Page 89 of Guardian

He untied himself from the rope and helped Winter up. “You hurt?” he whispered.

She shook her head.

He snatched his backpack, took Winter’s hand and started running down the tunnel. After about a hundred yards, there was an intersection. Logan pulled out the map Winter had drawn and looked at it, holding it closer to one of the flames shooting out through the crevices in the rock.

“This way,” he said.

Winter put her hand on his arm and pointed to the map. “No. Those vortex circles are too close to the tunnels Zoltan and the other demons used. They’ll already have too many guards there.” She pointed to another circle where several tunnels converged. “This one is farther away. Chances are they haven’t reached it yet to add more guards.”

“You’re right. Let’s go that way then.”

They ran most of the way, hurrying as much as they could without making too much noise. On occasion, they had to consult the map. Logan was surprised at how accurate it was, and glad for it. By his estimate, it took them about ten minutes to get close to the vortex circle. Logan could see it at the end of the tunnel.

He stopped and pulled Winter close to him, so he could explain the next step.

“We have to get to the vortex circle and get a demon to open a vortex for us so we can travel to the human world.”

“Are you saying that I should try to influence a demon? I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never tried it. What if it doesn’t work?”

Logan shook his head. “I have a better plan.” He reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a vial. “Wesley gave me this. It’ll temporarily turn my eyes demon-green, and remove my aura, so the demons won’t realize that I’m a Stealth Guardian.”

“You mean, you’ll be able to cast a vortex to get us out of here?”

He shook his head. “Alas, no. But don’t worry. I have a plan. Do you trust me?”

She nodded.

“Then do exactly what I tell you to do once we reach the vortex circle.” He opened the vial and downed the liquid in it. “This had better work.” The potion tasted disgusting. He almost gagged.

“Oh my God,” Winter whispered.

“What?”

She pointed to his eyes. “Demon eyes.”

“Good. Let’s go. We’ll be visible now.” He paused for a second. “And sorry about this.”

Before she could protest, he grabbed her by her bicep and led her toward the circle. In the distance he could hear shouting and footsteps approaching. Reinforcements. He had to act quickly.

“Hey, you!” Logan addressed the guard who stood at the edge of the circle holding a clipboard.

Almost bored, the demon said, “State your business.”

“Orders from the Great One,” Logan said and dragged Winter closer. “He needs you to take her up top now. There’s a mutiny afoot.” He motioned to the tunnel from which sounds could be heard. “They want to kill her. It’s of the utmost importance to the Great One to hide this woman. Go! Take her up top.”

“Why don’t you do it? I’ve got guard duties.”

Logan went right up in his face and growled, “Because the Great One gave me explicit orders! That’s why! Or would you rather feel his wrath? Shall I tell him you questioned his orders?”

The demon suddenly shrank away. “No, no. I’ll do it. Of course. Where does he want me to take her?”

“To San Francisco. Once you’re there, hide her, stay with her. The Great One will find you when it’s safe.”

The demon nodded dutifully and Logan released Winter’s arm. She stared at him, frightened and shocked. But it was good this way. She looked genuinely scared. The demon wouldn’t suspect a thing.

“Go!”

The demon snatched Winter by the arm and cast a vortex in the middle of the circle, then jumped in with her.