Broken Heart 09 Only Lycans Need Apply(66)

“Not hell,” offered Amahté. “That’s a lower realm. Planes of existence are in layers. The Underworld is . . . er, on top of hell, if you wanted to think of it like that. It’s more a gateway location to the other realms.”

“It’s not the World-Between-Worlds, is it?” asked Jessica.

Amahté shook his head. “That is a place that cannot be accessed easily. It exists everywhere . . . and nowhere.”

“Yeah. Okay.” Jessica shrugged, and then offered me a tight smile. “The Underworld is probably the same as going to Florida. It’ll be hot and muggy and filled with old people.”

I had to crack a smile at that. You know, I think me and Jessica could be friends. If I survived the Underworld, procured the food of the gods, and managed to save Dove.

“Where am I supposed to go in the Underworld?” I asked. “How long will it take? And what do I have to do to get the ambrosia?”

“When I open the gateway, you’ll find the path, which will lead you to the ambrosia.” He pressed a thumb against my forehead, and I felt a surge of tingling heat. “This gives you a pass, if you will, into the Underworld. Don’t leave the path! It’s your safety. Once you claim the ambrosia, follow the path back to the entrance. I will know when you’ve returned, and I’ll open the doorway again.”

“That sounds too easy,” I said. “Will I run into Anubis?” I asked. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying.

“Pray you do not,” said Amahté. “He will not be pleased that a living human has entered his domain.” He frowned. “Perhaps he has forgiven me for stealing back Shamhat’s soul.”

“You think Anubis might be holding a three-thousand-year-old grudge against you?” I asked. “That’s just super.”

“I will go with you,” said Drake. His tone brooked no argument, which was unnecessary. I wasn’t going to argue. I may have been stubborn, but I wasn’t a fool. I had a feeling I would need all the help I could get on this little adventure.

“And I as well,” said Larsa. She and Shamhat had joined us, and Larsa sent me a grateful look. “You risked all for my mother and her mate. I can do no less for you.”

My anger receded. I had to believe that Drake wouldn’t take the ambrosia from me, and Larsa had the same kind of surliness I’d found in people with strong moral character. Or maybe she was just a righteous bitch. Either way, she was the lesser risk as backup, considering that everyone else’s motives were related to saving the queen.

Not that I begrudged Patsy her safety, but Dove wasn’t a vampire. She had one fragile life that was bleeding away while we kibitzed about ambrosia. Goddamn it, if I didn’t save that irritating little brat, I would never forgive myself.

“Fine,” I said. “Just the two of you.” I eyed the group of supernaturals, and no one complained about not being included. I was quite sure they weren’t afraid of me or my ire. More like no one else wanted to travel into the Underworld. And I didn’t blame them. Then again, if paranormal creatures were reluctant to venture there, I was probably screwed. “I need Ax, too.”

“You will not need an ax to get into the Underworld,” offered Amahté. “I told you, I can open the door for you.”

“Trust me,” I said. “This Ax will come in damn handy.” And I knew I could trust Ax. He always had my back. All I had to do was explain that monsters were real, the Underworld was an actual place, and we needed ambrosia to save Dove.

“All right,” I said. “Can we do the instant transpo? I hate it, but time’s wasting.”

“If you will think about the location of this Ax,” said Larsa. “I can take you to him.”

“I’ll go as well,” said Shamhat. “That way we can bring them both back at the same time.”

“Okay,” said Larsa. She looked at Drake. “Get ready. We’ll return soon.”

He nodded at her, and slanted a gaze at me that I didn’t understand, but I sensed that I had somehow wounded him. I was feeling agitated and worried, and I couldn’t be concerned about his feelings. I mean so far all I had with him was a one-night stand with a werewolf. It wasn’t like we were married, right?

“I’ll be ready.” Drake turned, and walked away. No good-byes or good lucks, and I had to admit that stung. But really, what were we to each other? Still, my heart ached because I knew, soul-deep, that Drake meant something to me. I didn’t know what, not yet, but I’d always gone my own way. And being that stubborn was its own kind of hell.