“Cerberus, open this door,” I demand as I continue to beat my fists against the door. I pause to listen, my breathing heavy before opening my mouth to repeat the command. But before I can say anything, I hear the approach of heavy footsteps.
I just barely manage to set my face as a key is shoved into the lock and the door swings open.
Cerberus glowers at me, looking just as displeased as I expected him to be, his massive frame filling the doorway and blocking my exit.
“I need to go,” I inform him as he cocks his head at me. “Please, step aside.”
“Out of the question.”
“Please, Cerberus.”
“No.”
“I can’t miss the lesson,” I plead, clasping my hands together. “Please, I need to go.”
“I said, no.”
“You will only be putting me in more danger by refusing her.”
His brow furrows at this. “How so?”
I fight back the smile that tugs at the corner of my lips as I realize that I may have found a way to convince him to let me go. He genuinely seems to care about keeping me safe, and right now I’m not above exploiting that … not if it’ll get me in front of Persephone.
“Persephone will suspect something has happened. She may even come after me herself, and then where would that leave us?”
“I can deal with Persephone.”
“Or you can simply allow me to go and avoid the danger altogether.”
“No.”
“You can accompany me,” I hasten to add. “You can do your duty while still appeasing the Queen’s orders. Now, take me to the queen.”
It almost seems too simple. A solution that will leave us both feeling as if we’ve won.
I’d be safe, under his watchful eye, and still have the chance to try to speak with Persephone.
He stares down at me, his head still cocked to one side as a glimmer of mischief flickers to life in his eyes … and I know that I’ve won. Though he lets out a sigh, and his expression darkens as if preparing to tell me no again, I know he won’t refuse.
“Very well,” he finally concedes, “but if I see or hearanythingthat threatens your safety, anything odd or out of place, then I am dragging you right back here. I am not afraid to cause a scene either, if that is what it comes down to. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” I answer.
He hesitates for another moment, continuing to block my path even though he’s agreed to my terms.
I raise an eyebrow at him, unable to stop my nervous impatience at bay as it bubbles through me. We need to get moving if I want to make the lessons on time.
A few seconds go by, but then he nods and steps aside to let me out of the room. The other guards are still waiting on the stairs and appear more than a little relieved to see me.
Together, with Cerberus taking up the rear, they lead me through the palace.
The halls seem even more quiet than usual, and the only sounds to be heard are the echoes of our footsteps on the stone floor. Cerberus remains close behind me, his presence looming over me, like a shadow that refuses to let go …
I’m more than a little surprised to find guards lining the corridor leading up to Persephone’s jungle room. The two men with us join them as Cerberus takes the lead and pulls open the doors for me.
Stepping into the room, I’m more than a little relieved to be leaving the growing unease of the echoing hallways behind me, and I give him a small smile of thanks. I don’t know why I expected him to wait in the hall with the others, but of course, he doesn’t.
Cerberus hovers, following one step behind me as I move to join the other women.
