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Unless she found a way to return, they’d be trapped here. And she had a suspicion Hadeon would try to keep her from going to the gateway in the western tundra.

Hate as hot as the sun’s surface filled her veins, and she felt black filtering over her gaze, sharpening her sight. He’d damned the shadow fae to live in the Abyss, perhaps indefinitely. He’d also eliminated the chance of saving Elias with the only army willing to face Magnus.

His gaze raked over her, lingering on her dark nails with tips as sharp as a blade’s edge. “I see you’ve unlocked your magic.”

She didn’t deny it. “I did what I had to—to save my mate.”

“Surely, you can see how dangerous it would be if demons were in the fae realm,” he said. “Would you make the fae suffer the same as your home?”

“It’s a fate I wouldn’t wish upon anyone,” she said. “I’d also never wish an eternity in this place for anyone.”

“Get us out of here alive, and I’ll speak to my mother. I’ll convince her to help save your mate and Shadowbank.”

Something inside her hardened.

If he’d offered this to her before, they never would have entered the Abyss. But he hadn’t taken her concerns seriously when she’d requested his help. It wasn’t until she was a dangerto him that he truly cared about the safety of Shadowbank or her mate.

“You’re only offering this because I can kill you the moment we step through the gateway,” she said, her voice cold.

“You should be thankful I spared your friend when she could have easily been left behind.” He grabbed Arabella’s jacket and pushed her toward the desert. “Get that map out, Enchantress. Or should I say Demoness?”

Stumbling forward, she glared at him with every ounce of hatred she felt. But he was right. The shadow fae would be flooding out of the mountain soon. Would Arden be able to stop them? He knew she couldn’t hold the gateway open for the shadow fae even if she wanted to. Not with her bargain with Hadeon and the wording he’d used.

Unless Hadeon is dead.

If the prince wasn’t alive, would that nullify her bargain with him? She could only hope.

“I’ll never forgive you for this,” she hissed through the hate filling her heart.

For a long moment, his eyes shifted between hers. “This isn’t what I wanted. But it’s what I must do to protect my home.”

Then they ran through the desert. She would have leapt between the shadows, but she had to save her strength in case any demons appeared. Not to mention, using magic would draw the attention of any demons nearby. It would be the same for Breckett and the shadow fae if they tried to shadow jump.

She slowed her steps as much as she dared as they ran over rolling hills of sand. All she could do now was hope Arden and his warriors could catch up to them in time.

Otherwise, she’d take Hadeon and Jessamine through the gateway—and leave the shadow fae behind.

Trapped in the Abyss forever.

Chapter Twenty-Four

ARABELLA

“Demon isn’t a terrible look on you.”

From the playful tone in Jessamine’s voice, Arabella knew her friend was trying to cheer her up, but her mood was as dark as the skies of the Abyss.

Arabella shifted her pack over her shoulder as they ran through the desert. Her eyes strayed to where Hadeon flew half a mile ahead of them to scout out the land in case any demons were nearby.

“Do you think there’s any way to let the shadow fae through?” Arabella asked, careful to keep her voice low.

Jessamine shook her head, not sounding winded at all. “Not this time. But… we could come back to the Abyss if we can find the entrance again. Then we can lead them out.”

Damn it, they didn’t have time to make the journey again.

When Arabella spoke, her words were barely more than a whisper. “Elias won’t make it that long.”

Suddenly, Hadeon turned from the skies and landed beside them.