Page 81 of Live Like Legends

Purgatory was a breeze compared to this. Elise had tossed me my portal key when we exited the glowing circle and the instant heat hit me. Purgatory was humid but you got used to it, it became palpable over time. My mouth was starting to go dry the moment we stepped into Hell. Everything had a red or coral hue to it and it smelled earthy, almost like clay. It was nothing to be disgusted over, but everything about this place made me uncomfortable.

Reese patted his arms and legs. “Oh thank fuck, I thought I would burst into flames once we got here.”

Garrett and I both looked at each other and then back at my best friend. Reese looked confused. “What?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you think that?”

Reese pulled his blonde hair into a messy bun on top of his head. “Angels in Hell. You can’t tell me that this place isn’t just itching to swallow us whole. We are like delectable treats.”

Elise scoffed. “First off, angels don’t come to Hell. They strictly go to Purgatory. Even I know that, you idiot. Secondly, don’t ever call yourself delectable again, it makes me want to vomit.”

I pointed over to the grumpy demon. “Where to now?”

She looked around, surveying her surroundings. The way her shoulders tensed told me that she was familiar with this place, but it wasn’t somewhere she necessarily wanted to be. That made two of us.

Her eyes peered over our heads as she scanned the building behind us. “We’re at the back of the prison.”

“You portaled us right here?” Reese asked, looking around anxiously.

“Would you have wanted me to portal us inside, right in Dimitri’s lap?” She said, sarcastically.

I let my mind travel away from their arguing, feeling my skin itch. The back of my neck was licked with sweat, but it wasn’tthat it was significantly hot, but something about this place felt like it wanted you to be on edge. It felt like the trees themselves were watching you and my anxiety was on a much higher level then I would have liked.

The ground was made of a red clay that kicked up easily and dusted around my ankles. There were pieces of gravel scattered throughout and it looked as if this place was on the outskirts of something larger. The building we were next to was wide, but had the same height as the castle-like structure of The Skies. The trees around us had no real leaves left on them, but their trunks were huge, providing cover for each of us, should we need it.

Broken and dead leaves were scattered at my feet and my thoughts halted when I heard a crunch. I noticed that none of us had moved, so I trained my eyes on various places it could have come from.

“What was that?” Garrett asked, trying not to make any sudden movements.

I was about to reach for my sword at the same time as Reese was about to take hold of his bow, but Elise held her hand up. A smirk played at her lips as she looked into the distance as if she was….waiting for something.

“The fuck are you doing?” Reese whispered harshly, looking at me as if to sayshe is clearly trying to kill us.

The crunch got closer and it was more constant as if whatever it was—was running.

The running was soon drowned out by the distinct sound of panting. Elise bent her knees a little and in a matter of minutes, a small black beast broke through the brush and jumped into her arms.

No,nota beast.

A hellhound.

Axel.

The little black creature licked her face rapidly as she stood up straight. Elise turned around to look at all of us. “You should see your faces. Priceless.”

Axel wiggled out of her hold and bounded over to Garrett. There was a slight whimpering noise coming from the hellhound. He nuzzled his little wet nose against the Enchanter's neck, while Garrett stroked his hand down Axel’s furry back.

“You knew he was here?” I asked, staring wide eyed at the hellhound.

Elise shrugged. “Yes. Axel likes to explore between Hell and Purgatory. He always comes back to me, well me or Beetee. He is mostly a good boy.”

Axel ripped himself from Garrett and nearly flew over to me. I caught him, allowing his tiny pink tongue to give me kisses. Even though his eyes were black pools of nothing, something like adoration could be found there if you looked hard enough. He missed us.

I wasn’t fast enough to keep my hold on him when he leaped from my arms to an unsuspecting Reese. My best friend awkwardly caught the small dog, tripping over a tree stump and landing on his back. Axel sniffed him, letting out soft barks and panting against his face.

“Why do we keep meeting like this!” Reese groaned, but his voice had no anger in it. He scratched behind Axel’s ears, causing the hellhound to lift one of his legs, kicking at the air as if the scratching felt good.

“Mostlya good boy.” Elise repeated watching them with annoyance. “Axel come here.” She snapped her fingers and in the most dopey obedient way, he padded over to his mom. Elise got on her knees and Axel faced her, sitting down and puffing his little chest out.

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