Jasmine
Once the sun has set, I know it’s time to find a door to the Underworld. I throw on a pair of running shoes and a comfy matching set, just in case I choose to run. Not that I’d make it far before being dragged back into the Underworld, but at least I’d try.
I have a feeling I’ll run into some of Dad’s demons when I first cross the portal, so I probably won’t be able to get away, but it makes me feel better knowing I could try.
“Well, here goes nothing,” I mumble to myself. I’ve already sent Jake numerous texts, and if he hasn’t responded yet, I don’t see hope for us. The bite on my neck stings with the distance and distress of the bond, but I can’t do anything about it right now.
I stand in the doorframe, taking in my apartment for what could be the last time. This is bittersweet, and it’s one of the few times I wish I could be a full demon and turn off the emotions threatening to send me over the edge.
My heart aches as I look into the space, my home, for the last ten years. It’s not much, but it was mine. There were many firsts in this realm, yet so many more I won’t be able to live out.
Ten years feels like nothing compared to the life I could still live if I were able.
I slump against the frame and place a hand in front of my mouth to tame the sob coming from me. My emotions aren’t regulated, and I’ve had too many feelings this week.
I have to go. The longer I stand here, the longer I’ll refuse to leave.
I force myself to turn around, shut the door, and head down the stairs to the door that leads to the outside.
It’s storming outside, but I’m not in a place to wait it out. I don’t have any alternate plans. This is it.
I force myself to keep walking out of the apartment, to the edge of the tree line, then deeper into the forest, letting my necklace guide me. It lightly vibrates and pulls toward the closest door. As a key to the demon doors, my necklace has never left my side in case of an emergency.
After a few minutes, the storm has cleared and I finally see the glowing gold door in front of me, off to the left, on top of a hill.
Prior to this, I’ve never gone out and sought a door.
I’ve never been that desperate to end my life, or to risk leaving this realm with no plan to survive what waits there.
I was safe.
I’m no longer safe.
And being here only puts everyone else at risk. So, if I can give myself over and help Jake rid Fernhollow of demons, I’m going to do it, because the wrong choice could bring war to this realm.
It’s selfless. At least, that’s the explanation I’m giving myself. If I wait any longer, I’ll talk myself out of this.
At the end of the day, it’s Jake that keeps me going. It’s my favorite things about him that I’ll carry with me to the end.
It’s his smiles, and how he seems to always save the best ones for me.
Or the way his eyes crinkle when he laughs.
And definitely the way he pulls me into a hug, enveloping me like he’s protecting me. The warmth of him shows me how lonely I was before he came into my life.
He was the reason I became hopeful.
He’s why I decided to make a new bargain in the first place. I didn’t want to pretend to live a life with him. I wanted the life, the mess, and all of it to be real.
Because if it couldn’t be real, then why am I trying? Jake has helped me see the life I could live if I let go of my fear. The life I deserve.
If only I could have controlled the narrative and told him about my family before Liam visited him. I’ve been waiting to give Jake my full trust. Being a demon already puts a price on my head, but being a princess of the Underworld makes me a target for anyone who wants leverage over me.
As I stand a foot away from the door, I know there won’t be a way to come back from this.
That’s why I’m hesitating, even though I’ve run through all the scenarios.
I’ve thought about every possibility, and they all end badly.
They all end with my dad killing me, killing Jake, and starting some sort of war in this realm.
With this risk, my hope is me coming home is enough leverage to prevent more demons from infiltrating Fernhollow.
My hands shake as I grab the chain around my neck and pull it off. I grip the key, tracing the snake’s shape with my finger. The gold key sparkles under the moonlight through the clouds, reminding me of my tattoo I’ve glamoured.
The small, logical piece of my brain knows this is the right thing to do, and I hate that.
Well, there’s no need to sit here and debate with myself when I know I have to go through this door. I have to see this through.
I take a deep breath and close the gap to the door with the key in my hand. I reach for the handle, but my hand won’t stop shaking, and I drop it as I try to insert it.
When I bend over to pick it up, tears fall and my vision blurs. I thought I’d worked through these feelings. I wipe away every tear with my forearm, even though more follow. With the key back in my hand, I stand up and force myself to take three deep breaths.
I use my magic to still my hand, letting my shadows extend around the key so I don’t drop it this time. I move in tandem with the shadows back toward the door, the key nearly slotted into the lock when I feel it.
Every hair on my arm stands up.
My heart beats quickly with the proximity of someone nearby.
Slowly, I turn away from the door. My shadows are still out, but they’ve slithered to the ground, covering my feet in protection and ready to be directed toward someone.
On the other side of the clearing, a presence is headed my way.
Time slows when a large, dark-gray wolf appears. His golden eyes meet mine, and I know without having to ask who he is.
Jake is here.
He came for me.
But does it matter? He could be here to turn me in or take advantage of whatever the bargain was that Liam offered.
“Why are you here?” I cry out, and my shadows shoot from my body to aim for him. It wasn’t my intention, but anger precedes it. Jake growls and jumps out of range at the last minute. “This is what you wanted. Isn’t it?”
I pull in my shadows, letting Jake close the gap between us. He doesn’t get too far before a large growl rumbles out of him. Opposing shadows appear around me, and the sky turns black, the moon covered by a film of clouds.
We aren’t alone.