“What is he?”a wolf shifter said behind us.
“He doesn’t smell like anything I’ve ever encountered,” his teammate replied.
I glanced at Silas and raised a brow.Besides the other angels here, Silas and I were easily the oldest competing, and I sure as hell had never run into whatever this male was.
Silas leaned in.“According to Lucifer, he’s a demigod,” he said for my ears only.
Well, that explained the insane amount of power rolling off him.
Felditch led us to wide double doors and threw out his arms again.The doors flung wide and he strode in.The manor seemed even bigger inside and opened into a huge dining area.
“When requested, this is where we will gather for group meals and instruction for each trial or event.All other meals will be taken in your team rooms.”
“What of security?If we’re all staying in this place, what’s to stop a competitor from killing us in our sleep?”one of the witches asked.
“Please be at ease.Unless the trial requires it, any kind of physical contact is impossible between teams.”
One of the cat shifters attempted to kick the wolf in front of him, and before he could make contact, an invisible force dropped him to the ground and pinned him there.
Felditch grinned.“As you see.”
Chuckles broke out around the room.At least that was one less thing we needed to worry about.
The male waved his hand, and the cat shifter sprang to his feet, scowling.
“It’s late and I’m sure you’d all like to rest before tomorrow’s exertions.Please, follow me.”
As soon as he said it, the sun was gone and darkness bathed the field behind the manor.I watched through the window as torches flared, lighting the path that now led right across the field and disappeared into the forest.
This place was a mind fuck.
We filed from the dining area into a wide circular hall with doors coming off it, each several yards apart.
He motioned to the first one.A paw was carved into it.“Wolves,” he said.
The wolves strode in.The next had whiskers engraved into the wood.
“A bit on the nose, don’t you think?”Silas said.
“I don’t think this guy knows what subtlety is.”
Silas huffed out a laugh, and I clenched my jaw.Yes, we had a truce, but I wasn’t trying to be best buds with the male.It would be easy to let my guard down with him, where everyone else was a bigger risk, an enemy, but I had to keep my guard up.I would not let Silas manipulate me.
The rest were shown to their rooms.
Nathaniel winked at us before he and Eloa walked into their room and shut the door.Silas growled, pausing beside their door as Felditch forged on ahead, leading us to our room.It was just a moment, but I noticed all the same.
He said he hated Nathaniel.Still, did he wish he was with them?That he was on the angels’ team?He had to miss home.I know I would if I’d been exiled from Hell for the last few years.
Our door had devil’s horns carved into it.The kind you’d get from a costume shop, nothing like the horns Lucifer had but rarely showed.
Felditch motioned inside.“Your kitchenette is well stocked with your favorite foods and beverages.Your meals will appear on the table at the expected meal times, and your luggage is already in your rooms, sent to us by your loved ones.”He gave us a slight bow and strode off.As long as they hadn’t asked Uma to pack for me, I should be good.Any of my other sisters would know what I’d want.
“This is the most unserious shit I’ve ever encountered,” I said.“That guy is a walking cartoon character.”
Silas nodded as he scanned our rooms.“We have to assume this is all to put us at ease.Give us a false sense of what’s to come.”
“I suppose.”