Chapter 13 #2
“I understand,” the woman with the pink and silver hair nods. “If I had been brought up the same, I would be angry too.”
“You’re the first reasonable person we’ve encountered since we were dumped here.” I raise a brow at the woman.
“You’re not like the others who have appeared here.” She eyes me.
“Others? How many people came here from our realm? Where are they?” I ask rapid fire.
“You really are a warrior?” the woman asks, ignoring all my questions.
“She is.” Jayden wraps his arm around me. “She’s the best of us.”
“I don’t know that I would go that far,” I say.
“Okay, you and Raven are the best of us.” Jayden shrugs.
“Whatever. You didn’t answer my questions.” I plant my hands on my hips. “Where are the humans?”
“We have kept them safe but why are you worried about them when you have a greater journey to take?”
“They are lost and probably terrified. They need to be in their own realm,” I say.
“There is no way back for them,” she says, cryptic.
I glance behind me at Adrian who shakes his head. She’s telling the truth. There is no way to send the humans back right now. Well, shit. I can’t fucking leave them. That would be horrible.
“Why can’t they go home?” I ask Adrian.
“I can’t say, but Hermes will fix it once we’ve completed our mission,” Adrian says.
“Okay.” My shoulders slump.
“You can’t save everyone, baby.” Jayden squeezes my hip.
“I’m still mad at you,” I say with a glare. “He hurt you and you stopped me from killing him.”
“So bloodthirsty, I like it,” Jayden winks at me.
“If we can refrain from killing my people, I would appreciate it,” the woman says.
“He drew blood,” I snarl. “He doesn’t just get a pass.”
“You drew blood,” Axel says.
“And yet you still tell me I can’t possibly be a warrior because I am a woman.” I cross my arms. “How could a helpless female possibly draw blood on such a big bad warrior?”
The woman laughs. “She’s got you there, Axel.”
I like her more after that comment. The jackass, even if he’s gods touched or whatever with golden blood, is still set in his misogynistic ways.
He can go right to Hades with that bullshit.
He doesn’t get to complain that I drew blood in one breath and then call me a helpless female in the next. That’s not how I operate.
“You said there’s no way back for them?” Kira asks. “Is there a way back for us? If we don’t get back soon, everything will be destroyed.”
“There is no way back for the others currently, but we may be able to help you get back. Come with us to the village and we will discuss some possibilities.” The woman turns and heads farther down the path.
“I don’t know, B. This could be a trap,” Raven whispers.
“We don’t have a choice. We know nothing of this realm or its inhabitants. She’s offering assistance. We need to accept it.” I take a step toward the woman, but Axel blocks my path.
“I’m watching you, warrior woman.” Axel sneers.
I roll my eyes. “Watch me, then. Obviously, I’m more of a warrior than you thought if you think that’s a threat.”
“Not a threat, a warning. Take one step out of line with Rosaline and I will end you.”
“More powerful gods and monsters have tried and failed. Good luck with that.” I sneer.
“C’mon, baby. He’s feeling emasculated and it’s making him an idiot.” Jayden grips my hip and leads me along the path around Axel.
Why would I step out of line with Rosaline? She’s the only one who’s shown me an ounce of respect since we were dumped in this realm.
“Can I ask you something?” Rosaline says as I follow her down the path.
“Sure, what is it?” I tilt my head to the side.
“You’re not like the rest, how? What gives you power?” she asks.
“I was born a demigod,” I say. “All of us were.”
I motion to my friends around us, indicating we are all different from the humans that they found.
“A demigod?” she asks.
“My father is the king of the gods. Zeus.” I shrug.
“Ahh, that’s why you said your power was Olympian in origin.” Rosaline nods.
“How do you know about the Olympian gods?” I ask her.
“I will answer all your questions when we get to the safety of the village.” Rosaline pats my hand.
“It’s not safe on the path?” I ask, scanning my surroundings for threats.
“There are eyes and ears everywhere, dear.”
“Is this realm on the brink of war too?” I ask.
“We are always on the brink of some battle or another.” She waves a nonchalant hand in the air.
“If I may ask,” Raven cuts in. “What race or species are you all? Your coloring and ears are… different.”
“Raven, Hades what is wrong with you?” I ask, aghast.
“It’s a valid question, B. Their hair is cool as fuck. I’m thinking about pink highlights, though that may be tough with my black hair.”
Rosaline chuckles. “We are fae, a race of elemental magic users.”
“Elementals?” I ask. “Like water, air, fire, and earth?”
“And the ether, yes, but few can use more than one or two elements which is why they were shocked by your power,” Rosaline says.
“What can you wield?” Raven asks.
“It’s rude to ask someone about their magic,” Axel snarls.
“Not where we’re from,” I shoot back at him.
“It’s fine, Axel. They don’t know our ways or the danger it can pose to some to reveal their magic.” Rosaline waves him off.
“Sorry,” Raven says. “I don’t mean to put anyone in danger. Hades knows we are in enough danger of our own.”
“I’m more than protected with my warriors here. You bring no further danger to me.” Rosaline smiles.
It’s not lost on me that she still doesn’t answer the question even as she reassured Raven that it’s fine. The fae are apparently a secretive bunch which I can get behind. If it came to my safety, I would be secretive too.
“Do you not have technology or cars here?” I ask. “Our SUV died the second we landed here.”
“The land itself here is magic so no man-made machinery will work here,” Rosaline says.
“We can’t use most technology either so that makes sense. Magic is a beacon in our realm and when coupled with technology, it attracts monsters to us. It’s inconvenient when you grow up with technology and suddenly can’t use it.” I shrug.
We round a bend on the path and I take a step back. There’s a contingent of warriors lining the path. The warriors at our backs draw their weapons as well. I glance back but all the warriors gazes are locked on me and my friends.
Maybe I made a huge mistake trusting Rosaline because we may just have to fight our way out of here or die trying.