The journey had gone on for about three hours when the carriage suddenly lurched to a sharp stop, jerking all three occupants awake.
Viktor rubbed his eyes and immediately pulled open the small divider separating them from the coachman. "Why are we stopping?" he asked, his voice low.
"The prince's carriage came to a halt up ahead," the coachman explained. "His Highness has just stepped out."
Without another word, Viktor climbed out of the carriage and strode over to where Hades stood. The prince was still, his sharp eyes sweeping the dense trees on either side of the road.
"Why are we stopping? What's going on?" Viktor asked, following the prince's gaze, but all he saw were trees and shadows.
Hades didn't look at him. "They're here," he said quietly, but the edge in his voice sent a chill through Viktor. "The lowly demons. I can feel them... lurking in the woods. Watching."
The last remnants of sleep vanished from Viktor's eyes. "Shit," he breathed. "What do we do?"
