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My demon grew until he barely fit in the room, expanding his form to match his rising anger. Gravik kept his actions neutral, almost bored, and that was enough for Monty to slam his shadows toward him. There was a rise of cursing but he simply laughed.
“You can lie to yourselves about what is truly going on here and where your loyalties should lie. But I am no failure. If you need me to show you your true place, I will gladly do so.”
A choking cough followed but Monty gave them no time to recover. His shadows filled the room, blocking out my view that wasn’t already obscured by his magic. When they finally fell away, we were alone.
“That went well,” I breathed out to Kol, the only one still in the room with me.
“That was the opposite of good, mate,” he said, missing my sarcasm completely. I patted his arm and stepped away, shaking out my clothes now covered in ash.
“I refuse to show weakness to these assholes Hel is sending. They have no authority over me, and if they want to give me no real direction, I can’t just ‘figure it out,’ this is a goddamn portal,” I ranted. He leaned against the wall, wings outstretched and one foot up to rest on the wall as he watched me pace.
“Something I’ve been considering is that she can’t tell you,” Kol pointed out. That had me stopping in my tracks, mulling over the implications of that possibility.
“What would stop her, she’s the Queen of Helheim?” I countered.
“If Helheim exists, think about all of what your small boyfriend calls Norse Mythology. That means it would all exist, correct?”
I snorted at the small comment, knowing he was talking about Hiro. Roman and Hiro weren’t small by any means, just tall and lean and tiny compared to literal demons and gargoyles.
Then I considered what he said and let it settle in my brain. “You mean the other gods exist.”
“Oh, of course we do,” someone said. Kol didn’t move but I did, jumping back and spinning around. The man was sitting on the middle of the table with his legs crossed and an excited grin on his face. He had flowing red locks and a brushing of makeup on his face. His suit was a bright green with a pattern of Viking ships on it.
“Who are you?” I demanded, then winced, realizing he’d called himself a god. Yes, Harlow, piss off literal gods. Both Monty and Kol were relaxed in his presence which had me breathing normally again.
“Loki,” he said. “And your big burly gargoyle is right. Let me impart some wisdom on you, Harlow.”
“How do you know my name?” I asked. This was unsettling. His presence was imposing and if I was not way over my head before, I knew I was now.
“God, remember.” He chuckled like I was being purposefully funny. “My daughter has a plan, and I won’t tell you what it is but watch your back. You’ll need more than an entourage and a chip on your shoulder to make it through this. But I do offer you this. Call on me when you’re desperate, but I will only come once.”
“Thank you,” I breathed out, unsure if I could trust this god or not. But the fact he was even allowed to be this close to me meant I shouldn’t discount him yet.
“And, one day, I’ll demand a favor of you in return,” he finished. There was the part I was waiting for.
“Only if it does not cause harm to others, my men, or myself,” I said. “Or challenge my morals.”
He smiled like this was the best conversation ever.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be just fine.”
* * *
Monty
“What isthe meaning of this, Ivar?” Gravik sputtered out as I forced him back through the portal and into the throne room of Hel’s castle.
“I would like to know that myself,” Hel drew from her throne. She was less than impressed at my insubordination, but I no longer gave a fuck.
“We’re done with this,” I said. “You no longer get to try and intimidate Harlow or me. Whatever part you are both playing in this rebellion better come to light, and fast. My patience is wearing thin. And before you can spew some nonsense about killing me off. You can’t. Harlow knows exactly where I’ve gone and she would do nothing for you. She’d let the world burn in my honor.”
“You’re getting a bit too complacent, Ivar,” Hel said. She stood and came toward me, her size growing as she walked, so I did the same to match energy.
“What are you doing, Hel? What are you planning?” She smirked, and I knew I’d guessed right, that there was something behind the scenes. She was playing puppet master and I’d be damned if I’d be her puppet.
“That’s not for you to know, Ivar. For now you will learn your place and do your job. Keeping your demons in line. Stay in Dark Haven and keep the peace,” she ordered.
“You’re allowing a rebellion? Do you wish to look weak?” I asked in an icy tone that had her lashing out. My mask never faltered as I simply took the fiery blow. It burned, my skin cracking as a vein of lava tore it apart, sizzling and corrupting but never dwindling.
