Pure, blissful darkness.Heidi Cole stepped into the shadows and pressed her body against the thick trunk of a pine tree, shielding herself from view. The rough edge of coarse bark scraped against her cheek as she peered into the clearing a few feet away.For the past hour, she’d watched the Scarlet Summoners prepare for the ritual that would ultimately open a two-way portal and send her into the Underworld. Impatience zinged through her veins, filling her with a gnawing fury that tore at her soul.It wouldn’t be much longer now. She’d already waited for what seemed like an eternity -- but in reality had been only two weeks -- for the opportunity to go after her men. If she could have opened the portal on her own, she would have, but her individual efforts had been futile. She needed the combined energy of the Summoners to tear a hole in the fabric of the mortal realm and propel her through to the other side.Once she arrived in Hell, well… in truth, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.
