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It wasn’t my first, and I knew it wouldn’t be my last.
I’d endure it all for Harlow. She was mine and I would allow no one, even Hel, to take that away from me.
Because every time Harlow’s purpose was brought up, it felt more and more like a death sentence. I would not lose what was mine for the greed of others.
“I’ve said my piece. I know you will not be giving me more information; I just need you to know that you are losing support in Dark Haven, and fast.”
“Gods. Dark Haven. Humans? You think I care about any of that?” she mused as she took her throne once more. Her human half of her face tipped up in an arrogant smile. She was no longer the righteous ruler of Helheim, the one who kept her souls, demons, and gargoyles in line with a firm and just hand. She was now corrupt and plotting something I knew would shake this realm to its core.
I just hope we all fucking survived.
She was ruining the balance we’ve worked years to keep.
The gods took notice and so has her commander.
Would she have anyone left?
* * *
Drake
Blood and ashwhirled around me as I ended another wave of demons trying to escape the grounds. Working side by side with a group of gargoyles was strange, but we’d created a quiet, unspoken camaraderie I respected. It had been clear for a while now it was us against the demon rebellion. There was no energy left for petty rivalries. This had escalated well beyond that.
“Drake.”
Something in Ivar’s voice had me holding my tongue and going to him, letting the gargoyles keep the demons at bay for now.
“What’s wrong now?” I asked. If Ivar was coming to me it likely wasn’t a good thing. In answer, I was covered in shadows. He deposited me in the same basement room he had before, though this time there was light and he stood before me.
“The dinner was a trap to taunt Harlow. A power play.” His words had my blood boiling. I told them not to go but Harlow is determined to not show weakness. How she equated compliance to weakness, I wasn’t sure, but I wasn’t forcing her to not go.
“What happened?”
“Gravik lashed out when she called him on his bullshit,” he revealed. “Then he told her failure wasn’t an option, got angry, and lashed out at me.”
“Is she hurt?” My words were barely audible through clenched teeth.
“I took him back to Helheim before he could hurt her.” Ivar glanced down at his arm, and I saw fractures in his skin, the surface smoking still, and knew something had escalated.
“What happened to you?”
He let out a dark chuckle. “I don’t trust her anymore,” he admitted. For a demon who was given his position by Hel, this was a big jump from when we first met.
“I think Kol is growing more suspicious as well. It doesn’t make sense for her to allow this to happen. If you can come here and handle things, why can’t she?” He nodded but didn’t argue my claims.
“She’s planning something, admitted to it but won’t tell me what, and our girl is in the midst of it. When I can’t be here, watch over her.”
“Where are you going?” I demanded. Anger flared at what he was insinuating. “You can’t abandon your post, Ivar. There’s too much at stake.” Demons were slipping through to the world, or trying to. It took every gargoyle on the perimeter of Dark Haven to stop it from happening. I’d even given up in the halls to be here which left the patients remaining vulnerable. This was no longer a problem but a full-blown civil war.
“I’m not. But I don’t know if Hel will retaliate,” he admitted. “Things are changing. You and Kol both have to keep her safe.”
“We will.” With my promise, he whisked me back to the spot we’d just left and was gone again. My mind was reeling from his unspoken words.
Ivar feared for his existence.
That didn’t bode well for the rest of us.
ChapterThirteen
