Page 23 of Sealed By Fire (The Nature Hunters Academy 2)

“How is she still alive?”

“I honestly don’t know if she is, but I believe some sort of spell was placed on her.”

“The only way out of the underworld is by leave of Osiris himself, or by the level-one demi-lord, Beast. Either way, payment will be expected.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Ra muttered. He’d been hoping there was some loophole.

“At what level did you arrive?” the king asked him.

“Seven.”

Now, it was the pharaoh’s eyes that widened. “You’ve traveled through all of them?”

Ra nodded. “She hasn’t been on any of them. I’m thinking she’s on one.”

“Perhaps the demi-lord of that level will have a way to help you. If you’re lucky, Osiris hasn’t taken an interest in the mortal.”

“How do I find the demi-lord?” Ra asked.

“He will find you.”

“Thank you,” Ra said with a bow.

“Remember something, Ra Nasri, when you make your bargain with the lords of the underworld. Your soul cannot be for sale … not yours.”

“I won’t bargain hers,” Ra said, his voice deepening.

“That may be. But you cannot bargain yours. You absolutely cannot.” Ramses placed a hand on his shoulder. “When the time comes, try and think about this. I cannot explain exactly why because there are rules in the underworld. But if you keep all of your soul, then there is a chance for you both. That is all I can say.”

Ra wanted to ask him to explain, but he could tell Ramses wouldn’t, or couldn’t, say more. “Thank you, King Ramses.”

The pharaoh nodded and then said, “Go to the back of the palace. Follow that corridor. The path to the next level is there. I cannot tell you what comes next, but I can say this: have your bow ready. Now go.”

Ra didn’t wait around. He once again took off at a run down the corridor. He had no idea how long he’d been in the underworld, but he knew Shelly couldn’t remain here indefinitely.

He found the path and began clambering up it. This one was steep and took a lot of digging in with his hands to make the climb. When he saw that he was nearing the top, he pulled his bow around and grabbed two arrows. He notched them both and held the weapon at the ready, carefully picking his way through. He wasn’t sure what he expected to see when he broke the plane, but when he emerged onto flat ground, it certainly wasn’t this.

Liam, Elias, and Aston stood there as if they’d been waiting for him.

“Took you long enough,” Liam said in his usual sarcastic manner. “I thought for sure we were going to burn alive before you got your slow ass here.”

Ra frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re rescuing you. What do you think?” Elias asked.

Ra shook his head. “No. You can’t rescue me. You can’t be here.”

“And yet we are,” Elias said.

“We should talk later,” Aston said calmly. “After we get through hell.”

“We have to get Shelly,” Ra said.

Aston shook his head. “We can’t. It’s already too late for her.”

Ra shook his head and backed away from his three best friends. “No. I’m going to get her.”

“Ra, don’t be a fool,” Liam snapped. “You can’t save everyone. She’s demon fodder. We need to get you out. You’ve been down here so long you don’t even know what is real anymore.”

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