“After we have fixed this, and if we get the chance, we would be happy to help you with that,” Storm offers, surprising me.
“Thank you,” I reply simply.
“So we definitely aren’t going back to the compound then?” Farren asks, obviously having remembered that we weren’t planning to go back there anymore.
An icy breeze makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and with it, I think that I almost hear words, but they’re just out of my reach. I barely catch myself from cursing out loud.
No.
I’m not going there, not again.
“I don’t think that it would be a good idea, it would also take a significant chunk out of our time to go back there, and honestly, I don’t think that’s time that we have,” I reply honestly.
“I think that’s probably the best idea,” Kill agrees.
“Aw, I wanted to take some heads,” Farren mutters while she pets her hellhound.
Khaos smirks, “I am sure that you will find the opportunity to do so on the way to the castle.”
“Probably at the castle too. You told us that the halls were guarded,” Hades points, making Farren's smile turn deadly.
“From what we’ve been told, the castle is guarded by the creatures who came from the Abyss to destroy the realm. They use it as their home base of sorts. Although they’re usually pretty spread out through the realm doing what they can to destroy it and tear it apart,” I explain. “Whatever the King did to slow down the demise of this realm has meant that they can only eat the decaying parts, which is why it’s taking them so long to send this realm into legend. They eat the residents of the realm too, which is easier than the realm itself but still challenging.”
“Wow, the more I learn about this realm, the more intrigued I become. The creatures are particularly interesting. You said that they eat the realm?” Mayhem asks curiously.
I nod, I’m aware that we’ve gone off subject slightly, but this is probably information that they should know.
“That’s how they destroy the realm and send it into the Abyss. They literally consume it. I don’t know much about how it works, it’s not like anyone can have a conversation with them, but knowledge has been passed down for generations, from one ruler to the next. We are taught about a lot of it at the compounds.” I frown and continue, “Which means I have no idea if there really are that many at the castle or if it was just somewhere that they didn’t want us to go for some reason.”
“So we proceed with caution like we always do,” Hades replies with a shrug.
I’m beginning to understand that there is very little that actually bothers them, but then I know very little about what they have all been through. I have an idea about Hades' past. He’s a relatively well-known god, but what I have been told has come from the compound leaders, so who knows if it’s right.
None of them holds themselves as if they have had easy lives, and quite honestly, I care about that more than I should for people that I barely know. I feel like a stuck record, but I can’t help it.
“Right, I suggest that we get some rest while we can. Who knows when we will find a safe place again,” Reaper suggests as he stands up.
“Thank fuck, I’m exhausted,” Farren says as she gets up, a huge yawn overtakes her, and her eyes are barely open as she sways slightly.
Reaper smiles softly as he strides toward her and picks her up. “I’ve got you, Farren.”
She immediately snuggles into his chest, a happy and relaxed smile crossing her features, and I force myself to look away as a pang of emotion pierces me.
I’m not great at identifying what I’m feeling.
Which is why at first I think that it’s jealousy that I’m feeling, but that’s not quite right. The room empties as I’m left with my emotion, trying to decide what it is.
Then it hits me.
Longing.
That’s what I’m feeling, and I think that disturbs me more than it would have if it were jealousy.
I curse out loud. I’m the only one in here now, so it doesn’t really matter. No one can hear me having my little freakout.
I freeze. I swear I just heard a chuckle.
My eyes scan the room, but I don’t see anyone. I’m tired enough though, that I most likely imagined it, and I take that as my sign to go and find somewhere to sleep.
