25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lexia

Of all nights to sleep terribly, why did it have to be last night? I've never been to another realm before—if that's even what the Underworld is—so not getting a good night's sleep is awful. As if I wasn't anxious enough about this, now I have the lack-of-sleep jitters.

There is a large breakfast waiting for me when I come out of the room, but I hardly eat. Though the pancakes are fluffy, the bacon crispy, and toast perfectly buttered… I just can't stomach it.

The tension in the house is thick, and I hate it. But I'm sure nothing I say will fix it. It's like we're back at square one again. Vesperon and Lumen are on opposing sides. I can only be grateful they are still choosing to get along and be civil for the sake of me and what we have to do. Their issues will only be solved by them working it out among themselves, but I'm not sure either of them will budge.

Lumen has already packed a bag to take with us. Inside it are snacks, water, and some medical supplies should we need them. Clearly everything in there is for me, since neither one of them requires those things, and it should make me happy that my mate is thinking of me. And it does. Only, my biggest issue is how weak it makes me feel. All the items we have to bring along with us are for me and my useless human body.

After picking at breakfast, I shower and change. Before leaving my room, I run my hand along my mother's blanket, wondering if I'll ever see it again. It's the only thing I have of hers, and I want nothing more to come back to this house—not only for it, but because I want a life after today. When I turn to leave, Lumen is standing in the doorway.

"We will come back for your things," he says.

I nod once, but none of us can be sure what's going to happen to us.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

Lumen smirks. "Vegas."

"You're joking."

"Nope. Seems Hades has a sense of humor."

"Great," I mutter.

Lumen puts his arm around my shoulders, and we walk out of the room. Vesperon is waiting on the couch, the backpack beside him.

"I'll take Vesperon first," Lumen says carefully. "I'll be gone five seconds, tops." He grabs the backpack and puts it on as Ves gets up. "Are you ready?" Lumen asks Vesperon.

"Very."

Lumen winks at me just before the room flashes bright white, and I shield my eyes. I count in my head to keep myself distracted from being left in this house alone, where the shadows know I am. It was always a worry they would find us again, and yet this whole time they knew where we were. Why blackmail Slate when they could come in and get what they need themselves? Because they know they can't because of Lumen? Seems like too simple of an answer, but it could be true.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four

F—

Another flash has me shielding my eyes, and Lumen is back. The relief that washes over me is instantaneous. And when his arms are around me, he buries his face in my neck.

"Ready?" he whispers.

I take a deep breath, letting it out.

"Ready."

"When you said Vegas, I pictured blinking lights and naked women," I say.

Lumen huffs out a laugh. "I think that's what most people imagine when Vegas is mentioned."

Lumen offers me his hand, and easily pulls me up to the rock he's standing on. Ves is beside him, already looking worn-out.

"How will you feel in the Underworld?" I ask him, taking his hand once I'm steady on my feet.

"Better than here," he comments.

We follow Lumen, who keeps climbing up. I'm pretty sure we're climbing up a mountain but have no idea if this is big enough to count as a mountain. It's a deep clay red that is absolutely beautiful, and if it weren't so hot and the lives of billions weren't in our hands, I'd take time to appreciate it.

"We're almost there," Lumen explains, seeming as if he's in his element. With the heat and the sun, he likely is.

"How will you be in the Underworld?" I ask him with a huff.

He shrugs. "Not a clue. From what I've heard, it's nothing like the shadow realm. There is light there, so I should be fine. Maybe tired in the way Ves has been, but I'm prepared for it."

We keep climbing. Between the both of them, they lift me up onto the higher rocks that I'm just too small to climb on my own. It really drives home the point that my body is basically useless. We eventually reach a path that looks as if it hasn't been used in a while. The dirt is sunken in deeper than anywhere else, telling me many people have walked this way before.

"We have to go this way, and we'll be there." Lumen points to the left, toward the taller parts of the mountain. Hopefully there isn't much more climbing because I'm already exhausted. This sun is killer. I'm drenched in sweat, and I'll probably end up with a sunburn because I did not put on sunscreen. That was the last of my worries today.

We reach the end of the trail, coming face-to-face with a wall of mountain so tall we couldn't reach the top if we were stacked on top of the other. In fact, we wouldn't even be close.

"Here it is," Lumen announces.

"There is nothing here," Vesperon says.

"There should be—ah, right here."

He points to a spot on the wall as he moves closer to it. I can't make out what he sees, so I get closer. In the rock wall is a faded skull and crossbones etched into it. It looks as if it's been there for years and the erosion to the rock face makes it nearly impossible to see.

Lumen grabs my hand. "Vesperon, take her other hand."

He does without question. Lumen presses his thumb to the skull, mutters something to himself, and steps forward. My jaw drops when he steps through the rock wall, half of his body just… gone. He smirks at me over his shoulder, and it's truly an I can't believe my eyes moment.

Lumen tugs on my arm, urging me forward. "I'll be in there right after the both of you. I have to keep my thumb on this."

I blink up at Vesperon, unsure about this. He gives me a soft smile, and I figure I've got nothing to lose. Well, nothing but them, but they're right here with me. So whatever happens, at least there's that.

Vesperon steps to my side and he takes the first leap by stepping forward until the only thing left on this side is his forearm, his hand still holding mine.

"Go on," Lumen says gently.

I swallow hard, take a breath, and step forward.

The change in temperature is immediately different. The smell of earth is strong, in a damp cave-like way. Which, the more I look around, is exactly what this place looks like.

The ceiling and walls are all rounded like a tunnel, but everything is black and shiny, like it's wet. Ahead, it curves, so I can't see how long it is, but there's light in here. I can't tell where it's coming from, but it's bright enough that I can see perfectly.

"This is much better," Vesperon says, rolling his neck.

"It's not terrible," Lumen says, his skin glowing like a lamp.

Neither of them lets go of my hands as we walk. Each step deeper, I feel like I can breathe a little easier. I expected my nerves getting the better of me, but something about being here is… familiar. Like I've been here before.

Then I realize this is where souls go when you die. So, I have been here before. Many times.