Page 215 of Bedeviled

But it’s what’s on the other end of the room that catches my attention. Because within a circle of stone columns is a shimmery film, one that looks like it’s a rip in the fabric of time and space. It’s here that the droplets of blood abruptly end.

I reach across my bond. Memnon, I say, Eislyn has fled down a ley line. I’m going after her.

I sense dread stirring in him.

Careful, est amage, he cautions, she could be anywhere.

No, I’m certain there’s only one place that she’s retreated to⁠—

Back to where it all began.

—the Khuno River palace.

Nero and I step onto the ley line, and in an instant the palace falls away, replaced by a tunnel made of warped light and the vague colors of the world beyond it. Just like when I walked this road earlier with the Bargainer, however, I can see what lies beyond the tunnel more clearly, as well as the rifts that indicate doorways. They don’t technically look quite like doors, more like ripped seams, but when I peer through them, I can see they do, in fact, open to specific places.

I’d heard that the ability to travel ley lines was unique to fae and creatures of other realms, but I don’t think I realized what that meant until now.

This has to be another effect of the lilac wine.

My eyes scan the floor of the tunnel, looking for any remaining drops of blood Eislyn might’ve shed. But if her wounds are still bleeding, the ley line has already sucked the evidence of it up.

Ahead, the road splits. That was another new feature I noticed earlier with the Bargainer. I hadn’t worried too much about it then, because I had a guide, but now it’s going to prove trickier.

I pick a road and travel down it. At the first rift I see an island floating in the air, surrounded by the brightest sunlight.

Wincing at the light, I retrace my steps and take the alternate road.

Behind me, I hear a growl.

“Oh, wi-itch,” a voice taunts. “I smell you.”

You have got to be kidding me.

A demon followed me?

I can’t see its form yet, but I’m sure I’m working on borrowed time here.

Swiftly, Nero and I head down the other road, though I’m unsure where it will take me.

Behind me, I can hear the heavy breathing of the demon pursuing us. My familiar pauses, his tail twitching as he glances back.

“Don’t worry about him. Let’s see if we can get out of here before he reaches us.”

A fool’s hope, most likely, but I am, in fact, a fool.

I quicken my pace. Up ahead, another crack splits the wall of the ley line. Through it I can just make out darkness marred by the unholy glow of flame.

Witches’ tits, I think that’s an entire new world I’m staring at.

I’m almost to the opening when I turn and see the galloping form of a male demon on all fours.

I swallow my scream at the unholy sight. I didn’t know they could run like that.

My mind races for a spell as it closes the distance.

One springs to my lips.

“Obscur—”