Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
APHRODITE
I could feel the hook’s cruel bite as it held me suspended, the ropes around my wrists like chains of torture, tightening with every desperate twitch. I widened my eyes, trying to see in the darkness, and took a deep breath. The drugs had worn off, and my head throbbed with pain.
My worst nightmares had become real.
Hephaestus was a disgusting, evil demon who thought he could take advantage of me when I was at my weakest. He was a coward. He didn’t just want to hurt me—he wanted to destroy me. Torture me until I begged for mercy, or kill me outright. Maybe both.
Either way, his intentions were clear: he wanted to see me shattered, but he’d have to do more than that to take me down. I was aching all over, and when I looked down at my body, I saw fresh cuts glistening with my blood. There was a numbness in my limbs, and I couldn’t feel much of anything when I attempted to wiggle them.
I screamed to the heavens, and tears streamed down my face. The pain faded as adrenaline surged through my body. Panic enveloped me as I considered the seriousness of my situation. I was determined not to be defeated. Hephaestus wasn’t the only person who had darkness raging inside of him.
I concentrated on wiggling my fingers, trying to regain their feeling. They tingled, but responded, moving stiffly as pain shot through my hands. Swallowing hard, I summoned all my remaining strength. Gritting my teeth, I swung. My body moved through the air, aching with every injury I had sustained.
I didn’t care. I had to break free.
No one was going to come for me. No one knew where I was. I swung faster and faster, the grinding metal emitting a high-pitched shriek as I dangled precariously above the rotted wooden floorboards; My wrists getting torn to shreds on my unrelenting binds. I curled my legs into my chest, using every ounce of energy I could summon and propelled myself upwards.
The rope lifted, slipping off the hook.
I fell to the ground with a thud. The impact sent a sharp pain through me, and I screamed in agony. I watched for a moment, dazed, as the hook above me swung back and forth.
I rolled onto my stomach and pushed myself up from the gritty dirt and hay beneath me. With a determined effort, I managed to get to my knees, lifting one foot, then the other, despite my trembling limbs. My head spun, blood rushing to my head and making everything feel hazy.
My body was streaked with blood and covered in cuts, each one a searing reminder of the ordeal I’d just survived. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, focusing on finding my footing again.
I was going to kill Hephaestus. The thought raced through my mind in a repetitive loop.
With each cautious step, I surveyed the barn, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick and musty, saturated with the scent of dust and hay that clung to everything. The silence was suffocating, pressing down on me as I moved.
I slid the heavy barn door open, and the sudden flood of morning light stung my eyes, forcing me to squint as I stepped out into the day. The contrast between the dark, musty barn and the bright, open world outside was jarring, yet it propelled me forward, urging me to face what awaited. I knew I needed to get back to the Olympus Syndicate compound, but something kept me lingering about, a nagging sense of unfinished business.
Squinting, I tried to adjust to the brightness. An empty field stood before me, a vast stretch of barren land surrounded by dense trees. It had a dirt path which ran straight down the middle, leading to nowhere in particular. The cold air nipped at my skin, sending a shiver through me as I stepped into the brisk landscape.
The emptiness of the scene struck me—there was no sign of life, no hint of anything remotely nearby. The only sound was the crunch of gravel under my bare feet as I moved forward, watching my breath turn into a foggy mist that hung in the air before dissipating. The solitude was overwhelming, but there was no turning back now.
I ran with urgency, my heart pounding in my chest as my feet propelled me forward.
Heat surged through me, my body breaking out in a cold sweat. It was an odd, uncomfortable feeling—sweat dampening my skin even as I shivered.
Fear lingered, but I wouldn’t allow it to slow me down. I sensed Titan’s presence beside me, and for a moment it felt like he was here, cheering me on. It was as if his spirit had the power to make me run faster.
My feet were raw from the rocks and debris slicing into my skin, but I didn’t care. I pushed through the relentless pain and the tears that blurred my vision, each step a battle against the agony coursing through me. My body felt like it was on fire, every movement a reminder of the hurt. But no matter how hard it was, I had to reach Ares. The thought of him kept me going, fueling my determination. With each staggered step, I focused on the urgency of getting to him, fighting through the haze of pain and emotion that threatened to overwhelm me.
