[Trent]I looked up at the demon. It wasn’t like the last one we faced. There were no tentacles, but dark wisps of shadows danced around the feet of it. Its fingers were long and tipped with sword-like claws. It twisted in such a way, that you wouldn’t know it was ever man-shaped. Almost none of Oberon’s features were discernable anymore, except for his long hair, which was blood red and white as fresh snow all at the same time. The ceiling of the cavern was at least forty feet high and the long points of the demon’s horns were scraping it. The thing was huge. This wasn’t something we could easily fight one on one. The tallest members of our party were about ten feet tall. It was like infants trying to fight an adult. “We can’t fight here,” I said to them. “That thing could stomp on us easily and there’s no way to get an attack anywhere sensitive.”“The elf said something about a cliff. There’s a ledge up there,” Elbio replied. “I think there’s a cavern at the top. We need to get out of here and up there. Then we can at least look him in the eye.” “That doesn’t mean we could reach him,” Pyla told him. “We would still be fighting limbs. We don’t have any spell casters and our only ranged attack has no ammunition left. The elves and I can climb up and stab his more sensitive parts.” “You might not be a full troll, but a fall from high enough could still break pieces off you,” Forrest growled. “It’s not like we have better options, Forrest! That thing wants to kill us and probably a bunch of other people! What do you honestly think will take it out?” she snapped. “Calm down, everyone,” Spencer said, drawing our attention back to him. “Do you have an idea?” I asked. “We’re outmatched in this situation. We could take the time to seal this area, but it might be better to seal the tunnel above where the other exit is. He’s overfilled with power and won’t be able to shrink down for a while. We need a tactical retreat,” he replied. “He can shrink down?” Queen Ivy asked. “Why didn’t the other one do that? Was it overfilled with power, too?”“No. A general has uncommon abilities. Once he has solidified his hold on that body, he will be able to go from Oberon’s height to that height. I’m sorry, but we need to run away.” We all bristled at that. Werewolves don’t retreat. I knew trolls didn’t either. That was plain from how all of them growled when he suggested it. Ivy and Rosario were looking at each other with the same accepting expressions. Apparently, though, they didn’t like it. As the group grumbled and growled at the thought of retreating, I couldn’t help but agree with Spencer’s plan. There was no way we could take on this demon head-on, not without any magic users on our side. I scanned the area, but all I could see was the demon’s towering figure and the dark wisps of shadows that danced around its feet.“What if Rosario and I used our vines to pull him down to his knees? If we can hold him down, maybe we can kill him,” Ivy suggested. “Neither of you has the strength to pull him down and he will be easily able to use your vines to capture you,” I reasoned. “Spencer is right. As much as I don’t like the idea of retreating, we need to find a way to defeat him, and I don’t think we can do it without more people and power. The fight with the other demon was already hard as hell. This is a general.” With heavy hearts, we made our way toward the tunnel. Every step felt like a defeat, but we all knew it was the only sensible option. As we made our way down the tunnel, the sounds of the demon raging echoed behind us, reminding us of the beast we were leaving behind.Once we got to the tunnel just past where the second entrance to the demon’s room was, we stopped so the trolls could seal the tunnel. It took all of them working together. They said the goblin magic was making it difficult, even if it had faded. By the time they finished, it looked as if the solid stone wall had always been there. We moved on, wanting to get to the surface as soon as we could. After we reached everyone else, we’d be able to see how many were uninjured, plus the vampires should arrive soon. With the addition of them, and, hopefully, the witches, we might be able to come back and go after the thing. I’d had Ben contact Saleh while I was getting ready to leave. I didn’t know if they were on their way, but we could really use them. As we continued to make our way through the tunnel, I could feel the weight of the demon’s presence still lingering in the air. It was as if its shadow had followed us, taunting us with its power. The trolls led the way. Elbio was in the front, his keen eyes searching for any signs of danger.He suddenly stopped us. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of fighting and something like insects. A horrendous scent wafted through the tunnel. The other wolves and I started gagging, but no one else seemed to have too many issues. I knew being in the morgue with the revenant beetles had bothered Queen Maeve, but outside of it was fine for her, where it was still a potent scent for me. “Rock sealed the zombie things and the bugs in the room where they were living,” Forrest said. “It sounds like they either got out, or someone opened it up so they could kill them.” “Let’s give them a hand,” I replied. We came around the corner and saw several vampires and a troll fighting revenant beetles and the possessed corpses. Bodies of the corpses and beetles littered the floor. The vampires were doing better, but not by much. The bodies of a couple of vampires who had their heads removed lay among the pieces of the enemy. Even though the smell was terrible, my warriors and I fought as hard as we could. The vampires had the same issue we did. The smell was overpowering. We weren’t nearly as much help as the additional trolls were. It didn’t take long for us to put the rest of them down. None had escaped. We mobilized the group as quickly as we could. None of those with