Sam stood stock-still. Terror consumed her as Alianaas gaze bored straight into her. She felt her motheras will take over her body. The resistance she put up was crushed as completely as any hope of survival. Beside her, Thump was twitching under scattered chunks of ceiling that had come down on him. Odif was frantically fighting hoarcs with lightning-fast kicks and flashing steel. Everyone else was on the floor, out cold or dead.

Aliana moved from behind her altar, paying no mind to Odifas desperate fight. She sauntered over to Sam and gently caressed her face.

aAhh, my darling child. Did you have fun with your friends?a She made Samas head nod then grinned. aI am so glad. Now, it is time for you to do what I brought you here for.a She started to move away then stopped. aI have a nice room awaiting your special friend,a she cooed, indicating Odif. aWhile you will be sacrificed, she will live a long time in agony for trying to take you away from me.a Sam was turned so she could see what was happening. The black knight advanced on Odif, swinging his morning star. Odif killed the hoarc she was facing and turned in time to duck. She rolled closer and kicked upward, catching him in the groin hard enough to take him off his feet. He fell, curled up in pain as she jumped up over him to slash the hoarc behind him.

aEnough of this!a Aliana roared, and spread her arms wide.

Nine hoarcs had survived. They backed off; a pair helped Lash to his feet and led him stumbling to one side. Alone, Odif glared back at Aliana. Her breaths made her whole torso expand and contract. Holding Scorpioas sword in one hand and Shiloas in the other, she growled, aIam not beaten yet!a Her hard gaze burned with hatred as their eyes locked.

Aliana laughed. aOh, yes, you are.a She used her power to slam Odif back against the door. The druid bounced off and dropped one sword. Aliana tried again, and this time Odif resisted. Stiffening, she called up all her energy to block Alianaas will. Slowly, she staggered forward.

The druidas will was strong. Aliana had to use all her power to stop the advance and hold the woman in place.

aBeat her!a she snapped.

Hoarcs rushed to obey their Master, and Odif had to shift some of her attention to them. When she did, Aliana didnat try to throw her. She instead slowed her down. Despite her best efforts, Odif couldnat move fast enough to avoid the blows. Clubs slammed into her stomach, back, legs and arms. Her sword was knocked from her hand, and she fell to her knees as blows slammed her from behind.

Aliana waited until they had beaten her to the ground then yelled, aStop!a Sam wanted to beg, she wanted to cry, she wished with all her heart that Odif would just die right now. With her mother in control of her body, all she could do was watch.

Aliana stopped by Odifas head. Quivering, bruised and bloodied, the druid bitch now looked pleasant to her eyes.

aSee? You are beaten,a she gloated.

Odif slipped her hand under her. Instantly, Aliana knew what she was going for. She grabbed Odif with her will just in time. Odif sprang up, but couldnat move forward to use the dagger shead made.

aHold her!a Hoarcs swarmed around Odif, holding her immobile. Both her eyes were puffing shut, blood leaked from her nose and the corners of her mouth. She was covered with large, ugly bruises. Her will, though, was still intact; and Aliana knew better than to get closer. What a pity it was she didnat have such a determined servant in her own ranks.

aWhat will it take to break you?a she wondered aloud. aPerhaps weall start with your arms.a Clubs once wielded by now-dead hoarcs littered the floor. Aliana extended her hand and levitated a club into it. Her will helped the hoarcs twist Odifas right arm out, elbow up. She raised the bludgeon and brought it down with all her might, adding mind power to the impact. The crack of breaking bone and the sight of the bitchas arm bending the wrong way was almost as pleasing as her scream.

aNow, the other one,a she said sweetly.

Odif started crying when her other arm was shattered.

aNow we are getting somewhere.a Aliana grinned. aLay her flat.a The hoarcs complied, shoving Odif down and pinning her to the floor. Aliana smashed her wrists. The hand that held the dagger she slammed down on until the dagger was in pieces and every bone was broken. She then moved around to break both ankles. Odif was starting to convulse and vomited a mix of blood and bile. Aliana sensed she couldnat take much more without magical help, so she ordered her rolled over on her back and her legs spread. She forced Odif to watch as she stood holding her club aloft.

aThis is for stealing my daughter!a She slammed it on Odifas groin hard, breaking her pelvic bone. Odif half sat up, pealing out a scream; then her eyes fluttered and she fell limp.

aNo!a Aliana yelled, throwing the club aside. aNo rest for you!a Gripping her head in both hands, she willed Odif back to consciousness. The druidas eyes fluttered back open; and in too much pain to even take a breath, she opened her mouth in a silent scream.

