Page 11 of Blood and Reign

Jazmyn turns to me with a worried look on her face. “Do you know anything about the Underworld? It’s pretty bad, Kiarra.”

I glance back at Kai just as the door shuts, giving us some privacy. “Draven said there’s five realms, and each one is worse than the next.”

“That barely sums it up. The idiot.” Jazmyn rolls her eyes. “I’ve heard stories of the first three realms, and none of them are good. The first level is filled with shadows of lost souls. They wander there. The land is barren, starved of anything, just like them. We were threatened as kids to be placed there and have the life sucked out of us should we misbehave. The second level is said to be the home of the damned, and the third level is where the Infernal City resides. All higher-level demons live there and the home of some of the most powerful and terrifying demons.”

Jazmyn shivers, a look of fear slashed across her face.

“What about the demons that appeared on our plane? Where do they come from?” I ask her.

Jazmyn’s frown deepens. “I’ve never seen anything like them, but if I had to take a guess, I would say the fourth or fifth realm. Creatures that big couldn’t be held anywhere else.”

Here’s hoping King is somewhere in the first three then.

Jazmyn shakes her head. “Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you were okay before you left.”

Warmth spreads across my chest at her words, making me smile.

She shoves her hands into her pockets, clearing her throat. “Come back as soon as you can. I don’t want to be stuck with all these possessive assholes by myself.”

I bump her shoulder. “Someone has to stay and make sure they don’t burn the place down.”

She swallows hard. “Just come back.”

“I will.” I promise her and myself. This wasn’t going to be the end, just a new beginning for us all.

She turns and leaves without a backward glance. I leave Kai to finish up with Draven and head back upstairs.

I’m halfway down the empty hall when the Shadow beast appears. “I’m guessing you got bored?”

It tilts its head, staring at me with those dark eyes. “Why do you only speak when you want to?”

Again, it tilts its head. “I’m heading to the Underworld soon, but I need you to stay here and protect them.” I glance back to the direction Jazmyn went.

“I need you to protect her.” I glance down at the shadow beast just as he dips his head, making me smile.

“Thank you.”

He disappears into the shadows, taking some of my worries and fears with him.

CHAPTER 3

An icy coldshiver rushes through me as we travel through the portal, Luka and Jax on either side of me, with Kai and Rion in front of us. Axel is the last to come through the portal, closing it behind him.

We arrive in the middle of a large forest with thick green trees everywhere. I catch a glimpse of the rocky mountains from the small opening in the trees. It’s a bit away but not too far to make it on foot.

“Where are we?” I ask.

Kai turns to me. “Vermont. This is as close as the portal can take us. Something to do with the energy from the old entrance messing with the portal.”

Rion glances around. “The cave isn’t too far.” He tilts his head toward the Rocky Mountains I spotted a moment ago. “We can walk from here.”

Jax turns to me wearing an innocent smile that slowly grows into a wicked smirk. “Let me know if you get tired and I’ll give you a ride. Or you can give me one.”

Luka sighs, shaking his head. “How are we even related?”

“Guess you just got lucky, brother.” Luka shakes his head as Jax slaps him on the shoulder, looking proud of himself.

I bite my lip, hiding my smile. Their normal bickering easing the knot in my stomach as we head into the unknown.

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