“Are there many?” Levi asks, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
“There are, but I found a workaround,” Lennox admits before taking a bite of his food, and Sierra takes over.
“The first thing you should know, if you didn’t already, is that time is calculated differently in Hell,” she says as she givesTempest a cut-up grape. “The Road of Worth will be guiding you deeper into the depths of Hell, and therefore, you will be passing through different time zones.”
“How big is the time difference?” Levi asks. I can practically see the gears in his head working overtime.
“From our own research, it varies depending on which level you are in and for how long,” Lennox jumps in. “For example, if you spend an hour on level seven, it’s equivalent to at least two days in Purgatory.”
“Oh my goodness,” Moni says before her eyes roll back, but Chester reaches out to grab her.
“And there’s two.” JP chuckles.
“What’s the highest?” Sierra asks, intrigued.
“We normally lose count once we hit into the late teens.” Ryker shrugs, and Zeke nods.
“So you said time works differently between the levels. Is there a way to just cut through them quickly?” Lynx asks, taking a sip of his juice.
“Not that we know of. The Trail is made to test the occupants who decide to use it. It’s not meant as a shortcut.” Lennox shakes his head and gives him a look of pity.
“You have to think, Lynx. Each level is made to test you to see if you’re worthy to move on to the next and reach the goal that you are trying to achieve. Some want riches, others want power, and in your case, it sounds like you’re trying to save Hell. But you’ll still have to go through the tests,” Sierra explains.
I sit back and worry my bottom lip as I think back to what I know.Simple. I know abo-sol-utely nothing.
“Do you know, or can you tell us how the levels will test us?” I ask hopefully.
Sierra purses her lips, and my shoulders drop in defeat, but it’s Lennox who answers.
“Unfortunately, the test constantly changes, but there is a resting building between each level, which is like here. Think of it as a time-out to rest and heal before the next trial begins.” He rubs his chin for a moment before his eyes light up, looking back at us. “I can tell you what each level is if you think that will help,” he offers, and I jump at the information.
“Yes, please.”
Levi pulls out a notebook and pen from inside his—you guessed it—suit, and while we finish breakfast, begins taking notes as Lennox explains what he can and whatcouldbe expected. I sit and try to eat, but I have this nervous energy riding me hard.
“As you already know, L.A.M.B. rules Hell, which is fine and dandy for most people, but the princes that fell after them wanted their own piece of the pie, so to speak. So, they were given legions to lord over and their own levels in Hell.” Lennox pauses and furrows his brows as he searches for the right words.
“The princes are required to play along in your trials and the restraints that are fashioned for you, but keep in mind, they are Demons and do not play fair. I suspect they use the Road of Worth to gather more followers under their control since few travelers have completed it successfully, especially an entire group. No one has ever attempted at your age while still in training. To do so is equivalent to betting against a dead horse. But I think you guys have a chance with your strength of powers and Horseman status. Besides, you’ve already had the best trainers this world could have provided. You’re all set.” He rubs his chin for a minute before looking over our group.
No one our age has passed these trials, and we’re the ones heading there? Oh, that’s just peachy! Send our young ass on a quest to save Hell where no one under the age of ancient on this plane has gone with a passing grade, and we’re supposed to do it? What the fuck was L.A.M.B. thinking? If I ever seeLucy again, I’m kicking him in the nads. And I’ll show Bez my own version of Vengeance. I think I need a new accessory—Astaroth’s tail would make an excellent whip to go along with my newly sharpened scythes after I sharpen them on his damn abs. Weapons trainer, my ass. He won’t be much of one once I’m done with him. And Murmur, I’ll shatter his mental shields so bad he’ll be lucky to shit in a diaper and suck his thumb.
UGH!I smack the table, and all eyes focus on me. “Agh. Sorry.” I clear my throat. “Something was stuck in my throat.” I get a few curious looks as I reach for my water and take a sip, but Lennox continues.
“You’ll start on level one and work your way down to level seven. Your safe houses are between each level and will be protected and allow you shelter. I’ve been told there are time limits on how long you are allowed to stay, but I don’t know if it varies depending on the level or need of the group, so I would prepare for anything. You’ll be needing food, heat, ways to mend clothing, medical equipment, and things along that nature if you do not have any already. The all-purpose room will be a good place to grab all of that before you leave.” He pushes back his plate and folds his hands before him with a frown. “I’m sorry I can’t say more. My hands are tied by what information I can share with you, but hopefully, that can give you a starting point. There are more books in the library if you want to do your own research, which I highly suggest.”
“Thanks, I think we will,” Levi says, gesturing for us to get up and help clear the table.
While we work, my thoughts spiral. If we know the princes, we have a better idea of what we will be stepping into. Great! I guess more research is in our immediate future, along with packing for our trip, which sounds like we’re camping. So, we will need matches, shit to mend clothes. Better yet, how about indestructible clothes, bombs to blow up demons, and magicalwings to fly right through all of the trials? Since when couldn’t we just magic our way through this shit? Ugh. Why is all of this so irritating?
We all head toward the library when Moni and Chester break off and head to the all-purpose room to make her supply of coffee. “It’s my one chance in Hell to make sure I don’t die of dehydration,” she says before peeling off and taking Chester along with her. As long as she’s caffeinated, I’m happy.
As we pass the gym, Knox explains that his animals are riding him hard, and he needs to get some of the excess energy out. He pulls me to the side and kisses my cheek. “I promise you’ll be feeling better soon,” he says, making a pointed look at my hand I’ve been rubbing up and down against my leg for a while now.
“Is that why I’m feeling slightly on edge?” I ask, bewildered. I’m still trying to get used to this whole feeling-what-my-mate-does and how it’s affecting me.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. This is new for me, too,” he says, feeling my anxiety.
“It’s okay.” I raise up on my toes and give him a kiss before hugging him. “We will learn together, right?” I say, smiling up at him and sending reassurance through our link.
