Page 71 of Underworld
Because my Virtues were there, and a part of me had always known.
From the corner of my eye, I darted a look at Kaito and saw a familiar, professional mask in place.
Great. Just great.
“Nobody asks to be a Champion,” Sonya said simply. “Cole has been trying to interfere. Whether he thinks he can delay Calamity or change the outcome in order to save his brother, I have no idea. There is now an opening between here and Purgatory and he tried to prevent that from happening. He didn’t succeed, but he was able to divert it.”
“Divert what?” Confused, I looked at her, then Luke and Nate.
“The entrance to Purgatory,” she said. “It was meant to open here. Instead, because of Cole’s machinations, it opened in Hell and it’s likely it is several levels down, too… in Lucifer’s territory.”
Dante stiffened as Sonya shifted her attention to him. “This is where you come in, Hunter.”
He glared at her. “After everything I’ve been through, you want me to take care of your little Cole problem? I’ve been dealing with that shit-face from day one and I amdone.”
As I took his hand, my mother’s gaze dropped to linger that connection.
“She won’t be able to find her two lost Virtues on her own, not if they are as deep into Hell as I think they are. But Dante, you can help her where no one else can. You’ve traveled those tunnels for the better part of a year, have you not? Well into the lower levels.”
By his flat expression, she spoke the truth.
Turning to me, she added, “You’ll need all of your Virtues, and every last bit of help you can find to face what awaits. Luc has grown strong this past year and he has acquired a weapon that will be ready any day now.”
“Six more days,” I said numbly. Day one was already over since I’d gotten Cole’s warning.
Her expression went grim. “Then you know we have no time to waste.”
Dante stroked his thumb over the back of my hand, then squeezed before breaking free.
“Fuck,” he said, directing his words to Sonya. “Count me out. We’ll face Lucifer on our territory, not his. What you’re suggesting is suicide.”
He glared at me, his expression clear.
He didn’t give two shits about new Virtues. If they were anything like Cole, he hoped they burned.
He turned and strode for the door.
It hit me square in the chest, like he was abandoning me. Hendrik cast a look at me before moving to follow.
“Hendrik—”
“I’ll go after him,” he said over his shoulder. “Before he hurts himself or someone else.”
He firmly closed the door behind him, making it clear he didn’t want me following.
Along the bonds between me and the two men who’d just walked away, I felt the sting of their subtle rejection.
Movement had me looking up, but it was just Nate as he addressed my mentor. “We need to work out a squadron for tomorrow. Do you think you can get the Hunter in line by then?”
Kaito hummed in thought. “I don’t know. I’ll try in the morning.” He swiped his hand over his face. “Hendrik and Dante are best left alone in this state. Let them work out their issues, then I’ll see what pieces are left to salvage.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, but after everything Dante had been through, he deserved his space from me, at least for tonight.
Kaito bowed to the Dean. “With your permission, I will begin an assessment of the students to see who is fit for the excursion.”
The Dean nodded. “Give everyone the night, and in the morning take five of our best to escort you. The rest will stay here to defend the Academy.”
Five didn’t sound like enough, but then again, it depended on who was picked.
