Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“Fair enough. I didn’t get a chance to say anything before and it sort of slipped my mind anyway but yesterday when we had to say the spell to get rid of the Creep rolling the Directors head, how is it that I could hear you Dash?” Cole asks.
“Honestly that was a shock for us too.” Dash starts, “You know that Sage has linked to Erin and the rest of us using a similar bond to the soulmate bond right?”
“I like to call it the warrior bond.” Hunt grins proudly and I give him a sharp look.
Cole doesn’t need to know yet any particulars yet, it’s not time although I wish it was because I don’t like keeping things from him.
“Why?” He predictably asks.
“I don’t know, just seems to fit.” He shrugs.
Cole eyes him suspiciously but seems to let it go and Dash quickly jumps in with his explanation, distracting Cole further.
“We think it has something to do with that. You’ve become one of us and at that time we needed you to hear what was going on and that allowed us to link to you too.” Dash explains quite well but without giving too much away.
I highly doubt it would’ve worked with just anyone.
The only reason why he heard us was because him and his Bonded mates are going to become part of my warriors.
I’m watching his reaction closely hoping that it will give me a small insight into what his reaction is going to be like when the time comes for him to get his Warrior mark.
“So just a temporary thing then,” He says, disappointment flashing through his eyes.
I take that as a good sign.
Dash shrugs. Not verbalising an answer since none of us actually want to outright lie to him.
He looks at us all suspiciously clearly not completely believing us.
Fortunately before he can question us further, there’s an urgent knock on the door and we all glance around at each other wondering who it could be.
“It’s probably Rupert.” Levi says stretching as he gets up.
My stomach churns with anticipation and something akin to dread as I move forward so I’m perching on the edge of the couch, my attention on the door.
The knock on the door sounds again, impatient and urgent in its pounding.
Levi frowns, increasing his stride to reach the door and pulls it open, ready to give hell to the impatient person stood on the other side, however before he can utter a single word Nicole strides into her room one of her Bonded with her.
“Nicole?” I ask unnecessarily but confused by her presence nonetheless. We haven’t seen her since I had my gifts unbound and the guys supernatural sides were released.
“Hello Sage, I’m sorry I haven’t been around but it was apparently necessary.
” She frowns. I’m starting to get the idea that it wasn’t her idea to keep her distance from us, “Now we haven’t got much time.
Rupert told me how you’ve been struggling to get ahold of your parents.
I decided to look into it since I couldn’t do anything else for you yet and I’ve finally gotten word back from my informant.
Your parents have been taken into the demon realm and we don’t know why. ” She explains bluntly.
“What!?” I gasp standing up as the others do too. “How do you know that’s where they are?”
“I’m sorry Sage.” She apologises, “I know where they are because I had a vision. Which let me tell you was a damn shock since I’ve never had one before.
Normally I wouldn’t dream of telling students about this sort of thing nor would I be encouraging what I’m about to encourage but the goddess was very clear that you needed to go after them.
” She looks over us worriedly not seeming to bat an eyelid at our dropped glamours, almost as if she expected it.
The rest of us share a knowing glance.
“I’m pretty sure we were going anyway. One way or another as soon as we found out that Sage’s parents were missing we’d be going after them.” Erin says.
“We only have a small window of opportunity to get this right. You need to pack light and don’t forget to bring your demon realm books.
You’re going to need them since they will give you valuable information to the world you’re entering.
I have Rupert and Julius preparing the horses for you at the stables.
Since there are no other forms of transport out there.
You have fifteen minutes to get packed and get out to the stables.
If we miss this window of opportunity the future becomes far more dire.
” She tells us, muttering something quietly afterwards that none of us hear.
“How are we getting there?” Dash asks curiously and it occurs to me that in all our our lessons and research it hasn’t ever been said how you get to the other two realms.
“I will create a portal for you.” She says simply not giving any more explanation. “Now hurry!” She urges as she sweeps back out of the room with her Bonded mate.
“Well fuck!” Jett exclaims.
“Guess I better go get packed.”Cole says sounding somewhat shell shocked, as he gets up and follows her out.
“We don’t have time to talk about it.” Levi starts and Cole turns back to listen, “Everyone pack light, remember your demon realm books, pack any protein bars or none perishable snacks. We don’t actually know what we’re going to encounter or where we’re being dropped off.
Don’t forget weapons!” He orders and everyone rushes to do the tasks they’ve been given.
“Meet you outside the front of the castle and we’ll walk over together!” Erin says as she rushes out with the others, Cole leaving too.
“Sage Darling. I know this is a lot to take in, are you ok?” Levi asks me as the guys go into their rooms to start to pack.
“I’m fine. At least I know why they didn’t call me back. I think this is the sign Nyx was referring to. I think my parents have been taken by the Order. Rescuing them is going to rescue them all.” I say as I walk to my room and start packing my duffel bag.
Whilst I appreciate his concern we don’t really have time for me to fall apart thinking about the danger that my parents are no doubt in.
Knot and Ghost are already perched on my bed watching closely. I’ve noticed that Knot seems to be preferring her raven form now that Ghost is around.
