Between the Bleeding Willows (The Demon Hunters Series Book 1) by D.A. Roach Page B

since the Clan had boarded them up. But magic wouldn’t work for the cargo we lugged today. It was too much organic matter at once, so the tunnels were our only chance. Our group traveled slowly and quietly; only our footsteps and creaky cart wheels echoed off the dimly lit walls.
    “What’s that?” Ren held the lamp near the right tunnel wall. A partial handprint in faint dried crimson marked the stone. I held my hand to the print—it was almost twice the size as the mark. Sky. I felt the anger that I had suppressed for many years—anger at those monsters that killed my friend, killed fathers and brothers. I hoped we wouldn’t come across one of them, but if we did, I wouldn’t hesitate to put an end to it.
    Taking a breath, I turned and continued the journey. I couldn’t lose focus or let my emotions cloud my judgement. “ That is a reminder that danger lives in these tunnels,” I answered, then called to the group, “Weapons ready.”
    Ren readied his daggers and the squads behind us followed suit. Cautiously, we continued our ascent in the tunnel, eyes trained ahead for danger, ears attuned to our surroundings.
    “How much further is the entrance, Master Killian?” Siggy, our Harvester, looked panicked.
    “I’m not sure. I’ve only seen the tunnel layout on a map.” I probably should have said something to quell his nerves, but that sugar-coating crap didn’t come easy to me and I had more important things to worry about. Ten more paces forward—Ren froze.
    “I hear something,” he hissed, pointing straight ahead.
    I did not see anything, not from where I was. We had a handful of archers in the second and fourth squads to cover attacks from the front and rear, and I signaled them to arm and stay alert. “Stay here.”
    I crept a few steps ahead, away from the light. Our angel blood allowed us limited vision even in pure darkness, but it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. I snuck closer, leaving all the light far behind me. Sounds of chewing and gnawing came from a shadow that I could finally make out. Three more steps closer—the shadow became two dark figures looming over something.
    Quietly, I returned to the others and whispered, “There are at least two of them. They’re eating something, but I couldn’t see what.”
    “What’s the plan?” Jet was ready for action.
    “We leave Siggy with the second squad. It’s too dark for the archers to shoot, and if we bring the light any closer, they’ll see us and attack. If these are Krevarians—and that’s what they looked like from what I could tell—they can see in both the dark and light. I think the safest plan for everyone is if the four of us sneak closer and take out the two beasts, so Sean, Anchor, Jet, and Ren with me. We need to hold until our eyes adjust; they can’t see us before then. We have to surprise them. Strike hard and fast.”
    Sean brought Siggy over to the warriors of the second squad and briefed them on the plan. They were to stand ready in case the creatures got past us. He handed our daylight lamp to them as well and then returned to the front.
    “Ready?” I asked my men. They nodded in reply. I led with Anchor and Ren beside me. Once the wet sounds of chewing and tearing were only a few feet away, Ren lunged ahead. Crap. Rookie mistake. I should have been more on top of him; it’s easy to rush in too soon. My eyes were only just adjusting, but I could see the fight unfold.
    The two beasts turned and hissed at Ren. Dark liquid ran from their mouths down their chests. One scaled the wall. Its vile form suspended above its partner, who immediately slashed at Ren.
    “Ren!” I stabbed at the one attacking Ren.
    The other Krevarian dropped from above and landed atop Ren. Anchor rushed in, cutting and kicking the one I now fought. Jet and Sean attacked the creature on top of Ren. The monster sent Jet crashing into the cave wall and landing with a thud. It let out a low, percolating sound while Sean cussed