Status Updates From The Underworld (Rhyn Eterna...

"Stay here. I have to get to the ogre before Darkyn." Rhyn threw open the wardrobe next to the door and pulled out a sword as long as her leg.
"Why?" she asked anxiously, her heart flipping. "Is he that hurt?"
"Andre is giving out a Toughest Demon Award. I aim to win it." Snatching a knife, he strode out of the cottage.
Perplexed, Deidre followed him with her gaze.
"There's no such thing," Andre said from behind her.

"Who were they?" Gabriel asked.
"Karma, who escaped, and Peace, who appears to be dead-dead," Fate replied.
"Karma," past-Death repeated with a shiver. "I remember not liking her either."
"You picked a fight with Peace?" Gabriel demanded.
"I'm sure I had a reason." She shrugged. "When you hold the souls of the deities in your hands, you really don't care who you fight with now, do you?"

"I figure it'll soften the blow when I tell you the demon and I are using the weapons you kept up here."
"Those are rare, collector's items in mint condition spanning several millennia of search efforts."
She held up an Elisian knife proudly. "I can almost use it, too."
"That's…good," he managed.
She went to sheath the blade and dropped it, point down, on the floor.
"Oh, gods, woman, be careful with that shit."

"Does winning the Toughest Demon Award somehow transport you out of here?" he asked calmly of the two bristling demons.
Rhyn's jaw ticked, a sign he'd heard, while Darkyn remained motionless.
"You're right. This is a much better use of your time than rescuing Darkyn's mate or preventing the world from collapsing when Harmony succeeds in her mission."
That did it. His casual tone drew both of their hostile gazes.

"Is our tunnel still there?" Jared asked impatiently.
"Okay. To the armory," she said, striding forward. "Come on, demon." Taking his arm again, she led him into the dark tunnel.
"Can you lift a sword?" he asked
"No."
"Ever used a dagger or knife?"
"No."
"Axe?"
"I don't know anything about weapons," she snapped.
"How about a shield? Can you not get killed on your own, or do I need to stand in front of you?"

"Does Karma…I mean, do you know what it is?"
"No. Karma feels sad. You are sad?"
"I am."
"Karma reflects the emotions of those around her. Sadness is Karma's least favorite feeling. Please refrain from sadness."
Deidre managed a smile at the note of pleading in the deity's voice. "I'll try not to, if you can stop referring to yourself in the third person. It's kind of weird."
"Very well. Karma…I will tries."

"I need sleep"
"I'd be happy to knock you out"
"Is it painful?"
"Hopefully"
"No thanks. I've got to do this. I've ruled over the Underworld for tens of thousands of years. I can will my stupid human brain to let me think." With a deep breath, past-Death stretched out on the uncomfortable floor "Don't wake me up this time, demon. If you see me fade, leave me alone"
"Just bring me an arm or leg. I'm so fucking hungry."

"You can get out," the demon said. "How?"
"What?" She leveled a look on the disgusting creature. "You think I'd be sitting here if I could?"
"I saw you, Lunchmeat. You faded until you weren't there then came back."
"Keep quiet, demon. I'm going to take a nap," she ordered.
"If you go again, bring me a snack. I'm starving," the demon added. "I'd settle for a child or really short person. I don't need a full meal."

"...what you call patience and understanding were honed out of a great deal of pain. You do not want to go through what I did in order to gain this level of patience and understanding." Great advice...

Another to die for cliffhanger!!!!!

#amreading #happily