Home > Awakened (Shadow Guild : Hades & Persephone #2)(3)

Awakened (Shadow Guild : Hades & Persephone #2)(3)
Author: Linsey Hall

I turned and ran, sprinting silently down the stairs toward the main street. Thank fates Eve had stashed the bags in the ether. I’d never be this quick or quiet if I had to carry them myself.

As I ran, I couldn’t help but delight in the strength of my body, my swiftness. I’d never considered myself exceptionally quick or strong, but after the pomegranate curse, it felt amazing.

Fortunately, the night wolves were nowhere to be seen. The Children of Cerberus would definitely be able to smell me, and I didn’t need their attention, even though I was fairly certain they wouldn’t hurt me.

A few moments later, I reached the street and darted toward the back alleys. I’d never been anywhere but the main avenue that stretched between the library and his fortress, but I didn’t want to be out in the open when the potion wore off.

The alley was dark and narrow, but thankfully, empty. I hurried deeper into the city, finding a quiet little alcove to hide in. I pressed myself into it and leaned against the wall, panting.

I’d been planning this for days, but my mind had been so fogged by pain that it had been hard to come up with a concrete scheme. I had no idea how to get a cure, but maybe the apothecary would know. Not only did she have the skills, but she was my only ally in this whole place.

If I could just get to her cottage behind the castle, I’d have a chance.

I slipped away from the alcove and made my way through the city. As I cut through the narrow streets and alleys, I didn’t see anyone. It was difficult to determine the correct direction, but occasionally, I glimpsed the castle towers above the roof lines of the houses.

I’d only gone a short way when a tiny black bat swooped down in front of me.

“Echo!” I whispered, delighted.

The tiny bat had become my friend last time I’d been here. Maybe even my familiar. He’d certainly been a huge help.

From up ahead, he spun around and fluttered back toward me, his tiny face as cute as a mouse’s. He landed on my shoulder for the briefest second, and it felt like a hug. Warmth flared through me.

“Can you lead me to the castle?” I whispered. “The quickest way.”

Echo launched himself off my shoulder and fluttered down the street. I ran to catch up, trying to keep my breathing quiet as it grew ragged.

The little bat swooped around turns and flew low to the ground. Soon, we’d reached the fortress. I pressed myself against a building wall and looked up at the enormous structure. It was a terrifying, hulking thing, yet strangely beautiful.

Just like Hades.

And I was here to face him.

I stepped forward, grateful that I still seemed to be invisible. There were a few people out and about, but they paid me no heed. As I stepped toward the castle, I felt something strange. Like magic in the air.

My magic.

And it was coming from the back of the castle.

What the hell?

 

 

2

 

 

Seraphia

 

My heart pounded as I hurried toward the fortress and climbed the stairs, sticking to the shadows despite the fact that I was probably still invisible. Thankfully, it was possible to sneak around the side wall toward the back. Hades had a minimal number of guards on the whole place because he simply wasn’t worried about anyone defying him. He owned hell.

No one would dare challenge him here.

Except me.

I was going to get the cure for this pomegranate potion so that I could get the hell out of here. But along the way, I’d teach him not to screw with me. I’d been the mild-mannered librarian my whole life, and that was over.

Quietly, I sneaked around the side of the massive castle. The stone wall towered to my left, its blocks each the size of a car. The apothecary’s cottage sat at the back, along with the strangest sensation of my magic. It was so weird, but it felt like I’d left part of myself back there. It called to me, like my soul was reaching out and wanting to be reconnected—except I had no idea what that meant.

Finally, I reached the back garden where the apothecary’s cottage was located.

Shocked, I stumbled to a halt.

The garden was no longer full of the withered stone plants that had filled it. Instead, massive green vines crawled over the entire place like giant green snakes, glimmering with an emerald brilliance that was nearly blinding.

“Holy fates,” I breathed, shocked.

Before I’d left, I’d planted several tiny cuttings, using my magic to give them a little jumpstart toward growth. But this…I’d never expected anything like it.

Awed, I walked deeper into the garden, following a path toward the apothecary’s cottage. Normally, I’d be able to see it by now, but the vines grew up in front of it, twisting around each other to form a huge wall. Near the middle of the garden, I spun in a circle.

I’d done this?

It couldn't be possible.

Near me, one of the vines shifted, unfurling from the pile. It reached toward me, a dark ruby flower at the tip. The petals were huge, the bloom the size of my head. It hovered near my shoulder, and as I reached out to touch it, the petals furled back to reveal fangs. I gasped. With the scarlet petals and white fangs, it was terrifying and gorgeous all at once. It stroked my shoulder, and magic pulsed low in my belly.

Dark.

I drew in an unsteady breath.

The magic felt entirely different than it had back on earth. There was a yawning hunger, as if my magic were greedy for power and strength.

This place changes me.

I swallowed hard. My magic felt stronger here, but it also felt darker. These plants were proof of that.

“You left quite a mark,” the apothecary’s voice sounded from behind me.

I spun to face her. She grinned at me, her long black hair piled in a high ponytail over her head. The pretty starburst tattoo near her eye gleamed.

“You can see me?” I asked.

She nodded. “Invisibility potion?”

“Yeah. Must have worn off.” I gestured to the plants around me. “When did this happen?”

“Shortly after you left. They’re a bit crazy. Kinda mean.” As if to prove her statement, one of the plants struck out at her, the crimson petals pulled back in a snarl and the fangs snapping. She whacked it on the side of the bloom hard enough to make it lose a few petals. “No biting!”

The plant hissed, then pulled back.

She grinned. “They’ve learned to respect me.”

“I just…can’t believe this.” I was clearly a disaster with my magic, if I’d let something like this happen. How could I possibly be Persephone? The idea of it was ridiculous, given the evidence, so I shoved it to the back of my mind. First things first: a cure for the pomegranate curse.

“I need your help,” I said.

“Don’t you always?”

It was true. I definitely was going to owe her one. “Yeah, but it’s important. It’s—”

A faint prickling rose on the air, bringing with it the scent of firelight and the taste of dark chocolate. My eyes widened. “He’s coming. Go.”

She couldn’t be caught with me. It was too dangerous.

The apothecary was no dummy, though. She’d already spun around and disappeared into the vines. I drew in a breath and whirled around to face the direction from which Hades would come.

Did I have time to run?

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