Page 50 of Nexus
“Follow Ruen and Ms. Sterling to her apartment, then escort them to the gate,” Lord Gilden ordered. His men nodded, then herded us towards the elevator.
“Wish us luck,” I called over my shoulder.
“May you both be successful in your endeavor and return to our world intact,” he replied.
“Did he just cast a dragon spell on us?” I whispered to Ruen.
“No, I did not,” Drake replied in amusement. “I’m afraid I don’t have the power to influence your success.”
“His hearing is so freaky,” I complained not quite beneath my breath as I entered the lift. My last glimpse of the dragon was to see his golden eyes locked on me and his perfect mouth tilted upwards in amusement.
The guards climbed into a dark gray SUV and followed us to my apartment. “I’ll come with you and help you pack appropriate clothing,” my assistant offered, then climbed out without waiting for me to reply.
We took the elevator up to my floor and I unlocked the door. Ruen hadn’t been to my place since I’d furnished it. He took everything in at a glance and didn’t bother to hide his sneer when he spied my gaming console and collection of videogames. “May I come in?” he asked, standing just outside the doorway.
“I forgot you need to be invited in,” I said. “Sure, come on in.”
He stepped inside and closed the door. The guards were waiting for us in the lot. They knew we weren’t going to run from our duty. As far as they knew, we really were going to be acting as trade envoys.
“Why don’t you get changed into something more suitable, while I pack a bag for you?” my minion suggested.
“You’ll find a backpack on the top shelf of my closet,” I said, then crossed to my dresser. I picked a red t-shirt and faded blue jeans and grabbed a pair of sneakers. I ambled to the bathroom to get changed and put my hair up into a ponytail while I was there. Grabbing a few toiletries, I saw Ruen had already finished my packing when I stepped through the door. “Can I squeeze these inside?” I asked, holding up the items.
“They should fit in the outer pocket,” he replied, pointing at it.
I shoved the toothbrush, toothpaste and hairbrush into the pocket. It wasn’t that time of the month, but I shoved some tampons in there as well, just in case. “Do you think they’ll have toilet paper in the underworld?” I asked.
“I highly doubt it,” he said with a hint of impatience.
“I’ll take a roll with me,” I decided, darting back into the bathroom to grab one. He didn’t need to empty his bowels or bladder, so one roll should do it. I could always resort to using leaves if I ran out.
“What weapons do you intend to take with you?” Ruen asked.
“A few knives and one of my mini crossbows,” I replied.
“May I borrow some knives?” His tone was almost diffident and he clasped his hands together, as if unsure whether I’d agree.
“I’ve got plenty of spares in the chest over there,” I said and carried my backpack over to it. Opening the chest, I chose enough weapons and sheaths for both of us. We took a few minutes to strap them to our arms and legs. I picked up one of my spare mini crossbows and a quiver of bolts. “Okay, I think we’re done here,” I figured. There was no need to take my kill-bag with me, so I would leave it and my wallet behind.
Ruen tested the straps of the sheaths he’d attached to his body. We both had four knives clinging to our wrists. I felt a bit naked without any guns as I slung the crossbow and quiver over my back.
“You packed me extra undies and socks, right?” I asked, just to be sure.
He nodded, while making a face. “I had to dig deep in your dresser to find something other than thongs.”
“They’re comfortable,” I said defensively. “Plus, they don’t leave visible panty lines when I’m wearing tight clothing.”
“All of your clothing is tight,” he muttered not quite quietly enough.
“What am I going to do for food while I’m in the underworld?” I asked in sudden concern. “Should I take some supplies with me?”
“You’re a hunter, Ms. Sterling,” he reminded me, looking pointedly at my weapons. “I’m sure you’ll be able to stab something to death and devour it.”
“How do you know there’s anything edible over there?” I asked sulkily as he opened the door to leave.
“The fact that beings have lived there for possibly millions of years was my first clue.”
His snark was always amusing and I snorted out a laugh. “I’ll be with you in a second, I need to use the bathroom,” I told him, then closed the door in his face. Locking it and sliding the metal bar in place, I trotted to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Then I called my mom just like I’d promised.
