“Guys!” My whisper-yell rolls right into a shriek when a giggle responds, and I’m pulled into a chest.
“Knew you were going to do that.”
“Damn it, Riven, you scared me.”
“No more than you about scared yourself. You’re in trouble.”
“What the hell am I in trouble for?”
He doesn’t say anything as he steals a quick kiss, then snatches me along behind him. I trip at least three times and growl for him to stop running, but he doesn’t listen.
The ground levels out and a touch of light caresses my skin as we hit the path that leads to the entrance of Hellveilious, then we enter the tree line on the other side.
It’s only a few more strides before we come up on the others, who all turn around at our approach.
“Seriously, Thayla?” Creed snarks.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“What side of the path do we walk when we’re going somewhere?”
“The right, but again, what the—”
“Then why didn’t you starshoot in on the tree line on the right?”
“Listen here, Mr. Strategic Asshole, if you had a particular side in mind you wanted me on, you should’ve said that. I’m not all that versed in starshooting into trees and hiding like a damn creep.”
“Nope, don’t even argue, Creed. She’s right. We all assumed she’d know this, but why would she? Drop it and pay attention. They’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Creed listens to Kyzen’s order. To an extent.
He pulls me toward him, and his hands roam up my exposed arms, my neck, then he cradles my face, turning it side to side.
“I was gone for less than a minute. Nothing happened.”
All I get is a grunt as he turns and marches toward the very edge of the trees where we get a full view of the entrance to Hellveilious.
Light spills down the path, igniting the barrier in a subtle shimmer. It feels like eternity passes as I watch the line of golden rays crawl up the stone archway and illuminate the mountains behind it.
The first time I mapped out this view, the sun was behind those tall peaks.
Something about watching it rise against this place makes everything sharp—intense. Maybe it’s the way the barrier pulses or how the mountains loom silently as they catch the first rays of light. It could be how the trees cast shadows like long, unforgiving fingers stretching toward this damned place.
This is by far one of the most stunning sunrises I’ve ever witnessed, but it’s heavy.
It’s hauntingly beautiful.
“Incoming,” Kyzen murmurs.
I catch the quickest glimpse of his power fading from his eyes. Not a moment later, two figures appear a few feet away from the entrance.
“Ah, what a glorious day today’s going to be.”
I smirk the second I recognize Doren’s voice. It takes everything in me not to laugh when he grips who I assume is Nero by his arm.
Part of me wonders if any of the elated awkwardness has worn off since he left the Lost Sea. The other half hopes not because Yemi and Sevryn sure could use his brand of positive sweetness.
“Calm yourself, Doren. You don’t know if Ms. Godrun and her Valtrue are even willing to help us.”
