Evie
“Evie!” Hali shouts as she runs over to me, nearly knocking me to the floor as she hugs me. I pull away, looking her over, and not seeing anything wrong with her before taking a deep breath. Even if they did promise not to hurt her, I still couldn’t believe it until I had seen her, myself.
“Are you okay?” I ask, and she nods, her eyes flashing to Connor and Trex who have followed me into the room. She looks scared, and I don’t blame her. They are a little intimating, especially to someone like Hali who hasn’t been around Protectors before. Or giant men in cloaks with swords. She only knows I kill Protectors like them, sometimes, and that I believe they are bad people.
“Ignore them, they are stalking me now, and I can’t get rid of them for a bit. Just try to think of them as big teddy bears or something,” I say, making her chuckle and Trex growl something under his breath. I whistle as I look around at the room they have Hali in. Everything is white and black, spotless and expensive. The room we are in is a multi-functional room, with a small kitchen, a lounge area and a double bed near the windows that overlook the city. Everything looks top of the range.
“At least you have a nice room for a bit,” I say, and she widens her eyes.
“You’re not taking me home? I have to stay here?” she questions. I walk over to the sofa, encouraging her to sit next to me. She does, watching me with those pale eyes that seem to know what I’m thinking before I’ve said it. I keep my voice low, even though I’m sure Trex and Connor can hear me.
“I have to do something for the protectors, and it’s dangerous. I’m not going to lie to you and say I will certainly be back here in a few weeks, but I promise I will do everything I can to get back to you,” I promise her, hating when tears streak down her face.
“I don’t want you to go,” she says, shaking her head, and leaning over to wrap her arms around me. I hold her for only a few seconds, before pulling her back enough that I can whisper in her ear.
“I will send someone to save you, even if it’s not me that comes, you will be safe. Do not worry,” I tell her because I have friends, okay demons, that will do anything for money. Including breaking in here and saving Hali.
“Don’t go,” she begs, holding onto me tightly.
“Be safe and do as they ask, alright?” I ask, and she wipes some tears away as I let go of my hand. “You’re my family, and you’re stronger than this. We might not share blood, but we share spirit. I know it’s in there somewhere.” She looks away, before looking back and giving me a determined expression.
“Yes.”
“That’s my girl,” I grin, trying to keep my worry at bay as I stand up and walk to the door. I look back at her once, seeing her sitting on the sofa, and her expression never changed. She can do this, I can see it, and I will be back for her.
“I’ll see you soon,” I tell her, knowing I’m going to do anything I need to, so I can get back here. To her. Connor opens the door, sympathy flashing in his eyes for a second as I look at him, and walk past. I don’t need his sympathy. He was one of the people that helped captured and kidnap Hali.
“We have a car ready, but we need to make a plan,” Trex comments as we walk towards the elevator we came up in.
“I have a plan,” I state, and he raises a perfect black bushy eyebrow at me.
“Do you care to enlighten us on it?” he asks sarcastically. I wait until we are all standing in the elevator before I answer him.
“Have you ever been to hell? Do you know anything of what you have ahead of you?” I ask them.
“No, I’ve never been personally, but I’ve heard–” I cut him off.
“Then you haven’t got a clue what we will need to survive there. We will need a demon’s protection to get through without being killed, and I know a demon who owes me a favour,” I say.
“We don’t work with demons,” Trex huffs.
“You do now,” I say, walking out of the elevator when it gets to the bottom. This building is just as empty as the council one. It’s all glass again, and gold walls with crystal chandeliers. There are dozens of doors, which must be rooms for the other Protectors, but we only see one or two around, and they quickly run away.
“In hell, the first layer is freezing cold. You will need to wrap up warm and bring plenty of weapons as you’re powerless.”
“We will do that, what about the second and third layer? We heard it’s different,” Connor enquires, but I don’t have a clue, and the only demon that would know, is no one I’m going to ask.
“Not a clue, but it is likely as bad as you are thinking it is,” I say dryly. It’s not a place I’m looking forward to going. My first and only trip to hell when I was eighteen was bad enough.
“Do you have a phone?” I ask them both as we stop outside the building. Connor pulls his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it, and handing it to me. I quickly type in the address, and my number underneath it, in his notes before handing it back.
“Come here at eight tonight. Wear something a human or demon would to a night club. No suits or cloaks,” I say, looking down at their outfits on purpose.
“We must leave for hell, not go to wherever this is,” Trex growls.
“This is our only chance. You asked for my help, so you’re going to have to trust me,” I say, going to walk away when Trex grabs my arm, pulling me to him. I look up as his green eyes stare down at me in anger and distrust.
“If you betray us, I will kill you. I don’t need my runes to do that, do you understand me, Evie?” he asks, using my name for the first time, and I grin, pushing my body closer to his.
“Totally. By the way, I’ve always liked a demanding guy. They are always best in bed,” I say, flirting with him to annoy him. As predicted, he pushes me away, scowling at me. I laugh, walking to the car, and look back at them.
“See you later, boys.” I wave.