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“I can’t say the same.” I called on both my magics, but a sudden jolt froze me in place. Panic rose in my chest.
Paimon lifted his finger and moved it side to side. “Nu-uh, you can’t fight me.”
I didn’t want to fight him, not right now. I focused on both my magics and brought them to the surface. With a loud pop, his hold on me broke.
“Come on, Ivy.” I reached for her and my arm went through her as she became smoke right in front of my eyes. I stilled. “What’s this?”
“You didn’t think I would bring her here, did you?”
“What was that, then?” I pointed to where Ivy had just been. “An illusion?”
“Not an illusion,” he said, sounding proud of himself. “What you saw was the real Ivy, but she isn't here. Let’s say it was a mirror spell. She was watching us too.”
She wasn’t here? Where was she?
In the realm, the one Paimon now held the key to.
If I wanted Ivy, I would have to go there.
But he couldn’t know I wanted that.
I brought my hands up, threw a bolt of darkfire right at him, and ran for the door. He easily dodged it and turned to me.
“You can’t run from me!” he practically shouted.
“Want to bet?” I threw the door open and dashed out.
And right through a green portal.
* * *
My heart leapt to my throat as I scanned my surroundings.
“Do you like it?” Paimon asked, once again right behind me. Of course, he had cheated and put a portal in my path. Well, less work for me. I thought I would have to run from him for a few minutes before letting him take me.
I looked around.
We were in … I didn’t even know what to call this place. We stood on a wide ledge of an enormous cavern. Ten feet to my right the ledge ended. I leaned a little, trying to get a look at what was below, but all I saw was infinite darkness. Looking up, I saw more ledges and passages, bridges, all made of stone, as if carved directly from the rocks.
Many stories above, a thin cut in the stone let light in. Mirrors of varying sizes hung along the rocks, purposely positioned to spread the light.
“Are we inside a mountain?” I asked, confused.
“Something like that,” Paimon answered.
I turned and looked at him. I inhaled sharply. Now that we weren’t in that dim room, I could see him again, and I had forgotten how stoic and intimidating he was. His entire being exuded power and violence, and I wanted to cower in his presence.
“Are we on Earth?” I asked, my voice low.
Paimon shoved his hand in the pockets of his suit pants. “No. We are in the Huddyria realm. It’s a beautiful place, and though it looks a little primitive in its architecture, they have advances in magic that we have never seen.”
I inhaled sharply. “You’re using them. They are your army.”
Paimon clicked his tongue. “Despite the many offers I made them, they do not want to lend me their army, only a small squadron. Though, for a crazy amount of money, they are letting me use their portal to come and go as I please. It’s very convenient.”
I frowned. Why was he answering my question? Because he was telling me a lie so I could tell the others and trick us again? Or because he had no plans to let me walk out of here?
I was betting on the latter.
