I did not say it would be easy. Nor did I say returning with me would be helpful. You must take the girl.
No, he repeated.
Your choice, of course. I have no qualms about removing your head.
It was impossible to argue with so logical and uncaring a being. How do I get them out of my body once I take them back in?
Zacharel had walked away without answering, without offering even the slightest hint. Why? What was Amun supposed to do when he got there? How long was he supposed to stay? Exactly where in the endless pit did he need to go?
He told me the only way to free myself was to return to hell, Amun said to Haidee now.
Return tohell? As in the fiery pit of the damned? The last was uttered in a horrified whisper.
Yes. And youre going with me. He waited for her to protest, to fight him. She didnt, not yet, and he relaxed. Somewhat. He couldnt subdue her, defend her and search for a way to liberate himself. You wont burn, he assured her. I wont allow the flames to reach you.
If we go, she said with a tremor, will there be anyone with us?
If, shed said, and he relaxed a bit more. No. Well go alone. He desperately needed the muscle and supportbecause gods knew, hed barely survived last time, and hed had two trained warriors with himbut he wouldnt place his friends in danger. Not from the demons, and not from Haidee. Besides, that would defeat the purpose of whisking Haidee out of their midst. Why? Do you wish to take someone with us?
Her lips pressed together in that mutinous line, and he suspected hed somehow hurt her feelings. No, surely not. She would have to care about him, he reminded himself, and she didnt.
Will youwill you allow me to have a weapon? The word allow choked from her, and he doubted shed ever spoken it before.
Yes, but if you attempt to use it on me, I will strike back in kind. Perhaps a lie, perhaps not. He valiantly hoped she didnt try to test the claim.
Silence stretched between them, an oppressive cloud he couldnt shoo away. He gave her the time she needed, though. He was asking a lot from her and offering very little in exchange. Of course, he would have to force her if she refused himthey truly had no other optionsbut until she did, he would let her think the decision was hers.
All right, she finally said on a sigh. Ill do it. Ill go with you.
No fight at all.
Once again he was thrown, but this time he couldnt hide the intensity of his shock or the earth-shattering cascade of relief. Then his suspicions flared. What did she hope to gain, placing herself in danger to help him regain his senses? Or did she plan to go simply to gather intel? Yes, he thought with a nod. That was far more likely. She was a Hunter, after all, and finding ways to destroy demons was her business.
Hunter. The blasphemy echoed through his mind, and he cringed. Stop reminding me.
Stop reminding you of what? she sputtered, obviously confused by his sudden bout of disgust.
Nothing, he muttered. He nearly apologized but bit the words back. He would not apologize to this woman. Ever. He had some pride, at least. Well waste no more time.
Amun strode to the door and knocked. Behind him, he heard Haidee gasp, her clothes rustling again as if she had pushed to her feet. A few seconds later, the lock clicked from the other side, and the wood squeaked open, revealing the angel Zacharel. Black hair in perfect order, emerald eyes devoid of all emotion. White-and-gold wings arched over his shoulders and swooped down his robed sides.
Yes, the warrior said. The greeting should have been inflected with a question, but surfaced as a mere statement.
We are taking you up on your offer of transport, Amun signed.
Zacharel offered no hint of his thoughts. Ill gather the necessary supplies. Be ready to leave in five minutes. With that, the door shut, locked.
Amun rested his forehead on the cool wood, reminded for a moment of Haidees skin. Hell. He was returning to hell when hed sworn never to go back. In a deep, dark corner of his mind, he thought he heard Secrets whimper.
Thousands of years ago, Secrets had fought to escape helland won. And yet, Amun kept taking him back. At least the other demons remained calm, neither crying nor cheering in regard to his plans. But then, they were more afraid of Haidee than anything else.
Why cant you speak? she asked, slicing through the tension he hadnt realized had sprouted anew.
My demon, he replied, offering no more. He straightened and turned to her. Mistake. She had stood, and as always, he was struck by the delicacy of her features, the passion that lurked under her glowing skin. More than that, his mouth watered for a go at those breasts, that stomach, those legs.