The demon searched into the bitchas mind for ways to hurt her. She relived some of Odifas favorite memories. One thing caught her attentiona"the woman was sister to Lord Tayan. Very clearly, she impressed into Odifas mind a vision of sending his soul to the abyss in exchange for a demon. She let Odif know the death of Tayan was her own peopleas fault. She let her know she had sent the vision to the wizards and had poisoned King Alderlanas mind against humans. Every way she could, she told Odif she had arranged everything, and that Odif had never had a chance to win.

The helplessness in the druidas eyes was glorious. Later on, she would have those eyes mounted to a small plaque in her chambers so she would always be reminded of this moment.

aI know you can hear me,a she said with an evil smile. aWe are just getting started. I would love to hurt you more, but I need to trade the souls of your friends for demons. I know you donat want to miss that.a To help keep the pain alive, she had Lash pin her arms behind her and pull her up to her knees. Lash grabbed her hair and hauled her to her knees to make her look at the altar. Looking down at the tattered remains of her shirt, he licked his lips. He reached down to grab a handful of breast and gave it a hard squeeze.

aMaster has promised me these for a water bag. I think Iall take my time collecting my prize.a Aliana turned to him briefly. aLash! Play with her later, we have work to do.a aYes, Master,a Lash said and jerked Odifas head back up.

Tears ran down Samas face as she looked at Odif. She knew Lash made no idle threat. Odif would be slowly taken apart, yet be forced to live on until nothing else could be done to her. Why hadnat she listened? Why did she have to lead them all to their deaths? Suddenly, her motheras will filled her.

aNow, my sweet child,a Aliana said in a musical voice, aGet yourself ready for the altar.a Sam turned and started walking. Inside, she screamed. She tried to flee the body her mother was controlling. She tried to faint, so at least she wouldnat feel it when she was killed. All her efforts were in vain. Her hands came up and opened her shirt. Stopping before the altar, she turned around and climbed onto it then lay down and pulled her clothing aside to expose her chest. Her arms settled to her side. Inside her head, she cried and screamed. On the outside she quietly waited for death.

Aliana took her place beside the altar and lifted the long dagger over her head.

aAll-powerful Lucifer! Into your hands I give my firstborn. Take this soul to open the gate. Accept the souls of your enemies that I offer and send forth the demons I need. Let your unholy reign begin...a ***

aI canat believe this is happening,a Tayan groaned. He eyed Captain Angler as if being angry would change the facts. aYou told me all the wagons were working.a The sky was painted in pre-dawn colors as the wagons sat in a line. On the contorted remains of one towed wagon the dead were being piled for a funeral pyre.

Captain Angler looked out the window, pointing to the wagon to their left. aThat one has a holed water tanka"they might have enough water to reach the city.a Pointing to the right, he said, aTheir whole command crew is dead, and the steering gear is inoperative. Our cannon crew is gone; and even if we had one, only one cannon works. Three of the tractors can probably make it, but without the battlewagons theyall be picked off by spears in no time.a Tayan glared at him. aThen take our water and give it to them,a he said with a jerk of his thumb, aand weall take the steering gear from our wagon and man the other wagon.a aWe have no smiths to do that! You just canat pull parts out then stick then back in. These arenat fence posts that you can pull up and put back into the ground somewhere else! Each wagon is a bit different. It takes smiths to remove the parts then reform them to fit back in place.a Tayan was beside himself. aAll right, if that wagonas steering is broken, how did they keep following us?a Captain Angler spoke slowly. aThe boilermen used wrenches. One watched out the front and yelled back to another which way to turn the valve block.a aThen they can keep doing it,a he stated. aGet our ammunition and crew over to that wagon. Iam going to see what we can do with the leaking tanks on the other one.a Captain Angleras cheeks turned pink. aYou canat take damaged wagons into battle!a Ellie and others had given their lives for them to get this far. He wasnat going to stop because these damn machines didnat work quite right. The captainas attitude was too much for him. He grabbed the man by his collar and dragged him close.

aYou listen to me! You will get up into that command shack and take that wagon into battle, or I will bind you to one of those damn cannon barrels!a He gave him a shove that made him stumble into the wall. aWe will be moving by sun-up.a Tayan flung the door open and jumped to the ground. He stomped over and climbed into the wagon that was dripping water from underneath. The only person in the command shack was the driver. Upon seeing Tayan, he stood up.

aWelcome aboard, Lord Tayan.a Tayan eyed him. aRuss, right?a aYes, Malord. We have a problem with our wagon, Captain Stark is below.a Tayan nodded and went in. Weaving through the interior crowded with machinery, he found Stark squatting next to the right-side water tank. The seam of the large square tank had split open from top to bottom.

