Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

beast.  The island was rumbling underneath them, but the monster did not reappear.
Anders crawled over and searched for the hole he saw the woman step into.  All he could find was the remnants of a green chalky substance.  He lay there until he had enough energy to stand.  The cavern was different from the first time he had woke in it.  The walls seemed to be slowly falling in on themselves.  The piles of bodies containing his crew and passengers were gone.  Anders adverted his eyes to the swirl of biological matter that was draining into the lake in the center.  He had but one thought that repeated in a voice he would not have recognized as his own. It said, “Get out of the cave!”
A knock preceded the first mate entering the passenger’s cabin.  “We are going to try to cross the reef when the eye passes over,” he announced.  “There is a small isolated isle with a deep, protected harbor that we can make on our existing fuel.  Before we do this, we must get rid of the explosive devices you have put together.  Captain’s orders.”
“Yes, I understand, but you realize we may be vulnerable to the beast,” Patrick said.
“We’ll have to take the chance.  Also, we are inflating our last Zodiac to try to bring the Feds to the boat.  We’ll deposit the C4 on the beach before we take on passengers.  Please start to dismantle the weapons.  We will be moving in fifteen minutes.”
They waited for the first mate to leave before talking.
“Ted, we can insist they stay or we can stay on the isle and wait for her,” Burt offered.
“No, if it worked, she’s in the Pit of Despair.  And if she escapes that, I don’t think she’ll return to the island unless she thinks we’re in danger.  It’s best we leave,” he reasoned.  “I need to find Murphy.  I’ll meet you in the hold.”  Ted walked down the passageway calling out Murphy’s name.
“I’m here,” Murphy said, appearing in front of Ted.
“We’re going to be leaving the island when the eye settles over the water.”
“I heard.”
“Where do you think Mia is?” Ted asked, leading Murphy into the cabin he had shared with Mia.
“The Pit of Despair.”
“What is the Pit of Despair?” Ted asked.
“I don’t know exactly, but I do know that demons don’t normally spend too much time there.  Sticks arrived back in time to save us in New Orleans.  The priest said that it gives the populace a brief rest from their shenanigans.”
“Like a time out?”
“I don’t imagine it’s a step to sit on like Brian has, but I don’t really know what Mia will face.  It’s her pit - or is it?  It could be the demon’s.”
“I’m going to stay behind and wait for her,” Ted said.
“No.  I will stay.  I can hide from the beast.”
“Why is it always you that saves her?” Ted asked.
“Ted, I’m sorry for the problems I have caused the two of you.  I’m a selfish, immature, insecure being.  For that I’m sorry.”
“I’m not exactly winning any prizes for my confidence either.  She deserves better.  After I smack her backside, we are going to have a serious talk,” Ted said and walked off.
Murphy pushed his hat back on his head in surprise.  He tried to follow Ted, but a thick line of salt stopped him.  While they had been talking, Ted had covertly surrounded Murphy with salt.
“What is this place?” the demon asked Mia.
“It’s not the island.  I kept my promise,” she said, looking around at the pink-fog-filled landscape.  It was cold and hot at that same time.  “What do you despair of the most?” she asked it.
“Never knowing my name.”
Mia concentrated and forced the being, first, from her mind and then from her body.  The demon that stood with its back to her had a humanoid form.  It had nubs where wings must have been.  The creature stood seven feet and had a muscular form that was eerily familiar to Mia.
“You’re one of the fallen,” Mia said.  “Turn around.”
“No, you’ll be upset with me.”
“Why?”
“I’m naked and, er, happy.”
Mia took off her jacket.  “Here,” she said, placing it in the long fingers of the demon.
“This isn’t going to cover much.”
“How about I keep my eyes upward?” Mia offered, knowing she would probably check him out anyway.
The demon tied the sleeves behind his back and let the garment fall forward like an apron.  He slowly turned around.
His face was triangular, and it sported a goat’s beard.  Horns protruded through the skin of the forehead and curled backwards.  His eyes were fearful, orange in color with big black ellipses instead of round pupils.  His nose was more of a snout, and the teeth that were exposed, even when its mouth was shut, were canine.
“You hate me.”
“No, I don’t.  I admit I’m not fond of flesh-eaters, but I don’t hate you.  You’ve changed.”
“How?”
“You’re very insecure.  Ah, damn, I just figured out what I despair of the most,” Mia said.
“What?”
“Insecure males.  I attract them like locusts to a wheat field.”
“But I’m not insecure normally.”
“Then it’s this place.  You see, I took you to the Pit of Despair.  It’s where the priests send the demons in New Orleans.”
“I should be mad, but you did get me off that damn island,” he said.  “So where do we go from here?”
“I haven’t a clue.  Mbengar mentioned that there were minders.  Hello?  Is anyone about?” Mia said, first in English and then in Demon.
The demon-with-no-name looked at her.  “You speak demon.”
“A little bit.  It’s very hard to learn.  Without a demon to converse with, I’m afraid my tenses are all over the place.”
“I could converse with you.  Please don’t leave me alone,” he begged.
Mia narrowed her eyes.