“I didn’t mean literally.”
Again, the corners of my lips tugged up. I frowned. Fates, it was strange to smile. I forced the thought away. “I need you to help me find something.”
“What?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Of course I’m going to worry about that.” She crossed her arms. “And how do I even know you’ll live up to your end of the bargain? Will you take more of the potion that compels you to keep your word?”
“No. I’ll train you first. Then you’ll help me.”
She scowled. “How do you know I’ll keep my word?”
“I’ll make you.”
She hissed.
I shrugged. “I’m already taking a risk. I know you’re trying to learn your magic so that you can lean closer into the light and avoid the dark. So that you can escape.”
“Of course.”
“I’m confident I can win you to my side.”
“You can’t.”
A low laugh rumbled from my throat, and I strolled toward her. My skin lit with anticipation as I neared, stopping right in front of her. I didn’t dare touch—if I did, there was no telling where I’d stop—but the tension that tightened between us felt like a caress. “You’ve felt the lure. The pleasure of the dark.”
Her jaw tightened, but the knowledge glinted in her eyes. I’d seen it in her when she’d been strangling Lucifer with her vines. She was fighting it even now.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”
I leaned close, my lips nearly touching her neck as I breathed deeply of her scent. Desire shot through me, and I knew I was playing with fire.
“You will,” I whispered at her ear.
She shuddered so hard, I could see it run over her. I stepped back, needing to escape her scent if I was going to keep my wits about me.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll help you with your mystery search. If you also allow my friends to visit. And if you won’t try to stop me from visiting them in Guild City.”
I blinked at her.
She was serious.
Seraphia
I stared up at Hades, my mind racing.
“You’re looking at me like I’ve asked you to build a roller coaster through hell,” I said.
“Friends? Here?” His brows rose.
“Yes, friends. Are you familiar with the concept?” Even as I said the words, I knew he wasn’t. Lucifer had said as much last time I’d been here. He’d called Hades his friend but admitted that Hades considered no one a friend.
He’s not human.
This was a good reminder. He was literally not human, so why would he have a thing like friends?
His jaw worked for a moment as he decided how he would answer me.
“Give in,” I said.
I needed him to agree to at least one of my demands so that I could give the pomegranate seeds to Eve. But more than that, I wanted to see my friends. It wasn’t like I was going to invite them over for girls’ nights, but having Eve visit as a raven wouldn’t be so bad.
Worry hit me. I held up a hand. “And if they come, you can’t poison them with your darkness the way you did Mac.”
“I have no idea why you want this.”
“You wouldn’t understand.” Something flickered on his face, an expression I couldn’t quite identify, but I pressed onward. “Remember, I can leave.”
“It tears you apart.”
“I know.” That familiar anger surged, and I stepped back.
He shook his head. “You’re my prisoner, so no, this is not happening.”
I laughed. “Prisoner? Hardly. We’re equals now, Hades, whether you like it or not.”
“Not quite.”
He was right. We weren’t equals. He was a damned god, for fates’ sake.
So are you, the little voice whispered inside me. I was supposed to be Persephone, but I didn’t feel like it.
“You need my help,” I said. “And you saw the vision of your end goal. We walk side by side toward that, and I go willingly.” I never would, but the words were enough to make interest gleam in his eyes.
“Fine.” He nodded sharply, clearly reluctant. “You may have what you ask for because I know you’ll be required to return. But while you’re here, you’ll be watched by me or by Lucifer.”
“Sure, sure.” Now that I had his acquiescence, I wanted to move on. “What next?”
“We’ll leave at dawn for your first training session.”
“Where are we going?”
“A forest. The only forest of decent size.”
A forest. Excitement thrummed within me. “All right. See you in the morning.”
I turned to go, heading toward the door.
“And where do you think you’re going?” his voice rumbled from behind me.
I turned back and scowled. “To my chamber.”
“No, you’re not. You’re coming to mine.”
“No.”
“You’re coming, or I’ll carry you.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“I’m not going to underestimate you anymore. So unless you want me to actually chain you to me, you’ll sleep in my quarters.”
I glared at him, debating. He really would carry me there. He’d already carried me to the dungeon. I gestured to him. “Lead on, then.”
He nodded and strode from the library, leading me through the castle and to his quarters. When we arrived, he gestured to the couch in front of the bookshelves in the main room. It looked pristine and new, as if he’d never so much as sat on it.
I was fairly sure he hadn’t.
At least it was better than his bed. “This will do.”
He nodded. “Make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be delivered soon.”
Food.
My stomach grumbled at the thought. I could technically eat food from the underworld, now that I’d had the pomegranate potion. It wouldn't force me to stay here any more than the potion had.
Hades turned on his heel and disappeared into his sleeping chambers. His presence felt like a weight disappearing from the room, and I couldn’t help but rub my arms.
Unfortunately, it was an oddly lonely feeling. He had me on edge any time he was near, but it was a good edge, almost. Like I enjoyed the excitement of being near him, no matter how dangerous he was.
And no matter what, it was impossible to forget what we’d had together when I’d been here last. Just a few stolen moments while my mind was fogged, but they’d been amazing.
I slumped on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Now what?
Echo fluttered inside to land on my shoulder, his weight so faint that I could barely feel him. His presence was a comfort, though. He no longer had the little pouch of pomegranate seeds, so I assumed he’d stashed them somewhere as I’d asked.
“How are you, buddy?”
He didn’t answer, but he settled down to sleep on my shoulder. My mind raced with everything I’d learned since I’d come here, and everything that I was going to have to do.
Find a way to leave permanently.
Master my magic so I didn’t lose my mind.
Save Hades.