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NATALIE
When we returned to Rumir’s place, Hekate provided him and Lucian with suits she’d spelled herself, ones that wouldn’t rip when they shifted. Although both men’s suits were black with gold detailing, they’d been individualized—Lucian's suit could withstand heat, while Rumir’s protected him from the cold. Each suit could also camouflage them and absorb energy from physical impact like a punch and release it as an attack.
I was tempted to laugh. It seemed she was preparing them for a fight against each other.
For me, she’d created a black suit, skin-tight yet comfortable, with long sleeves and a high neckline. It was so damn cute and it made me look like a badass—definitely my kind of style. I couldn’t have done better if I had shopped for it myself. It had the same protections as Lucian’s and Rumir’s suits, but mine would turn white whenever my powers grew unstable.
Hekate wasn't sure how effective the power dampeners would be, given that she didn’t know my power capacity. But it would be helpful to at least keep my powers in check.
After that, Rumir put together the things we might need—tents, food, medicine, and other necessities—then dropped everything into a file in his bracelet. Each item appeared on a list that he could choose from when needed.
Who needed luggage?
If only there had been something like that on Earth. I’d had to flee at a moment’s notice often enough during the vampire wars.
“The god you’ll meet at the barrier is named Cuznir. He’s a Dextura,” Hekate said once I was dressed and had returned to the living room. “He’ll get you through the city and take you to the entrance of the underground.”
“The underground?” I asked.
She nodded. “The majority of Urgron City is underground." She looked towards the door. "Once there, you’ll need to look for a god called Hydum. Chances are, he’ll find you before you find him.” She stopped speaking, and stood straight, listening. “We have company.”
Just then, Brian, Rehema, and Elinor walked in.
“Elinor?” I cried.
She walked over to me briskly and pulled me in for a hug. It felt like ages since I'd seen her.
“Elinor Blackwood, the first Blackwood to face the Vampire Queen on earth,” Hekate said, and Elinor released me.
Hekate turned to Brian, a cold look in her eyes. "I thought it was made clear that no one else was to be told?"
Brian sat down, but Elinor simply placed her fist over her heart. “Goddess Hekate, we’ve never formally met. I am sorry my son went against your wishes, but I gave him no choice but to tell me what was happening.” She looked at me. "I knew something was wrong when Natalie hadn't returned home. And frankly, I know my son. I could tell something was wrong.” Then she glanced over at Brian, who had one green eye like her and one blue like his father. “I’d already sensed something was wrong in the realm—the florkin rampage at the werewolf festival wasn’t normal. Everyone has been on alert, Goddess. People can sense a change in the air.”
Then Elinor turned to me and took my hand into hers. “Brian told me what’s happening to you. I’m so sorry.”
I nodded. “It's okay. I'll be putting this power to good use, I hope. That’s why Rumir, Lucian, and I have to leave."
“What? Why are you leaving?” Rehema asked.
It only took a few minutes to bring Brian, Rehema, and Elinor up to speed. They all looked as pale as I’d been at hearing the news.
“A god was infected?” Elinor asked with bewilderment. “Goddess, this is worse than I thought.”
“Quite.” Hekate, who'd been sitting, stood up. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. Natalie needs to leave."
“I’m coming,” Rehema said, stepping forward. "I'm a healer. I can be of help."
“Rehema, it’s best if you stay here. We don’t know what we’re going to encounter out there,” I said, but she only shook her head.
“That's why you need a healer with you. And I’m a demigoddess, remember? Come on, Natalie, you’re not doing this without me. I want to help.” She took a breath. "My father can stay with my mom during the lockdown. They aren't together anymore, but they still respect each other, and it'll be the safest place for him. I can't sit here and do nothing while you guys are out there, trying to put an end to this virus. This is my home."
I didn’t know what to say. There was no talking Rehema out of this, and while I’d be glad to have her by my side, I was also very worried about her—just as I was about Lucian and Rumir. What would happen if I lost control?
Still, it wasn't my place to tell any of them not to join me. Like Rehema had said, this was their home too, and therefore, their fight. They'd been a part of this from the start. It would be foolish of me to think they'd sit back now.
“Okay.” Hekate held her hand up. “Fine. I'll make you a suit as well, but you have to leave in the next fifteen minutes.”
“I’m going as well,” Brian said, standing up when Hekate went to go into the other room.
