Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising

so many hounds searching out a scent. The sight might have been funny if it hadn't been so horrible. And then either they found a trail or Julia made a sound without realising, for one by one the demons raised their heads to stare unblinkingly in her direction, and Julia knew the shadows weren't deep enough to hide her.
    She stepped quickly forward to block the doorway, sweeping her sword back and forth before her.
    Light gleamed dully the length of the blade. One of the demons leapt forward, and Julia cut it down with one stroke of her sword. The creature fell to writhe silently on the thick carpet, and then the other demons were upon her.
    The Seneschal had told her to lead the demons back into the counting room, but Julia knew that once she fell back through the doorway, they'd roll right over her. The narrowness of the door meant the demons could only come at her in twos and threes, but it was only a matter of time before the sheer weight of numbers would wear her down, and she'd have to retreat back into the counting room. And then they'd take her.
    Julia swung her sword with all her weight behind it, and demon blood flew on the air as a growing ache built in her muscles. She ripped open a demon's belly with a sideways sweep of her blade, and then had to fall back a step to avoid the clawed hand that narrowly missed her throat. She realised she was no longer protected by the doorway, and fell back again as the demons surged forward. And then Bodeen was beside her, adding his sword to hers.
    The demons fell back before the two flashing blades, and Julia leaped aside as Bodeen slammed the door shut in their faces. Julia looked quickly for the bolts, and swore harshly when she realised there weren't any. Bodeen set his back against the door as the first claws began ripping into the wood.
    'When I give the word,' he said calmly, 'head for the outer door.'
    Julia nodded, and then looked round just in time to see the Seneschal pull the outer door to, plunging the room into darkness. Julia bit her lip and hefted her sword.
    'I hope somebody knows what they're doing,' she said loudly, and wasn't all that reassured when the Seneschal just chuckled dryly.
    'Get ready, 'said Bodeen. 'I can't hold them . . .'The door surged open a few inches, pushing him back.
    A clawed hand snaked past the door, glowing palely in the dark. 'Now, Julia! Go now!'
    Bodeen jumped back, and Julia ran for the outer door. The demons flew after her, ignoring Bodeen as he hid behind the opened door. Julia got to the outer door and pushed it open. Bright sunlight flooded into the room. The Seneschal grabbed her arm and pulled her to one side, but the demons just stumbled
    on, blinded by the sudden light. Julia grinned savagely as she finally understood. She attacked the demons from the side while Bodeen harried them from the rear, and it was the easiest thing in the world to drive the nine surviving demons through the door and out into the long drop.
    Julia lowered her sword and sank wearily to the floor. Her head ached fiercely, and her arms were as heavy as lead. Fatigue shivered in her legs, and just sitting there with her back pressed against the wall, Julia felt like she could sleep for a week. She shuddered at the thought. It had been bad enough lying in bed at night, knowing that while she slept the Darkwood drew steadily closer, but somehow she'd always thought the Castle's thick walls would keep her safe from demons. It came hard to her, to realise that nowhere was safe any more. Julia clutched her sword fiercely, and wondered if she'd ever dare sleep again.
    Bodeen bent over her, and whistled softly as, for the first time he saw the blood on her face and arms.
    'Princess, you're hurt.'
    'Cuts and bruises, Bodeen, nothing more. Help me up.'
    He helped her stand, and then waited patiently as she leaned heavily on his supporting arm until her head cleared. After a while she pushed him away, and turned to the Seneschal, who was busily relighting his lantern with flint and steel.
    'How are you feeling, sir Seneschal?'
    'I've felt better, Princess.' He finally coaxed his candle alight, and closed the lantern. 'It probably looks worse than it is.'
    'You looked pretty bad when we dragged you out from under those demons,' said Bodeen, and the Seneschal grimaced.
    'Don't remind me. I thought my time had come.'
    'You should rest for a while,' said Bodeen.
    'I'm all right,' snapped the Seneschal. 'Don't fuss. There'll be plenty of time to rest when we