Immortal Awakening: Immortal Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

river?”
    Kale narrowed his eyes. “Three. All of which are in different levels.”
    “Why do you know this?” asked Izzy.
    Kale grinned at her. “I like fire, and a massive river of it sounds pretty fuckin’ cool to me, so I’ve studied legends of the Underworld. Some are likely fabricated; others are a bit more reliable. As far as the shores of the Phlegethon, there are three forests that reside along it: Kore, Hade, and Rahm. Was there anything distinctive about it?”
    Samira pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she recalled her time with Makyle—the noises, the smell, the landscape.
    “The sand was black, and heat radiated from it… it looked like an orchard of oaks. There was low-lying, gray fog, and I remember looking out at the river and thinking it was beautiful the way it arched and almost came back on itself.”
    “Sounds like Kore… If it is, then he’s in level seven.”
    Izzy brightened slightly. “That’s good; you said there are nine levels, so he’s close to the top. That should make getting to him easier.”
    Kale shook his head, and Bain wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Nine is the lowest level,” he said softly. “We will have to travel deep into the Underworld to get to him.”
    Lothar felt the air thicken around them; everybody’s emotions were flowing freely. Most of what he felt was determination, laced with resignation and a realistic amount of doubt. They all knew this wouldn’t be easy, but they were used to the odds being stacked against them.
    Uriah folded his muscled arms across his chest. “We need to decide how we plan to do this, who we intend to take the journey, and who will stay behind to protect the castle and our people.”
    Cree cleared his throat as he replied, “There is not much to the plan, aside from the route that will be taken. The thing to remember is that those who reside in the Underworld may no longer wield magic, but their character remains the same. They were put there for a reason, and that part of them is still alive within their souls. As for our people and this Castle… they are my responsibility, I intend to protect them.”
    Bain looked from Cree to the others occupying the room. “As much as I fear it, and completely despise the thought of you stepping one foot in The Immortal Fours’ domain,  still, I know you will be going, Iz, and that means I will be at your side.”
    “I probably know the most about the Underworld, so I will go be going too,” Kale quirked his lips, as a playful glint lit his warm brown eyes. “Besides, how could I pass up the chance to see a river of fire?”
    “And I will round out our rescue team,” added Uriah. “That will leave Holly and Lothar to help Cree protect our people and Samira as a link to the Underworld.”
    “I’m a link to Makyle,” she corrected. “Not the Underworld. I don’t know how much help I can be.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek for a brief second. “But I am willing to help in any way I can.”
    Bain looked to Izzy. “Is there anything you can do to link you and Samira?”
    “I’m sure there is some spell that we can cast together. That way, there is a link between our groups and a link to Makyle, should something change with him while we’re in the Underworld.”
    Samira listened and watched the group as they came together as a solid, fluid unit, yet bantering, as they prepared to save one of their own. It still felt odd to her seeing a group that was so clearly different, yet so similar.
    Was this what a true and loyal family looked like… she thought probably so.
    Pushing out of the corner, Samira made her way towards the door. “Let’s go see what we can come up with.”
    Exiting the room, Samira and Izzy walked in silence for most of the way to Rowan’s office. The room housed shelf after shelf of books, many of which were based in some form of magic.
    Samira finally broke the strained quiet around them. “He didn’t believe I was there.”
    Izzy