My chest squeezed, working to catch my breath. I spotted a pair of headlights making their way toward me. A vehicle came into view, a small blue sedan. It wasn’t just a car—it felt like a sign from Titan, a symbolic gesture of his love and support even after death. The sight of it gave me a surge of hope, a reminder that I wasn’t alone. I waved as hard as I could, trying to get their attention. They zoomed past me.
My head tilted up to the sky as the snow fell, despair gripping me. I closed my eyes and inhaled, feeling the crisp air enter my body. Exhaustion was seeping into my muscles.
Suddenly, there was a honk.
My eyes widened, and I turned my head to see that the car had stopped down the hill. I sent a silent thank-you up to the heavens. Despite my crumbling body, I managed to push my legs to pick up speed and I headed toward the blue car.
I gripped the window and leaned down to face an older lady. She seemed dressed to go to church, and her eyes widened upon seeing the horror my body had endured. It was a mangled mess. I took a deep breath and said, “I need your help.”
“I’ll take you to the hospital, honey. Get inside,” she said as she reached for the door handle to open.
“No!” I protested, shaking rapidly. “I need to get to the Olympus Syndicate compound.”
The old woman’s face dropped. No one went there without a reason.
“Oh, I will not go there.” She said, a stern look on her face as she shook her head, “I’ll drop you off at the hospital. That’s as far as I’m willing to go.”
My head hung low as I took a deep breath. “Okay, that’s fine, take me to the hospital. Do you mind if I use your phone?” I bargained. She handed her phone over to me. “Thank you. I’ll just be a second.”
“Okay, honey. Don’t take too long now, your injuries look serious.” She observed, turning off her car. I straightened and walked to the back of the vehicle, dialing the person I knew could help.
Hades .
He had made me memorize his number in case I ever found myself in a situation I couldn’t get out of. A situation like this.
It took three rings before I heard the phone line click.
“Hades, I need help!” I exclaimed into the phone, the panic in my voice was evident.
“Aphrodite? Where are you? What happened?” His voice was deep with worry.
Bringing my hand up to my forehead in exasperation, I said, “They found us, Hades.” The weight of the night’s events suddenly crashed over me, and I felt my eyes well up with tears. I continued, “Hephaestus took me to a barn and tortured me. Ouranos took Ares. I can feel it, something’s happening. War isn’t just coming. It’s already here, and we’re right in the middle of it.” Tears streamed down my face, emotional turmoil writhing inside of me. As I looked to the driver of the vehicle in front of me, I said to Hades, “I found a lady who will drop me off at the hospital. Can you pick me up?”
Without hesitation, he said, “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”
I ended the call, and a sick feeling settled in my stomach. It was as if I already knew who would die today. I wished I could bargain with the gods, to trade my life for his.
My heart ached with the weight of it all, but right now, I had to put on my mental armor and control my emotions. There were lives on the line, and my love for Ares fueled my strength to face whatever came next.
Carme, the older lady who saved me, gave me some fresh clothing before dropping me off at the hospital. She said, “Stay safe, Aphrodite, and take this.” She handed me some homemade bread. Eating was the furthest thing from my mind, but my stomach growled too loudly to ignore.
I nodded to her once. “Thank you. ”
She gave me a small smile before driving away. I stood in the cold, wearing a flannel shirt and shoes that were a little big. As I waited for Hades to arrive in the parking lot, I took a bite of the bread. I knew I had to keep my energy levels up for what was to come.
The black Mustang purred as Hades drove toward me with purpose. Prometheus was in the passenger side. The vehicle came to a stop, and he hopped out. “I’m going to check on Zeus. Make sure nobody has done anything to him,” Prometheus said. “Be careful.” He nodded to me.
“I will.” I watched him slip through the doors as I sat down in the passenger seat and swung the door shut. Hades accelerated before I could buckle my seatbelt.
“Tell me everything,” Hades roared. His anger aligned with mine.
“Hephaestus told me I was just a pawn,” I said to Hades, trying to keep my voice steady. “He never cared about me—just used me to keep Ares busy while he set his plans in motion. He’s always wanted to take over the Olympus Syndicate, blamed his father for screwing things up. He was sick of being ignored and jumped at his chance.” I took a shaky breath, “I can’t shake the feeling that he’s struck a deal with Ouranos—everything seems too planned, too precise.”
