Page 53 of Ignited Spirits
“Yep, he’s real. A real dick at times, too. And I’m not biologically related to him. It’s… complicated. If you ever wanna go toInfernus, just let me know. It’ll make more sense if you meet everyone.”
Still looking stunned, Joseph gives me a nod, his gaze appearing miles away as he contemplates everything I just told him. “I’m good here with Grams and Mateo. You don’t have toworry about me. And thank you. For saving me, believing in me when no one else did, and giving me somewhere to stay. If you ever need my help, all you have to do is ask.”
I duck my head at his kind words, feeling awkward at his compliments. “No problem,” I mumble before I focus on Angerona. “Is it okay if I open a rift here?”
She nods, but Mateo is the one to speak. “You’re welcome to open rifts into and out of our city, Isabel. Don’t hesitate to come back if you need assistance or sanctuary.”
“Thanks. And thanks for looking after Joseph.”
Mateo lets out a quiet laugh. “I doubtAbuelaAngerona would’ve let me turn away her grandson, but you’re welcome.”
Blowing out a deep breath, I picture Levi’s suite and my dad and brothers. I let my magic flow out of me to form a rift. With one last glance at the three of them, I walk into the interdimensional portal and hope for the best.
I must’ve proven my ability to create accurate rifts because not one of my mates complains about me going first. Apparently, they should’ve because I walk out into absolute chaos.
Stepping through the rift, I expect to come out into Levi’s suite. Instead, I walk out into a room made entirely of the same obsidian that makes up the rest of Hades’s castle. Shouts sound from all directions, and magic whizzes past me at a dizzying rate.
I have to duck to avoid a fireball that’s on a collision course with my face. With wide eyes, I watch the fireball slam into the stone and leave a char mark.
“Sorry!” someone shouts from somewhere behind me.
I turn to look for the source of the noise when I’m roughly yanked back against a hard chest. Before I can get upset about the manhandling, a vicious red spell zings through where I was just standing.
“Where the fuck did you portal us, sweetheart?” Bishop growls in my ear.
“I don’t know,” I squeak, trying to figure out if we’re at least inInfernus. I would hope I can’t portal to a realm I’ve never been to, but who knows.
“We’re in the training room.” Levi has to yell to be heard over the sounds of the explosions, shouting, and general chaos. “What or who were you picturing when you opened up the rift?”
“I was thinking of your room and my dad, Rhys, and Aiden.”
Levi nods. “That’d do it.” He stretches out one long arm to point in front of me.
Squinting, I try to figure out what he’s pointing at. I peer past the jagged obsidian walls, the people and creatures of all manners slinging magic, and the explosions that rock the space every few seconds.
Eventually, I spot Rhys, Aiden, and Dad flinging their magic around like there’s no tomorrow with giant grins on their faces.
Well, at least some of us are enjoying this. I can’t deny that I’m a bit envious of all the fun they look like they’re having.
My shoulders slump. “I opened a rift directly to them, didn’t I?”
Levi’s mouth twitches up. “It would appear so, little raven. That is a rare skill to have.”
Of course it is. I’m apparently allergic to doing anything normal.
Blowing out a breath that ruffles the strands of my blonde hair hanging in my face, I look up at Levi. “So, how do we get to them?”
He chuckles and cups my face in his hand, rubbing his thumb along my cheekbone. “We don’t. Unless you want to get chargrilled by the manycuraeand other residents ofInfernusblowing off steam here. We have to wait until time is called on this session and everyone is asked to leave.”
Relaxing back into Bishop, since it seems like we’re going to be here a while, I fight to keep my eyes open. In the middle of aone-sided battlefield is definitely not the place to fall asleep, but everything that happened today is doing its best to catch up with me.
My eyes snap back open when a loud buzzer sounds. I hadn’t even realized I’d closed my eyes, so I must’ve dozed off while standing up for a bit. Quickly wiping the back of my hand over my mouth, I’m relieved when I don’t swipe off any drool because that would’ve been embarrassing.
The magic flying around the space comes to an abrupt halt.
“Session six is officially over. Please make your way off the practice field. If you wish to have more practice time, sign-up sheets for the next time slot are in the lobby,” a disembodied female voice calls.
Thecuraeand otherInfernuscreatures shake hands with their neighbors and chat and laugh as they make their way over to us. I’m wondering why they’re all heading this way when the first buff guy with red flames on his head instead of hair pulls open a hidden door to my left.
