Damon to the home of her allies where he can recover, buying us some time before Ivo discovers the truth.”
Or we’d all die and it wouldn’t matter.
Ewan slowed his pace and tightened his grip on his sword. He twisted his head back. I’d nipped at his heels as we walked, so much so that I plowed into his back when he stopped suddenly. He gazed intently at a spot in the thick cluster of trees beside us, drew closer and swiped at a bunch of moss, revealing a statue. Black lines ran like distended veins over the red stone figure. It loomed a good five feet taller than Ewan. As he cleared away more moss, I stood back and stared with dismay at the wolf-like statue, fangs extending from a long snout. It stood on hind legs held up by an almost human torso, and claws. Freakishly long claws.
“Is this a real creature?” I asked.
He tapped the edge of his sword on the torso. “These marks. These things were long thought extinct, but . . . ” He scanned the area again. “We should get to the Sanctuary.”
I gave the red, black smudges Ewan had pointed out one more look before taking off after him. “What are the marks?”
“Possibly a ritual to waken them from slumber. If they still exist that is.”
I glanced behind me again and resumed my position at his heels. And once again, I plowed into him. Damn it. “Can you please . . . ?”
He clamped a hand over my mouth, which really covered half my face. Continue reading
