“In there is how we get to Hell,” Flint answers easily, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world to have a Hell entrance practically in his front yard.
“What are all those small shadows around it?” I ask, squintin’.
“A graveyard,” Alder replies. “Hallowed ground is a necessity when it comes to housing a Hell portal.”
“Course it is,” I murmur. I couldreallyuse that drink right about now.
Like he’s readin’ my mind, Flint flashes me another smile. “Don’t worry, Peaches. Almost there. And if we’re going too fast for ya, just let us know.”
I nod at his words, grateful that they’re willin’ to let me learn at my own pace. The three of us veer away from the hill that takes us to the Gate, and we head toward the dark bar instead. Thank the Lord.
“So, if I was...drawn to the Hellgate and such, how do we find out if you two are gonna be stuck with me as a coworker?” I try to joke, though it comes out flat. “And how long are y’all assigned this Guardian job, anyway?” I ask.
Flint traces my features with his eyes, like he’s picked up on my conflicted thoughts. “Forever,” he says, like he’s wishin’ I didn’t ask that question quite yet. “Once you’re a Guardian, you guard the Gate until you die,” he explains.
My stomach does a belly flop at his answer. “Oh.”
I’m more than a little taken aback by that information. So if I am what they think, and I’m supposed to help them guard the Gate, then that means I’m tied to this place and to them,forever?
Why do I suddenly feel like I’m on a first date and the nice guy I’m just gettin’ to know has gone off the rails and asked me to marry him, bent knee, ring, and all?
This is all movin’ just a little too fast.
There’s a part of me that likes it. I can’t deny that. I mean, I just got swept off my feet and shown an entirely new side to this world that I never knew existed. It’s excitin’ and it feels right in my soul, and it makes me feel less...alone.
But then there’s another part of me that’s like,hold the phone there, buddy boy, we just met!And that part kinda wants to tuck tail and run back home to Mama and Daddy and pretend this all isn’t real.
“To answer your question,” Alder starts, interruptin’ my polarizin’ thoughts, “we’d have to take you to Hell to confirm our suspicions first. But we’ll be smart about it and take you right to Nihil. That’s what Delta is and what we think you will be too. We’ll talk to the other Guardians about it first to get advice.”
I swear, if they never mention Delta again in comparison to me, it will be too soon.
“We’re waiting to hear back from Rafferty or one of her other Guardians to see if they have a better option or more information for us, but we’ll have to wait and see until they get back to us.”
We all grow quiet as the bar looms closer. Maybe they’re just waitin’ to see what I’ll want answers to next. A thought raises its hand and wiggles in my face like some grade-schooler who can’t wait to be called on.
“How did y’all get to the club so fast tonight?”
“We were in the neighborhood,” Flint replies with a sardonic smirk.
I shoot him a look. “Y’all followed me, didn’t you?”
“It ain’t as creepy as you’re makin’ it sound, we promise. We could sense demons in that club, and we just wanted to make sure no one messed with you and that you were safe,” he tells me. “We stayed outside until we saw the angels set up a ward over the place and storm inside. That’s when we knew something was wrong and we rushed in.”
I study him for a moment before blowin’ out a breath. “Well, I’m glad. Who knows where I’d be right now if y’all hadn’t been there?”
“We’re just sorry we didn’t come in sooner,” Alder tells me, and I can see the worry clear on his face. “But we didn’t want to scare you or smother you with our attention.”
I’m grateful that they showed up, even though theydidfollow me. But I can cut them some slack right now, seein’ as how they were right about me bein’ attacked. “Anyway, what happened yesterday?” I venture. “When I was in the bar with y’all. What did I do?” I ask nervously. My tribulations always leave me tangled up in knots with the not knowin’.
Alder and Flint share a look over my head before Flint answers evenly. “Oh, nothing much. You threatened us a bit. Got a little aggressive. But we managed to talk you down, and then you left to go home. No harm done.”
The vise that’s been banded around my nerves seems to relent a little bit. “Really?” I ask with obvious relief. “Damn, I’m so glad. My tribulations are usually much worse. I’m glad I didn’t do anythin’ too crazy to y’all.”
“You did keep yelling at us,” Alder tells me with amusement.
“What did I say?”
“I’m Medley Bell, and I will mess you up if you even think about comin’ at me,” he says in his best impression of my Southern accent.
