Page 18 of Blood and Reign

We walk a few minutes before I hear a whirl. A second later I find Rion in front of me, a sharp metal arrow in his hand, two inches from my face.

Soren glances back at the guys’ shocked and pissed expressions. “Oh, and watch out for booby traps trying to deter us from going any further.”

Kai holds Jax back as he tries to attack Soren, his wolf at the surface, ready to attack.

Luka tightens his hold on me, his body vibrating with rage. “You couldn’t have told us thatbeforethe arrow nearly took Kiarra out?” His voice grows deeper with each word, turning to a near growl as dark orange flames light the orbs of his eyes.

Soren gives Luka an innocent look. “Apologies, I assumed you all knew it would be dangerous trying to enter the Underworld.”

Axel clenches his fists, moving closer to my side. “We’re not fucking stupid. But you are supposed to be our guide. A little heads up isn’t too much to fucking ask for.”

Kai narrows his eyes on Soren. “Tell us what we’re heading into nowbeforewe move any further.”

Soren narrows his eyes. An aggravated look on his face. I guess he wasn’t used to being told what to do. But one look around at the cave full of pissed off alphas and Soren sighs, giving into Kai’s request. “As we move further in, there will be more traps set up. I can’t tell you exactly what each will be as I’ve never used this entrance before–”

“Then why the fuck are you our guide?”

Soren narrows his eyes on Jax. “But I have used many others like it. The setup is the same. Barriers, traps and spells all to deter any who enter.”

“But you have no ideawhattypes of traps or spells?” Kai clenches his fist.

“Afraid not. But once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. It more than likely won’t be anything I haven’t seen before.”

“Your confidence is making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside,” Jax says with a deadpan expression and a tone that’s void of emotion, earning a smile from Soren.

“Maybe try keeping your ears and eyes open and that little arrow won’t get near your little mate again.” Soren gives Jax a smug look before turning and moving further into the cave.

Jax narrows his eyes on Soren’s back, mumbling profanities and death threats his way.

“I’m fine, guys. Let’s just get on with this.” I give Rion a look, thanking him. His fist tightens on the arrow before he sends it flying through the cave wall behind him. The force of the throw sending it straight through the wall, only leaving the end visible.

Kai moves over, checking me over once before nodding to himself. “Stay close.”

We barely make it a few feet before the next booby trap hits, multiple small star-shaped razor blades shooting from each side of the cave wall.

Rion whips out his swords and knocks the first batch down. Kai takes the next, while Axel blows back the last of them.

Jax and Luka are on each side of me, ready to take the brunt of anything that may get past the others. I open my mouth to tell them they don’t need to be so overprotective when Luka narrows his eyes on me. “Don’t even say it. Healing doesn’t mean you can’t feel it. And there’s no way in hell any of us are letting anything happen to you.”

Another few arrows fly out of the walls, distracting us. Kai and Axel destroying most of them, with Rion stopping any from getting near us.

“There must be pressure points in the base of the cave or some type of sensor spell,” Luka says, glancing around.

“So much for having a fucking guide. Where the hell is he?” Soren appears in front of us as if hearing Axel.

“Glad to see my absence is missed.” Soren’s cool and collected attitude soon drops, leaving him wearing a frown.

“What is it?” Kai asks him.

Soren frowns. “Something is…off.”

“What do you mean? You said the traps are normal,” I ask.

“They are, but the spells are different. The energy is also different.” Soren shakes his head.

“How so?” Rion asks him.

Soren ignores Rion, glancing around the cave, narrowing his eyes on something further into it. “I didn’t think it would move this quickly.” Soren frowns, mumbling to himself as if forgetting we’re here.

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