Tera Childs - Sweet Legacy

The monsters are waiting.

As Gretchen, Greer, and I tumble out of the swirling crazy of the portal we created to bring us here, we are immediately surrounded by mythological beasts. There must be two dozen, at least. All sizes, all shapes, all . . . textures. Many I recognize from Gretchens lost monster binders: a furry Calydonian boar with tusks three feet long, a pair of massive birds whose feathers look like arrowheads, and a double-headed serpent monster that I think is called an amphisbaena. Others Ive never even imagined, like the giant white worm or the hyena-like one with no mouth that I can see. They are all standing in a semicircle around the open space where the portal dumped us into the bleak, black abyss that the monsters call home: Abyssos.

When Gretchen described this place, I thought she was exaggerating. I couldnt believe it was as horrible as the picture she painted.

I was wrong.

Between the slick-looking black stone and the nauseating combination of smells, sounds, and faint green light, I almost wish I could autoport back home and forget I ever saw any of this.

But I cant. Were here for a purpose, and I wont abandon my sisters or our duty.

Tugging on my backpacks straps to anchor it tighter against my body, I force myself to control the fear as we face down the waiting monsters.

Waiting . . . like they knew we were coming.

For half a second I thinkI hopethat these are friendly monsters, the ones Gretchen told us she met when she came in here after Nick. The ones who want to help us.

But one glance at herstance braced wide, a dagger in each fist, fangs on display, and a look of pure menace on her facetells me to forget that idea. These monsters arent here to assist. Theyre here to either capture us or kill us.

Neither option leads to a good ending for us or the world were trying to protect. I knew this was going to be dangerous. I just didnt expect the danger to find us so quickly.

My already racing heart speeds up in my chest.

Fangs down. Gretchen inches forward, putting herself between me and Greer and the monsters. Theyre mortal here. They wont want to tangle with our venom.

I glance at Greer. Her fair skin and highlights shine like a beacon against the gloom. Its her face, though, that stands out the most. Her expression is haunting, her cheeks are ghostly pale, her silver eyes are wide and staring straight ahead. She usually holds it together on the outside, even when shes falling apart on the inside. Seeing the signs of her panic on prominent display sends my heart rate up another notch.

I curl my lips and let my fangs drop, hoping the gesture will make me appear stronger and more dangerous.

The boys fly out of the portal right behind us. Nick bumps into Greer, knocking her off-balance, but Thane manages to land sure-footed at my side. He reaches out to steady Greer before she hits the shiny black ground.

My brothers reflexes are lightning fast.

What in Hades? Nick asks, already swinging his backpack around to the front and unzipping the main compartment.

They were waiting, I say, my voice weak.

Greer adds in a tense whisper, They knew we were coming.

She says it like its more than a guess. Given her power of second sight, it probably is.

Gretchen flicks a glance over her shoulder, exchanging a look with Nicka silent question, Did you do this? Does she still doubt his allegiance? Does she still think hes spying on us for the enemywell, for one of our enemies? We have so many its hard to keep track. There are the ones who want us dead before we can open the door, the ones who want to wait until after, and the ones who want us for the bounty on our headsfreedom from this awful place. Were lucky anyone is on our side. Nick is supposed to be.

Does Gretchen think he might be the reason the monsters are expecting us?

His mouth tightens and he gives her a quick shake of his head.

She stares at himstudying him, evaluating him. Gretchen doesnt trust easily, and I know she still has doubts about Nick. I dont blame her. When he first showed up in her life, she had no idea he was anything more than a normal boy. Then she learned he was sent by the goddess of justice to protect us. And just when she started to believe him, she found out he was also working as an agent for the monster side. He insists he was a mole, and she believes him. We believe him. But still, theres always room for doubt.

Finally, she nods in response before returning her attention to the monsters, who have started grunting and shuffling in anticipation of the fight. I guess that was answer enough for her.

Circle up, Gretchen instructs.

Adrenaline pours into my bloodstream and my hands start to shake.

I try to calm my fear and draw on my courage. Ive trained for this. Between Gretchens and Greers lessons, I feel like Ive earned a monster-fighting black belt in a few short weeks. But this isnt a training exercise. Ive never been this frightened in my life, not even when the two warring factions clashed in the gym at Greers school and we were caught in the middle. Then I didnt have time to be scared.

Get behind us, Nick says calmly as he steps around me, taking position at Gretchens side.

Thane follows around to the other side, flanking Gretchen and setting me and Greer firmly behind their wall of defense. Hes here only to watch over me, to look out for his little sister. Hes not actually part of this war. Hes not equipped for what were about to face. Hes just a boy.

Thane, no. I tug at his shoulder. Were not helpless.

When he glances back at me, I bare my teeth to display my fangs.

His eyes narrow slightly, as if hes deciding whether my venom-spewing fangs are up to the task, and then he nods. Its crazy how proud that makes me feel. For once, Im the one who can protect him.

Grace is right, Gretchen says. Weve got the deadly weapons. Girls in front, boys as backup. Everyone, arm yourselves.

As Greer and I step into position, Gretchen hands each of us one of her daggers before reaching behind her back and pulling another pair from the waistband of her cargo pants. Shes like a walking armory. I wonder what she has hidden away in her pockets.

Beside her, Nick holds what looks like a razor-sharp Frisbee in one hand, his fingers curled through a set of holes in the center. The object is part bowling ball, part discus, with a deadly blade-like edge. And from the way Nick is maneuvering it with simple wrist movements, it looks like he knows how to use it.

In a flash, Thane reaches behind his head and pulls out a sword I didnt even realize he had. It must have been hidden behind his backpack. He grips the hilt in both hands, slashing it in front of him and looking more like a medieval warrior than my big brother. The blade makes a whoosh-whoosh as it cuts through the air.

Im suddenly very glad he came with us.

Gretchen catches my eye. Get ready.

She nods, and that tiny bit of reassurance centers me. I shove my heart back down where it belongs and turn to the monsters, focusing my full attention on the enemy.

When I do, one of the monstersa horrible-looking man with blue-black skin and glistening stains around his mouthraises one arm and shouts.

Epitithentai!

As one, the monster horde roars and charges forward.

Everything happens in a blur. The monsters descend on us, and before I can blink, were fighting for our livesor our freedom. Its not like theyre clarifying which side of the war theyre on as theyre trying to bite and claw at us.