Page 115 of Hunted By Fear

Besides, it’s not like I’m trying to leave; I just want to see the moon!

I pass the library quietly so as not to tip off Kai, who pretty much lives in there, as I move to the huge main door.

Cut into the door is a smaller one, and while I don’t expect it to open, I still press both my hands on the cool wood and shove it with all of my weight, almost falling over when it not only moves but swings all the way open.

No fucking way.

The moon is just as breathtaking out here as I thought it would be, and I stand staring as if in a trance.

“Aerilyn,”I look around, but see nobody around.

I should go back to bed before the guys wake up and worry.

With my mind made up and my curiosity sated, I turn to go back, or I attempt to. Instead, I remain where I am, unable to move.

“Aerilyn.”The call is louder this time and pulls at something inside of me.

My foot finally moves, only for it to do the opposite of what I want, moving me outside of the castle.

The guy’s warning rings in my mind, and I attempt to scream, but even after I manage to pry my lips open, no sound comes out.

Panic grips me, and my chest feels tight.

Suddenly, my eyes feel heavy. I blink and have to fight to open my eyes again. When I finally pry them open again, nothing looks the same.

The castle is gone, the heat is intense, and I’m pretty sure there are others around. I can’t see them, but I feel their eyes on me.

Pieces of time are stolen from me, and after what might have been moments or hours, I open my eyes once again to find myself standing in front of a gate. It’s hundreds of feet tall with intricate metalwork and what looks like demon skulls carved into the archway.

Everything in me screams that I need to turn away, to call for the guys, anything but go in there.

Too bad I’m not the one in control.

Something’s wrong.

My eyes fly open, and I find Talian where Aeri should be, and I know this feeling isn’t just some paranoid worry but a sign that something is really wrong.

“Fuck, man, you’re not nearly as cute as our girl.” Talian shoves me away, and as much as it would normally excite me to hear him say‘our girl,’despite me not being mated to her, I can’t bring myself to care right now. I kick out, catching Ruin in the ribs, but he grumbles, and I hear him move.

“Aeri’s gone.”

Those two words get both of their attention as they jump out of bed on full alert.

I can still smell her; she was here not long ago, but how long is hard to tell. This is her room after all; the whole place is drenched in her scent.

I don’t bother waiting for the others; they’re big boys. I take off into the castle and quickly find I have the same issue.

Everything smells of Aeri.

I lap the castle, once, twice, checking all her favorite places before Talian calls out to me.

“She’s not here!” Ruin shouts, his voice bouncing off the high ceiling, and I scowl at him.

We don’t need the whole castle to know she’s missing; not everyone or everything here cares for her safety.

The imps work for Lucifer, but if they were set free topside, they would have no issues eating humans. I’ve seen it. And as much as I would love to think they know better, not to cross the devil himself, I can’t guarantee that.

“Shhh,” Talian hisses, clearly having the same thought as me, as his gaze flicks around the room.