It was unsettling how everyone here moved so quietly.
Even more unsettling was my lack of humanity. I was never tired, or hungry, and the lack of downtime made every day seem never-ending.
“Thank you, Zetta,” I offered as I looked out again, feeling more lost than I had in years. And that was saying something.
Maybe it was the way I had everything in Dark Haven and then it was ripped away, but I was feeling resentful more than interested in this new world.
I wanted my mates. My bond.
“Of course, do you need anything else?” she asked with a low bow that had her loose hair brushing the stone floor of the attic.
“To find my men,” I said, letting out a heavy sigh. “But nothing you can help with yet. I’ll call you if I do.”
She stood from her bow, nodded, and left. At least she was not running away as she did the first few encounters. The other servant souls were moving around and visible now, which made the castle seem far less empty.
Though, if I truly was going to be stuck here in Helheim then there would be some major redecorating happening. I wanted to bring life to this realm, to celebrate my human side and give these souls a real afterlife.
Hel was a bigger bitch than I thought to torment the sweet souls who ran her castle. Every one of them cowered and startled if Drake or I walked close enough. Zetta reassured me it would get better with time and I hoped that was true.
The halls were empty and barren. The walk back down to my own rooms was filled with cool blasts of wind and too much gray.
If I had Monty, I could have him pop over to the human world and bring me something.
Hell, I’d settle for my favorite hoodie I stole from Hiro.
Fuck, I’d much rather settle for Monty himself. The lack of my commander was making me feel far too vulnerable.
The demons would likely push back soon, and I doubted very much the rebellion just died off when Hel left.
No, she left me with a war and no real knowledge of this realm.
The only mate I had with me now was Drake. Currently, he was bent over, hands braced on the war table, as he took in the map resting there.
It was one thing that I’d requested from the staff, and from the smell of fresh parchment, someone had drafted this for me specifically. At least that meant Hel herself hadn’t messed with it.
“It looks like there’s a gargoyle hub over here to the west. That could be where Kol woke up,” he said without even looking up.
“How do you hear me coming in, but I can’t hear anyone moving around this godforsaken castle?” I muttered.
He chuckled and finally looked up at me. It was still so strange to see him in this form, a permanent demon, though he held onto slivers of humanity as I did.
Neither of us were forged from Helheim, but thrown into it.
“I can feel you,” he admitted. “Your presence alone is part of me now, some sort of bond we have.”
“Why can’t I, then?” I snapped. “Why is everyone here full of mystery and power and I’m little more than human? She set me up to be eaten alive.”
“You’ll come into your power. There’s no way you’re not going to outpower us all, Harlow,” he said before turning back to the map.
I appreciated he refused to allow me to dissolve into self pity. We had bigger problems than my lack of magic and a real mentor.
“Well, the gargoyles would be a good way to start. Is it safe to just walk across this land? Is there any form of travel?” I askedhim like he’d have any answers. He was just as new to this world as I was.
“I have no idea. But you still have Hel’s dagger. The demons shouldn’t be bold enough to attack their queen.” His words said one thing, but the doubt on his face said another. He quickly turned away so I couldn’t see it but he wasn’t quick enough.
“That’s reassuring,” I muttered.
“We all know you’d kick my ass if I lied to you,” Drake countered, turning around and pulling me in.