Page 78 of Hell-Bound

She smiled, changed, apologetic.

“I’m good! Just give me the details.”

He bobbed his head, smile returning.

“Right! But first!” He reached into the pocket of his black trousers, taking hold of Ren’s hand. “I have to ask you something. From the first time I saw you, I knew that you were something special.” He bent down on one knee and let out a shaky breath. “Ren—”

“Jester! What the hells are you doing?”

“Let a malefinish,” he bellowed. “No wonder Azur wouldn’t have sex with you,” he muttered under his breath. “Ahem…will you do me the honor of—going on an adventure with me?” he said, producing a polished ring that twisted like vines, a small orange vurmite set in the center.

Ren cackled. “What even is that, Jester?” she asked, taking the elegant piece.

“It’s to help with where we are going. I hear Mortals are a little less tolerant of the elements.”

A genuine smile pulled at her lips.

“Thanks, Jester. That was thoughtful.”

“Not thoughtful at all, actually. If you didn’t have it, you’d probably die. It’s purely selfish.”

Ren turned the small ring on her finger gently. It was exquisite. The vurmite, though small, seemed to produce its own light.

“It’s a loaner, Ren. Don’t get any ideas,” he said, raising a sculpted brow.

Ren couldn’t stop the disappointed expression that crossed her face.

Ren, darling. Are you missing me? Seems like you’re having a craving.

She bit her tongue and banished Azur from her mind.

“Wow. You reallydolike jewelry,” Jester commented, watching Ren swipe away black smoke with an annoyed expression. “I guess I know what to get you for your birthday,” he chuckled.

“Just tell me where we’re going,” she groaned.

“Right! Evernight lives pretty far. We will portal there. He isn’t as paranoid as Xarek. He puts his wards closer. Plus, hehas people portaling in and out of his mines every day. We’ll just be two more.”

“The mines? We are going to the mines?”

“One of them. Not one of the very active ones. The volcano sort of mucks that up. But Evernight still uses it as a prison for non-cooperative servants, sleepers, and slaves.”

The ring was starting to make more sense.

As she slipped it on her finger, she could feel a warm vibration from the band.

“When do we head out?” she asked.

Jester pulled out her two daggers and lock-pick kit from his satchel.

“Now?”

???

When they appeared at their new location, Ren had to blink several times to let her eyes adjust. Jester had been right, the heat was oppressive, and she immediately started to perspire.

The two were standing in what looked like a small cave with a lone lantern for light

There were three entrances to their part of the cave, but Jester didn’t hesitate to walk toward the closest one. He stopped before crossing the threshold and held up a hand to signal for Ren to stop.

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