Page 65 of The Hellbeast's Betrayal

“Yes, for they killed your mother, your dear sweet, Leuce… they took her from you and your sister.”

I heard myself gasp, then a strange sound I have never made before rumbled from me. I snarled at them both, feeling the rage building. Doing so until it unleashed in the form of green flames now licking down my arms, all the way to the tips of my fingers.

But then this nightmare wasn’t over yet, because this was when the true horror began, starting with an order from Garmr.

“Kill them, Anástasi, make them pay for what they took from you.”At this, my other self needed no more to release her powers. The serpents of green smoke whipped out, her souls all rising up around them.

After that, I was forced to watch as she…

Slaughtered them both.

23

THROW A HELLBEAST A BONE

JARED

Getting into the castle now that we had a map was a far easier task than I thought it would be. As it turned out there was a tunnel system that led merchants safely inside without the chance of them being attacked by thieves on the road. Which meant it was a direct route in.

Of course, the first thing we’d had to do was make it back to the camp, and thanks to our horses, who seemed more than eager to return, it seemed like no time at all. Which meant before I knew it, we had the map spread out on a table in the largest tent in the camp. And we needed the space because everyone joined in as I told them the plan to get Ella out. We all agreed that this would only work if just one of us snuck inside, which no one argued, would be me.

However, the others were going to accompany me to the tunnel system in case Garmr had soldiers there keeping guard. The plan was not to draw any unwanted attention as we didn’t want anything able to tip him off. Because we couldn’t risk him moving her again, which meant this was our only shot.

I couldn’t fuck it up again.

The one good bit of news was that Koro had managed to get word to Dominic and the other Kings. Asher had the foresight to include our own side in this. Ensuring Koro’s messenger reached the Gate of Hermes with our own instructions to follow.

Now as for our way in, this was through the cave of Hecate, beyond the temple entrance, one built in the Goddess’s honor. She was known best for her magic and witchcraft. Most of which her knowledge of herbs, poisonous plants, necromancy, and sorcery was the same magic passed down today. For she was the mother of such power in this Realm. Even a lot of the Summoners magic could be related back to her. But she was also part of the Fates too, for it was said that like the God Janus, she was known to be a tripartite Goddess. Something which allowed her to see in multiple directions all at once and was a protector of all between. Whatever that truly meant, I had no fucking clue.

The map showed that this cave system led straight through, as it bordered the castle of Thanatos, who was the personification of death. Although this wasn’t as grim as it sounded, for he represented a non-violent death, which was vastly different to his counterpart. His sisters, known as the Keres, were the spirits of diseases and slaughter.

Now that was one fucked up family tree if ever there was one, but then again, wasn’t everyone in this realm of Hell. Well as long as none of the fuckers got in my way, I didn’t care, for I would use this cave to my advantage.

Speaking of which.

“The temple of Hecate, is up ahead,” I told the others. We still had the use of our horses, as Tyr had not released his hold on them yet. A good job too or this journey would have taken far too long without a portal to aid us.

Honestly, I hadn’t even understood how Garmr had managed it. Summoners weren’t well known for their skills in creating portals to use instantly. I had only ever known the likes of Niniane, and she first had to create a link to travel from place to place. An anchor of a kind. Yet Garmr had managed to discover a way to stretch those powers to creating large enough portals to sustain vast life to travel through.

Just another reason to be wary now, as I knew the enemy could arise at any minute should we tip them off. But then it was like Bill had said, no one should know of this route. It wasn’t common knowledge, or why else would a map be needed for the merchant to complete the job?

As for Bill, he had stayed behind, as I knew too many of us would only draw suspicion as we traveled. So, like before, it remained the four of us, but once entrance into the castle was found, I would then go in alone. Something my brother had wanted to argue against but it was no use, my mind had been set.

The square front of the temple held six large Greek pillars, that continued around the sides of the long rectangular building. At least forty steps led up to the huge structure, meaning we had no choice but to leave our horses behind. The triangular top, just under the tiled roof, was carved with the Gods and quite honestly, looked like a million other Greek temples in this place.

Inside, however, held nothing more than a giant statue of the Goddess at the very end. The marble floor like mirrored glass, reflecting our own images as we made our way across the large space. Arched coves cut into the walls held smaller statues of various deities. The whole room was floor to ceiling pale marble and was as tall as the statue ahead, being at least five stories high.

“They were never very subtle, the Gods,” my brother said, making Marcus scoff.

“About as subtle as their egos.”

And well, he wasn’t wrong there. But then when you gained your power from the belief of others, then I suppose it came with the territory. As for my brother and I, we were born from the belly of this realm, which was what fed our own power. One that would only faulter should the Underworld collapse and be no more.

Something I never thought I would have to worry about until talk of that fucker Garmr actually bringing about Ragnarök.

“I don’t see a door, do you?” Orth said as we reached the end and he was right. This gave Tyr the excuse to head straight to the wall behind the statue and pull his axe down from his back,

“Then let’s make one,” he said and before we could stop him, he started hammering into the walls with his axe. The marble gave way and cracked with ease, only to show nothing but bare rock beneath. Then he would move further along and do the same, until eventually, he stopped when there were five door-shaped holes and not a single one became an actual door.

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