Home > Infernal (Shadow Guild : Hades & Persephone #1)(9)

Infernal (Shadow Guild : Hades & Persephone #1)(9)
Author: Linsey Hall

It gave easily under my grip, and the door swung open into the hall.

“Holy crap!”

That had actually worked. He hadn’t locked me in.

Heart pounding, I peeked out into the wide hallway. Empty in both directions. I nearly darted out, then rethought it.

A weapon. I needed a weapon. I hadn’t seen a single house plant in this whole place, and nothing outside in the city either. So my power, as wonky as it was, would be completely worthless with nothing to draw from.

Quietly, I ducked back into the room and began to search. In under two minutes, I found a sharp letter opener in the small desk. Hell, it was so sharp that it was almost a dagger.

This was too good to be true.

Unease tightened my shoulders.

Why was this so easy?

Because it’s going to be hard as hell to escape.

I almost wished the door had been locked. That, I would understand. But this . . .

It spoke to his confidence that I couldn’t get out of his realm. Because he wasn’t the sort of man to make mistakes.

A memory hit me.

Mac.

I couldn’t just run for it. She still needed a cure, and I’d lost the vial of mist that I’d collected earlier. If I escaped without it, I could be dooming her to die.

I slumped against the desk.

Damn it. That wasn’t an option.

Okay, change of plan. Find a cure for Mac, then escape.

I looked down at my legs, pale and bare between the unicorn shorts and the wellies. Could I really be charging around Hades’ lair in this getup?

A large wooden wardrobe caught my eye. But did I want to wear his clothes?

Not really.

But I’d draw a hell of a lot of attention like this.

Quickly, I strode to the wardrobe and found a dark cloak. There were other outfits—pretty dresses, for the most part. No way I would be wearing those. I spun the cloak over my shoulders and tucked the letter opener into a pocket.

Properly outfitted, I headed back to the door, my mind racing.

Where did I start? Could I count on the people who lived in this castle for help?

No.

From the looks of adoration—and fear—on their faces when they’d seen him in the street, they would not be on my side. Which left only Hades.

Fear shivered through me.

Was I really going to go straight to him?

What other choice did I have? Normally, I’d solve my problem by heading to the library. Here, that wasn’t an option. It was across town, and I had no idea what I was looking for.

And Hades hadn’t killed me. He hadn’t even really hurt me. Or locked me up. So, as much as I didn’t want to see him again, he was my best bet. If I could just get a little bit of that mist that went along with his magic, I could get out of here. Or maybe even a lock of hair.

I’d need something to carry the mist in, though.

I turned back to the room, looking for a perfume bottle or something. There was nothing.

Damn it.

Equipped with my letter opener, I stepped into the hallway, my heartbeat nearly deafening me. My footsteps were silent on the stone floor as I headed left, the direction chosen at random.

The entire castle smelled faintly of ash and fire, but it had become almost nice. Almost. Like a campfire on a cool day. If I could find the kitchen or the healer, I’d be able to snag a container for the sample of Hades’ magic. Like Tupperware from hell.

I turned a corner into an austere hallway, nearly running into a woman. She squeaked and backed up, her black cap wobbling on her head.

A maid, from the look of the mop and bucket in her hand. She was pretty, with pale hair and blue eyes and no discernible magic, though she had to have some if she was here.

“Who are you?” She looked me up and down.

“An unwilling guest.”

Her eyes widened. “He’s found you.”

“Found me? What do you mean?” I stepped closer, heart leaping.

“Nothing. I meant nothing.” She darted around me and scurried down the hall, disappearing into thin air a half second later.

So that was her magic.

Could she transport me out of here if I made friends with her? Or threatened her, maybe?

With Mac’s life on the line, I wasn’t above it.

If I found her again, I’d try it. For now . . .

Hades was my goal.

I turned and headed back down the hall. She must have been coming from the servant’s quarters. I needed to find them.

Anxiety chilled my skin as I crept through the hall, keeping the cloak closed over my clothing.

I heard it before I saw it, the sound of pots and pans and voices.

Jackpot.

I hurried up to the door and lingered outside, peering within. The large kitchen bustled with people, all dressed in dark clothing. There were about eight of them, mostly women.

Such a dire place. I wasn’t much for fashion, but even I could tell their outfits were chosen more out of misery than preference.

How did I approach this? By making friends? Or by sneaking in and stealing?

“My, my, what a pretty bird lingering on the sill.”

The voice rolled over me, deep and warm. Still, a shudder raced over my skin. Dread hollowed out my stomach as I turned to see a man looming behind me.

Not Hades.

Was that good or bad? He was fair where Hades was dark, and almost as attractive, which I hated to admit. Aristocratic features and an athletic build gave him the look of an Olympian.

His magic, however . . .

That made me shiver. It rolled over me in powerful waves, stronger than almost any other magic I’d felt.

Except for Hades.

It didn’t feel as nice, though. It felt like the hot lick of flame and sounded like screams in the distance. Tasted like soot and smelled of ash.

“Who are you?” I asked, going for boldness. My only other options were running or the letter opener, and neither was going to work on this guy.

“Lucifer.”

“The Lucifer?” I looked him up and down. “Wasn’t expecting a blond.”

“I’ve just been to the salon.” His tone was wry.

“Sure. Are you really the devil? Just here to pay a visit to your bestie, Lord of the Underworld?” There were many hells, with many rulers.

“Yes, in fact.”

“Setting up a mixer? Hell and Hades date night?” My mouth was running away with me, something stupid I did when I was nervous.

He grinned. “I quite like you.” He looked either way down the hall. “What do you say we go find a nice private spot to get to know each other.”

“You have to be kidding me.”

“No.”

I swallowed hard. “Well, also a no from me. But if you really do like me, could you get me a bottle of water?” No way was I telling him what I really wanted. “I’m deathly thirsty.”

“A bottle of water? Like this is a damned Starbucks.”

“I have my loyalty card if you want to see it.”

His brow flattened. “I’ll get you your water, but then I’m taking you to Hades.”

It was exactly what I’d wanted, though I didn’t really want to be escorted. There’d be no outrunning this guy, though, so I just scowled. “Make sure it’s in a bottle.”

“Prissy, aren’t you?

“Very.” Not really, but it suited my purposes for now.

I stepped aside so he could enter the kitchen, then turned to watch. Every one of the women and two of the men rushed to help him, their eyes wide and excited.

Hot Books
» House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)
» A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire
» From Blood and Ash (Blood And Ash #1)
» A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime
» Deviant King (Royal Elite #1)
» Den of Vipers
» House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)
» The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #
» Sweet Temptation
» The Sweetest Oblivion (Made #1)
» Chasing Cassandra (The Ravenels #6)
» Wreck & Ruin
» Steel Princess (Royal Elite #2)
» Twisted Hate (Twisted #3)
» The Play (Briar U Book 3)