Page 24 of Discord and Cinder (Fire Witches of Salem #7)

CINDER

M y hands scraped across stone, and my chin smacked the ground, rattling my teeth. I scrambled to my knees and crawled forward, my muscles trembling, my stomach heaving. My dinner splattered into the river and floated away.

“Is this water?” I reached for it, ready to scoop it into my arid mouth, but Discord caught my wrist.

“Unless you wish to forget who you are and why you’re here, you shouldn’t drink from the river Lethe,” he said. “Come. We must keep moving.”

I sat back on my heels and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “Give me a minute.”

“We don’t have a minute.” He hauled me to my feet.

My lungs burned, and my head throbbed. “I just had all the air sucked from my body. Excuse me if I’m not ready to take off in a sprint. Plus, you did your space-bendy thing, which you said could kill me. Thanks for risking my life.”

“You’d be dead if I hadn’t. Now, we must keep moving. That kind of magic leaves a trail. It won’t be long before they find us if we remain here.” He clutched my shoulders, sympathy softening his eyes. “I can carry you.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to remind him I wasn’t some damsel in distress, but the look in his eyes gave me pause.

Real concern permeated his expression, and my body drifted toward him of its own accord.

He’d saved my life. Again. Between that and the blood/soul bond, it was only natural for me to feel warm fuzzies for the man, right?

It didn’t mean I needed to act on it.

“I can walk.” I stepped backward, out of his embrace. “What’s the plan?”

He cleared his throat. “There’s a town just beyond that hill. We can catch a train to the Canyon of Cries and pay cash for a room. There, we will regroup, and you can use the seer’s supplies to scry for Hecate.”

“What’s the Canyon of Cries? Is it like the Grand Canyon of the Underworld?” I adjusted the straps of my backpack and headed in the direction he pointed. “Vacation Central for demons?”

“Something like that.” He winced and clutched his chest.

“Are you okay? Did Bedlam get you?” I moved his hand, expecting to find his shirt torn and claw marks on his skin, but it was unmarred.

“I’m afraid my powers grow weaker by the hour. That feat of space-bending magic taxed me more than anything I’ve felt before.” He continued walking, and I matched his pace.

“Do you think it’s because of Lucifer? From when he stripped your title?”

“It could be that, among other things.”

“What other things? Slow down. My legs aren’t as long as yours.” I grabbed his arm, and he slowed his pace.

“We’ve established that our bond weakens my immunity,” he said. “Both the Forest of Suffering Souls and Seraphine’s poisoned arrow proved the fact. It’s possible I’m feeling your reaction to space-bending travel.”

I nipped my bottom lip between my teeth, contemplating his words. “Maybe, but this time wasn’t nearly as bad as the first. I didn’t pass out.”

He glanced at me. “Perhaps our bond is strengthening you while weakening me.”

“Hmm. I’m not so sure.” I shook my head. “Back at the seer’s cave…when you refused to fight in your demon form…you weren’t being indignant, were you? You really couldn’t transform, just like you couldn’t disguise yourself when we got to your secret hideout.”

“Correct.”

“That had nothing to do with me.”

His mouth tightened. “I suppose not. I’m also no longer in possession of the amulet. Its magic strengthens the power of the bearer tenfold. Perhaps it also absorbs power, and that is why I feel weakened.”

The path inclined, and my lungs burned as we trekked uphill. “You think some of your power is trapped inside it?”

“It is a possibility.”

“That would explain why Hecate is so pissed. Maybe some of her power is trapped in it too.”

His brows shot toward his hairline. “If that is the case, convincing her to return to Lucifer without it is futile.”

“We have to try.”

“I agree. We have no other option.”

We reached the top of the hill, and the town came into view.

Rows of single- and two-story buildings lined the street, their facades made of onyx and garnet.

A train track ran across the foot of the hill, and Discord took my hand, tugging me toward a patch of gnarled trees as a whistle blew and the familiar chugga chugga sound vibrated in the air.

“When the train stops, we’ll have to run,” he said. “Are you able?”

I rubbed my chest and took a deep breath. “My lungs still hurt, but I’ll manage. How about you?”

“I will manage as well.” He cut his gaze left and right as the train pulled into the station, its brakes squealing and clanking.

A trail of thick black smoke rose from the engine’s chimney, and an open car behind it held a massive mound of coal, like the old-timey earthly trains. Behind that, it pulled four passenger cars and half a dozen box cars.

