Page 209 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

“She’s with Monty,” Loki reassured us with a delighted, musical laugh. “A full mutiny. How fun!”

We all turned to him but the god was gleefully silent now.

“I’ll stay until your gargoyle commander returns,” Achar offered. “I’d like to introduce myself.”

Drake studied him before nodding. “Make yourself at home here. Though, it’s not really homey.”

“We’re used to stone,” Achar said with a shrug as he walked away.

When I turned back to Loki, he was gone as well. He was always popping in and out on a whim.

It was reassuring that Harlow was with Monty and he was alright, but it wasn’t any less painful to be separated from her yet again.

What could we do from here?

“What now?” Hiro mimicked my thoughts. “We wait?”

“Have we ever been prone to sitting around and waiting?” Drake asked with a laugh. “But before we plan to leave and figure out how to get to them, you need to meet someone.”

“How do we find them?” I asked before Drake could go on. “This realm is immense. We just traveled for what felt like days even if the sky didn’t change.”

“She assumed Monty was dead and regenerating, or in the prison. Loki just confirmed he’s alive so the prison is our first destination. Especially since he mentioned mutiny.”

“And who are we meeting?” Hiro questioned, glancing around nervously.

It was nice that some things didn’t change. He was still the same Hiro.

“Another god,” Drake said. “And a few of the wraiths that work here. This is home now, you may as well take a moment to experience it.”

“I saw enough of them in the wastes,” Hiro grumbled, giving me a dark look. I wasn’t the only one still haunted by them.

“Zetta!” Drake startled us with his booming command.

A ghostly girl came in a moment later, giving him a bow, and eyeing us curiously as she did. She was doll-like, petite and fragile… and quite transparent. She was also oddly devoid of a scent.

“Yes, Mas... Drake?” Drake grinned at her using his name. He looked so much like a proud papa that I couldn’t hide my grin. It felt odd with fangs poking my lip but I didn’t hold back. Even emotions felt stronger here. I was more myself than I’d ever been before.

If only I wasn’t missing my mate.

“This gargoyle and... man? Roman and Hiro. They’re two of the Queen’s mates as well,” he explained. “I wanted you to meet them. There’s another gargoyle in the castle, Achar, he’s awaiting the Queen’s arrival.”

“Pleasure to meet you. Let me know if I can help at all,” she said, giving us each a bow before disappearing again.

“Imagine coming to the afterlife and being a servant,” Hiro said with lowered shoulders.

“I asked her the same, but she said this is her purpose and she takes pride in it. Don’t pity her. Especially now that Harlow has stepped in. Zetta is more powerful than she lets on,” Drake said as he pulled Hiro in for another hug. It was like he couldn’t help touching him, and I couldn’t blame him. I’d be the same with Harlow.

“And the god?” I reminded him. The sooner we got this shit over with, the sooner we could find Harlow.

Drake turned and led us through the empty stone hallways until he reached a library of sorts. The room we woke up in was fairly plain, but this was downright cold and detached. Harlow would hate it.

Seeing a bright orange fire burning seemed so out of place here in a world of whites, grays, and blues, but it was like a beacon, gravitating us to it and we basked in its warmth.

“Like moths to a flame every time,” someone said with a chuckle. “Are these two more of the Queen’s mates?”

“We are,” I confirmed as I turned to face the god.

“I am Valgri, God of Justice and Balance.”

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