Page 240 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

His face was screwed up in a deep scowl and his eyes, even from this far, appeared to be a deep red.

If not for my sharpened senses, I might not have noticed.

“His eyes are red, and his features are almost grotesque,” I whispered. My stomach churned at the realization I might not be able to save him.

How far was too far gone?

“He’s possessed,” Monty said. “They likely needed leaders among the humans as well and saw him as an easy target. It would have taken time and patience but if they’re locked on a goal, demons are relentless.”

“So, how the fuck do we get him back?” I questioned as we watched Crew yell out an order and everyone on the ground congregated in front of him.

“That’s not in my expertise,” Monty admitted. “If the demons have broken his mind, it’s likely over for Crew.”

“Well, I refuse to believe that,” I growled, rushing back to the ladder.

We were still close enough to Dark Haven I could feel Helheim reaching out for me. I pulled harder than before, focusing on the feel of it until it was buzzing along my skin.

“What are you planning?” Drake demanded as he dropped to the ground in front of me, foregoing the ladder altogether to stop me.

“Storming the demons. I thought that much was obvious,” I said.

There was no point in hanging back. I wasn’t a human anymore with no backup plan or ability to fight. My power could outlast theirs ten to one, even with the portal wide open.

“Do you think Loki had anything to do with this?” Hiro questioned as he joined us. Though, he used the ladder at least. “He is the God of Chaos. And there’s never been a more chaotic time in this fucking country.”

“No, he’s not careless. The gods are likely not happy with him for letting this all happen in the first place. Not to mention he’s working hard to save Hel’s ass,” I rushed out, looking for a way past the makeshift barricade.

“Harlow, stop,” Drake growled as I shifted things out of the way to get through. Of course I ignored him until he helped, clearing enough to get through with me.

I slipped through the crack in the barricade, spear jutting out in front of me as I stalked forward, eyes focused on the horde.

The closer we got, the more the demons filling the square reacted. Hisses and shouts filled the air as they parted for us.

Monty hung back, watching, and likely waiting to dive in and save me if I needed it while Hiro and Drake flanked me, weapons raised and ready.

For an extra level of protection, I wrapped my power around us like a barrier as I stopped at the base of the stairs, looking up at Crew with what I’d hoped was a look of disappointment.

The demons pushed at my barrier with their own powers, testing its strength, but it did nothing. That alone had the weaker demons retreating slightly and waiting for orders from their leaders.

“Harlow, you’re alive,” Crew called out from his spot at the top of the stairs.

It put him on higher ground and he seemed pleased about it. The smirk on his face was not one I’d ever seen him use. Now that we were close, I could really see the changes.

His once tight curls were now grown out and covered in ash. His eyes weren’t just red, veins of neon red fractured through his face and down his neck and arms, likely his chest, if it had been exposed.

I didn’t hide the fact I was studying him and found him lacking. He didn’t get to hold the power here.

“It’s strange, Crew, you became what you hated so fiercely. Did you not want to leave Dark Haven when you realized what lurked there? And here you are, doing their bidding and turning on your own people. You even left Layne behind.”

“She doesn’t need me,” he bit out. The bitterness in his tone meant that Crew was still in there somewhere. He had clearly not overcome his jealousy with Stravos, even though the gargoyle would never step over any lines unless Layne asked him to.

One thing gargoyles had over demons was respect for each other. He’d have formed a pack with them but Crew was too insecure.

“How the mighty have fallen,” Drake tsked as he stepped closer, bringing Crew’s attention to the now, full-blooded demon. His eyes narrowed even further like Drake’s presence was offensive.

What a fucking hypocrite.

“And you’re one to talk.” He laughed. It was hollow and filled with hate. He was truly a shell of the person he used to be. If Hel thought this could be easily rectified, she was dead wrong. I’d seen mountains of casualties and Crew was just another one on the list.

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