Chapter 18
Growing up in a home where Mom was a drug abuser who had a habit of falling in love and moving in with one abusive dickhead after another, Savannah’s childhood had been less than idyllic. When she’d discovered her mother’s dead body, covered with bruises and a syringe sticking out of her arm, Social Services had quickly whisked her away into the labyrinth of the foster care system. It had been a relief at first. But she had managed to get kicked out every two to four weeks and be placed somewhere worse. Finally, she’d just left. Figured she could do a better job of raising her fifteen-year-old self than any of those less-than-stellar parental candidates. That had been when she’d met Jasper, and he’d saved her from a gang of teenage boys looking for a fun time. Not to mention, all the demons—some posing as humans and some not even bothering to put that much effort into it. But she’d take all that and more over her latest Mommie Dearest chat.
Some girls might jump at the chance to be the daughter of a goddess. It was right out of a Percy Jackson novel. But with the crazy vibe coming off her newfound mother, Savannah would’ve gladly traded her heritage for anything else, including her actual past familial connections. The woman sure did love to talk—mostly about herself. She hadn’t stopped since Savannah had woken from her meditative state.
One thing was for certain—she wasn’t on the beach anymore nor was she anywhere near the rodeo. How long had she been gone anyway? Was anyone even searching for her now? Where was Jasper?
With all his ego-driven bravado about protecting her, where was he now when she wouldn’t even begrudge him saving the damsel in distress? For all Savannah knew, he could’ve hopped back on his Harley to save someone else. Despite their intimacy, his job was to save people either from their own inner demons or the very real ones. Surely, there was someone else who needed to be saved and he wouldn’t be able to deny his calling. Not even for her.
At least, that was what she told herself repeatedly because the idea of him leaving her to fend for herself just because he didn’t care about her as much as she cared about him… Well, that would be too heartbreaking. It was best to set her expectations low and do what she had sworn to do all her life—only ever rely on herself.
Okay, Savi. Let’s figure this out. Where am I? How do I get outta here?
It was beyond dark around her, like a mass blacker than black had shrouded the darkest pitch of night. A pungent odor pressed in from all around her. Not exactly the rotten egg smell of sulfur, but close. The ground was hard rock, like granite or natural marble—smooth, but with razor-sharp edges. She’d found that out the hard way when she’d stumbled, fallen, and slit her knee as dear old loony-toon Mom dragged her by the wrist at a breakneck speed.
Savannah guessed the goddess had no problems seeing in the pitch darkness. Thankfully, she also apparently didn’t like to inflict pain on her child, so she’d touched the gash in Savannah’s knee, and it had been instantly healed. Not even a crust of dried blood or scar to mark the spot.
That had been what seemed like hours ago. They still hadn’t stopped to rest.
“Yo, Manea! Mind if we take a little break? My feet are killing me!” Savannah’s voice echoed down the cavernous path.
Manea stopped so suddenly that Savannah collided with her in the dark. “Shh. We must keep as silent as death until we reach the other side,” she whispered. “It won’t be long now, my dear.”
With a squeeze of her hand, a flood of warm energy surged into Savannah’s body. Her feet no longer hurt. The goddess smiled sweetly, for a moment appearing like a nurturing mother giving encouragement to her small child. Just as quickly, she pivoted, and they were off once again.
“Where are we going?” She gave zero fucks if she was heard by someone else or not. Hell, she wanted to be discovered.
“Away.” Manea didn’t even turn around to answer. Instead, she picked up her pace.
Unable to yank out of the goddess’s grasp, Savannah allowed herself to be pulled along. But she wasn’t idle. Forcing her breath to calm, despite the exertion, she sent a wave of energy back the way they had come, hoping Jasper would sense it and find her. It took all her focus to keep the power flowing behind her and not leaking around the front where Manea might feel it.
Jasper, hear me. Find me. Save me. Please don’t abandon me.
A mental roadblock restrained the last two words, and two more that lingered in her heart. Love me.
They rounded a sharp bend in the path. The darkness gave way to a brilliant blinding light.
