Page 73 of Trust the Fall

“Let’s hope that’s true.” Law’s skepticism is clear, and I don’t blame him.

The reapers are a fickle bunch, and if my short time here in Hell has taught me anything, it’s that they change their minds on a whim. They’re not to be trusted.

River drops my hand, stepping into Law so that the two bump chests. They’re nose to nose, and I fear what’s to come.

“I don’t owe you a damn thing, vampire.”

“Stop!” I yell a little too loudly, considering we’re trying to fly under the radar for Law’s sake, if nothing else. “We don’t have time for this.”

River doesn’t move, but he doesn’t say anything, and neither does Law.

“Good grief. Will you two knock it off?” I say, getting in between the alpha idiots. “Why are you being an asshole all of a sudden, River?”

“We’re in a bit of a hurry. This wasn’t part of the deal, but Lucifer sprung him on us, making his mission my problem. I don’t like being inconvenienced.”

“Your existence is an inconvenience to me, but I’m not bitching like a small child.” Lawrence grins at me but I turn from him to glare up at River.

“Please,” I beg, and he finally relents, stepping away from Law.

“We’re all running out of time. Here,” River says pulling something from his pocket.

A gray chunk of what looks like coal rests in the palm of his hand.

“It’s moonstone. Here in Hell, it acts as a conduit between the rock formations.” He motions around at the towering mountainous stones. “It won’t get you to the Fae kingdom, but it will get you to the portal you need. And fast.”

Lawrence and I share a glance.

“How does it work?” Lawrence asks.

“It allows you to walk right through the boulders from one to another. The boulders here act as doorways to each other. Simply envision which direction you want to go and step through the rock while holding that moonstone. It will transport you to another boulder closer to your destination. You will need to be quick. They’ll be on you any time now.”

“What do you think?” he asks me.

“What choice do you have? It sounds like your best bet to get to the Fae.”

River continues, impatiently. “When you get to the cluster of stalagmites in the distance, veer to your right. You’ll come to the start of Hollow Hills. It’s Elion’s territory, the trickiest of them all. Make your way along the creek until you come to the oak tree. You’ll know the one when you see it. Envision the Fae world or whoever it is you seek. Step through just like you do the rocks, and you should find yourself on the other side.”

“That’s all?” Law mocks, sounding defeated before he even begins his journey.

“Well, you’ll need to avoid the banshee and somehow get past the whispering poppies, but yeah … that’s all. Hey man, good luck,” River says, extending his hand to Law, who looks at it for several long seconds before grasping it in his and shaking despite their earlier feud.

These magical men can be such idiots.

“Thank you,” Law says, sounding sincere. “Good luck to you both as well.”

River nods, and off Law goes to begin his quest.

“Do you think he’ll make it?” I ask, hoping he does.

“It won’t be easy, but he’ll make it.”

He says it with so much confidence, you’d think he actually knows, without a doubt, Law’s outcome. And maybe he does. The truth is, I know next to nothing about this group of beings.

“Why did you act like that back there?” I ask, needing to understand him if I’m to follow him into the unknown.

“I meant what I said, Victoria. Things have changed. You’ve changed them. I have to keep you safe at all costs.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Why? Because you have some insane idea that we’re to be married?”