sensitive senses of smell wanted to remain around that stench. I felt a sense of relief when Elbio announced we were getting close to the first cavern, but then he stopped. Pyla gasped and the other cave trolls gave each other looks of discomfort. The dark elves were reacting in the same way. “What’s going on?” I asked. “Someone’s trying to close the cave system. I could feel the magic a while ago. That is why we increased our pace. We were trying to get you out of here. But they’re nearby. And I can sense people near the magic. At least one troll, the others are smaller and human-shaped,” Elbio explained. “I think it’s Rock and some of his party,” Pyla added. “It feels like a small troll for size and weight.” Queen Ivy nodded. “Rio, I want you to take our group and get out. Clear the main entrance area and get everyone away from it. Spencer, I want you to go with them. The only magic that can close the caverns is goblin magic. This isn’t something for you to deal with. You too, Trent. This is a fae situation. I’ll take the cave trolls. I want the mountain trolls out of here with everyone else.” “Queen Ivy, you won’t survive the collapse,” a female dark elf insisted. “You should leave this to the cave trolls and the dark elves.” “I appreciate your concern, Viola, but it might be easier for us to get whatever goblin this is to listen if a royal is talking. It’s a risk I have to take for the good of everyone. We wanted to collapse this place anyway, right? Perhaps we can get this goblin to let everyone get out before they do it,” Ivy replied. “We’re allies. I should go with you,” I told her. “Alpha, if something preventable causes your death, your pack may lose two ranked members. Your son isn’t old enough to take over the title of Alpha. If I die, one of my other brothers will take over as king of our village. Neither of my other siblings are interested in it, but they will take it on if I pass. If there are any werewolves there, since I know you are likely worried that Carmen insisted on going with Rock, I will ensure they get out unharmed.” “Be careful what you promise in a battle zone, Queen Ivy,” Viola warned. Ivy looked over at her, then back at me. “My apologies. I will do everything in my power to get them out of the caves alive.” “I want to go with you,” I replied. ‘Alpha, we can’t lose you and the Beta,’ Dorian, a warrior, linked me.‘I understand that, warrior. If I go with, it will simply be to remove any other werewolves in the area. I don’t intend to fight anything.’‘I didn’t mean to overstep, Alpha. I know you were disappointed about not fighting the demon. We didn’t want you to risk yourself because of your frustration.’ ‘Thank you for caring for me,’ I replied.“I’m sorry. I would like to clarify, Queen Ivy. My intention is to go with you to retrieve any of my people and take them out of this place with me,” I said aloud. Queen Ivy smiled and nodded. “That would be appreciated, Alpha. Vampires, please leave as well. You may have long lives, but you may not live through the process of these caverns collapsing.” “We shall do as you say, Queen Ivy. Master Nightshade told us to obey your words as if they were his,” a vampire answered, and the rest of them bowed when he did. Our group separated in two. I went with Queen Ivy, the dark elves, and the cave trolls. Forrest tried to get Pyla to go with him, but she reminded him she was a cave troll and she could survive, plus she had fought goblins before. I understood where he was coming from, though. Even though I knew Lily could protect herself, I didn’t want her putting herself in danger. Elbio and Pyla led us in the direction of Rock’s group. They weren’t too far away, in one of the tunnels that separated from the others and ended in a dead end that was barely big enough to fit everyone. When we entered the area, Rock’s group turned toward us. I immediately saw Harmony and Austin. I couldn’t order Harmony to leave. She only followed my orders out of politeness. It was one thing that irrationally irritated me about her. Only other Alphas could resist the order of another Alpha. The power of the triad must have given her that ability to resist. “You two shouldn’t be here,” Rock said when he saw the group. “This is a fae issue. I am one of their queens. I will not spurn my duties in favor of my own safety,” Ivy replied.“I’m only here to collect my wolves and lead anyone who can’t withstand the collapse of the tunnels out. Austin, Harmony, they can take care of this. Rock, you can come with us. As a member of my pack through mating, you can choose to follow me instead of staying with one of your leaders.” Rock looked at me, then over at Queen Ivy. He locked eyes with Elbio. “This is a fae issue. No matter who I’m mated to, I’m fae. I have unique powers with earth. Powers that could save Queen Ivy if it comes to that. I was worried because I couldn’t protect both of your wolves,” Rock answered. I nodded. He was doing his duty for his people and he saw how he could help in a tangible way. I wouldn’t stop him. “Austin. Come with me,” I ordered. “But, Alpha, I can help. Please. I’m stronger than I look.” “Gemma is like a little sister to me. I won’t let her mate risk his life when I’m not even risking my own. Harmony, your little sister would be very sad if anything happened to you. Not to mention your mate and pup. This could get deadly. Come with me, please.” Harmony frowned but nodded briefly at me. Austin didn’t look happy, but I would not let him get hurt. He was an omega and no matter what other things he had managed it was the job of the Alpha to protect all wolves who were under him in his pack. With a brief nod to Queen Ivy, I led my people out of that place. I didn’t know where the goblin they were looking for was, but I wasn’t going to stick around. That wasn’t my place. I needed to assess our people. I’d brought a few dozen warriors with me. And I wanted to find out what happened to Mike.