“Of course, but just for appearance’s sake,” Cole said, seeming delighted by Ty’s hesitant reaction. He turned to the daemon on his left, the brick wall of a man who looked like his nose had been broken several times. “Gunnar, fetch animperaecollar for our new arrival.”
Gunnar rose from the table, heading for one of the alcoves. It held several trunks, storing Gaia only knew what, and he lifted the lid off one, revealing a variety of metal objects. He grabbed something large and circular, and returned to their end of the table, handing it to Ty.
Up close, it looked to be a necklace of sorts, but not like the ones Ena had seen before. It was made entirely out of a thick band of metal, iron most likely, and was open on one side to presumably slip onto her neck. Carved into it were runes like the ones that had been on the entrance to the Underworld.
She looked up at Ty, who raised his eyebrow slightly at her.Trust me?he seemed to ask.
She gave an imperceptible nod.With my life, she thought.
He raised theimperaecollar to her throat, pulling apart the metal slightly to slip it around the middle of her neck. The metal felt cold against her skin, and she was keenly aware of the feeling of Ty’s fingers against her throat as he pushed it closed at the back. The necklace fit snugly, warming quickly against her skin. It wasn’t uncomfortable by any means—she still had plenty of room to breathe and swallow—but something about the way they were all looking at her made her feel like there was much more to it than she knew.
“Good,” Cole said, eyeing them closely. “Now you’re dismissed,” he added, with a flick of his hand. “Oh, and Steig,” he added as they turned to go.
Gaia, this man certainly loved to elongate goodbyes.
“I’m sure my daughter is most excited to see you, but I do expect a visit from you soon too,” he added pointedly, before turning his attention back to the daemons at his table.
Steig nodded in understanding, and turned to join her, Ty, and Turner as they all but fled the room.
Chapter Six
Ty
Tywastensewithunspent rage. His body vibrated with it as they retreated back down the passageway, and he had to resist the urge to rip theimperaecollar off Ena’s neck immediately.
He should have expected Cole would do this, but somehow, he hadn’t thought the man would demand something that was purely symbolic and just…petty. But he should have known better, and he would never make that mistake again.
Once they were far enough from any prying ears, he turned to Ena as she walked beside him. “Are you alright?” he asked in a hushed tone, trying to dispel the simmering anger by checking in with her.
“Yes,” Ena said soothingly, as if she could sense how upset he was. “But I do have a lot of questions.”
Ty smiled ruefully, relieved that she was simply her curious self and not as disturbed as he was. “I’m sure you do. Don’t worry, we’re almost there,” he said.
The four of them walked tightly as a group as they weaved through the seemingly endless and identical passageways that made up the Underworld, until they stopped at a familiar set of large, wooden double doors.
“We’ll be good from here. Thank you both,” he said, turning to look at Steig and Turner.
“Of course, brother,” Turner said, patting Ty on the shoulder. “I’ll give you both a chance to settle in, but I’ll come find you later.” He gave Ena a warm smile before nodding at Ty and continuing down the hallway past Ty’s room.
Steig, however, hesitated.
“Go on, I know you’re eager to see Lara and the kids,” Ty said to him.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Steig said, running his hand through his hair. “But I just wanted to see if you wanted me with you, when you talk to Cole later. You know, for moral support.”
Ty placed his hand on Steig’s shoulder. “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it.”
“Are you sure?” the man asked, giving Ty that look he always gave when Ty was about to do something reckless. “You know that bastard can twist minds with his words just as easily as he can spread disease with his hands.”
“Trust me,” Ty said, giving his friend a reassuring look. “I can handle him.”
He really could. He wasn’t afraid of Cole. He knew to tread lightly around him, and not to provoke him, but he’d been handling his uncle for years. He knew what to say, and how to say it, to avoid any negative repercussions for himself or the people he cared about. Even if it was increasingly hard to keep his anger in check.
“Alright, if you say so,” Steig replied, seeming convinced for now. “Then do me a favor, and don’t bother me for at least twohours,” he said, raising his eyebrow in a meaningful way before he took off like a man on a mission down the hallway.
Ty chuckled after him. He knew Steig was super hard-up after several weeks away from his wife, especially because he and Lara were practically attached at the groin when they were together—hence their many children. He was happy for them, as he always had been—but it stung just a little less to think about that now that he finally had…
He turned back to face Ena, and the rage that had lingered in his body was quickly replaced with anticipation.