Captain Stark looked up and pointed at it. aWe canat repair this, Malord. Unfortunately, we were drawing heavily on the other tank, holding this one in reserve.a aTake all the water you can from Captain Angleras wagon and any other supplies you need. Howas your crew?a aWe lost a few boilermen, and most of the bowmen,a Captain Stark replied. aCan you spare any?a Tayan nodded. aCome with me, and have your crew start transferring water.a Soon, Captain Angleras wagon was being stripped. As Captain Starkas crew formed a line and passed buckets and rocks to his own wagon, Tayan went over to check the one he would be riding.

The first thing he noticed as he walked around the front was that the steel plates on the front of the command shack were twisted out in a V. On closer look, the dark lines looked like claw marks. Through the ragged gap, he could see Captain Angler pacing inside. He walked around the outside, inspecting for damage. Except for a few deep dents and blast marks, it looked intact. Satisfied, he went to the ladder and climbed up into the ruined shack.

The inside mirrored the outer appearance. Blood covered just about every piece of metal. The driving levers were bent to the sides almost to the floor, and all four speaking tubes were bent or crushed. On one tube he clearly saw five deep rips--claw marks.

aLord Tayan,a Captain Angler said briskly. aAs you can see, this command shack is totally useless. The breech in the forward plating exposes the entire cabin! It is suicide to stay up here with the things weave been facing.a Tayan nodded absently, paying no attention to him. Two men in gunneras coveralls were trying to mop the blood off the floor. aAre either of you part of the crew that was here last night?a The men looked up. The shorter blond man nodded. aYes, sir.a aWhat did this?a aNot sure, sir. We saw a large animal, kinda boxy. It had wings, so we shot it. Next thing I know, it flew over us and all we heard from command was screaming,a He nodded at the interior door. aGreg tried to get up here, but the door was jammed. We knew we had to keep going, so a couple guys figured out how to steer from below.a The gargoyle had done this. When the spears hit the wagon he was riding, it must have come out to fight off its own evil forces. When these men shot at it, it went for them.

A plan formed in his head. aGo get the men who were steering last night.a aYes, sir.a Clasping his hands behind his back, Tayan addressed Angler. aCaptain Angler, my plans have changed. You are to stay with your wagon and any crewmen not needed here or with Captain Stark. As soon as General Cooper arrives, get your wagon repaired. All units are to follow me into the city.a aYou are going into battle without a command crew?a Tayan went to the hole in the wall. From the center of the rip, he had a clear view and was completely exposed. He planned on keeping that damn gargoyle busy. aI donat need a command crew. The cannons work, and we can steer.a Angler pleaded with him. aMalord, what you propose is insanity. The command crew keeps the wagon functioning as a single unit. You will need that edge.a aIave got my own edge. Let me know when Captain Stark and the others are ready to move.a aAs you wish, Malord. Should I inform Captain Stark he will be taking the lead position?a Angler asked, thinking Tayan would want some form of cover.

aHe will follow me until this wagon no longer functions. I will brief all the captains the moment they are ready.a Angler nodded sadly. aAs you wish.a He started to leave then stopped to add, aMay Odin be with you, Malord.a Tayan had his crew gather, and they worked out how to operate. The speaking tubes still worked, so he would give steering commands straight to the engine room. The next best place to see in front of them was the sighteras chair in the turret. If he could no longer give commands then the sighter became acting captain. Amber would not be left behind, so he gave her the task of finding evil. He did manage to plant her in the turret, reasoning she could direct the cannon sighter from there. In the turret, she was also as safe as he could make her under the circumstances. Their main objective was to destroy as many sources of concentrated evil as they could find. If no targets were found then they were to flatten every building they could.

The captains gathered as the sun was still hanging low over the horizon. Four tractors were ready to roll, each pulling four towed wagons filled with men. Starkas role was the same as his--get in and wreck the city. The tractors were to serve a more tactical purpose, clearing and holding the area around the gates. He made sure everyone knew what their job was; then they climbed into the wagons and set off.