***
“Come, come. Hurry, hurry.” For someone claiming they should stay quiet while traversing the trail through Hell or face the wrath of hell hounds—or worse—Mantus sure did babble a lot. He hadn’t shut up for more than thirty seconds at a time. If he’d said anything that made any sense, it wouldn’t have been so annoying, but that had been too much to ask for. Jasper swore he’d rather listen to his geeky know-it-all professor friend, Thomas, go on and on about the latest episode of Mystery Science Theater for a solid twenty-four hours than this nonsensical drivel.
The hike hadn’t been too horrific. Thanks to his guardian angel eyesight, he’d easily peered through the pitch-black abyss, so he hadn’t stumbled. No monsters had attacked despite the nonstop chatter. However, there had been a few instances of shadows darting between the rocks just out of his peripheral vision. They weren’t alone. The smell had initially made him gag, but if he was honest… he’d smelled worse. Still, he had no plans to vacation there.
It had been hours, or so it seemed anyway. Their pace had been so fast, he hadn’t checked his phone or his watch. He prayed Savannah knew he was coming for her. He would never leave her. He didn’t care how much she insisted that she was not a damsel in distress. She was strong and powerful in her own right, but he would risk the wrath of Heaven and Hell to save her.
Hold on, Savi. I’m coming, my love. I’m coming for you.
“Stop the lover boy nonsense,” Mantus snapped without turning to look at him. “She can’t hear your pathetic pleadings. Not from this place anyway. Besides, we don’t want them to know we’re onto them. It will be so much more fun as a surprise.”
Without warning, without a sound, a large black mass separated from the cave wall and dove toward Mantus, knocking him off his feet and against the far rock wall. The god let out a screech higher in pitch than Mariah Carey when she hit the high notes. As if that was their cue, more shadows detached from the walls and slunk out from behind giant boulders to join the fray. Most tore into the fallen god, but two forms stalked to stand in between Jasper and the melee. They had no substance to them that he could see. Even though he could not see eyes, he knew they were watching him, assessing him, waiting on him to make a move. He had no intention of giving them an excuse, so he remained completely still.
The creatures made no sound, either. He had encountered shadow demons numerous times in the past—no substance, no sound, no reason, no motivation of their own. And more importantly, no physical form to pummel or gut. There were simply that… Shadows. The only weapon against them was light. The one thing he wouldn’t find on this highway through Hell.
But why weren’t they attacking him?
The shrieks coming from Mantus curled Jasper’s blood. He should intervene, considering he needed the god to defeat the insane goddess holding Savannah hostage. But truth be told, he really enjoyed hearing him suffer.
It’s not Mantus that will truly suffer, but the young man he’s possessing.
Damn, his conscience just had to rise up at the wrong moment.
“Well, let’s do this,” he spit out between clenched teeth and fished out his dagger from behind his back. He flashed a wicked smile to the two shadows in his way and attacked with a growl.
The blade sliced through the air, never making contact with anything corporeal. Jasper had expected that. He just wanted a diversion. Even if they knew the dagger could not harm them, the violent action would alert them to take defensive measures. The gamble worked. Both shadows lunged to the far side of the path, leaving him an opening to Mantus.
The demons had formed into a pack of shadow wolves, each taking its turn to tear flesh from their victim. The coppery tinge of fresh blood filled the air. Billy’s blood. Even if being possessed wouldn’t have killed him, these creatures would easily do the job.
Jasper slashed through the air, fighting his way through the shadow pack. He was able to dodge their bites and claws—all but one. Sharp, uneven teeth clamped on to his left calf. It twisted its head one way and then the other, determined to rip off some juicy meat. Agonizing pain scorched through his leg, but the scream that formed failed to find its way out of his mouth. Instead, a blast of white light shot through the cavern, obliterating all darkness—and more importantly, all shadows. The demonic creatures poofed into nothingness.
Where the hell did that come from?
Warmth spread over Jasper like a loving embrace. A sweet honeysuckle fragrance permeated the rotten air. As the light engulfed him completely, he felt nothing but love and gave himself over to it.