40. Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty

Lexia

I had a quick moment of wanting to jump after Persephone. This instant rush of adrenaline that flooded my body. But it lasted literally a second, and then the fear overtook me.

Again.

Needless to say, I did not jump down through the clouds. In fact, I didn't climb down either.

Lumen carried me far enough down and then flashed us to the bottom.

I don't know how Persephone knew she wouldn't die hopping out of the clouds, but I admire her for her bravery.

She's eager to get away from this place and go back to Hades. I can't fathom the time they've been apart, so I don't blame her. Being apart from my mates for any time isn't easy, so thinking of being away from them for years? Maybe hundreds of years? Thousands? It's too much.

Once we are all out of Heaven and safely on the ground, we move to an area with a small clearing to allow Slate and Lumen to pop us back to Vegas at the entrance of the Underworld.

Slate says he can take Vesperon and Persephone at the same time, so I go with Lumen. We flash out of there a second before Slate does, and it's a good thing we all came together because there are shadows waiting for us on the other side.

Lumen shoves me behind him, keeping his arm around me as best he can. The five of us huddle together, back to back, as the shadows surround us. They inch closer, each of them more formidable than the last.

"Oh, hell no," Persephone growls. "I'm so damn close!" She stomps her foot, her hands balled into fists.

One of the shadows laughs, and steps forward, removing himself from the circle they've all formed.

"Did any of you think you would actually be successful?" it asks.

"We will be!" I shout, lunging forward, but Lumen shoves me back.

"I admire the fire in you," the shadow says, pointing at me. "But you are nothing against us."

"You're all pathetic," Slate comments. "You're all exactly where we are, just as close to the end of this prophecy as us, and have had much more time to do it. I think that says a lot about who will end up on top!"

"Our leader has taken his time to ensure the best outcome for the shadows. Once we have all that magic, we will take over everything ." It responds. "And we will enjoy killing you the most, grey. After the way you two-timed us."

"There is no need for this," Vesperon calls out. "This is not the way shadows behave!"

"You know nothing of the way shadows behave! How dare you make such a comment after you broke one of the sacred rules of being a guardian? You are an embarrassment to shadows!" the shadow leader responds.

I blindly reach for Vesperon's hand, knowing that hurt his feelings.

"Then so be it," he growls. "My mate is worth my pride."

I'm not sure Vesperon could have declared his love in a firmer way than saying that. I owe him a big kiss for it later. When we get out of this. If we get out of this.

We're so close. Right freaking there! I can just about make out where the entrance to the Underworld is. We can't lose right here. This can't be it.

"If I use my light, it will harm Vesperon," Lumen whispers over his shoulder.

"You may as well surrender," the shadow leader continues. "Make this easier on yourselves. We have shadows inside, getting to Hades right now."

"If you think he will hand over the information you want, you're crazy!" Persephone shouts.

"We have our way, witch. Do not worry about us," the shadow seethes.

"I can pop out with him," Slate whispers back. "Just for a second or two, to allow you to wipe them out."

Yes, that is a good idea. Smart . How did I not think of that?

"On three, you pop out. I'll go on four. Come back on six," Lumen explains.

The way Lumen's brain works, figuring out a way to save us, shouldn't be so sexy. But my stars, it is. It really is. I owe him a big kiss later too. Maybe a blow job…

"One," Lumen whispers, tightening his grip on me.

The shadows loom closer, no doubt wanting to make sure we don't run. There are so many of them. Will Lumen have enough light to stop them all?

Is there a chance we can still win this? Will popping out and back in help? If there are shadows inside already…

Besides, getting the information from Hades isn't the end of the line. He's still giving us a location that we have to get to. Another place to go. There is more traveling. More time needed. If we stay alive, the shadows risk losing what they want. Meaning, they want us dead. But I believe they know we cannot be killed… so are they going to take us? Oh, hell no, I am not letting these things take me. No way!

"Two," Lumen says.

I wait a beat, about to mouth a three when Slate should pop out with Vesperon, but the ground quakes beneath our feet. Dust rises from the ground, the sand and pebbles vibrating until they are bouncing. I cough when the dust reaches my face and I cover my mouth with my shirt so I can breathe without choking.

"What in the name of the gods is this?" one of the shadows shouts. The leader, maybe? A different one? I can't see them through the dust.

I don't think there are earthquakes in Vegas, but I could be wrong. If it is an earthquake; thank you, universe for having the best timing ever !

Beneath the rumbling comes a cracking sound. Almost like a ripping. Creaking. It's a very odd sound that grows louder as the seconds pass. I reach for Persephone, holding on to her tightly as my guys grip onto me. I have no idea what's going on here, but she needs to be guarded with my life. I made a promise to return her to Hades, and I will do that.

The ground, just a few feet from where Lumen and I stand, cracks. It splits, causing the ground to shake even harder and the rumbling to grow louder.

I look over my shoulder to check on everyone, make sure they are there. I find Persephone grinning, her eyes wide and full of little hearts.

What in the world could she be grinning at?

Why does she look so excited?

It kind of scares me. Is she… nuts?

She must feel my stare on her, because she turns her head to face me. She winks and mouths, "That's my man."

I frown and turn my attention back to the giant crack in the ground, just as a stream of blazing blue fire rushes up. The heat of it has all of us stepping away. Vesperon's arm is around my waist, tugging me even further away. Slate is beside me. Persephone and Lumen are the only ones seemingly unfazed and don't move an inch. Even the shadows are moving away.

The rush of the fire is so loud it sounds as if we're standing under a waterfall. It grows so bright I have to close my eyes and turn away, burying my face in Vesperon's chest. Someone is behind me, sandwiching me. Likely Slate. I wish I had more time to appreciate the way they are putting their differences aside to keep me safe. At least they don't hate each other that much.

When the sound of the rushing fire dissipates, I carefully open my eyes and turn back toward the hole in the ground. It's bigger than our swimming pool back at the house. But it isn't the size that has me gasping, it's Hades standing beside it. His shoulders are broad, back straight, chin high in the air.

"Baby…" Persephone whispers, her hands clasping together in front of her chest. Those little hearts in her eyes turn to giant ones, and I can't blame her for ignoring everything else around us and focusing on her love for him. I think I love this man for what he's done.

Hades slowly turns toward us, his face softening when he sets eyes on Persephone. He holds his arm out and she runs to him, leaping into his arms. He's at least four times her size, and he carries her like one would a toddler. She wraps her arms around his neck, squeezing and nuzzling her face in his neck.

He eyes the shadows all around us, then turns back to face the leader across from us.

"Tell everyone you meet that no one takes my love from me. Whoever tries, will meet a demise worse than they can imagine," Hades says firmly, just before waving his arm in the air, causing all the shadows to turn into dust. It forms a black cloud that dissipates in the air, falling back to the ground like dust. It mixes with the red clay beneath our feet, which looks pretty badass. Until I realize it's shadow guts… Then it freaks me out.

Hades turns to us, his giant arms wrapped around Persephone.

"We have a lot to speak about." He gives a small smile, gesturing with a jerk of his chin to follow him.

Holy crap, I think we're finally at the finish line.