The dagger met some resistance at the demon's thick hide, but slid in after a moment's delay. The demon roared in anger, but Mergoux also had its approval: it would have done exactly the same thing in her situation. Its hand recoiled, and its grip loosened enough that Megoux could breath, but it didn't let go completely. Instead it pulled her up, nearly to her feet as it retracted its arm. As it did so, it looked back and saw one of the other creatures, who Mergoux knew as Nebullius, about to launch some kind of attack. The demon did not know the nature of the attack, but it suspected it was magic or magic-based. Regardless, it had no reason to be hit by such an attack, and a very good reason not to be in one of its hands.

It moved the hand with which it was holding Mergoux (its right hand) from her neck to her left shoulder, and took hold of her with its left hand below her right arm. As it was doing this, it spun to face the creature and ducked behind Mergoux, using her as a shield to block the attack. The demon was unsure whether it was the kind that would hurt her, it definitely had the appearance of a hallowed attack that might only affect it. But what a turn of events it would be if it did hurt her!

Anyway, even the worst possiblilty would be that it would not be hit, which would hardly be something to complain about.