Page 13 of Hex You

Khenti nodded. “My father tricked my mother, and because ofthat she is trapped in Duat, our Underworld’s version of hell. It was unjustly, unfairly done, and I must discover a way to undo it.”

“Um, no one is getting through that gate,” said Hunter.

Xena shuddered. “Not as long as those jackal-headed creatures guard it.”

Khenti looked from Hunter to Xena. “You tried to go through?”

“Of course,” said Hunter. “I figured that would be the easiest way to get Mercy back, so Xena and I went to the gate. I tried to call you first, and when the jackal guys showed up instead I asked about Mercy.”

“The jackal warriors were very unpleasant. They would not help us at all,” said Xena primly.

Khenti blew out a long breath. “Well, I’m going to have to find a way to get past them. I have to save my mom.”

“But what can you do except get banished to Duat again?” Mercy shook her head. “No. She doesn’t want you to die to be with her. She made that clear. Even if you could get past those guards wouldn’t your dad just re-banish you?”

“It is a risk I am willing to take,” Khenti said stubbornly.

“Well, it’s not a risk your mom wants you to take! You’d die, Khenti, and your mom definitely doesn’t want that. Neither do I!” Mercy brushed her hair back and then picked at her lip. “I wish Osiris didn’t let your dad be such a douchebag. It’s really not right.”

“Douchebag?” Khenti asked.

“I’ve got this,” Emily spoke up. “A douchebag is a guy who is basically useless and usually mean and arrogant, too. We also call them toxic males or mediocre, angry white men.”

“Excellent definition, kitten,” said Xena.

“Thanks!” Emily grinned at the cat person.

“Oh, I understand,” Khenti said. “But Osiris probably has no idea my father is a, um, douchebag. He is too busy running the Underworld. He trusts that Upuant is doing his bidding justly.”

Mercy sat up straighter and turned to Khenti. “Wait, what ifOsiris did find out what your dad did to your mom—and you—and me, for that matter?”

Khenti’s brows lifted. “He would more than likely be angry. Perhapsveryangry.”

“Enough that he’d free your mom and reinstate you?” Mercy grinned.

Khenti retuned her smile. “I cannot speak for the God of the Underworld, but Osiris is just and reasonable. I do not know if he would reinstate me, but I absolutely believe he would remove my mother from Duat.”

“Then we need to figure out a way for you to get back to your realm without being torn apart by those jackal guards,” said Mercy.

Hunter snorted. “Get in line. We have to figure out how to fix the gates first. Well, three of them.”

“Three?” Mercy stared at her sister. “You healed one?”

Hunter picked at her thumbnail. “Yeah. The Japanese Gate is healed.”

“H! Really! That’s amazing!” Mercy’s jubilation was short-lived as Hunter didn’t reflect her joy. “Why aren’t you all happy-schmappy? And why aren’t the rest of the gates healed now, too?”

“Long story,” said Hunter. “I’m not sure if I can recreate the spell that closed the Japanese Gate. It has to do with Amphitrite.”

“Oh! That wretched goddess! Must we speak her name?” Xena manically licked her hand and groomed her hair.

“How about I do some more research?” Hunter evaded her twin’s gaze. “After school tomorrow I’ll go to the cherry tree, be sure it is completely healed, and then we’ll go from there.”

Emily yawned. “Oh, sorry! I’m not bored or anything, but the Benadryls are going to kick my ass. I really have to go home. Can we put all this on pause until tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotta get back home to my mom,” said Jax. Then he smacked himself on his forehead. “Sheesh! All this”—his gesturetook in Mercy and Khenti—“made me totally forget. You guys—there’s been another murder.”

“What?!” The word burst from Hunter. “More missing eyeballs? That can’t be possible.”