Dropping his hand from my chin with a look of disgust, he dismisses me with a flick of his wrist. I don’t hesitate to stumble away from him, even as one of Hades’ men immediately appears at my side.
I cannot wait to be gone from this place, but I stop as I reach the door. Reminding myself that I’m supposed to be showing interest in him, I glance back over my shoulder.
Hades is watching me, his eyes burning with the same fire that I saw in him at the ball.
My heart lurches in my chest and I quickly turn away, suddenly not so sure that this is a game I want to be playing.
Least of all with Hades.
14
Death
The path leading away from the Fates’ mountaintop dwelling is far less threatening in its eagerness for me to be gone.
Though the ravens still watch, moving from branch to branch as they chatter about my progress, I pay them no mind as I mull over everything that was said.
The sisters’ words still echo in my ears, and I cannot help wonder but wonder if I made the right choice ... but only Hazel can be the judge of that now.
Sighing deeply, I stop to pull off my mask and run a hand over my face. The heat and cruelty of this realm presses down on me, and I cannot help but wish for this all to be over soon.
And yet, I would endure it a thousand times over if it only meant saving her.
Continuing on down the path, my heart is heavy as I come to terms with what that may entail. So lost in thought am I that I belatedly realize I am no longer alone on the path. Ahead, I can just make out two low voices, locked in what sounds like a heated argument.
My steps slow as I quickly slip my mask over my face again. One quick glance about confirms that there is nowhere for me to hide to avoid those ahead. This portion of the trail is far too treacherous for that, having been cut straight into the side of a sheer cliff.
I step closer to the edge to look over it, only for bits of the earth beneath my feet to crumble away and cascade to the forest far below.
I have no choice but to confront whoever is foolish enough to find themselves on this path. Moving toward the voices, my shadows gather around me, as I ready myself for whatever is to come.
Rounding the bend, I come to a standstill as I take in the two figures before me. There is barely an inch between their faces as they row, their fists clenched at their sides as they near their breaking points.
“Eros?” I say in surprise, my gaze shifting between him and Cerberus. The two men glance up at me, one frowning as the other gives me a smug look.
If Eros is here, then Hazel must be nearby. My heart thuds in my chest, my fury at him for dragging her to a place like this quickly replaced by my eagerness to lay eyes on her.
Only, as I peer past him, I realize that they are alone. My shadows surge forward, but her presence is nowhere to be found.
“See, I told you,” Cerberus growls at Eros.
Eros shoves Cerberus in the chest, nearly sending him over the edge of the cliff before stepping toward me. His mouth opens, but I hold up a hand to cut off whatever flowery excuse he is about to sprout.
My shadows whip around him in warning, and he frowns but slowly closes his mouth.
“Where is she?” I growl, darkness filling in around us as I take another step forward. “Where is Hazel? What have you done with her?”
“Done with her?” Eros laughs, though he has the good sense to sound nervous now that we are no longer playing by the rules of his palace. “I have done nothing, though I wholeheartedly wish that was not true.”
The look that crosses his face as he says this makes me want nothing more than to throw him over the cliff, but I resist the urge. Instead, I take another step toward Eros, towering over him as I draw myself up to my full height.
"Then, where is she?" I demand, my voice low and dangerous. "Why is she not by your side?"
Inky shadows swell up around me, my rage growing with each passing second, when Cerberus suddenly steps between the two of us.
“Move,” I order, but Cerberus only shifts into his hellhound, hackles raised and teeth bared in warning. My fists clench at my sides as I glance from him to Eros. “What is the meaning of this?”
“I needed his help,” Eros answers, “to find you.”
