Page 57 of Kiss of Death

“It’s open,” I said without getting up from my chair, still sitting in my armor and sword because I didn’t even think about takingit off. I was ready to spring into action, except I didn’t know where to take that action.

Hawk made his way inside, staring at me warily like I might punch him in the face even though he’d done nothing wrong. He pulled out the chair and took a seat, sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. Didn’t ask if I was okay.

Good.

Didn’t ask what happened with Dad, like he already knew. “What’s your plan?” It turned out he knew me better than Dad because he knew this wasn’t the end.

“I don’t know yet.”

“I’m here, whatever you need.”

My eyes had been more interested in the wine in front of me, but I turned my full attention to him instead. “You mean that?”

He stared at me for several seconds before he gave a single nod.

It meant the world to me, but I was too heartbroken to show it.

“But I don’t see a way.”

“No.”

“The skull rock you described… Was it a door? Like the Realm of Caelum?”

“I couldn’t see one. But I suspect Leviathan guards it the way Aunt Eldinar guards the Great Tree. The second I cross this invisible line in the dirt, all the torches are illuminated, and he appears.”

“Like a signal fire.”

“Yeah.”

“So…you’d have to beat him to get to the door.”

I nodded.

“And you don’t think you can?” he asked honestly.

I nearly laughed. “No. This demon is eight feet tall and covered in horns and has rows of teeth.”

“Well, there are two of us…and we have Zehemoth.”

I gave a slight shake of my head. “We’d all get our heads chopped off.”

“But you still have Wrath’s strength.”

“I know, but I’m not sure if it would be enough. I don’t want to risk you two unless I’m confident we have a chance of victory. And if I don’t, then Wrath is never getting out of there, so that accomplishes nothing.”

He gave a nod then fell into contemplative silence once again.

We sat there for a long time, both of us elsewhere in our minds.

“You could ask Aunt Eldinar to petition Riviana, God of Caelum, to open the portal on your behalf.”

I shook my head. “You know how close she is to Dad.”

“But you did save the forest.”

“Well, Wrath did.”

“Then you have leverage. It’s worth a try.”