“Unless it’s moved, I’d say a half mile?”
“The rooms move or the corridors move?” Hogan asked.
“Both,” Bathin said. “It’s what the king wants it to be, and his wants are ever changing.”
“Oh, they most certainly are,” Xtelle said. “I’ve never met a creature more fickle.”
“Pot, kettle, let me hand you a mirror,” Jean said.
Hogan gave her a high five.
“What should we expect?” I asked.
Bathin, Xtelle, and Avnas all turned to me. “What do you mean?” Bathin asked.
“What should we expect we’ll have to deal with? Demons? Ghouls? Other creatures?” I asked. “Will there be guards?”
“Yes,” Bathin said.
“No,” Avnas corrected. “It has been some time since you’ve been in the Underworld, my Prince. Your father’s ego has grown.”
“It’s always been the biggest thing he’s had,” Xtelle muttered.
“He’ll be alone?” I asked.
“If,” Avnas said, “the king is in the sunroom with Ryder, he may have an attendant with him.”
“They’d leave Ryder unguarded?” Myra asked.
Avnas shrugged, which looked a little weird on a stocky black bull. “If it’s a trap, someone will be watching. If they simply are holding him for…other amusements, there will be no need for guards. It is one of the inner chambers of the Underworld. Very few could survive the journey, much less know the way.”
“All right,” Myra said. “I like the odds being on our side for once. Let’s deal with weapon disbursement. We’ve all swallowed one of Bathin’s stones already.”
“I’ll be able to transport any of you, even if I’m not with you,” Bathin said. “It will be less pleasant than this.” He indicated the red stone we were in. “But it is survivable and will leave you with no permanent injuries.”
“Whee,” Jean muttered. Hogan took her hand in his and bumped her shoulder.
“Avnas and Xtelle have their own weapons,” Myra went on.
I looked at the unicorn and bull, both of whom were giving me innocent wide eyes, which I didn’t believe for a moment.
“I have mine,” Bathin said, touching his hip where for a moment, I thought I saw a scimitar shimmer into existence before it went invisible again.
“You’re not going to take Bunny Kisses, the king killer?” I asked.
“If I behead the king with that axe—tempting—I will have to take the throne.”
“Because you’re first born,” I said.
“First spawned, but yes, basically the same thing.”
“So who’s going to take the axe?” I asked.
Myra put her fist out. So did Jean. They looked at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Rock, paper, scissors,” Myra said.
