“Lady Jia is in hell?” the prince asked, an incredulous look on his face. “That’s impossible! People aren’t taken to hell.”
“Oh, really?” Russell gritted his teeth. “I’ll take you. You can help us rescue her.”
The prince scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not sure I even believe this ludicrous story.”
“It is true,” Rajiv told him. “Lady Jia was kidnapped by a demon and taken to hell.”
“We will assist with her rescue,” Tenzen said, motioning to his twin, Rinzen.
“Me, too,” J.L. added.
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.