Chapter 4
Chapter four
THANATOS
The human lay still in his arms, asleep. Thanatos sighed in relief.
The blank look in her eyes disturbed him. He imagined them expressive—hazel shifting between gold and green. He should’ve felt nothing carrying her through the night, just as duty demanded. Yet, dread crept in.
What if he failed?
It wasn’t just Hypnos’ fate at stake. If he lost her, the wrath of the gods could topple the balance he’d spent an eternity maintaining. Those deep shadows under her eyes bothered him more than it should.
He’d accepted this mission because Athena held his brother’s future in her hands. She knew about Hypnos’ role in the Trojan War; the second time he’d put Zeus to sleep for Hera. Zeus still believed Hypnos wasn’t involved. If the truth came out….
Thanatos couldn’t let that happen.
With the human unconscious, it was the best time to take her to the entrance of the Underworld.
Somewhere secure. He’d seek Hades’ permission for her to stay in Hypnos’ cave.
If the ruler discovered he’d brought a living mortal into the Underworld without permission, he might use Thanatos as an example.
Or worse, refuse to let the human leave.
One god threatening him and his brother was enough.
He focused on the Gates of Horn and Ivory, the nearest Underworld entrance. He crossed the distance a moment later. The usual chill wrapped around him as his cells dissipated, then reformed outside the gates.
The human was still asleep. Mortals were usually disoriented after traveling this way, gripped by vertigo as the world vanished from under their feet. She barely stirred. He wondered if it was the effect of the curse, or if the girl herself was stronger than he’d thought.
Standing there for a moment, he debated calling out to Hypnos. His twin hadn’t left his cave in centuries. Not since Pasithea. He wouldn’t meet him here, no matter what he asked.
Thanatos gritted his teeth.
Most gods used the word ‘wife’ loosely, but his brother loved deeply. Entirely. And Pasithea had used that love against him for her own gain.
His thoughts turned back to the human in his arms. No, Hypnos wouldn’t leave his self-made prison. Not yet. He reached out to their mutual friend instead. “I need your help.”
Gods usually avoided mingling with other pantheons beyond necessity. Still, friendships and truces had formed over the eons, rare as they were. Immortality became tedious, and even among their own, isolation could suffocate.
His bond with Anubis had formed centuries ago when the Greek and Egyptian pantheons mixed.
Their similar domains, as keepers of death and believers in its natural order, had cemented their respect for one another.
They avoided each other’s politics and wars.
But for small things, like protecting a human, that was different.
“Where are you?” Anubis responded moments later.
“Outside the gates near Hyp’s home.”
Anubis appeared a beat later—khopesh lifted, body tense. Ready for a fight. The ancient weapon looked almost out of place with his modern clothes: dark slacks, a high-collared black shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows.
“Easy, my friend. I did not mean that kind of help.”
Anubis relaxed. “Kidnapping humans now?” The sword vanished. His voice changed from battle-ready to curious.
“No…” Thanatos hesitated. “Technically, yes.”
Anubis snorted. “Only you would kidnap someone and then debate terminology. You are not the first. Though most gods prepare mortals for the afterlife before bringing them here.”
“I need to speak with Hades to grant the human access to Hypnos’ cave. I cannot take her in until I receive it.”
Anubis crossed his arms, frowning as he looked the girl over. “You want me to babysit while you negotiate?” Disappointment tinged his voice, as if he’d expected to fight a battle or slay a monster; not this.
Thanatos hid his smile. “She’s sleeping. How difficult could it be?”
Seeing Anubis grow more concerned, Thanatos let the amusement fade. “The girl and her family are under a curse, and I could use your expertise. There are too many unanswered questions. Such as, why do the Olympians care if she lives?”
Boredom was dangerous for gods. His friend had been restless for centuries. This intrigue might finally pull him in.
When Anubis held out his arms, Thanatos hesitated. Even after he handed her over, he didn’t let go.
“Watch her if she wakes,” he warned. “She tried to jump off a building before I could get to her.”
Anubis’ golden eyes widened. “She tried to kill herself?”
“That’s how it looked, but I am not convinced. She did not react to anything, not even flying. It was as if a spell forced her.”
Thanatos looked at the human sleeping peacefully in Anubis’ arms, as if she hadn’t nearly walked herself off her roof. He wished he could snap his fingers and lift the curse, letting her return to her life.
The life he’d just stolen from her.
Anubis hummed. “If this is so simple, why do you not want to leave her?” His knowing eyes glinted.
Thanatos had to fight the instinct to deny it. He wasn’t sure when the reluctance to leave her had happened. Or why the thought of leaving her with anyone else bothered him.
Instead, he said, “She’s my responsibility.”
“Your responsibility.” His tone was dry. “That explains why you are clinging to her as if someone might steal her.”
Thanatos loosened his grip and let Anubis adjust the girl against his chest. He didn’t have time for this. “Will you help or not?”
Anubis looked down at the human as if he were weighing his options. Then, finally, “Fine. But only because this sounds like it could get interesting.”
“Good. I will try to be quick. If she wakes up, contact Hyp. He can keep her asleep until I have word from Hades.”
Anubis nodded, but Thanatos spotted the familiar sly look. He didn’t have the patience to discover what scheme was forming in his friend’s mind.
Without another word, Thanatos reappeared in the throne room.
The onyx throne sat empty. No skeletal guards. No murmurs of the dead.
His steps echoed on the black marble—too loud in a room that should’ve been full of judgment.
Thanatos knew he could try to hunt Hades down, but doing so would be presumptuous. Hades knew where he was; had sensed his arrival. All he could do now was wait.
The only other feature was the sparkling murals on the walls that Hades had commissioned after his marriage to Persephone.
Their gemstone surfaces depicted the most infamous moments of the goddess’ story.
The most prominent scene showed her eating the pomegranate seeds that had sealed her fate, binding her to this realm.
Permanently, if Hades had his way. He would sooner let Tartarus freeze over than release Persephone.
After several minutes, there was still no sign of Hades. Pacing the throne room, Thanatos debated whether to search him out within the palace.
Before he could move, a voice rang out through the chamber. “Why are you here, Thanatos?”
Hades was over seven feet tall. His presence dominated the throne room like a gathering storm. He had dark hair that framed a cold, chiseled face. Skin the color of ash, as if sunlight had never touched it. His moods were more unpredictable than the shifting rivers of the Underworld.
Today, however, he looked uncharacteristically relaxed. Instead of his dark robes and crown, he wore a cream-colored sweater and dark slacks and was lounging on his throne as if he’d been dragged away from rare downtime.
Thanatos bowed his head. “Hades.” He met the god’s gaze, keeping his voice respectful but firm. “I have come with a request.”
Hades’ grin set him on edge. “I’m intrigued. In fact,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “I cannot recall a time when you’ve ever come to me with a request.”
Thanatos swallowed. “I have been charged with protecting a human.” He chose his words carefully. Only the foolish demanded anything from Hades. No matter how much the god seemed to enjoy his company, he wouldn’t tolerate slights.
“I came to ask for permission to bring the human into my brother’s cave, where she would remain until she leaves.”
Hades’ steel-gray eyes remained unreadable. “I assume this human is alive?”
Thanatos clenched his jaw. “Yes.”
That was the problem. Hades already knew the answer, and he was drawing it out, forcing him to acknowledge the rule against any living mortals in the Underworld without a bargain. If the god entertained his request, it would come with strings attached.
Was it worth it?
As the silence continued, Thanatos started considering alternatives when Hades finally spoke.
“I will allow it. On one condition.”