The sun had risen full in the sky as the wagon topped a rise. Ahead, Tayan saw the city. The walled portion looked to be the area of an average town. A mile away he could see, beyond the walled portion, shacks and the activity of a busy farming community. On the outside, it looked like every other town he had seen. Fearing he might be attacking the wrong place, he went to the turret tube.

aAmber! Is that the place?a No answer came right away. The speed they were going, theyad be on it in a few minutes. He could see people shielding their eyes and pointing his way. aSighter! Get Amber, I need to know if thatas it!a aLord Tayan! Amber says yes, thatas the place. She says the worst evil is to the left. MaLord, the tall building on the left is where we have to go.a aStart shooting down the walls around the gate as soon as you can.a Tayan concentrated on shouting directions. With his birdas-eye view, he easily kept the wagon on the road. As they rushed towards the city, the people that had been watching moved cautiously to the sides. The cannons blasted out a load, and they ran screaming.

The first rounds hit low on the wall to the right. Three holes and crumbling stone told the sighter exactly where he had hit. They closed the last five hundred yards, and bowmen appeared on the walls as the gates started to swing shut. The cannons fired again, this time hitting the gates. The one on the left shuddered and swung open with a gaping hole in it. The one on the right lost the whole bottom half as the rocks blasted it apart.

aHigher!a Tayan screamed at the sighter. He saw they were starting to drift off the road, so he shouted down and aimed the wagon right at the open gates. They crushed an abandoned hay cart then smashed the porch off a stone-and-log hut. Tayan watched the bowmen on the wall take aim and wait.

The cannons fired again. This time as they passed through the haze, he saw their shots hit high on the walls. A whole section of the top crashed down, spilling men and rock.

Arrows came in a cloud. He ducked out of instinct as the shafts ticked against the steel plates then covered his head as some clattered about in the command shack. He struggled back up to see they were drifting to the right. aLeft! Steer half a turn to the left! Now, straight!a Animal roaring came to his ears. Looking up at the walls, he saw the gargoyle moving along the top, pitching off men who couldnat jump or outrun it.

aAbout time you were useful,a he grinned. Seeing the left edge of the gate opening coming at them, he yelled, aRight, a full turn right!a They turned as they passed through, clipping the edge with grinding and crunching sounds. aStraight!a The back of the wagon slammed into the gate, knocking it over to fall on them. It caught on the command shack roof and stuck. It bounced along behind them for a few seconds then slid off onto the ground.

Arrows were coming at them from all directions. The cannons went off again, smashing holes in buildings. The middle cannon fired down the street, digging a large rut and throwing fleeing bowmen off their feet. He stole a look behind him to see the second wagon roll through the ruined gate. Right after they were in, it turned sharply, flinging dirt, and went down another street.

Small bangs like a hammer got his attention. A louder one sounded right in the shack and an arrow flew past, making another bang on its way out. The bowmen in this city had arrows that could penetrate steel! Suddenly, he felt like they were sitting on an open buckboard. Amber was no longer safe inside the turret when they had arrows that drove through solid plate.

aEngine room, maximum speed! Kick this thing in the ass!a he screamed down the tube. He made another course adjustment then looked to see where the gargoyle had gone. It appeared to the right and ripped into bowmen who had shot at them from a side street.

Up ahead was a square. More bowmen were rushing to gather behind a large circular wall in the center, probably a well. From a speaking tube, Amber yelled, aTayan, we have to go left!a aWhen I tell you, two turns left!a he called down to the engine room. There was a street that ran to the left from the square--he had to time it right to keep from running into the well. The bowmen stood up, bows pulled back. The second they were in view, the cannons went off.

They were closing on the square, and he couldnat see anything but white steam. A low rumbling sounded, vibrating the whole wagon. The shaking concerned him, but at the moment, he needed to get into that side street. As long as the wagon was holding together, he would keep going. He thought he saw the corner of the last building coming up. Just before it passed by, he yelled, aLeft turn now!a The wagon started to turn slowly then slewed hard to the left and rammed into the corner of a stone building. They slid to the right in a lurch as the building came down on them then thrust forward as the belted wheels caught solid ground.

aStraight!...Right!...Straight!a he yelled as they tore through the structure. The wagon was pitched up on the left then dropped down. Rocks bounced over it, and a section of roof slammed against the command shack, breaking up as it was pushed to the side. Catching glimpses of the street through the vapor and smoke, he got the wagon back in the street and they began to pick up speed again.

aStraight ahead!a Amber called. aI sense the strongest evil there!a The street was long. At the end, he saw another wall. Beyond that rose the higher walls of a palace. aSighter! Start shooting that palace!a aThe sighter is dead. Weare doing the best we can!a Amber cried.

