Page 2 of Outcast

He raised an eyebrow, but I would not apologize for my abrupt question. I needed to know they were alive.

“You just died and were transformed into a demigoddess and this is your first question? Maybe you will be a better ruler than my dear, elusive daughter,” he mused.

“Please,” I begged. “Tell me that you saved Roman and Hiro.”

“I did more than save them, Harlow,” he exclaimed. “Come and see.” Again, he poofed out of existence. His favorite game seemed to be dropping in, confusing everyone around him, then leaving before the chaos could sink in.

“Great, nice talk,” I grumbled, pushing to my feet and looking around.

Helheim was beautiful. Everything sparkled with a mix of ice and blue flames. The sky above was night and swirled with stars and galaxies, moving swiftly as if Helheim was flying through space and we were witnessing it from below.

Icy mountains jutted from the ground. It added to the rocky terrain. A large castle stood just ahead. It was a shining silver that reflected the blue glow around us in a rainbow of iridescence.

In the distance were other buildings and movement, but I couldn’t tell what it was. Nor did I care. This might be the realm I reluctantly sacrificed myself to, yet it meant nothing to me now. I would cast this world into the void if it would save my monsters and men.

My chest ached and tears stung my eyes. There was no way I could do anything here without them.

Not because I was incapable, but because I was unwilling.

It felt strange to walk down sidewalks and pathways with no one around. There were no gargoyles, demons, or souls to be seen.

Was Helheim always this barren or was that simply for my benefit? If so... who was calling the shots while Hel was escaping and I was being reincarnated?

I wound around the grounds to the front of the castle where two white doors loomed at the top of a steep stone staircase.

Everything here seemed so pristine and perfect. It was likely Hel’s preference, but it made me uneasy. This world was cold enough without the lack of humanity.

The doors swung open as I approached, two demons simultaneously pulled the doors open from inside, then dropped to their knees as they held them for me.

My bare feet slapped against the marble flooring, echoing off the ridiculously high ceilings. If I thought the world outside appeared desolate and pompous, it had nothing on this castle. Everything was shined to perfection. Not a single decoration lined the walls or floors. The large room held a throne at the other end and that was it outside of pillars and a singular chandelier above.

“Welcome home, my queen!” The woman’s voice was timid and delicate, and I glanced to the right to see a small wisp of a girl bowing so low her hair obscured any view of her face.

“Oh god, please don’t bow to me.” I laughed. The sound was unhinged and hollow, a shell of my former self. Even my voice was off, ringing with a slight raspiness I didn’t recognize. She stood up, eyes wide, and panicked as if she were afraid I’d lash out in frustration. “Jesus, did Hel attack you or something?”

Her already white face paled further. She shook her head violently, but she couldn’t form words to lie to me.

“Who are you?” I directed the conversation to something more comfortable. Plus, I was going to be as nice as I could manage and try and get some answers from her. And at the current moment, she was unaffected by my nakedness. The people of Helheim are built different, it seems.

“I am called Zetta, my queen. I’m your servant.” I studied the girl. She was unlike any of the creatures I’d seen from Helheim so far. In fact, she resembled a human. Except for her translucent skin and icy white hair. It hung down her back, almost brushing her thighs. She had on a black apron and a simple white dress underneath. Zetta was pretty with prominent cheekbones and wide, curious eyes.

She seemed to study me just as much as I studied her. “Are you a soul, a spirit, something else altogether?”

Zetta giggled softly, the sound like music. “They said our new queen was coming from a different world. Forgive me, it took me by surprise. I’m a wraith. We’re simply spirits who were brought in to serve our queen.”

“There are more of you?” I questioned. There wasn’t a sound in this large castle outside of my erratic breathing and the girl’s voice.

“Oh, yes. We’ve always been told to be invisible,” she admitted with another curious gaze sent my way. It was as if she were waiting for me to change that. And she’d be right.

“If I’m in charge, I’m going to need noise in this castle. This silence is horrible,” I admitted. “But, Zetta, I have an important question.”

“Anything, my queen,” she said quickly, eager to impress me.

“Did Loki bring anyone here? Are there strangers in the castle? My—” I paused, unsure which terms to use that she’d understand their significance. “Mates? They’re supposed to be here in Helheim, I have to find them.”

My voice bordered on desperation, and I did nothing to hide it. Hel might have ruled with a strong hand and at some point, I’d likely have to as well. For now, I had a feeling I would benefit from my humanity, and I was clinging to it with every fiber of my undead soul. I didn’t want to lose my connection to my old self more than I already had.

“I’ll ask around,” she promised before scurrying off, leaving me alone. I stepped toward the throne, unsure what else to do with myself as I waited for answers. A low growl had me freezing in place as a creature walked out from behind it.

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