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The sound of hissing and giggling filled her ears Dark shadows crept along the walls Definitely de fear, but she resisted

I’ht She was She leaped up In the corner, a shadow thickened, solidified into a hazy blob and scurried across the desk, reaching out to brush her hair A light breeze dusted her skin, the scent of rotten eggs clinging to her nose

On went the lights

Off

On--and as brightness flooded the rooain, five demons came into view, and they resembled the snakes from the park Their scales were the salowing green eyes, and jaws open wide, revealing fangs sharper than any knife, with a yellowed substance drip, drip, dripping onto the floor and burning, causing the carpet to sizzle and stea in her direction

I’m not helpless I’m really not I’ you for breakfassst," one taunted

"Your sssister will be desssert," another added

More giggles

She opened her h, but the door burst open, silencing her Sirena raced inside, pale hair flying behind her She brandished a long, thin sword, and the snakes jolted backward, cursing at her

"Get out of here, fiends! Now," she shouted Metal whistled through air, and the creatures darted left and right, desperate to get out of her way

One of the creatures disappeared in a puff of black sht in Sirena’s blue eyes, one that said she was just crazy enough to fight the de must have sensed her determination, because they tossed one last hiss in Nicola’s direction and vanished

Panting, Sirena dropped the sword on the floor "You’re safe"

Laila peeked out from underneath the desk as Nicola raced over to her "Are you all right, Sirena?"

"I’irl brushed her fall of pale hair over one shoulder "Promise"

"How did you do that?" Inside, Nicola’s instincts were churning Soht "How did you knoe needed help?"

She flashed a quick smile "I’m like Koldo He asked me to look after you"

Koldo! He hadn’t abandoned her, after all

"I’htly "Those things are dangerous They’re the foul offspring of serp demons and Nefas"

Nicola placed her hand on her sto ache "Thank you Thank you for helping us"

Laila stood, swaying Her skin had taken on a sickly cast, and her eyes had glassed over "Are you okay, Co Co?"

"I am You?"

"F-fine"

"If you both want to stay that e have to get out of here," Sirena announced "Koldo wants you with him Come on I’ll take you to him"

"I DON’T LIKE THIS," Koldo said It was too easy The Nefas had never been this obvious with their tracks

He and Axel had gone fro to search for a clue The breadcrumbs had just been here and there, obvious to any Sent One A trail frolaze of venom on a door A spiked footprint A hint of sulfur-scented set a mani-pedi and discuss our options?" Axel asked

"No" They were aware of the fact that this could be a trap, and so they could turn the plan against the Nefas

Koldo darted through the back alley, Axel a few paces behind him, each hidden in the spirit realm, their swords of fire at the ready But the further he followed the newest trail, the clearer Koldo remembered the times he’d helped his father provide false tracks for others, even though they’d known the searcher would suspect it was a trap Nox had never cared about that--had only wanted the males distracted

Distracted, so that Nox could steal so of value without any opposition

Koldo stopped, and Axel slammed into his back "This isn’t a trap, it’s a distraction He just wants us away fro, Koldo released the sword of fire and flashed to the building, into Nicola’s office He found the phone shattered on the floor He found a discarded weapon--one he recognized Long, thin, thefrom a hilt that appeared to be the wide jaw of a snake

His father’s

The first spark of rage hit him Nicola’s perfume created a soft sweetness in the air, but that sweetness couldn’t cover the taint of sulfur Serp demons had been here And Nicola waswas

No! He punched the wall She was alive, he told hi else His father wouldn’t kill his only ace

But still the rage ated; his nails sharpened

Control He needed answers What had happened here? Where was Ja?