Page 58 of An Unexpected Ascension (A War Between Worlds #1)

The Demon

Fucking Hell!

How was I supposed to know that Garroway fathered Greygore? How was I supposed to know that the undying beast was destructible only by the God who created him?

My intestines twist with whatever trickery Achaz is bestowing. They squirm and wriggle until they’re knotted and strained. The agony is blinding.

I double over and a part of me wants this to be it. To let go and cease to exist anymore. I would love to move on and never have to endure another ounce of pain again, but how selfish of me would that be? To leave my Angel to the fate I’ve escaped?

With trembling hands, I grip a dagger at my side – the sword along my back just too far to reach – and slam the blade into the ground once... then once more.

The screeching of metal against stone sounds out and I wait for the end. I wait for the Mortifier to spear through Achaz’s head and annihilate him. I wait for the other Gods to retaliate.

Except, none of that happens.

I begin to wonder if Greygore’s tormented cries distracted Briar from listening out for the signal. As I peer over at the pile of ashes where he once stood, where Lucifer now stands bewildered and enraged, I tap my blade again.

Nothing...

And then Hell falls over the Heavens. True Hell. Crashing down in Primordilias, eviscerating the utopian world as Ambrose approaches with Briar in hand.

Her eyes are alive with pure terror as they finally meet mine. None of this war is playing out to plan.

“Look who I found, my God.”

Ambrose titters.

“The one who got away.”

“Ah, what justice!”

Achaz grins, pushing himself to stand.

“The one who touched my tree and stole our secrets. Tell me, girl, did you think you would get away with it?”

He inches forward, closer to Briar and my guts tighten again. I lurch forward, now on my hands and knees. In this moment, I know what must be done.