Page 116 of Mortis

Slowly, our lips peeled back from our teeth. My grin widened. The leader my vessel had feared had been eliminated by another mortal. And while he had grown to believe our captor was terrifying, his death proved what I had known from the beginning.

He was weak and vulnerable.

Truly pathetic.

Their immortality was technically real. But their pact with Mammon was riddled with loopholes. And if there was one thing a demon loved above all else, it was a loophole.

I tipped our head back and bellowed with laughter.

The conversation above ceased immediately. There was nothing but silence until someone gasped.

“The beast!”

Without ceremony, I ripped the wooden door from its hinges. Beyond it, a set of stone steps led upwards. A stairway to freedom. I stepped forward, but our body refused to move.

Is this wise? the vessel asked, holding us in place. What if they punish us?

Rage curled through me. Even now, with our chains broken and our summoner dead, they still had their claws buried in him.

“Let them try.” I forced one hoof onto the first step. “We will tear them apart.”

The vessel’s hold loosened and I climbed. Each heavy stomp of our hooves echoed through the passageway, announcing our approach. Above us came screams. Cries of terror. The frantic patter of feet retreating through the corridors.

I followed.

They were prey.

And they were leading their predator straight to them.

Eventually, I reached a set of large, arched double doors made from thick wood. With a light push, I confirmed they were locked.

With a smile I took a step back, raised one fur-covered leg, and drove our hoof into the wood. The doors buckled, and wood splintered around the lock before both flew inwards. Beyond them was a vast atrium carved into the earth. Torches burned in sconces along the brick walls, their flames illuminating the terrified faces of Mammon’s congregation. Old paintings hung between them, each depicting what I assumed was supposed to be our master.

They were dreadful.

Mammon would have been deeply offended.

Not that there would be anyone left to admire them once I was finished.

My gaze swept across the room to see dozens of mortals and only one exit. An escape that I was currently blocking.

Perfect.

Fear soured the air. I closed our eyes and breathed it deep into our lungs.

For a long time, they had fed on ours, and now I would feast on theirs.

When my eyes opened, one brave, or perhaps incredibly foolish, member of the herd stepped forward and raised a trembling hand. “Get back, beast!”

Another tore a torch from the wall and held it before them like a weapon. “Return to your prison,” they ordered, despite the tremor in their voice. “Your master demands it.”

I stared at them, then laughed. Deep and rumbling. The sound of their nightmares finally coming to life.

“Your master is dead. Mine rules within Hell.” I stepped closer, towards the mortal with the torch. “And I will gladly send you to meet him.”

The mortal thrust the torch towards our face, and I almost pitied them.

Almost.