Chapter 23

The demon kept in pace with me for several heartbeats, his fiery glower fixed in my general direction. I curled my fingers into Glinda’s fur, trying to ignore the infernal hoofbeats hitting the grass in counterpoint to my frantic pulse.

Our surroundings became streaks of orange. The only things remaining clear were the crimson clouds above us and a craggy hill that blotted the green landscape. It was backlit by the sky as though they’d both been set alight, and this part of Hell was becoming too hot, too stifling, too deadly.

I leaned away from Glinda’s neck, but his glaze didn’t shift with the movement. My throat spasmed.

“He can’t see us,” I told Beki. She barked her agreement. “If we stop to dismount—”

Becki’s panicked growl had my spine stiffening, and I blurted into our bond. “I won’t leave Glinda as a decoy. It was just a hypothetical thought.”

She remained silent, giving me an approving nod. I bit down on my bottom lip and considered my options.