“That’s good news at least so we definitely know it’s there.” I take a deep breath and try to not think about what the hells a World Eater will look like. I’m sure I’ve seen worse in my nightmares but still…what if it’s worse than anything I’ve seen? Memories of every disgusting and horrifying monster I’ve seen starts to flash through my mind. Were any of those World Eaters? What if they were?
Just as my mind starts to spiral, reassurance and calm wash over me. It happens so suddenly that I don’t understand what’s happening at first, not until I relax and the grip I’ve had on one of my swords loosens. My hand aches and the imprint of the hiltshows when I look down at my palm. It’s then that I see the bond that runs from me and Jaak. I smile and touch it, running my fingers along the strand and then wrap my hand around it. The warmth there soothes my aching palm. I look over my shoulder at Jaak and see him watching me. He smiles and like always his smile takes my breath away. I take in a deep, grounding breath and send all my love to him and my gratitude at being linked to him.
“I love you,” I say.
The weight I felt earlier doesn’t come back, not so long as my husband smiles at me. Whatever happens, it will all work out. I know it.
“And I you, my heart.”
Chapter Thirty Seven
“You didn’t have to give me an outfit but I appreciate it. It’scute.” Dina looks down at her clothing and smiles. It’s nice to see her not look like she’s about to burst into tears. She’s wearing a dress, something flowing and nice with a cloak. There’s a dagger at her waist and she has a staff in her hand. The second we got to the Chamber of Commerce doors she started begging to be allowed to come along to save Clyde.
“He’s my soul mate. If this goes south, I want to have tried to save him. Staying out here will be torture. Please, let me go to him. If this is the end, then I want it to be with him.”
I understood how Dina felt. I couldn’t leave her behind, so after a magic wardrobe change she’d been just as ready as the rest of us. Some might say the clothing change was unnecessary but they would be dead wrong. And besides, I didn’t know what else to do but include her in the outfit theme we have going on even if it’s going to be kind of obvious why we’re in the Chamber of Commerce unannounced and armed. Oh well, at least we’re going to look amazing when we kick that World Eater’s ass. We look like a really cool dungeon party about to take on a boss fight, or at least that’s why Charlie’s been saying we’re a “nat 20 for looks and style” for the past few minutes.
“We look like a proper gang now. This is the big time, folks,” Charlie says.
“We’re not a gang,” I remind him.
“Not with that attitude we’re not.”
The nice surprise is that Dina’s handy with her weapon, better than handy, I didn’t even have to give her any skills like I did Charlie.
“I did flag corp in band and this is pretty much the same,” she says, twirling her staff like a pro. “I’m going to stick this up that World Eater’s ass from 50 yards out.”
“Wow, you’re really good with that. You’re a natural.”
“Thanks. I was all state twice.”
“Good to know. Stay close to me when we go in then.” We’re outside of the doors that Dina says lead right up into the center of the Chamber of Commerce. The doors are different from any of the other ones we’ve seen. Where every other door has been a single one these are a pair of humongous floor to ceiling doors with the emblem of a snake eating its tail on them.
“Something tells me this has always been a villain's lair,” I say, nodding at the snake. “Mort, are you going to be good to use your magic when we’re in there? Like the big tentacle monster Jaak and I fought?”
“Certainly. That’s my combat form, though it is difficult for me to strike at a distance.”
I remember the way the fog rolled in, how it was hard to see and that’s why I thought the tentacles couldn't find us. Turns out Mort just couldn’t see.
“Hmm, maybe do the fog thing and hang back until we see what we’re up against. Jaak, Dina and I will go in first. Charlie, you and Mort guard the rear from attack. I don’t know what’s on the other side of those doors and I’ll need someone I trust to watch my back.”
Charlie gives me a mini salute and Mort looks like he tries to mimic the gesture but somehow ends up tangled in his cloak.
“I don’t think I need to say how serious this is, what we’re doing. The fate of the world hangs in the balance because some freaky monster wants a midnight snack and I personally think that’s bullshit. I’ve never been the hero,” I look at the group in front of me and a surge of adrenaline hits me. They’re in this with me till the end, I can see it in their eyes, “But today I want to try. I’ve just started living my life and I don’t intend to stop for anyone or anything, not even the end of the world. So I say we go in there, kick major monster ass and be back at Dina’s for a round of BLTs and milkshakes for dinner. Who’s with me?”
Charlie is the first to yell. “Fuck yeah, I’m with you!” He raises his bow. “You have my bow. Oh my gods, I’ve always wanted to say that in a life or death situation. All my dreams are coming true.”
The bond glows bright between Jaak and I. “You always have me with you, my heart. None will stand before you so long as I draw breath. I will follow you into this life or the next, Meadow.”
Dina nods at me and raises her staff. “I’m an independent woman and I deserve to get what I want. I’m ready to save Clyde!”
Mort gives me a slight bow. “I am honored to fulfill my duty as a member of the House of Vallayer.”
I take one last lingering look at Jaak before I turn back to the doors. The snake on the double doors looks scary, but I can be scary too. I grab my swords and kick the doors in, or at least I try to. When I kick the doors they don’t just open, they fly off the hinges. I wince when I hear them slam against a far wall and crash to the floor. From the sound of it, they don’t stop moving when they hit the floor, they keep sliding and the sound of metal scraping against stone fills the air for a while before they finally stop.
The quiet after the doors stop is deafening.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” I whisper.
