Page 33 of Outcast
The gods being angry was not news to me. But I didn’t know who was on the sidelines and how I could exchange anything to close the portal. At least, I assumed she was referring to the portal.
Always more questions than answers.
“Well, we have to go see the damage in the city,” Roman said. “Or rather I need to see how bad it is.”
“I’d like to as well,” Hiro admitted. “I feel responsible in some ways and it’s going to give us the urgency.”
“Doesn’t matter how urgent it is. Closing the portal is priority and I have no fucking clue how to do it. Nor do I know how we get back home if I do,” I argued.
“It’s never truly closed,” Monty explained. “Kol was here when it was technically closed. I’ve been going back and forth for years. If you’re tied to both realms, by orders or, in your case, your humanity, then traveling isn’t an issue.”
“How do I close it, then?” I asked, throwing up my hands. “Why can no one ever fucking tell me that?”
“Because we don’t know,” Monty said dryly. “You’re the leader now. No one else can help you but apparently you need an exchange.”
“Again, I’m already dead and soulless,” I pointed out.
“Have you tried just manifesting like you do in Helheim?” Drake’s question seemed so simple I felt stupid for not trying. But it wasn’t as easy using magic here.
“No,” I admitted. “I could barely get the gargoyles’ remains through. Odin made it so I can come through the portal, but not so I can fully function here. He’s likely waiting on the sidelines.”
“I don’t think so,” Stravos said. “Things down there are quiet, but not empty. The demons are converting humans to their side. There’s a literal militia down there of demons and humans. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they likely made them demons somehow. They’re changed.”
“Is that possible?” I looked at Monty in horror. If they could turn humans somehow... well, it didn’t look good for the world.
“No. The most they could do was use their influence. Think of it like mind possession. With enough strong demons pushing at weak minds, well anything is possible.”
“That’s where Crew is.” Stravos’s words hung in the air, and I looked at Layne who looked horrified. “I’m sorry, Layne. I saw him last night and didn’t know how to break it to you.”
She sniffled softly. “I already knew in a way. Where else would he go?”
“Then we’ll add getting Crew back to the list,” I vowed. “The ever-growing list I don’t have a clue how to manage. But there’s no other option.”
“Can we even leave the grounds?” Kol asked. “I’ve never been able to before.”
“The gargoyles were bound to the grounds,” Monty said. “You, Roman, and Stravos may have to stay behind.”
“I can’t leave,” Stravos confirmed. “I watch from the rooftops.”
“Then we separate,” I said, shaking my head. “There’s no other choice. We have to get to Crew, and we have to figure this out.”
“At least you’re saying we instead of I,” Kol said with a laugh. I gave the gargoyle a smirk. He was right. I relied on them more than ever now. One person may lead a kingdom, but they never worked alone. Helheim was connected to me, but it had claimed them as its own as well.
“I’m going to the portal,” I said as I turned. “I have to try before we go any farther. If we cut off the demons, they’ll lose their power. Right now, it’s unstoppable.”
Monty whisked me away again, leaving the others behind.
“Really?” I deadpanned. He let out a low chuckle and caressed my cheek with his shadows.
“They’ve been around too much lately. They’ll find their way here in time. You can do this, little human,” he pointed out. The old nickname had a bit of my worry fading as I faced the portal.
The fires pulsed with Helheim’s presence, and I reached out with my mind, trying to hold tight to that feeling and separating it from Dark Haven. Maybe it was the wrong approach, but I was trying to manifest ripping them apart and closing the portal.
The power never shifted. It didn’t react to my will at all.
“Well, that failed.” I sighed. “I guess we get to figure out what exactly an even exchange is.”
“One thing at a time. You’ve always loved biting off more than you could chew,” Monty countered.
