Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Barbie
We stumbled down the volcanic trail like newborn fawns learning how legs worked. We probably looked drunk.
“If we’re doing this,” Sy called, raising her hands, and creation magic sparked between her fingers, “let’s do it in style.”
“Why the fuck not.” I encouraged her.
Armor materialized around me, a breastplate of pure gold, pauldrons shaped like dragon scales that made me think of Killian and Tyson.
I missed them terribly. I’d see them soon if everything went well from here. We’d survived the vortex, the maze, the murder-trains, the demons, and the volcano. What else could be worse?
I waited for a comeback, but none came. It hit me then—Sy wasn’t with me anymore. Our private thoughts were truly our own.
Sy was admiring the silver-and-black armor she’d conjured for herself, sleeker and more stylish than mine, of course. She always had an unhealthy need to outshine everyone else! I shot her chainmail a disapproving look as it shimmered beneath her breastplate.
“Stop pouting,” she chided. “We still look like a matching set: salt and pepper. And you’re the salt.”
We continued down the trail of cracked earth and jagged rock. Steam hissed from fissures around us, but the heat no longer touched us.
“Why am I salt?” I narrowed my eyes.
“I'm obviously the pepper. More bite. And you’re salty about everything.”
I shook my head. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
She just laughed.
It was going to take some getting used to—being two instead of one.
My chest pulsed with heat where Heaven’s Arrow had merged with my flesh, leaving a tattoo of its form between my breasts.
“Stop poking it,” Sy called over her shoulder, white braids swaying as she navigated a steep drop. “You’ll only make it worse.”
“I’m not poking it.” But my finger drifted back to the mark. “Easy for you to say—you’re out, and it’s in, eavesdropping on my thoughts and judging me!”
“It’s sentient, and you have plenty of room for improvement,” she shot back. “I used to live in you, remember? Your thoughts could drive a saint insane. It’s a miracle I’m still this awesome after twenty years of your bitching.”
Then we froze at the sound of Bea’s scream and broke into a run. We were already halfway down the sheltered side of the mountain, where our commandeered train waited at the base.
Three Shriekers surrounded the train, their tentacles coiled around Bea in the world’s worst group hug. My friend stood rigid on the roof, chin lifted despite the terror in her eyes.
“Come with us, Princess,” the lead Shrieker screeched, its scorpion tail hovering inches from Bea’s throat. “Comply, or your little friend dies!”
“How did they know to come here?” Sy muttered. “How did they even get into the Underworld?”
“Lilith was fucking Daddy Dearest,” I said.
“Ew,” Sy spat. “But how?”
“You don’t want to know,” I said. “Let’s not go there.”
The thought of Lilith and Ruin together churned my stomach, and I shoved it down hard.
“Let’s not,” Sy agreed. “But we need to warn my sugar, your sugar, and the other heirs that they’re working together. Or…fucking. Gross.”
“After we save my friend.”
Sy nodded. “The little witch.”
“She’s a high mage now,” I corrected.
The Shriekers clicked and whirred, a grotesque chorus of machine and monster.
“Come with us, Princess!” they chanted as one. “You are the apple of our master’s eye. Come home with us, Princess!”
“Creeps,” Sy muttered.
“Don’t go with them!” Bea shouted. “Don’t give them anything, no matter what!”
The Shrieker’s claw twitched toward her throat.
Sy and I moved as one, even in two bodies. Her light wrapped Bea in a shimmering shield while my dark flame lashed out, reducing the Shriekers to atomic dust in a single strike.
“You don’t fuck with us,” Sy declared, even though no enemy remained to hear.
We slid down to the train, and Bea crashed into my arms the moment Sy’s shield dissolved.
“You came back,” my mage friend sobbed, then stared wide-eyed between Sy and me. “You and Sy…you’re two people now!”
“Technically,” Sy grinned, “we’re two peas in separate pods now. Like…pod neighbors.”
Bea blinked, bewildered. I didn’t blame my best friend. Sy barely made sense most of the time.
“Let’s go,” I cut in before Sy could spew more nonsense. She couldn’t hear my silent criticism anymore, and I wasn’t sure that was a good thing.
“I need to see my sugar,” Sy announced. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees me!”
I was happy for her—she finally had the life she’d craved, and she’d be safe. But anxiety shadowed the moment. The trial wasn’t over, even if it was for us.
I glanced back toward the maze. Candidates were still trapped there. I needed to get Killian and the other heirs to stop this before more students became supernatural roadkill.
“And we have to warn the heirs about Lilith teaming up with Ruin,” I added, lips pressed thin. “We’re running out of time.”
“But how do we leave?” Bea asked. “This train only goes deeper into the Underworld. I doubt they’re sending return vortexes, not after how we derailed the trial.”
Sy and I looked at each other. The same thought crossed our minds.
Still two peas.
We no longer needed a ride out of the Underworld. Sy and I were yin and yang. I could siphon Killian’s portal power ever since mating him, and Sy now wielded the most potent creation magic there was.
Together, we were a force.
We linked hands, Bea sandwiched safely between us. Our powers hummed through the connection.
“Close your eyes,” Sy called. “Think of home. Think of the place you want to go most.”
“Shouldn’t you two do the thinking, and I’ll just tag along?” Bea suggested. “This kind of power rides on your magic and intention, right?”
“I’m thinking of where they keep the snacks,” I said, smacking my lips as my stomach groaned. “Fine—I’ll go see Killian first. He’ll be overjoyed, then take me straight to cakes.”
Our powers hummed louder, rising to a crescendo.
“Here we come, Edinburgh!” Sy shouted.
“Why the fuck Edinburgh?” I yelled back. I did not want this magic dumping us in a foreign country, even if Scotland was lovely. What were we supposed to do there? “Wait a fucking…”
A firestorm engulfed us as we tore through dimensions.
Shit.