Page 24 of Outcast

“There’s enough bullshit here to deal with that I haven’t had a chance to appreciate it,” I admitted.

“You’ve been amazing so far,” Kol said as he picked me up like a rag doll and wrapped me in a hug. “You saved my sorry ass.”

“All of our sorry asses,” Hiro added in. “If anyone can figure this out, it’s you. You’ve been through just as much shit as we have and haven’t let it break your spirit.”

“Spite, anger, and indignation go a long way in helping keep you going,” I admitted. “I wish my bitch of a grandmother could see me now.”

“We could pop in for a hello, scar her for life,” Monty said as he popped in next to us. “Kol, put the Queen of Helheim down.”

Kol grunted in annoyance but let me down so I could stand freely. “Our queen likes being manhandled.”

“I do,” I admitted. “We have to figure out how to fix this portal issue so we can move on and find a new normal.”

“It won’t be easy, nothing ever is,” Roman said.

“I don’t doubt that,” I said with a sigh. “Let me add this to my ever-growing list. How were the barracks?”

“I’m going to need you to come out and give a show of power. Hel could grow her form huge like I can, try that.”

“Speaking of,” I said, going over to Hiro and infusing him with Helheim as well. Kol and Monty were already infused, thanks to Hel, and after our sex, they were given a boost, so I stopped there.

“Uh, Harlow. Why am I a human glow stick?” Hiro gasped. His skin was literally glowing as if Helheim’s fire was illuminating in his veins.

“Human is definitely not an apt description. I’d say you’re something different, more in line with Harlow,” Monty said as he walked around the man in question as if he were studying him. Hiro shifted from foot to foot but didn’t shy away from the attention.

A throat clearing behind us had several of my group moving in front of me.

“Guys, he’s a god, not an attacker,” I said as I shoved my way to the front. “Valgri, I’ve got all of my men now.”

“And your powers are stronger, your connection to Helheim radiates from you,” he said as he studied me. His voice was as somber as ever. “And perfect timing.”

“What happened?” I demanded, barely stopping myself from adding ‘now’ onto that statement. Shit was piling up from the moment we woke and hasn’t stopped yet.

“Things have escalated at Dark Haven and beyond. I have news,” Valgri said as he pulled out what looked like a high-tech version of an iPad. He let a small smile form at my shock but didn’t keep it for long as the video started.

“There are riots in the streets of Cleveland, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and New York City tonight, adding the riot count up to one hundred cities across the United States alone,” the newscaster said as fires and screams echoed in the night behind her.

“Wait, I thought the demons only lasted for minutes?” I demanded. “Their reach shouldn’t be beyond the cities surrounding Dark Haven.”

“That would have been correct, before Hel threw the portal open wide. Now they don’t have to leave such a large part of themselves tied to this realm.”

“Shit.” This was so much worse than I thought. “How do we stop it, then? I can’t just travel throughout the United States at will.”

“No, you cannot. But the moment you cut off the portal, they have no way to get back. Think of them like batteries. At some point their power will drain even as they feed, and they will have to return. If there’s no portal to find on this side, then they fade. It would take time for the world to find peace again, but it would be a significant start.”

“And who do I leave here?” I demanded. “You’re not from Helheim and we aren’t separating again.”

“That’s not a choice I can make, it is yours alone,” he said with a shrug. “I suggest you spend the evening discussing it and figure out where to go from here. But know the longer you wait, the more damage is done. The gods are stirring and will step in if you wait.”

“Noted,” I said, dismissing him with a wave of my hand. Maybe it was rude, but I had far bigger issues than offending Valgri.

When he was gone, I sat next to Roman again, the weight of the realm and the world back on my fucking shoulders.

“Who do we leave in charge?” Roman asked, placing his hand on mine.

“Elkan?” I asked, glancing up at Drake. “We can bring him back to Dark Haven once it’s safe. Or bring Sarah here for him.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Drake agreed. “Give Zetta power to assist.”

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