Chapter 19
Kinzer glanced around the white crystals that towered over his, Quintz’s, and Hayde’s heads as they made their way along a path Myor had directed them to. Myor had told them about a secret gang of fallens who inhabited the crystal wilderness and worked with an emissary named the Hunter—the one who supposedly would know the whereabouts of the portals to Earth.
Kinzer kept his sword at his side, ready to attack in case they were accosted by some beast of the wilderness or some scavenger. He didn’t trust any place that close to the outerlands.
The border managed to keep the glippers and the worst of the monsters out of the innerlands, but even still, Hell had its share of creatures that could have killed any of them for food, especially in a place as scarce in resources as the crystal wilderness.
“Are we getting close?” Kinzer asked.
Quintz checked the map he’d taken from the Seredey Sanctuary.
A sound seized Kinzer’s attention, but the way it echoed made it impossible for Kinzer to be sure of where it’d come from. All he was confident about was that they weren’t alone. He figured they must’ve been getting close to the gang Myor had told them about.
“Wait, wait. I think this is it,” Quintz said, looking up from the map he carried to a cluster of crystals with a geyser shooting up in the middle.
Quintz looked across from it, and following his gaze, Kinzer saw an identical geyser on the other side of the path. Kinzer approached the first one Quintz had noticed. He felt across with his hand—not crystals, but a pane of glass.
“A mirror,” Kinzer said. Not one like on Earth, but one that could reflect all but immortals. They had been used in the War to disguise hiding places from enemies. “Clever,” Kinzer said.
“Why, thank you,” Quintz said. “I invented that too.”
“Well, always full of surprises, aren’t you?” Kinzer said, impressed as fuck.
Hayde made a gagging sound. “You two lovebirds done flirting, or can we get on to this hideout?”
“Quintz, are you horny?” Kinzer asked. “Maybe we should take a nice fuck break. What do you think of that?”
“Would be fine with me,” Quintz replied, and even though Kinzer had only been teasing, he could tell Quintz was totally serious.
Hayde rolled his eyes, and Kinzer ignored him as he felt his way along the mirror until he reached the edge. He stepped around and noticed another path, which he started along. Quintz and Hayde followed after him.
They had only been traveling for a few moments before Kinzer heard a sound overhead, and as he looked up, he saw three fallens, wings spread, who landed in the path before them. Dressed in matching black capes and fraders, two were armed with a bow and arrow, and the third with a sword. The one with the sword stood before the others. His chest was covered in short, dark curls that matched the hairs across his abdomen and the full beard he sported. He was so impressive in size and so hairy compared to his friends that Kinzer couldn’t help but imagine the sort of three-way they would have had—the daddy fucking the shit out of the other two. He was certainly more than man enough to satisfy both.
But of course, Kinzer wouldn’t let his attraction toward the team distract him. He and Quintz readied their swords in case they needed to spar with their new company.
“We come in peace, to see someone by the name of the Hunter,” Kinzer spat out, hoping to soothe any concern they may have had about their intentions. “We were sent here by a friend who I believe you guys may know…Myor.”
“What are your names?” the daddy fallen asked.
“I am Kinzer, and this is my friend Quintz, and my…well, my slave, Hayde.”
“Oh, I’m a slave now?” Hayde asked.
“Shut up,” Quintz instructed.
“You aretheKinzer, then?” Daddy asked. “Your reputation precedes you. But such a speedily earned reputation leaves many curious if it is deserved.”
Kinzer could tell he was not one who was impressed with whatever he’d heard about Kinzer. “We’re not looking for trouble. We want to speak with the Hunter.”
“The Hunter does not speak to just anyone.”
Quintz chimed in with, “We come about important matters we are only willing to discuss with the Hunter.”
“We will see if that can be arranged,” Daddy said. “But we will only bring you into the city upon your agreement to wear blindfolds. And if the Hunter refuses to see you, then you will be asked to leave.”
“Blindfolds?” Hayde said. “You’re insane!”
“We agree,” Kinzer said.
