Two more landlocked shadowbeasts were suddenly in her way. They raced at her from either side, hissing and spitting. Keriya stopped to find purchase on the pebbly ground. She braced herself, and when the first animal lunged she hacked at it. The edge of the blade bit into its neck, but it wasn’t a killing blow. The demon hissed and retreated, allowing its partner to take its place. She was luckier this time, and her wild swing connected with its skull. The creature disintegrated, leaving her free to continue her climb.
“Keriya!” Max’s shout reached her and a hand closed on her left wrist.
“Max, let me go . . .” The words died on her lips. It wasn’t the prince who had grabbed her. It was a shadowman.
He grinned, exposing rows of shiny black teeth, and raised his free hand. Obsidian fire
