“No, please. I have this. You go ahead.”
“I know you’re competent, Elsa, we all know that. But as your alp- as your partner, I need to be able to protect you. It’s in my blood.”
He was going to say as my alpha! “Well, are we partners, though? And anyhow, you have my blood in you now, too. And I’m telling you I’ll walk at the back. I’m not a kid, Lycaon. I understand your pack rules, the strongest at the back, but I’m not in a pack. Nor would I ever want to be in one.”
I could see him actually withholding a growl. His muscles tensed, but I stood there, brows raised until he walked before me.
Crikey, it was like living in a bygone age, and I get it. He’s old. Maybe that’s a problem? I should really date someone who's closer to my age.
But I didn’t have long to dwell on our differences.
As we entered the tunnel, Lycaon craned down, and immediately the people, if they were human, in the cells through the tunnel threw themselves at their doors. I jumped, startled and felt a tingle of fear trickle down my back.
All the doors were solid, except for a small, barred window near the top, and as Anthony said, as we stepped in, arms reached out from some of these, trying to snatch at us.
Their groaning intensified. I couldn’t repress the shuddering as long bony fingers, some gnawed at and raw, found their way to touch me. Others muttered obscenities which had Lycaon growling, his eyes piercingly scarlet as he faced the cells, but I shoved him forward.
“Come on, they're sick. They're trying to bait us.”
Anthony cast a look over his shoulder and said, “Come on, wolfman, she’s right. Get your shit together. There’s much worse than this in Hell, and I’m assuming you and Elsa would like to get home?”
Anthony's wordscaused the prisoners to repeat our names and try harder to break out of the door.
Anthony glanced over his shoulder. “We need weapons, so far these cells are locked, but up ahead I can see doors that are open. We need to find swords. Be ready to fight, back to back.”
The owl demon whispered, “There are weapons from slain demons, the Hell demons. Many lay dead, but it’s a walk from here.”
Nodding, Anthony held out his arm. “Lead the way.”
Stolas and Orobasweren’t lying. Ahead, a scattering of demons, green blood congealed over their wounds, lay dead.
Hakon wrapped his hand around a sword handle, using his foot to wedge it. He yanked it out of the deceased demon’s body. I looked away, blood and guts, not to mention the stench. No thanks.
He swung the sword, feeling its weight in his hand, his eyes twinkling in delight. Carefully, he held it lower on its hilt and passed it to me. “Ever used a sword, Elsa?”
“No, but I’m ready to learn.”
“Good girl. Look, don’t overextend, watch your opponent and keep moving. There’s no shame in being afraid or running away. Better to run and live than die. If it’s criminals we’re up against, all the better.” He cast a long stare at me. “You’d never be able to fight a Hell demon.”
“Just remember, Hell demons won’t stop fighting you even if you lob off an arm. They never stop. And,” he glanced at Lycaon, “keep your back to us. As our, or your magic won’t work here, this sword could be the difference between life and death.”
I took it. It was heavier than I’d expected, and standing back, I swung it, feeling its weight on my wrist. Rolling my shoulders and breathing deeply I said, “I’m ready.”
Tugging on a hilt, Anthony yanked a sword from the body of what I guessed was a sinner. I mean, it wasn’t one of the Hell demons. I winced silently, not wanting to appear weak. With a massive grin, flashing his fangs, he handed it to Lycaon. “She’s a natural! Good. Come on then, let’s get you home.”
“I still don’t know how you’re going to do that without magic?” I asked.
“There are doorways, physical doorways throughout Hell. Several that lead into the city. Cerberus, think of him as more of a shifter. He’s not just a three-headed dog. He has a house near one of these doorways. That’s where we’re going. But there’s no short-cut.”
A cacophony of wailing grew louder as we traipsed onwards. Clenching my jaw, my only relief was that I wasn’t alone here. I couldn’t believe how relaxed Anthony looked but then, I guessed he’d spent a lot of time here.
Ahead we came to a cavern and a group of creatures, this was where the wailing came from. Theirfeatures obscured in shadow, Anthony commanded in a hoarse whisper, “Lower your weapons. They’re harmless, pitiful souls.”
I foundthat hard to believe but I did as he said.
In my wildest nightmares I was not prepared.
Their wails turned to his name, hope etched in their voices. Hakon and Lycaon stopped dead in their tracks, the dukes walking alongside Anthony as he held out his hand, his voice like silk.
