Page 198 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

Each memory that built had the hair on my arms standing on end and an electric charge dancing along my skin.

The magic felt so foreign yet familiar, like it belonged and was a part of me. I had no clue what Loki had done to change me, but I was grateful. Now I could be an equal, I could offer my mate something more than just comfort.

I could be the protector I always wished I could be.

The storm thrummed violently around me, and I used every bit of focus I had to shove it at the wall, hoping it would obey.

Our room shook violently as stone and plaster rained down around us. Roman didn’t try to protect me this time, and I took each painful hit with a wicked grin on my face.

I was officially a badass. A pang of sadness hit me that my mates weren’t here to witness it. My alpha’s smile would be proud and hungry, my omegas excitement making my own twice as potent.

Fuck, I missed them. We had to find them.

As soon as the dust settled, we were met with our first view of Helheim. The realm that was now our home. I wasn’t sure if it was temporary or not, but there was no life for us outside of Dark Haven. As long as we found Drake and Harlow, I was fine with staying.

Roman bent down, lifting a huge chunk of rock like it was nothing, so we could pass. The look of excitement on his face was adorable and I felt the last of my frustrations draining away.

This was a new life. One we were both ready to embrace.

We were in the middle of a city. Though, no city I’d ever seen before. Every building was made of a material that reminded me of bone, and seeing as we were in the afterlife, it was fitting.

Stone braziers burned brightly with a mix of Helfire and orange flames that gave the city an ethereal yet warm aesthetic. With the obsidian roads and shining white buildings, it was breathtaking.

Mix that with the swirling galaxy of light overhead and it was every bit the mythological realm I always thought it would be.

The overbearing darkness beyond the city made the bonfires even more inviting. I almost didn’t want to leave the light, but I would without hesitation for them.

It took a few minutes of gaping at our surroundings to realize that we weren’t alone. A slew of gargoyles were staring at the building in confusion, watching as we emerged slowly.

I scanned the crowd, hoping to spot a familiar gargoyle but Kol was nowhere to be found. In fact, after sharing Dark Haven with gargoyles for weeks, I realized I didn’t recognize a single one.

Were these gargoyles the rest of Kol’s army?

“Is Kol here?” Roman called out as he stepped up behind me, wings outstretched as if he were my personal bodyguard. It was a warning to the others, though they only looked more confused, not ready to fight.

“He hasn’t returned from the human world,” a gargoyle answered. From the jagged crown on his head, he was someone of importance. “I am called Achar, the original gargoyle forged from Hel’s hands herself. Who are you?”

This gargoyle was twice the size of Kol, towering over his brood easily. His skin was rough and his eyes burned a violent blue. I didn’t doubt his origin for a second.

“I am Roman, and this is Hiro. We were brought here by Loki upon Hel’s departure,” Roman explained in a strange formal tone. He was matching their energy and if my heart wasn’t trying to escape my chest, I might laugh.

I’d take this version of him over the man who doubted his abilities to protect us all. It was as if his new wings and body gave him copious amounts of confidence.

Strangely, I wasn’t jealous, but proud. My brother and host had earned peace of mind, and I was happy he was getting it.

“The new queen is looking for you, I believe. Word is traveling fast. She’s refusing to do anything until you are returned to her side,” Achar said. “Are you her missing mates?”

“As are Kol, and Ivar,” I answered. The gargoyle turned and studied me, though his stone expression gave nothing away.

“Interesting.” That was all he gave before sweeping a hand to the horizon.

What seemed like miles away, a castle jutted into the sky. The only reason we could see it here was the moat of fire that surrounded it, making it a beacon in the night.

“That’s going to be a journey,” I said with a sigh. We couldn’t exactly fly; I was wingless and it would be a bit much to ask Roman to carry me to our destination.

“I’ll lead you. It’s my duty to meet the Queen. I was heading there soon. You’re welcome to travel with me. We can go on foot,” he said, casting me a look that said I was the issue here.

“It’s appreciated,” I said without a hint of embarrassment in my voice. Maybe the old Hiro would have cowered under that stare. But I was important to their Queen, and Roman was right, this was a second chance.

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