Chapter 4 #2
He landed like Thor, posing on one knee, clenched fist below his chin.
When he straightened to his full height, he was well over six foot.
His body was heavily muscled, and he flexed, showing those muscles off before a broad grin split his unnaturally red lips.
He looked like a caricature, everything exaggerated.
His hair was a shock of glossy orange waves, not red or auburn, orange, and framed an angular face.
His eyes were the same vibrant color, except a shade darker, and he was dressed in a gold-and-emerald cloak, trimmed with gold thread, that billowed out behind him, even though there wasn’t a breath of wind.
He lifted his arms and laughed, the same deranged sound we’d heard after we left the bar.
“Welcome to The Tartarean!” He laughed again, and it sent a shiver of unease down my spine.
“I am Felditch, and you may address me as such. I’m here to preside over each event and ensure everyone complies with the rules.
” He motioned behind us, and we all turned.
“But first allow me to show you to your lodgings. You will stay here at the manor for the duration of the tournament.”
A large wooden dwelling now sat at the edge of the field, behind it a wild sea raged, both of which hadn’t been there a moment ago.
I turned back to Felditch, and a dense forest had sprouted behind him.
Beyond that, mountains loomed over everything, so tall that their snow-covered peaks were surrounded by wispy clouds.
Yeah, this guy was seriously powerful. He’d literally moved mountains, or even more impressively, created his own. I could see why a favor from him would be a prize worth winning.
“Please, follow me,” Felditch said and strode toward the manor. With every step he took, a path of black slate formed in his wake.
“What is he?” a wolf shifter said behind us.
“He doesn’t smell like anything I’ve ever encountered,” his teammate replied.
I glanced at Silas and raised a brow. Besides the other angels here, Silas and I were easily the oldest competing, and I sure as hell had never run into whatever this male was.
Silas leaned in. “According to Lucifer, he’s a demigod,” he said for my ears only.
Well, that explained the insane amount of power rolling off him.
Felditch led us to wide double doors and threw out his arms again. The doors flung wide and he strode in. The manor seemed even bigger inside and opened into a huge dining area.
“When requested, this is where we will gather for group meals and instruction for each trial or event. All other meals will be taken in your team rooms.”
“What of security? If we’re all staying in this place, what’s to stop a competitor from killing us in our sleep?” one of the witches asked.
“Please be at ease. Unless the trial requires it, any kind of physical contact is impossible between teams.”
One of the cat shifters attempted to kick the wolf in front of him, and before he could make contact, an invisible force dropped him to the ground and pinned him there.
Felditch grinned. “As you see.”
Chuckles broke out around the room. At least that was one less thing we needed to worry about.
The male waved his hand, and the cat shifter sprang to his feet, scowling.
“It’s late and I’m sure you’d all like to rest before tomorrow’s exertions. Please, follow me.”
As soon as he said it, the sun was gone and darkness bathed the field behind the manor. I watched through the window as torches flared, lighting the path that now led right across the field and disappeared into the forest.
This place was a mind fuck.
We filed from the dining area into a wide circular hall with doors coming off it, each several yards apart.
He motioned to the first one. A paw was carved into it. “Wolves,” he said.
The wolves strode in. The next had whiskers engraved into the wood.
“A bit on the nose, don’t you think?” Silas said.
“I don’t think this guy knows what subtlety is.”
Silas huffed out a laugh, and I clenched my jaw. Yes, we had a truce, but I wasn’t trying to be best buds with the male. It would be easy to let my guard down with him, where everyone else was a bigger risk, an enemy, but I had to keep my guard up. I would not let Silas manipulate me.
The rest were shown to their rooms.
Nathaniel winked at us before he and Eloa walked into their room and shut the door. Silas growled, pausing beside their door as Felditch forged on ahead, leading us to our room. It was just a moment, but I noticed all the same.
He said he hated Nathaniel. Still, did he wish he was with them? That he was on the angels’ team? He had to miss home. I know I would if I’d been exiled from Hell for the last few years.
Our door had devil’s horns carved into it. The kind you’d get from a costume shop, nothing like the horns Lucifer had but rarely showed.
Felditch motioned inside. “Your kitchenette is well stocked with your favorite foods and beverages. Your meals will appear on the table at the expected meal times, and your luggage is already in your rooms, sent to us by your loved ones.” He gave us a slight bow and strode off.
As long as they hadn’t asked Uma to pack for me, I should be good.
Any of my other sisters would know what I’d want.
“This is the most unserious shit I’ve ever encountered,” I said. “That guy is a walking cartoon character.”
Silas nodded as he scanned our rooms. “We have to assume this is all to put us at ease. Give us a false sense of what’s to come.”
“I suppose.”
The room was a decent size. A comfortable-looking leather couch draped in furs sat in the middle of the room.
Flames roared in the fireplace across from it, and a huge television was mounted on the wall above.
A small desk sat against the wall, and a dining table and chairs were arranged beside a huge window that looked out to the ocean.
The kitchenette with a mini fridge took up a small area on the opposite wall.
There were two more doors. One had Ursula carved into it, the other Silas.
At least we had our own bedrooms.
“I’m gonna shower and hit the sack,” I said, needing to put some space between us. It was too quiet and he was on the other side of the room, but that was still too damn close right then.
I opened the door and walked in, and when I turned back, Silas was watching me, stoic as always, giving away nothing.
I winked, and gave him a good look at my middle finger. “Night, angel.” Then shut the door.
And released a long breath.
“Night, Urs,” he said low from the other side of the door, so close, I jumped.
I said nothing and pressed my hand to my racing heart.
Shit.