Page 10 of Absolved In Death

“Any ideas?” Michael asked.

“Is there any way we can use the ring to create a portal to leave?” Mal asked.

Michael closed his eyes, channeling his power through it. “I don’t think so. I don’t feel it drawing from my magic. I think Red cursed it to only work one way.”

“Quelier, can you get us out?” Zaz gave him a hopeful look.

“Do you think I’d still be down here if I could leave? Someone altered this place after I arrived and trapped me in here instead of breaking up with me…” Quelier gave Lucifer a cutting glare.

No wonder he hates him so much,Michael linked me.It’s going to be fun watching Luci get all riled up. Good job, Diana.

I smiled at Dad. At least he could see the silver lining of this impossible situation. I sat on the ground with my legs crossed in front of me and my palms on the ground behind me. Sometimes sitting still and closing my eyes helped me think.

I felt Bash and Judas’ magic weaving around the room as it searched for weak spots. Maybe they could find a clue that would lead us out of here.Doubtful, but worth looking into.

They all tossed ideas out there, ranging from getting the other occupants of Pit 13 to help us, to blowing the place up–none of which were viable options. Somehow the conversation got onto how the place was built.

“I’m not even sure how I did it. The party scene in the Medieval era was…insane. The way they fermented the ale rotted your brain out, and the medicinal herbs were better than any drug in the modern age,” Quelier reminisced.

An idea formed in my mind, like a crack of lightning through a dark sky. “Wait a minute,” I sat up. “This place was built in the Medieval times…” I repeated.

My men looked at me expectantly. I stood, then started pacing around them all.

“Yes…” Judas said, following me. “I can practically hear your gears turning.”

“If I can timehop before that time period, wouldn’t we have to leave this place? It wouldn’t exist…so we’d have to move…right?”

“That’s a thought,” Lucifer said as he ran his fingers through his black hair. “Azazel?”

“My friend Tempus would know. I don’t know a ton about the power itself,” he admitted.

“Lucky for you, I do. It's a more common, albeit rare, power for Fae. In theory, yes. We physically could not be here because this section of Hell did not exist back then. Depending on Diana’s level of power and how well she aims, she cantheoretically even get us back to Earth,” Quelier explained. “BUT, time hopping is an unpredictable power. It takes years to hone such a gift if you’re not a Time Walker or Fae.”

“My time hopping isn’t as well developed as I’d like it to be. I think if we powershare, we can make two trips. One out of here, and one back to our present day. I’m just not sure how great my aim will be.” It hurt to admit, but it was the truth. I only had a couple of lessons with Tempus.

“Therein lies the problem,” Bain chimed in. He had been unusually quiet this whole time, and I almost forgot he was here. “How do we know we won’t end up somewhere worse than this?”

“We don’t know, but I highly doubt anywhere is worse than this,” O grumbled.

“Bain does make a good point though. What if we accidentally go forward too far and mess something up?” My face fell, because Bash’s argument was valid. “It’s not that I don’t believe in you, Birdie, but this particular power is finicky at best.”

“I can’t think of a better idea. Waiting for the others to find us will take way too long. We can’t afford to waste any more time,” I thought aloud as I continued pacing.

“Let’s put it to a vote. All in favor of time hopping,” Zaz said while raising his hand. The silence in the air was telling. No one, including myself, was sold on this idea. Eventually, every hand rose, including Bain’s.

“Okay, let’s do it,” I said on an exhale. I hadn’t even realized I held my breath during the vote.

I had to timehop us centuries backward in time, then hurtle us forward, but not too far forward least I irrevocably fuck up our timeline. No pressure or anything.

“Everyone take a breather. Diana and I are going to have a chat over here for a minute,” Quelier informed everyone as hesteered me toward the other side of my personal hell, out of earshot of the others.

“Another really cool Fae power is gleaning people’s emotions. I can feel the nerves rolling off you. It’s gross,” he spat out, wrinkling his nose. “Get your shit together.”

“Easy for you to say! This entire plan is riding on my time hopping precision.” Which I barely had. “I’ve had magic for less than a year. Not nearly enough time to wield it properly.”

“What are you two talking about?” Bash gritted out, coming to stand behind me and weaving an arm around my waist like the territorial bastard he was.

Quelier’s face twisted, like he smelled something foul. “He’s a possessive one, isn’t he? You wouldn’t happen to be an incubus by chance?”

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