Chapter 235-5

Something struck me, knocking me off balance and I faltered as I hovered in the air, veering to one side. Sharp pinpricks of pain shot through me and I turned my head to see a demon had fallen from the ceiling and was now clinging to one of my wings, tearing great handfuls of feathers free with its blackened talons. Blood was seeping from the wing, smearing the velvety fronds like an oil spill. I swerved violently to my left, frantically trying to shake the grinning beast but it held firm, using the feathers to pull itself along the length of the wing. More were ripped free, fluttering gently down amongst the ashen carnage below. A jolt to my other wing sent me careering off course. I'd flown too close to the ceiling in my attempt to shake the demon and another had leapt from above, managing to grab hold of me from the other side. They chittered madly, gnashing their sharp yellowed teeth together as they eyed me with pure hunger, clamouring to reach me. I let my wings fold slightly and