Underland(62)

“I poisoned you.”

“But how?”

“Dead man’s blood”—Kira touched her shirt stained with Zeke’s blood—“is poison to vampires.”

He fell to the ground, and the room started to cheer. Kira leaned over him as he cried out in pain.

“Say you’re sorry.”

“What?”

“Say you’re sorry and that you’ll never do what you did to me again without someone’s permission. Or I’ll leave it in.”

Olivier squealed like a frightened little girl. All of a sudden, he didn’t seem very attractive anymore.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sooorrrryy! Please, help me.”

“Also say that you concede. ’Cause I’d rather not kill you.”

“Okay, ah…ah. It hurts. You win.” He bawled and the room booed.

Kira leaned down, pulled the cross out of Olivier’s chest, flung it across the floor. The crowd erupted into cheers and howls. She turned and found Zeke standing against a far wall. His eyes weren’t flashing anymore. He looked proud of her.

Den on the other hand looked furious.

A large clawed hand touched her shoulder, and Kira looked up into the werewolf’s face. She gently took the werewolf’s hand and turned it over. The ugly burn on his palm made her want to cry. “I’m forever grateful for your help.”

“And I yours.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was in the white drop tube with you in the gauntlet. You could have left us, but you stayed to help. I just returned the favor.”

“I…I…” Never had she expected that kind of honor and loyalty. “Thank you.”

“We’re even.” He pulled his hand away hid his injury. “I don’t like being in debt.”

“Neither do I,” Kira said. “What’s your name?”

“Howl.” He looked away uncomfortably, and a murmur around them began to grow louder. The werewolf was a head taller than everyone else. Whatever he saw made him quickly pull away. “Run,” he whispered before he turned and shifted into human form.

Kira only saw the back of his head and a gray scruff of hair.

Zeke appeared next to her and grabbed her hand. “Come on, Kira. They’ve noticed you, which is very, very bad.”

“Who has?” She looked around, and saw Den look at his band. He seemed about to cry.

“Follow me.” Zeke pulled her roughly through the throng of people and started to run for the door.

A blinding light enveloped them and she couldn’t see.

Those closest to her cried out in fright, and she covered her eyes with her forearm.

“Leaving so soon?” A silky voice called out to her from the light.





Chapter 29

When the light faded, a giant spot that radiated from a strange being kept her blinded. The light blocked her exit. She tried to see around whoever it was but couldn’t.

She stood, alone, in the middle of the room. Zeke was gone. The crowd had moved to the far corners and watched, frozen in fear.

“Impressive.” The sparkling man clapped his hands slowly as the light faded so she could see him. An exaggerated clap meant to draw attention his way. “For one so young. Don’t you agree, Ares?”

“And one so mortal, Hermes” Ares replied. His hand came up to stroke his chin, and Kira noticed he wore four silver rings, each with an emblem of a horse. He looked so normal for a myth. Ares could have been the lead singer for a rock band. He wore his long dark hair pulled into a man bun, black clothes, and jeans tucked into black boots.

Hermes, on the other hand, was slim of frame and face, his hair immaculately combed over in a gentlemen’s cut. His smile came too freely, probably bestowed many times a day. He wore white pants and a pale pink shirt that made his cheeks seem flushed, as if he was holding onto a secret he couldn’t tell. She guessed, since he was the messenger, he’d probably heard many secrets and gossip over the years. The look was probably suiting.

Den watched her, standing within the onlookers. His expression said he was not pleased.

“How ever did you get down here”—Hermes waved his hands in a circle—“into our world?”

She looked at Den, and he shook his head. What was she not supposed to say? That she’d been stolen from the surface by Alpo and Vic? There were so many things wrong with how she had even gotten here, she thought for sure they’d at least hear her plea.

Maybe let her go home.

“Someone stole me from above and sold me on the slave market.” There. It was the truth, but she hadn’t said any names. That couldn’t possibly get her in trouble.

“I see. How very troubling.” Hermes feigned an expression of concern as Ares approached her.

She felt small under his gaze.

He noticed her arm band and lifted it up to look at the tokens and the brand of the eagle. “Look, Hermes. This is the human that survived the gauntlet...the one that’s been avoiding our summons.”

“Oh, how magnificent. I think we need to have her.” Hermes looked around the crowd and waited for someone to step forward and claim her.

Kira craned her neck, frustrated that she didn’t see Zeke anywhere. Had he run away? Den came forward, and Hermes waved his arm, bringing him into their circle.