He shouldnt have dressed her in the T-shirt and jeans. He should have dressed her in a shapeless sack.
Because you carry the demon of Secrets, you cant speak?
Yes. Had he ever thought to find himself in this position? Sharing his own inner mysteries with a Hunter?
I dont understand. Why does your demon prevent you from speaking?
She wasnt curious about him, he knew, but was merely fishing for information to perhaps share with her people. Still. He answered. I open my mouth, and everything the demon has discovered, every dark deed of those around us, every bit of information that could ruin families and friendships, slips out.
So you can speak?
What did that matter? Yes.
But you choose not to?
Yes, damn it. Why do you want to know?
Amuns uncustomary outburst didnt faze her. Its justits a good thing youre doing. Very sweet.
So unexpected was the praise, he could only blink at her.
No one else can hear your voice? Inside their head, I mean.
No. Just you. Bitterness had crept into his tone, and he could do nothing to mask it. Not that he wanted to. Let her hear. Let her know.
Twin pink circles stained her cheeks, and she cleared her throat. She eased back onto the mattress, prim once again. So how did you guys hook up with angels?
A change of subject. Wise of her, yes, but foolish of him to offer more truth. A friend of ours married their leader. More like Bianka had claimed Lysander as her property, but Amun wasnt sure Haidee would understand that kind of sentiment.
An angel and a demon? Married?
Pretty much. As stone-cold as Lysander was, the term angel seemed just about as appropriate as fairy godmother. The term demon fit Bianka perfectly, though. Her soul was darker than Amuns, but in the best possible way. The Harpies were so open, so honest about their mischievous nature, they were a delight to be around. At least for Amun. For a while, hed even considered pursuing Biankas twin sister, Kaia. War had gotten in the way. Speaking of angels, you should know that your precious Galen isnt one. He
Okay, lets agree right now not to talk about your friends or mine, Haidee interjected angrily. Itll only make us angry with each other. We should focus on the mission.
So she considered Galen a friend of hers? Of course she did, he thought next, and wanted to punch something. The leader of the Hunters wanted every Lord of the Underworldexcluding himselfdead and buried. Because of Baden, Haidee had to be a prize among prizes for the keeper of Hope. Or was it possible Galen didnt know who she was?
Amuns teeth gnashed togetherhe was doing that a lot latelygrating the top layer into a fine powder, but he nodded. Very well. There will be no talk of our friends.
I just, I dont want us to fight, she said. And just so you know, Galen isnt a personal friend.
Time is up, Zacharels hard voice proclaimed before Amun could reply.
At the vocal intrusion, he whipped around, at the same time moving in front of Haidee to act as her shield. The door was still closed. He frowneduntil the angel simply stepped through the wood, a backpack dangling from his hand.
Hed possessed the ability all along, yet had only now opted to reveal it. Why?
I will take you to the place your journey must begin, Zacharel said. As with all angels, there was an undeniable layer of truth in his tone, and Amun couldnt doubt a single thing he uttered. But know that Lucifer is angry that he was thwarted in his quest to destroy you and yours through Legion, and will be out for eternal blood. Be wary, trust nothing and no one.
I never do.
Except, perhaps, each other, the angel added.
Amun glanced over his shoulder, and he and Haidee shared a look.
Zacharel nodded in approval. I can promise you that your last journey through the underworld was nothing compared to what you will soon face. In reparation for his role in Legions freedom, Cronus has returned it to its former glory.
Why would he?
The angel held up his hand, halting Amuns tirade. It was either that, or return Legion.
He made the right choice, then.
Lets see if you still agree when you get there. Monsters youve only heard whispered about, you will soon encounter.
Haidee stood, her cool hands flattening on Amuns lower back. He had to bite his tongue to stop his moan of pleasure. Finally, contact. He felt as if hed been waiting forever to feel her, any part of her, again. That she now offered comfortcomforted him.