Looking at the turret, Tayan saw a number of small holes dotting the wagon casing. The wagon had been a useful weapon, but now it was nothing but a very large target. aAmber, thereas a hatch in the bottom, get everyone out!a aWeare not leaving you! Weall be ready to shoot in a minute!a she yelled back.

He slapped the tube, thinking somehow that Amber would feel it. aDamn it Amber, get out of there!a aNo!a she screamed back.

A line of buckboard wagons had been tipped up to form a wooden wall across the street. Behind them, bowmen shot a volley then fled to the sides as the wagon bore down on the thin barrier. Tayan barely felt the bump as they crashed through, splintering the hastily made defense. Right after they ran over the blockade, a single cannon shot out a load. The mist parted to show a shower of dirt fly up in front of the palace wall.

aToo low!a he called to Amber.

aHang on, weare going to try another!a Again the banging of arrows driving through steel sounded, this time from behind. They started to drift to the right. aLeft!a he called. The wagon started drifting farther, breaking off posts and tearing loose overhangs of the buildings they passed. aLeft!a he cried again.

He braced himself as the right side gouged into the front of a building. They tipped up sharply and started to dig in deeper. The man steering must have been killed, he realized. He went to the door below to take the manas place.

He felt like he got punched from behind as he reached for the door. Looking down, he saw an arrow protruding from just under his ribs. The wagon shifted to the left then pitched higher to the right, tossing him against the wall. Metallic screeching noises and the hiss of steam filled the command shack as the wagon ground to a halt. He tried to struggle up, but moving was becoming difficult. All he could think of was getting to Amber as his vision faded.

Chapter 24.

Thumpas eyes snapped open. Something had just happened. In a rush, he remembered about the attack on the caravan, his son Tayan and the pact. All of the memories that had been stripped from him came back in a flood. He also knew the pact had been broken. The thing had killed his son. His lips curled back into a snarl as rage filled him. Lifting his head, he saw it. The thing was standing in front of the altar holding a dagger over its head. He reached for his battleaxe.

Sam felt a change in the air. Above her, Alianaas face suddenly acquired an expression of surprise. She ceased her incantation and looked down as if Sam had done something. For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then Sam heard a soft sound, the sliding of steel against stone. Aliana slowly turned to look, and Sam saw something she never thought she would on her motheras face--fear.

As Aliana shifted her attention away, Sam felt an easing of the force that held her. Slowly, she turned her head enough to see what was going on.

Thump stood up, snarling at Aliana as he lifted the battleaxe. His eyes bore a maddened gleam, a visible portion of the pure rage that radiated from him. The beast within Odif had been contained under a normal, reasoning soul. There was no such damper in Thump.

Aliana stood motionless for a second then shouted, aKill him!a Hoarcs rushed at him with their clubs. The first one slammed him hard on the back. He swung the axe, chopping it deep across the middle. He let out a bellow as he swung into the second then the third, chopping off its arm and a good potion of shoulder with it. The others backed up, looking for more substantial weapons.

Sam watched as Thump charged the hoarcs, swinging the axe in a blur. The last survivor picked up Scorpioas sword and drove it into his stomach. He chopped off its arm then beheaded it.

aLash! Kill him!a Aliana cried. There was fear in her voice.

Lash tossed Odif to one side. He threw the morning star at Thump then drew his sword. Thump stumbled as the ball of the weapon struck. Shifting his hate-filled gaze to Lash, he gritted his teeth and pulled the blade from his body.

aYouare a dead man,a he growled.

aYou are weak and unarmored. Weall see whoas dead!a Lash snapped. He moved and feinted. Thump parried the sword with the one he held then swung the axe into Lashas side. It slashed through his armor, and Lash screamed.

Thump worked the axe free and kicked him to the ground. Lash rolled over and tried to crawl away. Thump stepped on his back then drove the axe deep between his shoulder blades.

Aliana ran around the altar to the far side. aStop or I will tear your child apart and make you watch!a she screamed.

Thump started for the altar. His head was lowered slightly, and his eyes bore the look of madness. aAinat nothina gonna stop me from killina you.a Sam focused on her motheras words. His child? This was her father? All the years he had been tortured now made sense. Aliana had kept him all this time to gloat over his failure. The tables were turning now, and she was going to do everything she could to help him.

aI still have magic,a Aliana snapped.

