The Rise of Fortune and Fury (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 5)

“And put her on notice, so she has monsters waiting for you when you arrive?” Rainey says mildly. She’s clearly still against this plan.

“I’m going to be a human walking in the Underworld,” I say as I glance her way. “It’s going to be dangerous no matter what.”

“You’ll have two demi-gods at your side,” Maddox points out. “Our combined magic alone should give us somewhat of a safe passage.”

It’s something I haven’t been all that worried about.

My safety in the Underworld, that is.

I’ve been so focused on getting Zora out that I had not stopped to consider how I’d do it without getting killed. I am quite literally stepping into Hell, and I will be walking among the most evil of creatures.

“I still think our best bet is to go in through Micah’s realm to follow the Crimson River in,” Boral says, taking over the conversation again. “It will take us the back way into Otaxis.”

The next hour is spent making our plans. We bring up hypotheticals and plan for contingencies. We argue about who will go, but it’s ultimately decided that Boral, Maddox, Carrick, and I will make the journey.

Titus and Zaid will stay behind with Rainey and Myles for their protection, on the off-chance Kymaris would dare to try something.

Ultimately, we decide I shouldn’t try to contact Zora until we make it through the veil and enter the Underworld. On the off chance she’s adamantly opposed to us coming and has the means and ability to stop us, it’s better if our arrival is a surprise.

Hopefully, it’s a good one.

“When do we go in?” Boral asks as we start to wrap things up. I had managed to eat the rest of my sandwich and chips as we talked.

“Tomorrow,” I say.

At the same time, Carrick says, “In a few days.”

We stare at each other, and Carrick gives me that over-protective look. “You were just kidnapped, held in a dungeon, and could have died. Maybe you need a few days.”

“I’m fine,” I assure him with a smile. I even lean in and punctuate it with a kiss. “I promise.”

Carrick’s eyes hold mine, and I can tell when he accepts my determination. He smiles and murmurs, “Tomorrow then.”

“Perfect,” I exclaim.

The meeting starts to break up. Maddox, Titus, and Myles head off to the mancave to play video games while Rainey hangs in the kitchen with Zaid, who cracked open a bottle of red wine. They pour glasses for Carrick and me, but I hop off my stool to walk Boral to the elevators. He’s the only one not staying here, nor was he invited to.

“Thank you for taking me to the Underworld,” I say as we walk that way.

Boral shrugs. “You know my motives aren’t all that noble, right?”

I laugh, playfully bumping my shoulder against his. “You’ve always been clear that you are doing this to get back in Zaid’s good graces. I still thank you anyway.”

“Well,” he says, shooing me a side-eyed smirk. “I have come to like you of late.”

“It’s mutual,” I assure him. “Just as long as you don’t do any evil stuff around me.”

Boral chuckles, and the elevator doors whoosh open.

“See you tomorrow,” I say as he steps in.

I start to turn away, but he calls my name. “Finley.”

Boral has his hand on the door, holding it open. “Do you want to know why I like you?”

I blink at Boral in surprise, but my curiosity only allows me to agree that I would like that very much indeed. I take a few steps back toward him.

“Throughout all of this,” he says in a low tone. “You’ve never shown a fear of dying. Just a dedicated purpose to your mission. It’s impressive not just for a human, but also for one as young as you.”

I can’t help but chuckle as I lean in a little closer. “I’m going to let you in on a secret that’s not a secret. But everyone knows except you.”

“What’s that?”

“Even if I die tomorrow, at the ritual, or the day after, I’ll come back.”

“Come again?” Boral asks with a frown.

I explain Rune’s curse and my history with Carrick.

“Ah,” Boral says with an understanding nod. “Now I get the deep connection you two seem to have.”

“And why I can’t fear death,” I tell him solemnly. “I will always come back to Carrick.”

Boral absorbs that before stepping back and removing his hand from the door. As they start to close, he says, “That makes you a very lucky woman.”

I smile to myself because I’m lucky indeed. Over time, as I’ve come to understand and accept the curse Carrick and I are under, it has helped me to know I’ve died countless times, and I’ve always been resilient in coming back. That my happiness isn’t over when the body belonging to Finley Porter takes its last breath.