Skender nudged Sorin, motioning with his muzzle toward the bulging opening. The veil was nearly open. Sorin raised his head and howled, calling out to Vasile. Mona whipped around and saw that Cypher was falling to the ground and as his body crumbled, the veil burst open. The air filled with a scream that had the wolves' eyes watering, as their ears nearly burst from the pain. A dark form flew from the veil. Before they could even get a good look at the figure, it exploded, a shiny arrow whistling through its midsection.

Mona roared as she watched the first demon be destroyed. Her head whipped around to where the arrow had originated. She started moving in that direction, but was brought up short when the Fae formed a wall between her and the elves on that side of the circle. Another dark form burst forth and another, and then another.

The demons were enormous. They began screaming, as wings sprouted from their backs. Misshapen heads attached to insect like bodies stared down with beady eyes at the fighting forms below them. Their mouths opened, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth and, as they started to scream again, arrows flew through the air. The scene erupted in a shower of green ichor, as not a demon remained standing. Mona’s face grew red with unrestrained fury as she shot spell after spell, trying to reach the elves through the wall of Fae. The elves continued to shoot down demons, as quickly as they burst forth from the opening.

Sally and Rachel had fallen at Cypher’s side and immediately laid their hands on him. With the exception of one enormous gash, Rachel began healing the wounds on his arms while Sally used the light in her to call to his blood. She was literally pulling it back away from the veil, reversing the flow and pushing it back into his body, forcing it through the one cut that Rachel had left open. She didn’t know if it would work, but as she called the blood back, she willed his heart to pump.

“Do not give up Cypher, your time isn’t over,” Sally whispered to his spirit, calling him back from the brink of death. “Your people need you, and your mate needs you. Do not leave at such a time as this.” She continued to call his blood and she felt Rachel add to her power, now that the wounds on his arms were healed, save one. Sally could feel herself growing weak and she felt Costin at her side helping to hold her up. She felt the pull of the evil reaching for the blood, needing all of it to keep the veil open, but Sally refused to give up.

“YOU CAN NOT HAVE HIM!” She roared. She reached her hand out toward the blood still running in a river to the veil and she pulled, imaging herself grabbing the blood like a rope and yanking it back as hard as she could. She pulled with everything she had in her and pushed it into Cypher’s body. She watched as the blood moved towards her, faster and faster it flowed back into the King’s body. As soon as the last drop was gone the veil snapped closed, but not before, like a cannon, ten demons shot out.

She collapsed onto Costin as she watched the evil soar above her like a swarm of massive hornets. Thedemons’ wings beat and their screams made her nauseated. She tried to keep her hand on Cypher to make sure his heart kept beating, but her energy was gone and the evil bearing down on her from the demons was too much. Darkness enveloped her.

Thalion notched another arrow as he yelled. “Faster, they’re about to be on the move.” Just as he said it, three demons shot off like bullets. Thalion bolted after them. Two of his fastest warriors matched his speed as they chased down the demons. The elves knew that the demons would wreak havoc on the world should they escape. They drew closer and Thalion pushed his legs faster, feeling his muscles resist at the speed. But he would not give up; he would not let Cyn, nor his people, down.

“Ready your bow,” he yelled as they closed in on them. “Steady,” he cautioned them. The demons began to fan out, searching for those they might devour. “Release!” The arrows appeared to move in slow motion as they flew towards their targets. The elves didn’t hesitate. Each whipped another arrow onto the string, readying for another shot. It wasn’t necessary. Thalion’s breaths stopped as he watched all three of the original arrows find their home. Blood and guts, which both looked and smelled about like raw sewage, rained down upon the forest.

“YEAH!” All three elves shot their hands up in victory.

“That was a close one,” Revion muttered, as he leaned over, trying to catch his breath and wiping a bit of ichor from his clothes.

“Too true,” Thalion agreed. “Come, we must get back.” He told them as he turned and once again took off in a sprint.

Mona ground her teeth, drawing in her power, ready to make her escape. Once again, she realized that she had been defeated.

“OH, NO YOU DON’T,” Peri yelled and she pushed even harder, attempting to wrap her power around the witch to hold her in place.

Just then, Vasile burst through the trees, his power nearly knocking everyone to the ground. He never paused as he took one step and leapt across the thirty or so feet to where Mona fought the Fae. He landed on her chest as his massive jaws wrapped around her throat. He sunk his teeth until he felt them hit her spine. He pulled with all his might, swinging his head violently until he ripped her head from her body.

The raging storm immediately stopped and the silence froze everyone in place. Vasile’s body heaved as he victoriously held the witch’s head in his mouth. He dropped it on the ground and howled a long, deep bellow into the still, dark sky.

No sooner had the howl ceased than they all heard a loud slow clapping. Their heads turned towards a very tall, very large, unfamiliar man, who came striding through a billow of black smoke rolling out of the forest. His eyes were a brilliant yellow and his face was pale. His jaw was sharp and his lips thin and tight across his face. He strode casually into the opening where they had battled Mona.