“Fuck, I missed that.” They give each other another hug, and it almost brings a tear to my eye to see those two idiots back together again.
“Wow, look at the detail.” Graham says, setting his backpack down to join Lukas.
“Well, this seems safe enough. Who wants to take the first watch?” Garrison asks, digging through Graham’s discarded backpack. He finds some smooshed granolas and grabs a handful.
“I’ll take first watch.” Sloan says, taking one of the granola bars. “You don’t happen to have any spare clothing in there do you?”
Graham rolls his eyes going over to help them and digs out a pair of crumpled shorts and a black sleeveless shirt. He shrugs them on while Skye looks on appreciatively. I give her a small smile, one she awkwardly returns, making my heart crumble a bit. I have to trust that she just needs some time to process everything.
“Let’s all get some rest, and we’ll try to make it into town in the morning.”
Sloan takes up his watch, while the rest of us settle in. Satan gets up and pads in a circle near the entrance before plopping down next to Sloan. He looks at the hellhound with apprehension, before relaxing against the stone wall.
The ground is hard and uncomfortable, but it’s better than nothing. I’m sandwiched between Pierce and Walker, while the rest of everyone is spread out. Pierce tucks me into his side and breathes out a sigh, hovering over my neck.
I look up at him through my lashes, memorizing every inch of his handsome face. “I can’t believe you’re really here with me.”
I feel his fingers dig into my hips and his length press into my back. He plants light peck on my lips. “Get some sleep, witch.”
I turn onto my side and see Walker watching our interaction. I give him a reassuring smile and take his hand in mine with a squeeze. He lets out a grunt then turns on his side. I let my eyes close and sleep washes over me in an instant.
* * *
I’mshaken awake by Pierce. “There’s something in here with us.” He whispers.
It’s dark and my eyes are still heavy with sleep. I’d been dreaming that we were back at school, hanging with Javeylnn in the quad eating soggy burritos and laughing about the quality of the food at Kildale. My whole life I’d been plagued with nightmares, and the one time I have a normal dream, it gets interrupted.
Straining my ears to listen for whatever it could be, I only hear the soft breathing of our friends. I nudge Walker and he immediately jumps to a sitting position, swinging his arms like he’s mid fight.
“Chill out. Pierce thinks there’s something in here with us.” I whisper, grabbing his arm mid punch. He shudders beneath my touch, and goes to his knees, scanning the room. It’s pointless. Skye is the only one with a flashlight as she’s on the other end of the cave.
A soft shuffling fills the silence, and I grab onto both guys hands on instinct.
“Don’t look if you want to live.” A feminine hissing echoes throughout the cavern. “I would close my eyes if I were you, demi-goddess rife with secrets. You have something I want.”
Something slithers over my foot, and I yank it back with a shriek from the sensation.
Satan must sense something is off and begins growling. A rattling can be heard throughout the space and my heart jumps into my throat. There are fucking snakes in here.
CHAPTER34
Chapter Thirty-Four
GARRISON
SONG: MEDUSA BY NINA TRIBUS
Something flicks against my ear. I swat at the annoyance and turn over. I miss my own bed, and not for the first time wish I was back home rather than traipsing around in the Underworld.My nose tickles and I go to scratch at it. I wiggle my nose and my eyes pop open only to realize I’m face to face with a motherfucking cobra. I freeze, realizing that the snake in front of me, isn’t the only one in this cave.
My legs are weighed down with the pressure of several slithering serpents. I know if I make any sudden moves that they’ll strike, and I’ll be dead in an instant.
Satan is letting out a whimper, making me wonder if the beast has been bitten. I never thought I’d feel sympathy for the hellhound after he chased us, intent on killing us, but I can’t help but hope the big oaf is okay.
“I know one of you has what I need. I can feel its power radiating from you.” A woman’s voice croons.
Who the fuck is that?
My body is sweating with the effort to stay still, heart hammering hard against my rib cage. I fuckinghatesnakes.
