“You are the most frustrating, stubborn woman I have ever met. You are also the bravest and you have the biggest heart. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring or if there will even be a tomorrow, but you would make me the proudest male alive if you agreed to become my soul mate.”

I looked up, confused by the word. “Soul mate?”

“It’s what mages call their spouses. We believe that the union of two people is a conscious and deliberate joining of souls.”

My fingers trembled as I looked at the ring. “Where did you get this?”

His lips tightened at my delay in responding. “I bought it in town tonight. It’s just silver and lapis.” He shrugged. “If I’d had more time—”

I shook my head, cutting him off. “It’s beautiful.” I let out a long shuddering breath. My heart pounded in my ears. Never in my life did I ever think I’d be so lucky. “I don’t deserve you, you know.”

“Sure you do. We deserve each other—that’s why we’re so good together.”

“Yes,” I whispered. “Yes, I will be your soul mate.”

He tackled me and suddenly I was too busy sobbing. And kissing him. And saying quietly to myself, “Miracle number four.”

Chapter 31

Tall pine trees rose like old gods from primordial soil. The air was scented with the dark perfume of damp earth, pine needles, and the pleasing brackish tang of lake water. Silence reigned except for the occasional soft lapping of water against rock.

Lago D’Averno was located in southern Italy, near the town of Pozzuoli. According to Nyx, the lake was sacred to the Romans, who believed it to be the entrance to Hades, their version of the underworld. “But the modern history of the area is interesting as well. Last year, the Italian government seized the lake from a private owner because of Mafia activity.”

“Oh?” Giguhl piped up. “Like what?”

“It was a hideout for their hit men and their drug-fueled parties. They also found evidence of several executions on the site.”

“That’s pretty awesome,” Giguhl said, shooting me an excited look.

That certainly explained the heavy death energy in the air. I hefted the bag of supplies higher on my shoulder. “Let’s get moving.”

Because it was the new moon, the night was spectacularly dark. But instead of feeling like a bad omen, it felt… comforting. I suppose it should. After all, in addition to being a Chthonic mage, I was also a vampire. Night was my kingdom.

Recent rains left the earth muddy and our feet sank into this ooze, masking our footsteps. Tristan led us through the tree line and we emerged on the banks of the lake. The body of water was formed in an old volcanic crater and was almost perfectly round. I stopped, listening for signs of trouble, but the area was quiet. Too quiet.

“Why is it so calm?”

“Avernus means ‘without birds.’ It’s believed most wildlife avoids the lake because of volcanic fumes,” Tristan said. “But I think they avoid it because they know this place is full of dark, heavy magic.”

“Where’s this grotto?”

He waved a hand over his shoulder to indicate we should follow him. We climbed down the banks of the lake and trekked a couple of miles. Probably this area was a draw for tourists during the day, but now it was closed and we had the run of the place.

Eventually, we found the entrance to the grotto. It stood at the end of a pathway lined on either side by towering trees. Cut into a tall rock wall, the entrance looked like a large keyhole—or the entrance to a womb.

When we reached the opening, Tristan held up a hand to still us. “Sabina must go in alone. She will summon Hekate and make the proper offerings. Once they have set off, we will follow.”

“Wait.” I shot Tristan a panicked look. “I thought you were going with me?”

“We’ll be behind you,” he said. “But only you can open the gates.” He motioned to Giguhl. “She’ll need the bag.”

Not for the first time, I wished Rhea were with us. She’d said her good-byes in Tuscany before we’d headed out. She’d wanted to come, but we’d all decided that if the worst should happen, she needed to be alive to lead the mage race. The good-bye was tearful and hard, but I was relieved that she, at least, would be safe.

Giguhl came forward quietly and handed over the sack containing all the items we’d collected for the rites. His face was solemn as he surrendered it to Tristan.

I forced a smile. “Thanks, G.” He laid a massive claw on my shoulder and squeezed.

“If you run into trouble, summon me. Remember that.”

Part of the plan was to send Valva and Giguhl ahead to the demon realms to wait for us. It would be too much of an energy drain to maintain our hold on them in the nondemon areas, since their bodies would be pulled back to Gizal and Zigal like magnets.

I blinked against the sudden sting in my eyes. “I will.”

He hugged me hard. “I’m ready.”

I pulled back with a sniff and looked at Valva. “Stay with him.”

She smiled and put her arm around Giguhl’s waist. “Absolutely. We’ll see you in Gizal.”