A bright flash of magic hit Thump and lit his body. He stumbled back a step then resumed coming at her. The glow died, and the wound in his stomach was gone.

aNo!a Aliana screamed. aLucifer, help me!a Sam knew what was different now. The heavy feeling of evil was no longer so heavy. Luciferas presence was no longer here. Aliana was still holding her, but the bonds were very weak. Sam could ease out of them, but she had to be sure Aliana wasnat paying any attention to her.

Thump ran up to the altar and swung across it, falling on her. He pushed her towards the edge as he got up and chased Aliana down one of the roomas arms. Sam obscured her presence and slipped to sit on the floor.

In the narrow tip of the room, Thump caught Aliana with a blow from the axe, slashing down the length of her back. Aliana pitched forward then turned and grabbed both his arms, screaming in terror. In an awkward dance, she worked her way around him. Before she could flee, he ran her through with his sword. She jerked loose and stumbled back. The axe fell again, slashing down her torso. She was thrown back and used her mind power to float away from him. The long cuts sealed.

Aliana let out a cackling laugh. aYou canat kill me!a She looked down at the floor and pointed to a chunk of black rock that had fallen. Whipping her arm towards Thump, she willed the rock to fly at him. He didnat dodge it, and the chunk hit him square in the chest, knocking him backwards. She threw another at him, this time knocking his right leg from under him. He went down hard but sprang back up with a growl.

aI will roast your child alive and make you eat her!a Aliana screamed in triumph. She sent another rock at him, then another.

Thump began to smash the rocks aside with his weapons as he came on. Aliana drifted away. When she knocked him down again, she drifted in back of him. He rose and charged on a few steps before realizing she was no longer in front of him. She hit him from behind with a large flat rock, sending him sprawling.

Sam focused on her mother, using her will to hold her in place. She felt like she was grabbing at nothing. Focusing, she tried again then realized her mother was not in front of her. The form she saw was just something to let Aliana see and act. The essence of her mother wasnat coming from the form, it was coming from under the altar. Searching the shelves there, she found her in a clay jar.

Thump staggered to his feet and snapped up his weapons. aI will kill you!a Aliana spread her arms wide. aThere is no way you can kill me, you fool!a she cried happily.

Sam held up the jar and spoke with both mind and voice. aOh, yes, there is.a And as Aliana looked, she smashed the jar.

The form floating in the air convulsed as Alianaas spirit slammed into the only vessel available. When she hit the floor, her body and spirit were once again fused together. Her mouth hung open in shock as she gaped at Sam.

Tears ran freely down Samas face. aGo back where you belong,a she whispered.

Aliana screwed her face up in anger. aNot without you!a she growled. Rising to her feet, she flung rocks at Thump as fast as she could. He knocked a few aside, keeping his axe near his head as he stumbled forward under the pounding.

Aliana concentrated on the ceiling, planning to bury him in stone. As the rock started to crack, she was suddenly pushed from the side. Ramming into the edge where two walls met, she spun as she fell. Regaining her feet, she looked to see who could have thrown her.

Sam stood by the altar, her hard gaze boring into Aliana. aNo more,a she choked.

aMuch more!a Aliana growled. Her attention was diverted from Sam as Thump charged her with a long, hard swing of his axe. She jerked back, and the blade slammed into the corner, taking out a sizable piece of wall. Knowing she could do nothing to him, she concentrated on his weapon and forced it away from her. He held on to it and sailed across the open area to hit the opposite wall. He slid to the floor, and this time he didnat get up.

Aliana started towards Sam then stopped to inspect a new sensation. Her side stung where the axe had grazed her. When she touched the wound, her fingers came away bloody. She was bleeding!

aThis is impossible,a she whispered. Only humans, people who could be killed, bled. She also felt other odd things. She was sore from her fall, and the arm that had hit the wall when Sam pushed her felt stiff. She had heard of these things happening to lesser demons. The pact was broken, and now her soul was bonded to her form. Slowly, she raised her head and looked at Sam.

aYou little bitch,a she spat.

Sam shook her head sadly. No matter how badly she hated her mother, she didnat want to be the one to kill her. aItas over. Let me collect my friends and go.a Aliana advanced towards her, holding up a bloody hand for her to see. aYou do this to me, and you think you can just walk away?a Sam backed around the altar to keep her distance. aPlease, I just want to leave this place!a she sobbed.

aNo!a Aliana barked. aYou will never leave!a She ran around the altar, hands reaching to grab her daughter by the throat to choke her to death. Sam circled to the other side, keeping the altar between them. Aliana tried climbing over it, and Sam used her mind to keep her away.