Gods, he really was pathetic.
You wont allow any of my friends to follow us? he signed.
Correct. I will ensure you and the girl remain undisturbed by them.
Amun took no offense. If anyone could keep the brutes here from getting their way, it was this hard-as-steel creature. Thank you.
Now. Something else you should know. A breeze ruffled the golden down streaked through the angels wings like a flowing, molten river. With the changes, there are now six realms you must pass through before you even reach the gateand the gate is another obstacle altogether.
Haidee stepped to Amuns side, but didnt break contact. How will we return here when were done?
Zacharels green gaze briefly shifted to her. Should you save Amun, you will have nothing to worry about. Should you not, you will never leave.
The ominous warning rang through his mind. Then Amun shrugged. They would save him; it was that simple. Well find a way, he told Haidee.
Her hands trembled against him, but she said no more.
What about weapons? he signed. Food?
Everything you need is in here. The angel tossed the pack, and Amun caught the too-thin, too-light duffel with ease. Good luck to you, warrior.
The moment his fingers wrapped around the straps, his surroundings completely fell away. From light to murky dark, the smooth white walls were replaced by jagged stone stained with crimson splatter. Bones littered the equally rocky ground, and the temperature instantly flared hundreds of degreesor so it seemed.
A cavern, he realized, deep in the earth. And there was no sign of Zacharelno dainty hands on his back. Fighting a rush of panic, Amun swung around. He relaxed, but only for a second. Haidee was a few feet away, hunched over and vomiting. Beside her rested a toothbrush, toothpaste and bottle of mouthwash.
Amun closed the distance between them before he realized what he was doing. With one hand, he smoothed her hair out of the way. With the other, he stroked her back, trying to comfort her as shed comforted him. Flashing from one location to another in a mere blink of time affected some but not others. She, apparently, fell into the some category. The angel must have known she would.
As strong as she usually was, the weakness probably appalled her.
The sickness will soon pass, he told her. Even as he soothed her, he thought perhaps she had infected him with a toxic mix of hunger, stupidity and unwanted tendernessand he would never find a cure.
She spit, wiped her mouth with the back of her trembling hand. Thank you. For not kicking me while Im down.
Im not a monster, Haidee. Yet.
I know, she said weakly. Otherwise, I wouldnt be here.
She, apparently, suffered from the same toxic mix.
That did not bode well for their mission.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, lets see what weve got to work with, Haidee told Amun after she disinfected her mouth. Twice. She ducked her head as she walked away from him so that she wouldnt have to see his expression.
Hed had his hands on her the entire time. Did he regret it? Shed vomited in front of him. Did he find that amusing? She had responded to him, goose bumps breaking out over her skin. Did he feel smug?
He offered no reply, and she experienced a wave of hurt. A wave she ignored because it was stupid. He wasnt her boyfriend, wasnt a tame pet dog, and was merely using her, the enemy, to stay calm.
Still. Would a thats smart or are you okay? have been amiss? After all, she had agreed to venture into hell with him. Was actively trying to reach the fiery pit for him.
And because of that, she was alone with him, she thought, suddenly dazed by the way things had worked out. She was completely, utterly alone with the demon-possessed immortal who set her body on fire. The demon-possessed immortal who would probably try to kill her after they found a way to free him from the evil that plagued him. The demon-possessed immortal she should despise, did despise, but couldnt convince herself to hurt, even in the smallest way.
The demon-possessed immortal she still craved.
Frowning, she crouched in front of the backpack the angel had given them. Her hand shook with the force of her nervousness as she unzipped and parted the folds. What she saw, or rather, what she didnt see, had her sputtering.
Its empty!
Pounding footsteps resounded, then Amun was crouched beside her, grabbing the pack and searching inside. She heard his growl whisper through her mind, low and rumbling.
He scrubbed a hand down his face, the rough action leaving his forehead red and scraped. The angel wanted us to fail, then. Helied. I cant believe he lied.