Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
D emi was sitting outside with Brook, Forrest, and Willow in the lower garden near the river. They hadn’t left his side since they heard about Ares, and wasn’t that a surprise, that they wanted to be with him and offer comfort.
“Thank you,” he said to the three of them. “For staying with me, so I don’t worry alone.”
Forrest snorted rudely. “We'd not leave you at a time like this. We’re family and family sticks together.”
“Yeah,” Willow said. “We know you and Brook haven’t mated yet, but you’re still family.”
Brook and Demi both looked shocked.
“How did you know?” Brook asked.
“We know you, plus you get this look of wonder on your face every time you look at each other,” Forrest told him.
Before either of them could reply, Tudor, Alex, Baylan Blake, Oz and Dask walked over.
“Mind if we join you?” Baylan asked.
The siblings moved around so the others could sit down. They all sat in silence, everyone looking pensive, and no one talking.
“You know they’re all going to come back and be fine, don’t you?” Forrest told them full of confidence.
“We know,” Alex said softly, giving a quick, barely there smile.
“No, you’re all thinking the worst. They might come back a bit battered, but they will come back. Dragons went with them. You think anything in Tartarus can stop something that is pure magic?” he asked with conviction.
“You’re right, Forrest, thank you for reminding us. Our family will bring Ares back and we’ll stop Barnabus once and for all,” Baylan said, smiling at the young man, a real smile.
“And my dad is with them. Even if his powers are not at full strength there, he’ll still have some,” Oz told them.
“I’m going to turn that horrible demon into stone and then Bob can smash him like he did to Lucas and Oz can scatter his pieces in different volcanoes that will teach him a lesson,” Tudor said, with a head nod at the end.
“That would indeed, sweetheart,” Alex agreed, kissing the side of his head.
“And Demi can scare the pants off him first,” Willow put in.
“Oh, I can most definitely do that,” Demi agreed.
Flying out of Tartarus was a lot quicker and easier than walking in. They dodged leaping demons intent on trying to bring them down and fire bursts trying to cook them, but they finally made it to the entrance of Tartarus. They only stopped so Hades could open the stone door and close it once they were through, and flew through the corridor, dodging the hands trying to grab them and ignoring the screaming they heard.
Once they reached the end, Wynter let Tatum down so he could open the final door, and they all rushed out, the back door closing after the last one left.
Everyone dismounted and Bob and Barden retreated.
“I’m not going to miss that place,” Puff said, hoarsely with a grimace.
Mateo walked to his side. “What happened?”
“Bob used a lot of fire to melt the door, it scorched our throat, but it’ll be better soon,” Puff said, leaning on him.
Suddenly, Zeus turned up with more gods, all wearing battle dress. Zeus breathed a sigh of relief when he saw them all and pulled Ares into a hug. “We were just coming to help with the rescue.”
“Yes, I had devised the most perfect plan to rescue you,” Athena told him.
Ares pulled back and smiled at his sister. “Thank you, Athena, I’m sure your rescue would have been amazing.”
Athena grinned. “Sonnets would have been written about it.” She sighed. “I’ll just have to keep that plan ready for another day.”
“No offence, Athena, but hopefully it won’t be needed,” Hades said, looking at her.
“Indeed.”
“Let’s get you all back home, shall we? There are a lot of anxious family members waiting for you all.” And with that, Zeus waved his hand and they all vanished, only to reappear in the pack garden.
Demi saw them first. “They’re back,” he announced, jumping up. The others followed and suddenly the rescue group was surrounded and getting hugs from everyone.
Atticus came running out of the pack house and pulled Puff and Mateo into a hug. They leaned against him and he dropped a kiss on both their heads. “Are you two alright?” he asked, pulling back and looking at them.
“We are, although Puff has pretty much lost his voice,” Mateo told him.
“I can probably help with that,” Ajax offered, walking over to them.
“Ares and Jason need looking at first,” Puff croaked out.
Ajax nodded. “I’ll be back in a bit,” he said, walking over to Ares and Jason.
“How did this happen?” Atticus asked.
“Bob used a lot of fire to melt the entrance to where Ares was being held, it scorched our throats.”
“Then Ajax won’t be able to help you. I’m sorry to say, this will heal slowly. Neither of you can breathe fire again until it’s fully healed,” Atticus told him.
Puff flopped his head on Atticus's chest. “Gah.”