Page 164 of The Lost Ones

“Well fuck!” Jett exclaims.

“Guess I better go get packed.”Cole says sounding somewhat shell shocked, as he gets up and follows her out.

“We don’t have time to talk about it.” Levi starts and Cole turns back to listen, “Everyone pack light, remember your demon realm books, pack any protein bars or none perishable snacks. We don’t actually know what we’re going to encounter or where we’re being dropped off. Don’t forget weapons!” He orders and everyone rushes to do the tasks they’ve been given.

“Meet you outside the front of the castle and we’ll walk over together!” Erin says as she rushes out with the others, Cole leaving too.

“Sage Darling. I know this is a lot to take in, are you ok?” Levi asks me as the guys go into their rooms to start to pack.

“I’m fine. At least I know why they didn’t call me back. I think thisis the sign Nyx was referring to. I think my parents have been taken by the Order. Rescuing them is going to rescue them all.” I say as I walk to my room and start packing my duffel bag.

Whilst I appreciate his concern we don’t really have time for me to fall apart thinking about the danger that my parents are no doubt in.

Knot and Ghost are already perched on my bed watching closely. I’ve noticed that Knot seems to be preferring her raven form now that Ghost is around.

“Ok Darling. I’m going to pack.” Levi says kissing me firmly and then striding out of the room.

I take more care in packing than I usually do. Knowing that I need to pack lightly but efficiently which means I can’t just stuff random things in my bag. I pack only three sets of clothes not wanting to make my bag too heavy. I also pack wet wipes and basic medical stuff even though Mav can heal and I can heal them through the bond.

I then add extra weapons whilst strapping knives to my thighs and swords to my back. I’m not relying on my Nyx swords until I know how to call them at will. Even if I’m not in a life threatening situation. I have trust issues, hardly surprising.

After stuffing some protein bars in my bag I meet the others by the door, Knot and Ghost landing on my shoulders. We rush out of the door to make our way to the stables.

My heart pounds as we move silently across the seemingly deserted grounds, everything seems eerily quiet even the usual sounds of the bugs are gone as if the grounds are lying in anticipation of what’s to come.

It is not helping my nerves.

Hunter squeezes my hand in reassurance as if he can tell that I’m feeling nervous and maybe he can. Either because of the Bond or thanks to his shifter sense of smell. If he can tell when someone is lying then it’s entirely possible that he can tell my emotions from smell as well.

I can’t help but gape in shock as we arrive at the stable there’s a flurry of activity as Nicole’s Bonded mates finish tacking up the horses and the horses themselves snort and move in place picking up on the urgency.

“Hurry children.” Nicole says ushering us over to the horses. We quickly secure our bags to them and I make sure to take a moment to calm Dave.

“It’s alright buddy, we’re going on an adventure.” I tell him softly as I rest my head against his and stroke his nose. He surprisingly calms down immediately holding steady as I swing myself up into his saddle.

It’s still shocking to me that a few days ago I had no idea how to do this and now its like second nature to me.

Once we’re all settled on our horses Nicole addresses us.

“I’m going to open up a portal on the far wall.” She explains pointing to the blank expanse of wall at the back of the stables. “Erin and her team will go through first with Cole and then Sage and her men next. Remember the demon realm is not like ours. As soon as you are over there readas much of your Demon realm book that you can. I have been given very specific instructions on where to send you. You will have time to read it. Everyone line up.” She orders and we do as we’re told.

Despite the seriousness of the situation I am incredibly curious and admittedly excited to see how Nicole is going to make a portal.

Unlike before when her Bonded have stood off to the side and let her perform the ritual or spell by herself this time her Bonded all place a hand on her, leaving her hands free so she can draw the runes in the air with her magic. The runes look incredibly complicated and there’s a lot more of them than there were at the unbinding. She draws the complicated shapes and sends them towards the wall one after the other.

A small glowing circle appears in the middle of the wall, as Nicole moves her hands in circle like motion though, instead of it spreading out into the shape of a circle like I expect it to, like the sci-fi movies I’ve seen, it starts to spiral. The gaps between the lines of the spiralled magic are just filled with normal wall and doesn’t fill in with magic once the spiral is complete.

That makes me more nervous than if it was just gaping circle of magic. Knowing my luck I’m going to run straight into it and hit the wall instead of going through like I’m supposed to.

“Erin, her men and Cole through you go. Hurry up now we’re running out of time. You need to go through at a canter.” Nicole urges and after an apprehensive look, Jett leads his team through the portal.

“See you on the other side.” Erin grins saluting me.

“Sure thing.” I reply.

They all go through rapidly and without issue which settles my nerves somewhat. We line up ready to go, Levi in the front and the rest of us spread out behind him.

“What’s going on here?” Theo calls from the other end of the large stable sounding somewhat perturbed.