255

Without a sound you rise from the bed and gently release Elia from between your arms where she nestled herself. Free, you look toward the window, and almost of its own accord your body shifts into its demonic form, wings opening and itching to flap. You push off and pass straight through the wall as if it were void, and shoot into the sky at the stars. It’s frustrating that no matter how much higher you get, they never seem to get closer.

You occupy yourself in the air as best you can, rising as far as you think you can go then diving toward the ground before pulling up at the last minute. This quickly bores you as there doesn’t seem to be a limit to how far you can go. You try skimming the ground over the most rugged places, and when that wears thin you try skimming between obstacles, flying among the buildings of Elia’s farm, through the hole in the roof without touching the sides, and even venture towards the other fortified farms of the valley.

In the midst of a dive to build speed you hear a familiar sound and immediately abort. It is the raucous screech of the very same type of demon that half-turned you, an Incubus or Succubus. It doesn’t matter which. Either means meat to tear and rip. Only you don’t know which way it came from.

You hover high above the valley, only the Watchtower rivalling you for altitude. You wonder what it would be like to knock the top off from above, and whether you’d be able to dive fast enough to see it crash upon the rooftops below and destroy however much it will. You wait, but no further scream reaches you, and your patience runs out. Which way do you go?

• To fly toward the Citadel in search of the other demon, turn to 69.

• To fly toward the wooded plateau you originally came from, turn to 140.

• To linger just a little longer, turn to 274.