I moved in front of them, crouching down and holding my hands out, palms down over the collection of daggers, swords, and axes.
The power of Helheim channeled through me and into the weapons this time. I was testing a theory but the realm was attuned to me now, or we were to each other.
We needed every advantage we could get.
The weapons burned a vibrant silver that had me blinking against it. Raw power clung to them and I could feel it even after I pulled the magic back.
Standing up, I did the same to my new demon guards.
Maybe I should have asked for consent but what demon would turn away power?
I wanted to show my appreciation to their loyalty. Not just to me, but to Helheim itself.
“You are now elite soldiers that serve your Queen. You will remain here and away from the barracks. My castle will need protecting. As you can see, not all are loyal to the change. Soon, I will have to face the portal before Helheim suffers further. You’ve earned your place here and anything you need to make weapons or do your job, simply ask.”
When the power finished filling their bodies, they had a glowing aura around them. They all hit their knees at once, foreheads brushing the floor as they bowed to their Queen.
If someone would have asked me the night I escaped from my own version of hell, if I could see myself as a future ruler of the afterlife with demons on their knees before me, I’d have thought they were crazier than I was.
Now I knew it wasn’t psychosis.
This was my new life, and I was damn proud of it.
“What’s our next step, Monty?” I asked. The guards all grabbed their weapons and moved to the side of the room, standing in silent vigil as we spoke.
“We need the gargoyles. There is no longer a divide, everyone has a duty here and that means both are necessary for the balance. Now more than ever.”
Footsteps had us turning to Kol striding in, the rest of my guys, along with Elkan and Achar trailing in behind him.
“Then I can take you back to the gargoyle stronghold,” Kol said with a grin. It was like he’d waited his entire existence for this.
“As will I,” Achar agreed.
“That would be amazing, but I can’t yet, I have other things to conclude before I can. You two can go in my stead. I can’t put this off any longer and we need to leave soon,” I said.
There was disappointment on Kol’s face but he leaned down and brushed a kiss over my temple. His understanding hit me square in the chest, the bond full of reassurance.
“I’d love to when this is over,” I said quickly.
“We’ll see it through,” he promised as they walked out of the throne room.
“What is it that you have to do?” Hiro asked.
“Elkan, Drake, and I have some business.”
There was an angry growl as I walked away knowing they’d follow behind me.
There had been enough tension, and I wouldn’t let him go through that portal without actually talking to his dad.
Regrets would slow us down and unfinished business could cost us our lives.
Kol
Gargoyle Stronghold
Hel put me in Dark Haven centuries ago. I was nothing more than a stone statue, sentient in moments and long stretches of darkness. Helheim was closer to a distant memory than I expected.
Walking back in the stronghold was no different. The stone of this place forged me, but somehow, it no longer felt like home.