I took a deep breath and muttered the incantation to send Giguhl back to his home. The instant before he disappeared, he winked at me. Valva disappeared a split second after Giguhl. Since she was a Lilitu demon, she could move between the mortal realm and Irkalla of her own will.

“Adam,” Tristan called. “Come help her prepare while I help Calyx and Horus set up a perimeter.” The faery and vampire had met up with us the instant we materialized in the forest. They’d spoken quietly to Tristan to let him know the coast was clear but otherwise had remained silent. “We don’t want any nasty surprises interrupting the rites.”

I blew out a long, deep breath. We’d gone over all this at the estate before we flashed to the lake. But now, facing the reality, I realized how unprepared I really was for what was coming. After all, Tristan had based his instructions on vague theories and arcane bits of information. The truth was, none of us really knew what was waiting for us in Irkalla—that is, if we could get there at all.

Adam came forward, taking the bag from Tristan. “How you doing?” he whispered.

I choked on an ironic laugh. “Peachy.”

He placed a warm palm on my suddenly cold cheek. “You’re gonna do great. Soon this will all be over and we can go on a nice long vacation. Just the two of us.”

“You promise?” The tears were more insistent now. Neither of us expected to come through this intact. We’d danced around that issue, but neither of us had spoken the words out loud. I’d never met Lilith in person, but her reputation didn’t leave me feeling very confident I’d escape this confrontation unscathed.

He looked me dead in the eye. “Sabina Kane, I promise with every fiber of my being that we will be together. Nothing above or below this earth will keep me from you.” He kissed the ring he’d given me the night before.

His vow caused a shudder to pass through me, like a spell had been cast. I returned his clear-eyed stare and repeated the words. “Adam Lazarus, I promise with every fiber of my being that we will be together. Nothing above or below this earth will keep me from you. Even if death separates us, I will always be yours.”

His eyes flared at my impromptu addition. “If death separates us, I will always be yours,” he echoed in a whisper.

I grabbed him and pulled him to me. More than anything, I wanted his words to be true. More than that, I needed his strength against me. Needed my last sensation on this mortal realm to be his scent, his heat, the taste of his lips.

Despite our promises, we kissed like we’d never see each other again. “I love you,” I whispered against his lips.

If Tristan or the others were uncomfortable by the display, they didn’t react. No uncomfortable clearing of throats or shuffling of boots or claws. Eventually, though, Nyx whispered gently, “It’s almost midnight.”

I pressed my lips against Adam’s once, twice, three times to sanctify my vows. Then, with tears blurring my vision, I pulled away so he could dress me. As he bent to open the bag, his free hand swiped at his eyes. I didn’t bother trying to remove the tears from my eyes or face. Salt and strong emotions were great conductors of magic. They’d strengthen the ritual. And I needed every advantage I could get.

The gun belt had been a gift from Nyx. The twin pistols had mother-of-pearl inlaid in the handles. Adam had provided the apple bullets. Next, he added a few protective amulets. They clinked against the priestess necklaces and the lodestone necklace Zen had given me. I suddenly felt like Mr. T, but I wasn’t about to reject any of the magical weapons.

Finally, Adam finished loading me down with weaponry. “You look like a warrior queen.”

The corner of my mouth lifted. Truthfully, with each new item, I felt my resolve strengthen.

“Here goes nothing.” I took a deep, calming breath. Ahead, the entrance to the Oracle’s cave yawned open like a demon’s maw, waiting to swallow me into the abyss. A hush had fallen over the crew, their tension palpable against my skin. I accepted a torch from Tristan, as well as two unlit ones to use later, which I stuck in my pack. He offered me a facsimile of a reassuring smile but said nothing. What was there to say, really? Good luck? Hope you don’t get killed?

“Don’t fuck it up,” he said finally.

I bit my tongue against an angry retort. “Yeah, thanks.”

I stepped into darkness alone. The air here was musty, noticeably colder. My footsteps echoed off the ancient stone walls in time with my thudding heart. Every dozen or so steps, an opening in the wall let in a breeze off the lake. The air whistled through the corridor, like dire predictions from Sybil herself.

One opening led to a small, dank room. Steps down took me to a natural bridge made of stone. Dark, oily water stood on either side. Time and moisture had promoted algae, which spread across the top like a cancer. I realized this must have been the ritual cleansing area Nyx had warned me about.