“Now.” Discord took my hand again, and together we darted down the hill.

Thankfully, the passengers boarded and exited the train on the opposite side of the track. If we tried to waltz on with them, we’d certainly be met with the same warm welcome we’d received in the last town, and I was way too exhausted to deal with another mob.

We reached the bottom of the hill and dashed left, away from the passengers, before stopping at the second cargo car.

A massive padlock, bigger than my hand, secured the door.

Discord pulled on it, apparently trying to break it.

When he couldn’t, he grunted and paced to the next car.

I followed him, peering down the line, but every single one had the same type of lock.

“If I wasn’t stuck in this form, I could pick it with a talon easily.” He gripped the lock, tensing every muscle in his body and pulling with all his might.

“I’m sure whoever created those made sure they could withstand demon strength. May I?” I gestured to the lock.

“Please.” He let go and stepped away.

I hovered my hands over the lock and called on my vim. This act of magic would only add to my exhaustion, but what choice did I have? “Iron bound and sealed tight, hear my call and yield to my might. By flame and force, I break your core. Unlock, unbar, and open the door.”

The lock fell open, and I pulled it off the latch. Discord yanked on the heavy metal door, sliding it open just far enough for us to slip through. Inside was dark and dank, and I lit a fireball in my hand as he closed us in. A stack of boxes sat in one corner, but the rest of the space was empty.

“How long is the ride?” I settled onto the floor, leaning my back against the wall.

“It’s hard to say. Time is?—”

“Different here. Yeah.” I closed my eyes and squeezed the bridge of my nose, willing the impending migraine to go away.

“Your body requires rest.” He sat next to me.

I laughed dryly. “Ya think? It also requires food and a shower.”

“Those things will be available at our next stop. Once we secure the room, I will stay inside while you acquire the provisions.”

“What am I, your personal shopper?” I leaned my head back, and the train began moving, the rhythmic cadence lulling me, making it hard to keep my eyes open.

“Without a disguise, I would be recognized instantly. If we are to spend any amount of time in the canyon, I must remain hidden.”

“Mmm…” was all I managed before I drifted off to sleep.

“Cinder?” Discord’s deep voice seemed to wrap around me, warming me like a heated blanket on a cold winter night. “Wake up. We’ve arrived.”

I snorted, my head jerking as I returned to consciousness. Apparently, I’d gotten cozy during my nap, because I woke with my cheek resting against Discord’s chest, his arm wrapped around me. I blinked a few times as my senses returned, and our cuddled position registered in my brain.

“Sorry.” I sat up, cringing at the drool stain on his shirt and wiping my mouth.

He looked down and chuckled. “It’s better than shedim guts. There’s an outfitter next to the hotel. We should have enough ashmarks left to buy new clothes.”

“Still, I’m sorry for using you as a pillow.” I clambered to my feet and instinctively offered him a hand up.

“I didn’t mind.” He accepted my gesture, gripping my hand as he stood. “I was quite comfortable, though you do snore.”

His grin made my stomach do a flip-flop, and I was certain by the warmth spreading across my cheeks that I blushed. He stepped closer, still holding on to me and raising our entwined hands to his chest.

He stared so deeply into my eyes, I swear he saw the very core of my being. “You’re my soul bride. It’s my duty to ensure your comfort.”

“Umm…” I swallowed hard and tugged from his grasp. “Yeah. No. You don’t have to do that.”

I shook my head and backed toward the door, silently berating myself for feeling all these warm fuzzies. I should have balked when he called me his bride. Instead, the word burrowed into my heart, attempting to take up residence.

No way could I let that happen.

“I’m compelled to.” He cracked the door open and peered from side to side. “It brings me pleasure, which I have not felt in centuries.”

He tugged it open further, and I hightailed it out of the car. My boots thudded on the gravel, and I adjusted my backpack as he slipped out and closed the door behind him.

“Yeah, well…” I tapped my arm and then my temple. “We’ve got the whole blood thing going on, so…”

“Of course. That must be why.” He nodded, though he didn’t look convinced, and he took a stack of cash from his pocket.

“Give me the invisibility spell and go to the back end of the train and cross the tracks. Hold your head high and act like you belong. Now would be a good time to use your silver tongue if you have enough vim.”

I handed him the potion bottle and did a quick vibe check. It seemed my sleepy snuggle session with the demon did, in fact, recharge me enough to make this happen. I took the ashmarks and shoved them into my pocket. “Got it. Not a problem.”