The Crystal Mountain by Thomas M. Reid Page B

as the war between their subordinates raged in the background.
    For the moment at least, neither collection of fiends paid any attention to the six castaways sitting on the beach below.
    “It’s the Blood Rift,” Kaanyr murmured, staring at the fight in awe. “How did we end up here?”
    “What difference does it make?” Aliisza said, scrambling to her feet. “Once the fight’s over, whoever wins is going to turn on us. We must leave!”
    As if to punctuate her point, one of the ebony devils darted out of the swarming maelstrom and swooped close to where Zasian and the unconscious bodies of Kael, Tauran, and the planetar lay. The priest shrieked and cowered. The
    devil pulled up and hovered, staring down at the still form of Tauran. Recognition gleamed in his eyes, and he gave a shout of triumph as he drew his trident back for a killing thrust.
    At that moment, two of the white demons swooped in and bowled the devil over. He went tumbling through the air and flopped into the shallow water along the shore several paces away. The two white demons jumped on him and shredded him with their claws. Black blood and chunks of flesh spurted and flew everywhere as they rent the devil. When their prey was nothing but a pulpy mess, the two demons took to the air again and went back into the battle, seeking new opponents.
    “Come on!” Aliisza said, conjuring a magical doorway. She hardly noticed that the outline glowed a deep blue instead of the familiar red. It matched the emanation shining from her own body. “Push them through!” She bent down to hoist the planetar up and carry the celestial through her portal. “We have to get out of here!”
    Kaanyr shook his head as Aliisza instead staggered, overwhelmed by the gut-wrenching sickness that slammed into her. “It’s no use,” he said, pointing. “The fight’s over.”
    Aliisza coughed and nearly vomited, but she managed to peer in the direction Kaanyr showed her. The demons were all but finished with the devils. The last few black-skinned creatures were down, overwhelmed by the pasty, hairless fiends. To one side, the crimson hyena-headed thing slammed its axe into the shoulder of its foe, taking the devil’s arm off. Another stroke removed its head. When its enemy fell dead, the demon turned and sped straight toward the six stranded observers.
    “Then you’d better hope,” Aliisza said, crumpling to the ground and gasping for breath, “that they’re interested in negotiating.”
    Kaanyr cocked his head to one side. “That’s not a half-bad idea,” he said.
    The crimson demon settled to the sand in front of Kaanyr. His white-skinned followers gathered around them and formed a circle to prevent anyone from escaping.
    Beside Aliisza, Zasian curled up into a tiny ball and cowered.
    “You are far from home, lord,” the crimson demon said. “And you consort with wretched angels.” The demon pointed at Tauran’s form. “I shall enjoy flensing you for your treachery.”
    “Do that, and your own lord will gut you like a pig and roast your innards. I come with important news.”
    “Come?” the demon asked, looking at Kaanyr warily. “Why here?”
    “We are lost, trying to return to the Abyss. Help us, and you shall be rewarded.”
    “Lies,” the crimson thing said, smiling. He looked to his underlings. “Let us feast upon their tender flesh!”
    “I have been to the angels’ plane,” Kaanyr said, backing up a step as the demons closed in. “I have spied on them. They are fools, and I know where they are weakest.”
    “Kaanyr!” Aliisza growled under her breath. “Don’t!”
    “Hush, fool alu,” Kaanyr whispered back. “I know what I’m doing!”
    “Tell me,” the demon leader said, “and I will let you live.”
    “Oh, no,” Kaanyr said. “It is for your master’s ears only. Kill me, and he will not receive my report, and you will be the one he punishes for it.”
    The demon cocked his head, considering. The snake growing from his neck