Hunter scowled with a low growl and glared at the priestess angrily.
“We will do it,” Reiya said quietly.
“Reiya!” Xander said, horrified. “Levi won’t let you.”
“This is our secret. The three of us won’t tell anyone else. No need to worry them. Freja wouldn’t allow Hunter to risk his life for her sake either. This will have to remain a secret.” Reiya looked at Hunter, who was staring at the ground. “I have my Lee because of Selene. Even a short life with him would be worth it over having no life with him. I couldn’t imagine my mate living for all eternity, but I could never reach him.” Reiya looked at Selene and smiled. “If I can help, I will. And this is my own choice, not because of the threat. I would have chosen this anyway.” Reiya looked at Kali with distaste. She understood why she did it, but it wasn’t necessary.
“I don’t have a choice in the matter. I won’t lose Freja, nor will I allow Reiya to go without me.” Hunter sighed heavily, then flashed his gaze at his sister. “I’ll protect you there. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Leviathan is Reiya’s summon. Can he not enter the black hole, too?” Xander’s brows furrowed.
The two women shook their heads. “No, he can’t enter. His energy wouldn’t be allowed inside. Once Reiya enters the blackhole, she will not have her elemental powers, and neither will Hunter,” Selene said apologetically.
“Boy, you are really selling it. This keeps sounding better and better.” Xander said sarcastically, then looked at the goddess seriously. “What are the chances of success?”
“There are many factors that will come into play. Whether Reiya and Hunter have to fight the Slayer and how long it takes to find Endymion. Then how strong the connection is between your souls …”
Xander looked a bit agitated. “Give me our best chances and worst chances. I want to know. We deserve to know.”
Kali clicked her tongue. “Best case scenario: Going in, if they find Endymion right away, then I’d say a seventy percent chance they make it out. If they run into the Slayer, you’re now looking at a thirty percent survival rate. I don’t understand why this matters. It really isn’t like there’s a choice.”
“Damn.” Xander breathed out. Neither of those odds sounded good to him. He looked at Reiya. “How are you going to keep this a secret from Levi? You couldn’t keep the Ocean’s Tear a secret. You’re a horrible secret keeper.”
“It doesn’t matter if that water dragon knows or not. He can’t stop it from happening if you are willingly choosing it.” Selene said matter-of-factly. “It would just make leading up to the moment easier on you. But he can’t stop it.”
“I’m going to try my best to keep it a secret and then go from there,” Reiya said quietly. “So how will this work?”
“So, we still have to survive through the demon war first, right? Nothing like surviving the fire to be thrown into the furnace.” Hunter shook his head. They already had a tough battle coming with the demons, and then right after, there would be another life-or-death mission.
“After Mephisto is destroyed and the demons are bested, we will come to you. We will guide you on how to continue fromthere,” Selene answered with a smile. “I know this was forced on you all, but I am incredibly grateful.”
“Nothing better happen to them in that black hole.” Xander was angry that he couldn’t be the one to go in. He would have in a heartbeat. “Why can’t I just go into the black hole? I can take on the Slayer if I find him. Then Reiya can call my soul back. Then I’m the only one risking my life instead of Reiya and Hunter.”
“Because someone with fairy blood flowing through their veins is needed.” Kali shrugged.
“Wow, you really planned all this out with the creation of our family.” Hunter scoffed. He felt like they were basically bred just for this. And in a sense, he wasn’t wrong. They were definitely set on this path intentionally.
“It’ll be okay, Xander. Let’s just focus on one thing at a time. Getting rid of Mephisto. I really don’t want to be used as his own personal breeding machine.” Reiya turned her nose up in disgust.
Xander snarled and shook his head. “No one is going to touch you, Reiya.” He could see Hunter nodding in agreement over this.
“It’s time you head back now.” Selene glanced at Kali for her to wake them up.
“Wait, before you do … what reason should we give for Xander and me to be brought here? Not the real reason, of course. The reason we should use to explain to everyone who’s waiting.” Hunter chuckled and looked at Reiya and Xander. Their stories needed to match up.
“You were brought here since you’re both connected to Reiya, in order to protect her mental presence from Mephisto.” Kali waved her hand dismissively. That was a good enoughexcuse for her. The moment she did, the three consciousnesses vanished.
“One step closer,” Kali said, looking at Selene.
“Yes, everything will soon be over. And hopefully Endymion will be freed,” Selene said with a soft smile.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
Hunter opened his eyes in confusion. His head was resting on someone’s lap, and he was back inside the pack house. His eyes met with Chasen and Freja.
“He’s coming to,” Chasen said and turned to look at Reiya, who was gently cradled in Lee’s arms. He could see she was also waking up. And next to them, Xander was also stirring.
“Hunter? Can you hear me?” Chasen asked as Freja gently ran her hand through his hair.