“Ok Darling. I’m going to pack.” Levi says kissing me firmly and then striding out of the room.
I take more care in packing than I usually do.
Knowing that I need to pack lightly but efficiently which means I can’t just stuff random things in my bag.
I pack only three sets of clothes not wanting to make my bag too heavy.
I also pack wet wipes and basic medical stuff even though Mav can heal and I can heal them through the bond.
I then add extra weapons whilst strapping knives to my thighs and swords to my back. I’m not relying on my Nyx swords until I know how to call them at will. Even if I’m not in a life threatening situation. I have trust issues, hardly surprising.
After stuffing some protein bars in my bag I meet the others by the door, Knot and Ghost landing on my shoulders. We rush out of the door to make our way to the stables.
My heart pounds as we move silently across the seemingly deserted grounds, everything seems eerily quiet even the usual sounds of the bugs are gone as if the grounds are lying in anticipation of what’s to come.
It is not helping my nerves.
Hunter squeezes my hand in reassurance as if he can tell that I’m feeling nervous and maybe he can. Either because of the Bond or thanks to his shifter sense of smell. If he can tell when someone is lying then it’s entirely possible that he can tell my emotions from smell as well.
I can’t help but gape in shock as we arrive at the stable there’s a flurry of activity as Nicole’s Bonded mates finish tacking up the horses and the horses themselves snort and move in place picking up on the urgency.
“Hurry children.” Nicole says ushering us over to the horses. We quickly secure our bags to them and I make sure to take a moment to calm Dave.
“It’s alright buddy, we’re going on an adventure.” I tell him softly as I rest my head against his and stroke his nose. He surprisingly calms down immediately holding steady as I swing myself up into his saddle.
It’s still shocking to me that a few days ago I had no idea how to do this and now its like second nature to me.
Once we’re all settled on our horses Nicole addresses us.
“I’m going to open up a portal on the far wall.
” She explains pointing to the blank expanse of wall at the back of the stables.
“Erin and her team will go through first with Cole and then Sage and her men next. Remember the demon realm is not like ours. As soon as you are over there read as much of your Demon realm book that you can. I have been given very specific instructions on where to send you. You will have time to read it. Everyone line up.” She orders and we do as we’re told.
Despite the seriousness of the situation I am incredibly curious and admittedly excited to see how Nicole is going to make a portal.
Unlike before when her Bonded have stood off to the side and let her perform the ritual or spell by herself this time her Bonded all place a hand on her, leaving her hands free so she can draw the runes in the air with her magic.
The runes look incredibly complicated and there’s a lot more of them than there were at the unbinding.
She draws the complicated shapes and sends them towards the wall one after the other.
A small glowing circle appears in the middle of the wall, as Nicole moves her hands in circle like motion though, instead of it spreading out into the shape of a circle like I expect it to, like the sci-fi movies I’ve seen, it starts to spiral.
The gaps between the lines of the spiralled magic are just filled with normal wall and doesn’t fill in with magic once the spiral is complete.
That makes me more nervous than if it was just gaping circle of magic. Knowing my luck I’m going to run straight into it and hit the wall instead of going through like I’m supposed to.
“Erin, her men and Cole through you go. Hurry up now we’re running out of time. You need to go through at a canter.” Nicole urges and after an apprehensive look, Jett leads his team through the portal.
“See you on the other side.” Erin grins saluting me.
“Sure thing.” I reply.
They all go through rapidly and without issue which settles my nerves somewhat. We line up ready to go, Levi in the front and the rest of us spread out behind him.
“What’s going on here?” Theo calls from the other end of the large stable sounding somewhat perturbed.
I look over my shoulder to see a split in the void opening up behind him and a large bull like head, four times the size of a normal bull, with at least six huge horns protruding from its giant head and disappearing down its back. Covered in oozing sores and patchy fur.
It looks like its half dead.
“What the hell!” Theo exclaims catching sight and stumbling backwards away from it.
The bull thing paws at the ground its red eyes flashing with its vicious intent.
“Hurry go through now!” Nicole shouts.
“What about you?” Kai asks.
“We will be fine child we are far from defenceless.” Nicole grins and my opinion of her once again rises.
Levi’s horse takes off in the direction of the spiral the rest of us quickly following just before Levi gets there the magic in the spiral reverses and changes colour.
“Don’t go through!” Nicole yells, “Its changed the destination!”
It’s too late for Levi to stop though and with the bull charging after us and snorting something akin to acid.
We all follow after him, Knot and Ghost flying ahead of me and following Levi and his horse through the glowing portal.
We will not abandon one of our own to whatever fate awaits the other side of that damn portal.
Magic bursts across my skin as I hit it and my vision spins and darkens as I feel like I’m being torn in several different directions at once. Finally through the darkness I see a light. I sure as hell hope we aren’t being dropped into a war zone.
“What the hell!?” I hear Kai exclaim as I finally exit the portal on the other side, my vision not adjusting as quickly as it should.
“Hold on daughter, this will not be easy.”