Page 15 of Outcast

“As much as we can trust any god. We have little options here and little knowledge. So far, Valgri has proved more knowledgeable than we are, so we listen,” Drake said.

“I’m starving,” Hiro groaned as he clutched his stomach. Food wasn’t something I’d even remotely thought about since waking up here.

“You are?” Drake asked in confusion.

“He’s not gargoyle or demon or god,” Valgri said. “I’m unsure what Loki has created but if he’s hungry, he shall eat.”

With a wave of the god’s hand, a spread formed on the nearby table. Hiro didn’t hesitate to rush forward and fill a plate, groaning as he stuffed a bite in his mouth.

“What’s happening?” Drake whispered as we watched Hiro eat. Every bite seemed to have an aura growing around him as if his body converted food to whatever powers he possessed now.

But then I realized it wasn’t the food, but coming from the air itself, as if he were a void demanding to be filled.

By the time he turned to us, he looked more wraith than man. The same glow that emanated from the souls now surrounded him.

“So, this isn’t normal, right?” Hiro asked with wide eyes as he held out his arm, noticing the barrier.

“Not at all,” Valgri said. “Which is why you’re here still.” The god froze before jumping up. “More on this later, we’re needed in the throne room.”

“Then let’s go,” Drake said, taking Hiro’s hand without fear and urging me to follow. Valgri mentioned an enemy and I grew again, ready to protect them as much as I would my mate.

But I never stood a chance. There, in the doorway, walking in like he had any right to, was Gravik.

“How dare you come here!” Drake bellowed. Valgri clicked his fingers, locking us in place before we could attack. He was the judge here, not us, and we’d have executed the demon on the spot.

“I’ve come to serve the new queen. I helped her gain this realm, have I not?” the demon adviser asked.

“You have no place in this castle or this realm,” I snarled at him.

“Oh, so angry.” Gravik laughed. “That’s how you greet someone above your station.”

“You are not above them,” Valgri stated. Finally, the demon’s eyes landed on the god. He didn’t respond for several moments but I saw him tense.

“I am an adviser to the queen.” Gravik’s argument was weak.

“They are her kings,” Valgri said. “She won’t be ruling alone as Hel did, nor will she allow you to live. Her order will be made with justice, and I’ll allow it.”

“She’s nothing without me,” Gravik said, sneering. The pure hatred on his face had me wanting to lunge at him again, but I was still locked in place. Hiro, however, was not, shooting across the room at preternatural speed. There was a loud blast before a whirlwind of ash cascaded down on him, the glow now gone.

Hiro wasn’t a man, he was a weapon.

ChapterSeven

Harlow

The Scourge was essentially where Hel sent anyone who pissed her off to rot for eternity. Cells of the forgotten line the bottom floors. I can barely tell what’s behind the bars, shadows stirred but they didn’t come forward. If it wasn’t so dark in here, I may be able to make something out. Sure, I could probably try to conjure some fire, but I wasn’t positive I wanted to see what lurked behind.

There was no real judgment here, Hel was judge, jury; and sentencing was a joke.

Every new hallway I’d walk down, every floor, was full of desolation and darkness. This was truly the hell I’d always heard of. The only thing missing was the screams of torture. With the guards standing down, the wails had turned from pained pleas to forlorned calls for help.

“Monty, what do I do?” I whispered to the demon who refused to leave my side. The shadows were slowly coming back to him, but were mere whispers of what they were before. “I don’t want to release something awful unknowingly.”

“You can’t act with human compassion. You’re a queen now.” His words were blunt, and I couldn’t ignore the validity.

“That’s why I’m asking for your opinion as my commander.” I could feel his smugness just from the question alone. “Hel was too corrupt to trust her judgment. And I don’t know how this realm works. She didn’t exactly give me a guide.”

“There’s no way to know. There are no records in Helheim. I doubt many know why they’re here. But... not all souls are good souls. Judgment happens here just like the humans on Earth feared.”

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