Nothin’ good can come from an impromptu trip to Hell, I’m sure of it.
12
Nervousness is suddenly crawlin’ all through my chest. I wish it wasn’t so dark out here so I could see their faces better. Surely I’d be able to tell if they’re bein’ sneaky?
But maybe not. Maybe all this flirtatiousness and attraction between us is just them trickin’ me? Bringin’ me into a false sense of trust so they can lure me to Hell?
Lord help me, I hope that’s not what’s goin’ on.
“Um, look, I’m not ready for Hell, if that’s where you’re really takin’ me,” I declare, my boots sinkin’ into the trimmed lawn as we make our way to the hedges and slip out through the archway. Ahead, I can see a slightly slopin’ hill and a ton of trees and wayward weeds.
“No, that’s not on the agenda for tonight. Promise,” Alder reassures me with an open smile.
I discreetly release a relieved sigh and a whole lot of tension as the three of us start headin’ past trees on a small, windin’ trail that leads further down the hillside.
“Good,” I say with a nervous laugh.
“But...it will be at some point,” Alder goes on, and I dart a look at him. “We want to be up-front about that, Medley, because it’s our job to guard the Hellgate. And...we think it could very well be your purpose too.”
I trip over the grass, more from his words than any divot in the ground. His blossomed arm comes shootin’ out to catch me around my waist before I can stumble. “Thanks,” I say shakily.
He lets go, albeit slowly, his fingers draggin’ over my waist, and even through the layer of my top, my skin prickles at the contact. “You’re welcome,” he says quietly before we start walkin’ again.
“What was that you said?” I ask nervously.
“Alder…” Flint warns. “Don’t overwhelm her.”
“No, it’s alright. I wanna know,” I insist. “Do you really think it could be my purpose? To guard a damn Gate to Hell?” Then I remember somethin’ else they said before. “Is this about that other woman you were tellin’ me about? What was her name?”
“Delta,” they both reply.
I get a little caught off guard at their quick response. Is it just me, or did they both answer that way too quickly? Are they...involved with this Delta? I mean, they said they didn’t have mates, but that didn’t address all the foolin’ around that goes on in life before you settle down, I guess.
I blink at my own train of thought and... Was that jealousy I was just feelin’ in the back of my throat? Well, ain’t that just absurd. I’ve known them for all of a day. Then again, I always did crush on the bad boys. I guess a couple of demons are me graduatin’ up to the next level, and there ain’t no doubt about it, I am crushin’ on them hard.
“Yes. Delta was called to the Gate just like we think you’ve been. She became a Guardian,” Alder tells me.
“Yep, it was really something. Such a fragile-looking thing. You remind me of her, actually,” Flint says, lookin’ at me with contemplation. “Both slight but feisty. You should’ve seen her go when it was crunch time. She helped us with our Gate once while they came to visit. It was a thing of beauty,” Flint explains, his eyes faraway and lost in the memory.
I might not be the best people-reader, but I’d bet my panties that I just heard longin’ in his voice. Irritation climbs up my stomach and lodges itself somewhere in my chest.
“Well, if this Delta is so perfect, why can’t she help you guard your Gate?” I ask, aimin’ for an innocent, inquisitive tone but landin’ square on testy instead.
I pause for a moment, judgin’ myself. I don’t know these two or this Delta girl. What do I care if Flint has a crush and they both keep comparin’ me to her? Yeah, we’re flirtin’, but maybe that’s just in their nature. And yeah, maybe it’s a little insultin’ and difficult not to feel like sloppy Hellgate seconds, but I have more important things to focus on. Like figurin’ out how to live my best demon life...and maybe huntin’ down a certain mystery demon named Delta and introducin’ her to my tribulations. Kiddin’. Kinda.
Alder looks over at me. “Are you alright? You seem agitated.”
My spine stiffens. “I’m not agitated, I’m just thirsty,” I reply tartly.
He watches me for a moment, and his mouth lifts into a knowin’ smile, and his eyes glint with amusement. “Delta stays with her Guardians at their Hellgate, Medley. They ran into a little trouble in Hell not too long ago, but apparently, it all got sorted, and they’ve developed quite the connection, if you catch my drift,” he tells me.
I frown as I take in what he’s tellin’ me.
“Yep, they’re all head over heels for each other. You can’t swing a cat without hitting the sexual tension around that quint,” Flint adds.
Quint?
“Wait. You mean she’s gettin’ down with…” I trail off, just in case I’m way off the mark.
“That’s correct. There were four Guardians already inducted to their Gate. Delta was the fifth,” Alder states, watchin’ me carefully, like he wants to gauge how I’ll take this information.
“So she’s...and they’re…” I swallow, not sure how to ask the next part or what I even might want the answer to be. “Is that typical? That a Gate’s Guardians all...you know…” Is my voice higher-pitched than usual?
“Fuck?” Alder asks, his features alight with heat and mirth.
I blush, which makes me feel stupid, and that only results in even more blushin’ on my end. I try to picture Flint and Alder hookin’ up with each other, but I can’t. I just don’t get the impression that they’re connected in that way.
Unfortunately, what I realize all too late is that it’s very easy to picture me in all
