The cicada scream grew closer by the second, the sound of an uncountable number of wings cutting through the air. Despite the pain, the sound caused and Samriel's directions, I found myself drawn to look behind us. I immediately regretted my decision.

Quickly gaining on us was Azil, their cloak now made of millions of insects that propelled them forward. They grinned maniacally when our eyes met. The amber irises had been consumed by the inky blackness that had surrounded them.

"S-samriel, they're gaining." His deep-chested growl made me turn away from Azil again. My eyes came to rest on the massive amount of blood Samriel was losing. "You aren't going to be able to keep this up."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Just hold on. There's a mine we can hide in up ahead."

Before I could ask for clarification he drove to one side as Azil's darkspear went flying by us. He put on an extra burst of speed, the wind biting my skin and forcing me to close my eyes. The cicadas were closing on us again and I could feel Samriel's Power beginning to fade. Just as I thought I would go deaf from the noise of innumerable insects, Samriel plunged us into darkness as he dove into a tunnel only barely large enough for his wings.

He put me down and stood with his back to the entrance, wings spread to block any light. The membrane on his injured wing was in tatters and he was only barely able to hold it up.

I could hear furious screaming from Azil outside our shelter. "You cheat, Samriel! How dare you hide behind that Dark Ward!"

Samriel growled over his shoulder. "Shouldn't have abandoned our Patron's light. This is the price you paid when you went to Darkness." He turned his tired amber eyes to me. "Are you hurt?"

I blinked up at him and gestured wildly at his bloody wing. "Am I hurt?! Your wing is shredded and you're worried about if I'm hurt?!"

He laughed weakly. "I have a poor sense of self-preservation. We should be safe here. Azil can find easier prey."

I glanced at the entrance as Samriel lowered his wings. "They didn't seem to like you very much." I was silent for a moment but, as usual, my curiosity got the best of me. "What was all that about trading and dealing? What's a bonded deal? What was Azil even talking about?"

He slumped down on the ground and began examining his wing. "Demons make exchanges with others as a means of gaining more Power. It isn't a choice we get to make. We have to make these exchanges or our own Power would fade. Some make Trades while others make Deals."

"And what does it mean to make a bonded deal?"

He let out a heavy sigh, giving up on his wing for the moment. "A Bond is created when a subject agrees that a Deal has occurred. It is finished with physical interaction."

I clenched my fists. "You tricked me."

He held up his clawed hands in defense. "I did what I needed to help you get to your goal."

I glared down at him. "Don't sound so selfless."

He looked me in the eyes as the whites slowly returned to his. "This is the most selfless act I have ever done. When you find your teacher, our dealings will be done and I will break the connection. I don't stay bonded for long even when I am using the individual for my own purposes. Corruption can spread when the exchange happens and prolonged exposure only makes it worse."

I crossed my arms, my eyes were again drawn to the entrance of the tunnel. "Do you get to keep any of the power?"

I was surprised when he shook his head. "Bonds don't last after they're broken. Some subjects choose to extend the exchange and the Demon gets to keep the buff until their exchange comes to an end." He followed my gaze. "What are you looking at? If it's Azil pacing around trying to find a way in, you can relax. There isn't a way for them to get past the wards."

"I don't think they're planning on coming in…"

Samriel pulled himself over to the entrance and looked at Azil in puzzlement. They had gathered many boulders and lined them up in front of the tunnel. "What's your plan, Azil? Trap us by blocking the exit? I can move those rocks just as easy as you."

Azil gave Samriel a crazed smirk. Something had changed about their eyes but they were too far away for me to fully make out the difference. "No." There was an odd echo to their screeching. Without another word, Azil raised their hands and the rocks followed suit.

"Darkness damned, Kindred! Move!" He grabbed me and made a mad dash into the tunnel. Only moments later, the rocks bombarded our no longer safe shelter.