Sneak Peek
Arianna’s Point of View
Hours before the war
The darkness that permeates the Underworld is so thick, it’s almost stifling.
Exactly the way I prefer it.
My shadows curl around my skin like the gentle caresses of a lover.
Or at least, I think that’s what a gentle lover would feel like.
The thought has my skin crawling and ice flooding my veins.
Before I can remind myself not to think about it, the shadows that were so lovingly touching my flesh a moment before start to melt away, hissing in my ears.
‘Whore.’
‘Disgusting.’
‘Slut.’
‘Worthless.’
I take their abuse, not bothering to try to shake them away.
There’s no use. Nothing I do will make them stop.
Not since he broke me.
I pause when I reach the threshold of a large cavern. It’s covered in decomposing bodies.
Did Vivi go on a rampage and not tell me about it?
I wish she had told me. I would have brought her a cupcake to celebrate.
Glancing up, I take in the multitude of doors on the other side of the space.
Only one has an orb lit next to it.
It’s the only orb that’s been lit since I got here.
Dread and fear pulse down my spine.
He knows I’m here.
I need to stop being a baby. Just because he’s a man doesn’t mean he’s going to hurt me.
Besides, he’s stuck inside a wall. What’s the worst he’s going to do?
‘Coward. You’re an embarrassment to your friends.’
‘He’ll tear into your flesh until you scream.’
‘You’ll be locked down here for eternity.’
I try to block out the whispers, even as my hands tremble. Shadows pool under my feet as I cross the cave.
They’re the same shadows that leak from Cerberus. I need to know why they chose me.
I’m halfway across, when I’m thrown into a vivid memory.
The room is dimly lit, but it feels magical. Need has finally decided to grant me immortality.
The shelves are lined with bottles and vials. Many of them hold only a few drops, but most are empty.
“Walk around the space. There are different paths to power, and the more compatible the host, the greater your gift will be,” Need commands in a brisk tone.
Nervous anticipation buzzes through me, even as my face stays void of emotion. I tour the room, looking at each vial, but nothing calls to me.
None of the magic wants me.
Need’s expression grows annoyed, and disappointment lances through my chest.
This was all for nothing.
But then I see it – a bottle hidden in the dark recesses of a shelf.
It’s larger than the others, and the only full bottle here. Black, writhing shadows swirl inside, and my pulse stutters.
Need lets out a mocking laugh as she strides over and pulls it from the shelf. “Leave it to a human to reach for things far beyond their station. Far more worthy creatures have tried to claim this power, but it has refused all attempts. It will kill you the moment it touches your flesh.”
As she speaks, the shadows begin to swirl around the bottle, excited.
Need doesn’t notice, but I can’t look away.
They look… alive.
Need gives me a condescending smile and goes to re-shelf the bottle.
It shatters before she ever gets the chance.
Shadows burst forth and swallow me whole.
My eyes snap open, and I’m standing before the remains of a wooden door. The other cavern is nowhere in sight.
Black shadows preen as they brush against my legs.
I freeze.
They aren’t my shadows.
“Won’t you come in?” A dark, velvety voice calls from the next room.
The sound wraps around me, and I shudder slightly.
It’s not him.
He’s just a man.
He won’t hurt me.
For once, my shadows stay blissfully silent.
My heart thunders from the instinct to run, but I need answers. The shadows still tenderly stroking my legs confirm my suspicions.
My power came from a god.
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end.
Why?
Why would it choose me?
My shadows crawl forward, already deciding that we’re entering.
Locking away my fear, I follow.
Piercing blue eyes flare when I enter the space. Death himself watches me with calculated interest, and I feign disinterest as I look around the room.
He’s stunning. Even though most of him is trapped behind a wall, and his dark hair is overgrown, he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
I make sure to stand on the far side of the cave, as far from him as possible.
His beauty only makes him more terrifying.
More dark tendrils seep from my feet, crawling toward him.
“Hello, Hades,” I purr, hoping the sultry tone distracts him from my wayward shadows.
Cold eyes trail down my body with interest. “Well, that hardly seems fair. You know my name, and I’ve yet to have the pleasure of hearing yours.”
The charming, suave tone has my pulse racing.
This man is very dangerous.
“I’m a friend of Vivian’s,” I answer instead.
More of my shadows seep out, and they refuse to stay away from him. They tease over his exposed flesh, curiously exploring him.
I don’t acknowledge their existence.
Traitors.
“Ahh, of course. You must be here to release me,” he says with a smile, and his eyes heat with something that looks like anticipation.
Warning bells sound in my mind.
Run. Run now.
Sensing my hesitation, the dark god raises a brow. “You do want my help in the war, do you not? Vivian’s soul is unstable. With my help, you’ll stand a chance at winning.”
Again, I don’t let myself show any outward reaction to his words, and confusion flashes across his features, just for a moment.
“What makes you think I can release you?” I ask, even though I’ve figured it out.
“Your shadows, of course. The stone will bend for them,” he purrs back.
Apprehension wants to smother me whole, but Vivi needs me.
She said we need him.
“And why can’t you use your own shadows?” I tip my chin at the dark tendrils still twining around my legs like a cat looking for attention.
Hades grins. “My shadows have only just returned. They’re small and weak. But yours… they are far more ancient. Won’t you let me out?”
The way he’s drawing me in reminds me of the children’s story where a fox lures a gingerbread man into his mouth, only to eat it.
I should run while I can.
But then Vivi might get hurt in the war.
I shudder before uttering, “Fine.”
The dark god’s eyes gleam as my shadows surge, licking against the stone. Tendrils bleed into the ancient enchantments like ink onto parchment, hissing as the magic dissolves into nothingness.
Hades sighs, and through the pitch black, I watch as his body begins to emerge from the stone. His muscled chest ripples, and he stretches his arms as his entire upper body is freed.
My mouth goes dry.
More stone is consumed by the shadows, and I snap my eyes shut as his lower body is revealed.
It’s not him.
This is an ally.
I’m safe.
A tendril of darkness strokes my cheek. Once again, it isn’t mine.
I open my eyes.
I am not safe.
The shadows have carried me over to the wall, and Hades stands directly before me. Before I manage half an inhale, his hand finds my throat.
His touch is hot against my skin.
“So kind of my power to deliver you. Now tell me, witch, what magic are you using to allow you use of my shadows?”
His words are laced with threats, but that isn’t what’s driving my fear.
He’s touching me.
He leans closer, and his breath fans over my lips.
White-hot terror breaks over me.
Not again.
His own shadows snap out, twisting around his arms and binding him against the wall.
I jump out of his reach.
Hades growls, struggling against them. “What have you done to my power, little thief?”
The stone floor scuffs against my boots as I continue backing away. My shadows reluctantly pull away from the dark god and follow.
His feet are still covered in stone.
Hades’ eyes narrow, realizing I’m headed for the door.
“Don’t you dare,” he growls in a low warning.
My heart pounds wildly in my chest, adrenaline surging through me.
I’m sorry, Vivi.
I shake my head softly and do the one thing I longed to do for two hundred years.
I run.