A few of the women were here, like Leah and Abigail, since they were working on the medical team. Right now, they were hugging their husbands, Dougal and Gregori. Rajiv was standing close to Lady Yi-soo, and the two were deep in conversation. Other were-tigers were studying their new swords. Briathos and his unit of God Warriors were at the base of the stairs by the tiger statues. And according to Briathos, those who had volunteered to go with Russell would no longer be able to shift or teleport or mentally control anyone. They would be in even more danger than he’d originally thought.
He eased closer to Briathos. “You said there would be five hundred God Warriors?” When Briathos nodded, Russell continued, “Could you guys keep these people here surrounded so they’ll be somewhat safe?”
Briathos looked closely at Russell. “Are you concerned for them?”
“Well, sure. They have wives and children. And . . .”
“And?” Briathos asked.
Russell frowned. “I feel bad that they’re doing this. I would prefer for them to stay behind.”
“Because you always work alone?”
Russell winced. How did the angel know that?
Briathos gave him a wry look. “You were never truly alone. These people care about you. The Heavenly Father loves you. Is it that hard to accept?”
Russell’s eyes burned. “Yes, it is. What could be remotely loveable about me? I just killed my brother! If I die in hell, I’ll end up right where I’m supposed to be.”
Briathos’s eyes flashed with anger. “Heed my words, mortal. No one is supposed to end up in hell. The Heavenly Father did not create you to fail.”
Russell’s breath caught. The angel was right. He couldn’t fail. Jia was counting on him. “I will succeed. I have to get Jia out of there.”
“You risk your life for the love of Jia. You ask me to protect these people because you care about them. Therein lies the truth you have refused to see. You are loveable because you love with a pure and selfless heart. And when you are offered love, it is because you are worthy of it.”
Russell blinked away tears as his gaze wandered over all the people gathered there. Six nights ago, Angus had told him they would all accompany him to hell, but he still found it hard to believe. They had been rooting for him the whole time he’d thought he was alone. They were his friends. His family. He was blessed.
“News coming in from the Heavenly Host,” Briathos murmured, then raised his voice so everyone would hear. “Gabriel and his army have arrived at the gate to hell. It is time for us to go.”
“How do we—” Russell started, then everything flashed black.
Suddenly, he was bombarded with high-definition techno-color so dazzling he had to blink his eyes to adjust to it. He was standing with the others in a green valley dotted with bright yellow and purple wildflowers. On either side, snowcapped mountains gleamed under a bright sun. Bisecting the valley was a trickling stream that sounded like music to his ears. A cool breeze caressed his face, filling his lungs with crisp mountain air. He felt a surge of joy and an urge to continue along the stream to the end of the valley, for without a doubt, he knew that would lead him home. He was back in Colorado.
“Wait a minute.” He shook his head. “This is hell?”
“Aye.” Dougal smiled as he gazed about. “It looks just like the Isle of Skye.”
“You mean Colorado,” Russell said.
Carlos leaned over, as if he was touching something. “It’s my favorite beach in Brazil. Don’t you see the waves coming in?”
“You each see your home?” Briathos asked, and they nodded. “And you each have an urge to continue in that direction?” He pointed toward the end of the valley.
“Yes,” Russell replied. “What’s down there?”
“The gate to hell. It looks pleasant here in order to lure you in. Do not be deceived.” Briathos waved a hand, and the landscape shimmered. The mountains faded away. The colors ran together, mixing into a dull, muddy brown. The soft grass beneath Russell’s feet withered up and turned to dust. They were left on a flat, desolate plateau under a dingy sky.
It reminded Russell of an old photograph where even the black and white tones had faded into dreary browns. There were no stars, no sun, no birds, no trees. Even the air felt scorched and stale, and the slight stench of sulfur turned his stomach.
“Everything’s dead,” Angus said.
Briathos nodded. “At one time, a millennia ago, there were dead trees here and there. But the inhabitants of hell started to draw them and admire their stark beauty. Lucifer had them burned away, for nothing is allowed here that can bring comfort to a sad soul.”
“So this is hell?” Russell asked. “No life, no joy?”
“Correct. But given each mortal’s innate need for joy, the inhabitants are eventually lured into finding it where it should not exist, and sadly, that becomes their only source of joy.” Briathos frowned. “They are allowed to torture each other.”
Russell swallowed hard. “Are they torturing Jia?”
“Lucifer claims she is being treated well.” Briathos sighed. “But we cannot trust his word. Come, this way.”
They followed Briathos and his team of six God Warriors and soon arrived at a ridge overlooking a flat plain. A short distance away, there was an enormous walled city, filled with hovels in shades of brown and gray. In the center, a palace of stone loomed, square-shaped and forbidding, with no outside windows or decoration.