And right now, this may be the only way to save Hazel from this mess with Hades. The only way to get word to Death about what is going on.
Though it will not be easy, this could even be the answer toallour problems.
I am almost gleeful as I drag myself to my feet. Quieting myself, I close my eyes to listen and am made distantly aware of a guard’s approaching footsteps as he makes his rounds.
I wait, trying to be patient.
When the guard finally makes his slow approach, I pull myself closer to the cold metal bars of the cell. He pauses several cells down, sneering at whatever unfortunate soul has found themselves there before continuing on toward me.
I do my best to school the crooked grin on my face. I cannot have him suspecting what I am up to.
“Move back,” the guard snaps, kicking the door of my cell with a heavy boot.
“I do not think I will.”
“Do not make me come in there,” the guard says. “I would be more than happy to teach you a thing or two about respect.”
I cannot stop myself from snorting at this. Does he not see how far torture has gotten anyone else with me?
“I would like an audience with Hades. Tell him his guest, Eros, is requesting it.”
The guard laughs at this before continuing on, ignoring my request.
I wait until he makes it several cells down before I call out to him again, repeating my request. He ignores me but that only encourages me to shout loudly.
With his hand on the door, about to leave the cells behind to enter the guards’ quarters, I smile.
“Fine, then I call upon the God of Love,” I shout. “I call upon my brother, Anteros, for a Trial of Love.”
Frozen for a moment, I can hear the guard’s boots slowly scraping against the dirty floor as he turns toward me. I can feel his agitation like static through the air, stress and worry mixing with it.
“What did you say?”
Sighing, I repeat, “I call upon Anteros. I demand a Trial of Love.”
There is a long pause as the guard stares at me.
“Do you understand the consequences of invoking such a thing?” the guard snarls, storming closer as if to intimidate me.
“Obviously,” I scoff. “He is my brother after all.”
The guard hesitates, clearly unsure how to handle this.
I am sure that in all his years spent serving Hades, he has never had to deal with something like this.
“To hell with you, Eros,” the guard spits, finally turning to leave. I cannot help but smile at the reluctance in his steps as he goes to relay my request.
I cannot almost imagine Hades’ expression when he learns what I have asked for. Hopefully, this will be just what we need to outsmart him at his own game.
Of course, Anteros will be none too thrilled to be summoned away from his wife, especially to such a place as this.
Alone in the cell, the weight of what I have just done begins to grow heavy as I consider everything it may entail. I know it is dangerous to involve my brother. Perhaps even foolish, but I cannot think of any other way to help the mortal.
She cannot be allowed to remain here. Not when it is clear that something even more sinister is at play.
I am not about to let Hades get away with using her as some pawn in his fight for power. Or as just another plaything to be tossed aside once he has satisfied himself with her.
This thought in particular has me pacing my cell, though it is not easy given the chains.
