‘Able?’Barrons answers.‘Possibly, but did we try nor want to? No, we did not.’
The finality in his answer tells me there’s no point in pushing for more.
I feel as though something is moving around, so I finally ask the right question. ‘How many of you are in here?’
‘In here with us? Or with you?’Dusky finally makes his appearance right as they say my name as the last person.
‘What do you mean?’
‘It means that it seems like more things will change than I was expecting,’Dusky says to me before I’m switched back to my own body.
What the fuck does that mean? Is it in the rule book that all old wise men are cryptic as fuck?It’s hypocritical for old people to call younger ones dumb and naïve when all they do is set us up for failure from the start. He might as well have handed me an open flame, set me in front of a lit gas stove with the pilot light on, and told me good luck.
All he told me was that he expected something to happen, but now…whoa. I don’t know what’s going to happen. Well, thanks for nothing. For once, I completely understand why my Alpha is a sourpuss at times. Having that many voices in your head can drive an insane person mad.
“Congratulations!” Balam says as his body morphs into a naked man with one head. He still sits atop his bear, but he gives us a small nod. “Not many have passed my trial or within the time constraints that I give them. Continue following the embedded gems to reach Level Two. But I will warn you, with pleasure comes unknown sacrifices.” And with that, he vanishes, but not before giving us a wink.
“What the hell does that mean?” Chester asks, pushing up his glasses before pulling Moni into his side.
“It means Lust is next,” Ryker comments, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Aww fuck!
CHAPTER 14
Level Two-Lust
Ryker
We continue to follow the embedded jewels until we reach some stairs. Ominous stairs, I might add, that I can’t see the bottom of but can see they have flowing lava dripping down the sides. But we continue down anyway. Goosebumps pebble along my skin as we descend, my stomach churning because I know the reason.Lust.
We’re not even on Asmosdeus’ level, but his power is already seeping into this one. How has someone not felt his power already? I have no doubt in my mind that he was solely behind shutting down the portals, or if he did have help, it was only a little that he required to accomplish it.
Knowing a little bit more about how the princes work and how they operate the Trail of Worth, I bet this is where the Prince of Lust has been keeping all of his excess power. No wonder L.A.M.B. and Mom haven’t felt him getting stronger if this is where he’s been keeping it hidden.
“Does anyone else feel…weird?” Moni asks, rubbing her arms.
“Yeah, it’s like my skin is itching,” Goddess agrees, and I’m surprised she hasn’t put two and two together and accused me of throwing off lust yet.
“It’s lust,” Knots says and glares at me.
‘Thanks, asshole,’I send his way, and he just tips his imaginary hat at me.
“Mind knocking it off, Ryker?” Chester asks nicely, even though I can hear the undertone in his voice.
“Sure. I would be glad to…if it wasmylust that you were feeling. But sorry, bub, that ain’t me.” I give him a salacious smile, and he blanches.
“What do you mean?” Rez asks, pausing on the steps until I reach her before walking again.
“I mean, Princess, that’s not me you’re feeling. That’s the Prince of Lust, Asmodeus.”
“Fuck,” JP says, finally getting the importance of what I’m getting at.
“What? Why is that a bad thing?” Zeke asks, looking over at JP.
“Itmeanshe’s been storing up power that my father has no idea about and has been hiding it here along the Trail of Worth.”
“Oh! That’s bad,” Moni agrees.
