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Poppyspoke his thoughts: “Wecan’t fight creatures that refuse to die.Nowwill you run with me?”

Heglanced at their foes readying to attack, then back at her.CursinginDemonish, he grabbed her arm, and they fled down the hall.

Thealiens alone gave chase.Threedogged their heels while another pair launched themselves onto the ceiling to clamber along at full speed.

RökandPoppycareened around a corner, turning into a narrower corridor.Nodoors or windows.Justthe same worn carpet beneath their feet.

Thealiens closed in, gaining speed.

“Faster, witch!”Rökshoved her in front of him, pushing her along.Snappingjaws and swiping claws just missed him. “Go, go, go!”

Whenthey came to a fork in the hallway, he lifted her in his arms and sprinted as if there were a run on demon brew.Afterwhat felt like miles passed beneath his feet, he glanced over his shoulder.He’dmanaged some breathing room.

Wasthe best move to find the cursebreaker at all costs or locate the battery and escape this place, living to fight another day?Hisinstincts urged him to removePoppyfrom harm’s way.

Thefeel of her delicate body clasped against him heightened his resolve.He’ddo whatever it took to protect her—even from herself.Heran harder, barreling down corridors, pulling farther away from their pursuers.Hereached a second fork.Turnedright.Anotherfork.Right.Thenleft.Thenright.

Thealiens’ clambering grew faint.They’dchosen the wrong direction!

Atlast, the end of the hall loomed with a door that looked as if it’d come from a medieval castle.Spikesjutted around the door lever, warning them away.

Poppywhispered, “Thehell is this?”

Inthe distance, the aliens hissed.Aftera beat, their steps thundered inRökandPoppy’sdirection.

“Nochoice.”Hepulled on the lever.Insteadof opening, the door began to vibrate.Whirringgears and sliding bolts sounded, like a bank vault opening.

Thealiens turned the corner.

“They’recoming!”Poppy’shand dove into her satchel. “I’llcreate a portal to another part of the castle.”

Heyanked on the lever. “We’renot there yet.I’lltell you whenIneed help.”

Bogeysfifteen feet away.

Ten. . .

Thedoor opened.RöktossedPoppyinside and slammed the heavy door behind them.Thealiens shoved back, claws pinging the spikes.Asecondary maw extended through the growing gap in the doorway.Snapsnap!

“Push, demon!”Poppyleaned in beside him, using her own immortal strength to help. “Ishould’ve made a puddle out of them, huh?”

Hegrated, “Can’trisk a fire.”

Snapsnap!

“You’drather an alien bite off your head?”

Clawsreplaced the maw, those spindly fingers stretching. . . .

Rökgritted his fangs and shoved as hard as he could, utilizing all his demonic brawn.Justbefore the edge of the door sliced the alien and sent spatter everywhere, it retreated.RökandPoppyslammed the door closed.

Outside, the hissing and strikes faded as those same gears whirred, bolts clanking—a sprung trap.

Betweenbreaths,Poppysaid, “Thatdoesn’t sound good.”

Henoticed what looked like a steam-punk combination lock on the door—and blood all over its surface. “Itlocks from the inside.Sitrep, witch.”Theywhirled around.

Shemuttered, “Well, hell.”