The dagger was coming free, and as I was slipping I noticed the Gryphon raise its front leg. I pushed off of it, using it as leverage, completely dislodging the blade from its skull.
As soon as its leg dropped, I fell but managed to plunge the dagger into the Gryphon’s chest. It clawed at me, its talons hooking into my back and tearing. I screamed in excruciating pain, pulling the blade and holding it in my grasp as I kicked backward away from it.
The Gryphon was dying, sustaining major injuries to its brain and heart, but in its last moments, it dove after me. Its sharp beak and talons ready to tear me apart before its end.
Then, out of nowhere, it was hit from the side, and tumbled away from me. Bane had come to my rescue. I watched the Gryphon’s wings tangle as it spiraled downward, crashing into the trees which were instantly leveled as it hit and tumbled to the ground below.
Bane flew back and caught me before I hit. As soon as he grabbed me, he hugged me close. “Shit, you did it. I can’t believe you did it.”
“I told you to trust me.” I smiled, and then cringed as the pain in my back felt like it was on fire.
“You’re hurt.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said. “I just need to get back to the house.”
He nodded and flew as fast as he could. It wasn’t as far as I thought it was, and as soon as the house came into view, I was instantly relieved.
A loud caw right to the side of us scared the crap out of me. As I turned my gaze, I saw Ash flying right next to us.
“Ash,” I yelled, hoping Lucifer was watching. “Go help Ethon. He’s battling Lucian’s Fallen, and Hellhounds which have been set free.”
It was as if the bird understood because it immediately banked right and flew behind us, in the direction of Ethon.
“I hate that bird,” Bane growled.
“I hate its master,” I sighed, then winced.
Bane shook his head.
As we reached the house, he set me down in front of the barrier.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said, hugging him.
He stood stock still.
“Thank you.” He bowed his head. “Now, hurry and get inside, and remember… not a word.”
I nodded then turned and ran for the front door. Relief blanketed me as soon as I touched the knob. I twisted and pushed it open, bumping into someone.
I gasped and threw my hand over my mouth.
“Emma?”
“Kade?” I cried and instantly fell into his arms.
“Holy crap. Are you okay?” he said, his eyes wide with horror.
“Yes. I’m fine. How did you know I’d be here?”
Kade turned his head and I saw Thomas peek around the corner and wave, but when he saw me his eyes went wide with horror.
“We need to go to that secret place. Now.”
I took a step and collapsed to my knees. The pain in my back was excruciating.
“You’re hurt?”
“Just a scratch on my back,” I exhaled.
Kade lifted me into his arms and carried me up the stairs and down the hallway. Thomas stayed back near the room just in case.
When we entered the secret passage, we quickly made our way down to the safe room. He turned on the light and set me down on a chair before securing the door. Then he helped me stand and walked me over to the sink, and grabbed a towel. Wetting the corner, he began wiping the dry blood off my face and hands.
“How did this happen?” he asked.
“We were attacked by Fallen and Hellhounds.”
“Hellhounds?”
“Yes. We think Lucian let them out. There are at least a dozen running around outside. And there was a Gryphon.”
Kade stopped and looked at me. “A Gryphon? Do you even know what a Gryphon is?”
“Yes. The eagle-lion monster. I know it well because it almost killed me and Bane. But don’t worry, I killed it first.”
“First of all, the Gryphon are not allowed into the mortal world. Second, if it was a Gryphon how the hell did you kill it?”
“I know Gryphon aren’t allowed into the mortal world, but there was one chasing us on our way back here. Its talons sliced right through my super suit. I turned my back to Kade.
“Shit, Emma. That’s deep. How are you even standing? Come.” He led me to the bed and helped zip the suit down. I was only wearing a cami and underwear underneath, so I kept the bottom part of the suit in place. He helped me lay on my stomach and situated a pillow under my head before going to the cupboard to retrieve the vial of healing potion.
“This might sting a bit at first, but the pain will quickly subside.”
“It stings right now. Just do it,” I said, pinching my eyes closed in anticipation of the pain to follow.
He unscrewed the vial and I felt the liquid drip over my back. It stung ten times worse than I’d remembered. Holding my breath, I gripped the side of the bed and waited until the pain subsided.