Moments later, darkness eclipsed my eyelids, and cool moisture kissed my skin.
Ronen placed me gently on my feet. Alexei landed with Oliver, MJ right behind them. Rune sprang through the opening, shaking off her fur as if ridding herself of the flames.
“Man, I could lick that,” Oliver said, eyeing a drop of moisture rolling down the cave wall the same way I’d stared at Ronen’s lips.
“I’d probably refrain from drinking anything here. This is a circle of suffering, and I guarantee that’s not water,” Alexei said, scanning the cave. “Have you guys felt the drain?”
“Yes. Since we stepped out of the lake,” Ronen answered.
“It’s worse here, though.”
Ronen nodded. “I imagine we’re beneath the prisons of the Immolation Circle. Our powers will keep draining the deeper we go.”
In the light from the cave entrance, Alexei’s mouth pressed into a hard line, and he gazed back like he wanted no part of this non-plan.
“Looking for your binky?” MJ cooed. “It’s probably burning back there with your balls.”
Alexei elbowed her. She retaliated by stealing the dagger he’d taken from me. His expression darkened like it physically pained him to part with it. Judging by MJ’s smile she knew that.
Oliver drew one of his sheathed daggers and offered it to Alexei. “Will this make you feel better?”
Alexei snatched it. “No.”
“Lilith may know I’m coming, but not when. Nor does she know about you guys. We have some advantage if this is a trap.” Or so I hoped. There was a reason I told Oliver to stay behind, not that he listened. “Plus, I’ll have my Infernus. You’ll just have to rely on me. We’ll find more weapons soon,” I said, like everything would somehow work out.
“How will you have your Infernus?” Alexei asked.
“Not sure. But it’s worked against Ember Metal before.” I had a hunch my immunity had something to do with Lilith’s involvement in my birth. Not that I was about to share that.
Alexei shook his head and shoved MJ away from his ear. I could only imagine what taunting remarks she was whispering.
Ronen gripped Alexei’s shoulder. “We’ve fought under worse odds.”
“Yeah, and we learned from our petulant mistakes. This would be repeating them,” he grumbled, but threw out a hand. “Lead the way, General. I’m not leaving you or yours—I’m just the voice of reason here.”
We walked farther into the dark cavern, and I finally felt the drain they’d spoken of, like part of me was falling asleep, or being locked behind an impenetrable wall I couldn’t reach.
“Well, it’s all on you now, Princess.”
A smack sounded.
“Watch it, Nephilim,” Alexei snapped.
MJ laughed.
“Stop being an asshole,” Oliver countered. “If you can’t deal with the loss of your power, then stay behind. We don’t need your fear. We’ve got enough of our own. So, shut up.”
“I think I’m starting to like you, Nephilim. But I’d like you more if you hit him again.” MJ bumped Oliver’s elbow like they were already fast friends.
I swore I could feel Oliver’s grin.
“This shouldn’t be here,” Ronen said abruptly, and I slammed into his back.
Peeking around him, I saw a black stone archway, framing a gilded mirror. The antique stood out against the dark rock. The mirror glowed and rippled as we approached, distorting our reflections.
“No, it shouldn’t,” Alexei agreed. “And isn’t it just sohandythat all around the portal are cuffs, bracelets, necklaces, earrings”—he kicked a pile of objects—“and other odds and ends made of Ember Metal that will suppress your power and allow you to enter the Tenebrous Kingdom?”
“Yes, I told you there would be. And unless you’ve got some demon blood in your lineage, I’d put something on. Unless you’d rather die,” I remarked.
