Briathos regarded them sadly. “Your courage is to be commended, but I must warn you once again of the grave danger. If you are killed in hell, you run the risk of your soul being trapped there forever.”
Russell nodded. “I understand. I’m still going.”
Rajiv walked down the length of the table to join Russell. “I will go with you.”
“But Your Eminence,” one of Rajiv’s elders protested. “You mustn’t go. It is too dangerous.”
Rajiv rested a hand on the elder’s shoulder. “Before we leave, Jin Long will teleport my brother here. If something happens to me, Raghu will be the new Grand Tiger. He and his wife just had twins, so the line will be secure.”
The elder nodded sadly. “Please be careful, Your Eminence.”
Russell glanced back at the prince, who had turned pale. “Well, Your Highness?”
Mi-nam gulped. “I—I could send some of my bodyguards.”
His bodyguards stiffened with horrified looks on their faces. One fell to his knees. “Your Highness, please—”
“I will go,” Lady Yi-soo interrupted.
Rajiv gasped. “My lady, no—”
“Yes!” The prince waved a hand at her. “She can go. She should go! After all, she’s Lady Jia’s bodyguard.” He clapped his hands together as if to make her decision final. “Lady Yi-soo will represent our people in the rescue of Lady Jia.”
What a worm. Russell glared at the prince. He would let a woman take his place on a dangerous mission?
“My lady.” Rajiv moved to her side. “There is no need for you to endanger yourself.”
She rose to her feet. “I have lived my entire life trapped in one wing of the palace. I wish to do this. I need to.”
Rajiv stepped closer. “Then fight by my side. I will do my best to keep you safe. You have my word.”
Her mouth curled up. “I am an excellent fighter, Your Eminence. I might be keeping you safe.”
Smiling, he took her hand. “You have a deal. Although I would prefer taking you somewhere other than hell.”
She returned his smile, her cheeks blushing. “Well, I’ve always wanted to travel . . .”
“When do we leave?” Russell asked the God Warrior. “What weapons should we bring?”
“Your weapons will not work on demons or the inhabitants of hell, for they are already dead,” Briathos replied. “But fear not. We will equip each of you with a sword of fire.”
“Awesome,” J.L. whispered.
Briathos gave him a wry look. “The enemy will be using similar weapons on you.”
J.L. winced. “There’s always a downside, isn’t there? But it could be worse.” He grinned when Russell gave him a dubious look. “We could be on the wrong side.”
Russell snorted, then asked Briathos again, “When do we leave?”
“Gather your men. We will meet you in the courtyard in three of your Earth hours. From there, we will take you to the gates of hell.” Briathos’s form shimmered, then vanished.
Chapter Twenty-four
Three hours later, Russell stood in the courtyard of Tiger Town, flexing his hand around the grip of his new sword. The blade was powerful, the edge fine and sharp, but overall, the sword was surprisingly light. Perfectly balanced, beautifully wrought, but that was probably to be expected with an angelic weapon.
He studied the engravings on the golden pommel, wondering if there would be fine print that said Made in Heaven, but the lettering there made no sense to him. Of course, he slapped himself mentally. Why would he assume the writing in heaven was related to any earthly language?
The blade gleamed silver in the nearly full moon. There, he felt it again. A slight vibration against the palm of his hand.
“Do you feel it?” he asked Angus, who stood beside him.
“Aye,” Angus replied, studying the hilt of his sword. “ ’Tis most peculiar.”
“The swords are forging mental connections to each of you,” Briathos explained. “Later, in battle, they will respond to you, unleashing fire when you wish it.”
“Awesome,” J.L. whispered.
“You will need to rely on these swords for your protection,” Briathos continued. “Once we are in hell, you will lose all your supernatural abilities. If you are wounded there, let me know immediately. The wound will need to be cleansed with holy water.”
Russell winced as he glanced around the crowded courtyard. There were still tents filled with ex-soldiers getting turned back to normal. Those who had volunteered to go to hell were gathered on the steps and entrance to the palace. Vamps like Robby, Ian, Jack, Connor, and Mikhail. Shifters like Howard, Phil, and Carlos. Half shifter Phineas and mortals Austin and Zoltan. Even Vamps like Roman and Jean-Luc, who didn’t work for MacKay S&I, had come. They all had wives. Many had children or children on the way. Most had said their good-byes before teleporting here.
A few of the women were here, like Leah and Abigail, since they were working on the medical team. Right now, they were hugging their husbands, Dougal and Gregori. Rajiv was standing close to Lady Yi-soo, and the two were deep in conversation. Other were-tigers were studying their new swords. Briathos and his unit of God Warriors were at the base of the stairs by the tiger statues. And according to Briathos, those who had volunteered to go with Russell would no longer be able to shift or teleport or mentally control anyone. They would be in even more danger than he’d originally thought.
He eased closer to Briathos. “You said there would be five hundred God Warriors?” When Briathos nodded, Russell continued, “Could you guys keep these people here surrounded so they’ll be somewhat safe?”
Briathos looked closely at Russell. “Are you concerned for them?”
“Well, sure. They have wives and children. And . . .”
“And?” Briathos asked.
Russell frowned. “I feel bad that they’re doing this. I would prefer for them to stay behind.”
“Because you always work alone?”
Russell winced. How did the angel know that?
Briathos gave him a wry look. “You were never truly alone. These people care about you. The Heavenly Father loves you. Is it that hard to accept?”
Russell’s eyes burned. “Yes, it is. What could be remotely loveable about me? I just killed my brother! If I die in hell, I’ll end up right where I’m supposed to be.”
Briathos’s eyes flashed with anger. “Heed my words, mortal. No one is supposed to end up in hell. The Heavenly Father did not create you to fail.”
Russell’s breath caught. The angel was right. He couldn’t fail. Jia was counting on him. “I will succeed. I have to get Jia out of there.”
“You risk your life for the love of Jia. You ask me to protect these people because you care about them. Therein lies the truth you have refused to see. You are loveable because you love with a pure and selfless heart. And when you are offered love, it is because you are worthy of it.”
Russell blinked away tears as his gaze wandered over all the people gathered there. Six nights ago, Angus had told him they would all accompany him to hell, but he still found it hard to believe. They had been rooting for him the whole time he’d thought he was alone. They were his friends. His family. He was blessed.
“News coming in from the Heavenly Host,” Briathos murmured, then raised his voice so everyone would hear. “Gabriel and his army have arrived at the gate to hell. It is time for us to go.”
“How do we—” Russell started, then everything flashed black.
Suddenly, he was bombarded with high-definition techno-color so dazzling he had to blink his eyes to adjust to it. He was standing with the others in a green valley dotted with bright yellow and purple wildflowers. On either side, snowcapped mountains gleamed under a bright sun. Bisecting the valley was a trickling stream that sounded like music to his ears. A cool breeze caressed his face, filling his lungs with crisp mountain air. He felt a surge of joy and an urge to continue along the stream to the end of the valley, for without a doubt, he knew that would lead him home. He was back in Colorado.
“Wait a minute.” He shook his head. “This is hell?”
“Aye.” Dougal smiled as he gazed about. “It looks just like the Isle of Skye.”