Then she moved to the side and saw more of the animals. This was a herd . . . that had come when they heard the youngest of their number crying for help. That’s what had drawn Annwyl. Just as her own children’s calls would pull her to them.

Of course, if Annwyl found some strange, armed woman standing over them . . . petting their stomachs . . . no. That would not end well. So probably not for her either.

The mother let out a threatening snort-snarl that had Annwyl quickly moving away. Then she nudged at her offspring until he got up. When he was on his feet, she pushed him toward the others of her herd before returning her gaze to Annwyl.

All Annwyl could think to do was raise her hands to show she meant no harm. “Sorry,” she said. “Just trying to help. Meant no offence.”

The mother leaned in close and sniffed Annwyl from head to foot and back again. Then she nudged her with her snout, sending Annwyl flying back about a hundred feet.

Annwyl hit the ground hard, but she didn’t complain. She saw that those fangs were much bigger than the babe’s. So the fact the mother didn’t bite her head off . . .

Annwyl pushed herself up until she was standing again and nodded at the She-beast.

“Thank you,” she called out. “For not killing me.”

Turning, Annwyl started back the way she’d come, but the beast made a noise and she glanced back, half-afraid she’d find it charging her. But it was moving its head to the side.

She changed direction and went where the She-beast indicated. Maybe this was the way out. Or just another entrance to another hell. Annwyl didn’t know. But why not try? It wasn’t like she had many choices at this point.

* * *

First there were only a few of them, watching her. But then more were drawn here from the other hells toward this place where they could look down from a high vantage point and watch what she did. Where she went. They’d all sensed her here, in this place. She was alive while they were all dead. It wasn’t fair and something they would not stand for.

She was always supposed to end up here, they all knew it, but it never occurred to them she’d end up here still alive . . . and vulnerable.

She headed away from the herd of corpse-eater cattle and they began to follow.

Because they’d waited long enough, lost in their brutal hells. And it was now her time to know suffering. To know true pain and horror.

Now she was here, and they could settle it.

Settle it and end it. For eternity.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Aidan woke up on his back, coughing dirt, sand, and water out of his lungs.