My mind wouldn’t stop racing, trying to piece together fragments of conversations and actions that hadn’t made sense before but now seemed part of a larger, twisted plot.
Could Hephaestus really be involved in Titan’s death? It seems almost impossible, but what other explanation is there for his actions? What could he possibly gain from all this?
I continued, “Ouranos has Ares.” Tears streamed down my face, and my voice cracked with desperation. “I don’t know what’s happening to him. We have to find them—now.” I clenched my fists tightly, my determination cutting through the storm of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
Hades turned to face me, his eyes burning with fierce resolve. His nostrils flared as he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. “Hephaestus and Ouranos are dead men,” he growled, his voice low and seething with anger. “I won’t rest until they’re brought to justice. If it means dragging them to hell myself, so be it.” His gaze was unyielding, filled with a cold, fiery resolve. “We’re going to the manor. We’ll find out what’s happening, and we’ll put an end to this madness.”
The manor gates stood wide open, an unsettling sight. Ouranos was notoriously strict about security, never letting anyone in without a thorough search. A sense of unease settled over me as I glanced at Hades, who was slowly approaching the front entrance. We sat in silence as he cut the engine, the quiet amplifying my growing anxiety. The door to the manor was ajar, and a cold wave of fear washed over me. Turning to Hades, I found him watching me with a serious expression. “Do you know how to use a gun?” he asked.
I paused for a second, remembering when Titan had taken me to the shooting range to teach me. I nodded at Hades. “Titan had insisted I needed to learn for my safety,” I said.
Hades reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a small handgun, its black metal gleaming ominously in the dim light. He handed it to me, the weight of the weapon heavy in my trembling hands. As I wrapped my fingers around the cool, solid grip, a steely resolve settled over me. The heft of the gun felt like a promise of protection, a tangible source of strength. With the weapon now in my grasp, I felt ready to confront whatever dangers lay ahead.
Stepping out of the vehicle, we cautiously approached the front of the manor, Hades leading the way with a measured, deliberate pace. My heartbeat quickened with each step, the tension mounting as we drew closer.
Hades moved towards the door with the precision of a soldier preparing for action. I forced myself to keep fear at bay, focusing instead on the task at hand. I tapped his shoulder to signal him to proceed. With a steady hand, he pushed the door open, and it creaked wide, revealing the dimly lit entryway. We stepped inside, emerging into the subdued glow of the manor’s interior, ready for whatever awaited us.
Bloody handprints lined the floor, and made it look like someone had been dragged through the manor. I swallowed hard, feeling the sudden sickness of knowing someone was probably dead. A chill ran down my spine. Hades followed the bloody markings on the floor toward the ballroom. I removed the safety from my gun, preparing myself for battle.
Hades strode through the darkness. Light from the windows highlighted dark puddles of blood on the floor. The trail led to the open doorway of the ballroom. Hades signaled for me to stop. My heart pounded in my chest.
Hades slammed the door open, gun at the ready, and stepped inside. The gray light from the open drapes cut through the darkness, revealing Gaia sprawled out in the middle of the ballroom floor. Her lifeless body and wide, terrified eyes painted a gruesome picture. I staggered back, my breath hitching as I took in the horrifying scene. Hades moved swiftly towards her, his anger barely contained.
“I finally did the job right. Pay me,” Hades read the words as he turned to face me.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I took in Gaia’s lifeless body, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Despite her cruelty and manipulative ways, seeing her like this was a brutal shock. It felt wrong—inhuman.
My chest tightened with grief, the kind that makes your breath catch and your heart ache. But as the horror of the scene sunk in, that grief rapidly twisted into something fiercer.
“This was Hephaestus’ doing.” Hades rubbed his face. “Fuck!” He roared, his voice booming throughout the room as I stared at Gaia’s dead body.
Suddenly, something clicked .
If Hephaestus was hired to kill Titan, it stands to reason he was also behind Gaia’s murder and the attempts on my life. The connection was undeniable—each act of violence seemed part of a coordinated effort, a twisted strategy that tied back to him. But why? What could he possibly gain from this trail of bloodshed?
Hades’s phone rang, slicing through the tense silence. He glanced at the screen, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion and concern. “Hello?” he answered, his voice tight with a sense of impending dread. As he listened, his expression shifted from confusion to sheer terror, his eyes widening in horror.