Cerberus stands sentinel at the edge of shadows, a hulking mass of muscle and malice coiled tight with purpose. Three heads rise from his broad shoulders like dark monuments—each one a snarl of teeth and unnaturally glowing eyes. His growl rumbles like boulders grinding in a deep, forgotten chasm.
His middle head—alert, commanding—surveys his surroundings with cold intelligence. The left turns quickly, always watchful, nostrils flaring for the scent of trespassers. The right twitches erratically, jaws snapping as if there are phantoms only he can see surrounding him. Around his paws, the earth lies scorched and dead, as though life itself dares not take root near him.
A serpent coils in place of a tail, flicking its tongue in the air, its gaze just as piercing and cruel.
The gates of Hades’s palace rise behind him, carved in bone and obsidian.
All three heads turn in our direction as we approach.
“Hello, Father,” Everett greets coldly, and I know he hates using that name for the monster before him.
He hasn’t been a father to Everett in a long time.
“Son,” the middle head says.
Then, to my surprise, Cerberus’s form ripples and distorts, his arms and legs shortening and his tail retreating into his body. His three heads merge into one, and he stands on human legs.
Where before I was staring at a three-headed monster, I’m now looking at a man who looks eerily similar to Everett. Same light-brown hair. Same sharp jawline. Same hazel eyes.
The man smiles coldly. “I see you brought your team. And…” He trains his gaze with unerring accuracy on Thea, who should be invisible thanks to Krystian’s glamour. “I see you brought a friend.” His lips lift even farther. “Did you really think your tricks would work down here? All powers of the living are dampened in the Underworld. You know that, Everett.”
He chuckles, but the noise is a cold, malevolent sound. “So tell me, son. Why are you here? And why are you trying to hide this pretty reaper from me?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
THEA
“Idon’t know what you’re talking about,” Everett says, shifting slightly so he’s blocking me from view.
Cerberus laughs, but the sound is devoid of any humor. “Don’t play with me, boy.” He bares his teeth and takes a step closer. “Right now, I’m merely amused. But my amusement can morph into anger very, very quickly. You don’t want to see me lose my temper.”
“Guys, it’s okay,” I whisper.
Rafe and Krystian both whirl to glare at me, but I ignore them and step around Everett. I don’t feel any different, but I can tell the glamour has been lowered when Cerberus’s bright, penetrating eyes lock onto mine. He arches an eyebrow.
“You’re a reaper,” he says simply.
Captain Obvious over here.
“Yes, we’ve established as much,” I say, wringing my hands together as nerves tangle in my belly.
It’s not simply because this man is intimidating—though that certainly plays a part in it.
It’s because this is Everett’s dad, who never thought Everett was good enough.
Righteous indignation fills me at just the thought.
How could he possibly think that? Isn’t he aware that Everett grew to be one of the most protective men I know? One of the best?
Cerberus begins to circle me, his hands clasped behind his back and his chin lifted haughtily in the air. He practically exudes arrogance, which isn’t all that different from Everett, now that I think about it. But Everett has every right to be cocky, while Cerberus…doesn’t. He’s nothing but a damn watchdog whose entire existence revolves around Hades.
“But you’re not any reaper who’s currently active,” Cerberus continues, his shrewd eyes narrowed. He returns to his spot in front of me. “You must meet with Hades at once.”
“No way in hell,” Rafe growls, moving to stand beside me.
Cerberus ignores him and extends a hand towards me. “Come, darling. Hades needs to know?—”
He’s shoved aside by a snarling, half-rabid Everett.
