Chapter 2
Morpheus
“How is this addressing the issue, Cousin?” I demand a second after Maliki disappears with Serapina. I’m torn between following them and remaining here just long enough to punch Hades in the face. “You didn’t even try to explain yourself.”
My cousin glances at me. “Serapina doesn’t need words from me, Morpheus. She needs actions.”
I arch a brow. “Actions she can’t see?”
“She knows where we’re going.”
“And that’s supposed to be enough?” I ask.
“Yes.”
He doesn’t expand upon that response. Just expects me to accept his simple reply.
That’s not going to happen.
“Hades, I don’t even know why we’re going to meet with Ares.” Well, that’s not entirely true. I suspect it has to do with Pandora’s Box. But that’s not the point. “How will Serapina understand your intentions if you don’t voice them?”
“By experiencing the outcome,” he answers flatly. “Words mean nothing. Actions mean everything. Shall we go? Or would you like to waste more of my time?”
I stare at him, my jaw clenching.
Calling him infuriating won’t help the situation. Neither will introducing my fist to his face. Though, the latter would be utterly enjoyable right now.
But I need a way to make him talk.
Which means I have to approach this from a different angle. “I can’t be useful to you if I don’t understand your goal, Hades,” I inform him. “Give Ares my regards.”
Turning away from him, I start through the maze.
Oh, I could simply mist to Death’s Cabin and join Maliki and Serapina, but I want to give Hades a chance to evaluate his actions.
His sigh wraps around me as I take my second step, then his voice bellows, “Wait.”
I don’t. I keep walking. Because that’s the only way to push Hades.
“Morpheus,” he says, my name clearly being uttered between his teeth.
I glance back at him. “Yes, Hades?” I arch a brow. “Do you need something?”
His gaze narrows. “You know Ares won’t speak to me without you there.”
I shrug. “I’m sure if you’re nice to him, he’ll at least tell you to fuck off.”
My cousin gives me an exasperated look that would usually amuse me. But right now, I’m far beyond amusement where Hades is concerned.
“I want to talk to Demeter,” he informs me flatly.
“About?” I press, turning to face him now.
His expression matches his irritated tone as he replies, “Our mate. Obviously.”
“What about her?”
“Are you purposely being obtuse to piss me off?” he returns.
“Interesting question, Cousin. I could ask you the same. Because you’re demanding I accompany you on a mission without providing a purpose.
Meanwhile, our Omega is naked and no doubt about to enjoy Maliki’s brand of attention.
So I hope you can understand why I would much prefer to indulge in their presence over yours, yes? ”
Rather than wait for a reply—the question was rhetorical—I turn again.
And run right into Hades’s chest as he materializes in front of me. “We need to find out what Demeter has done so we can better protect our mate,” he growls. “If I have to explain that to you, then perhaps I should reconsider your position in the circle.”
I smile, but the sensation feels tight against my lips. Forced. Angry. “My position in the circle isn’t up for your consideration,” I tell him. “That pleasure goes to Serapina.”
This time, I mist.
Only to find my throat in a chokehold as Hades grabs me mid-movement and teleports both of us to the Mythos Fae Realm.
My teeth grind together when the barren landscape unveils before me, the familiar chill stirring goose bumps along my exposed arms. “Arse,” I mutter, manifesting a sweater because it’s fucking cold here.
Stepping away from Hades, I pull the fabric over my head to cover my bare torso and face him once more.
“Well?” I prompt, waiting for him to take the lead and call for Ares.
Instead, he runs his gaze over my white sweater and gray sweats. “You look ridiculous.”
“Fuck you, Hades.” I fold my arms, take in Hades’s pristine black suit, and shout, “Ares!”
“You don’t have to yell,” a deep voice drawls as the Mythos Fae in question appears beside me, a cigarette in his hand.
He lights it with a bluish-purple flame from his fingertip, then takes a long drag before looking between me and Hades.
“Tension. Fury. Sex. Smells like my kind of party. Who are we killing, hmm?”
“Each other,” I tell him. “Unless Hades starts fucking talking.”
A tic starts around Hades’s mouth.
I merely stare at him and begin a countdown in my head. If I reach one—
“Take us to Demeter,” Hades commands.
Which is precisely the wrong thing to do where Ares is concerned. One does not issue demands of Ares. One asks for favors instead. But Hades has never been known for polite conversation. Always direct and to the point.
Or cryptic as fuck.
Ares takes another pull on his cigarette, his ruby-colored eyes seeming to glitter with unspoken warning.
I sigh, my patience hanging on by a thread, and attempt to defuse the situation before Ares loses his temper. “Serapina was about to go into heat, then reverted back to her mortal state. We’re trying to determine what Demeter has done to her.”
“So you do know why we’re here,” Hades says, his sarcastic tone an unnecessary addition to his words.
I ignore my infuriating cousin and focus on Ares. “Would you be able to help facilitate a conversation between us and Demeter?” I ask him. “We may need some ideas on how to be… persuasive.”
He cocks his head, his dark horns glinting in the pale glow from above. “I do enjoy being persuasive.”
“Your creativity on the matter knows no bounds.”
“And now you’re flirting with me.”
“No, merely stating a fact,” I murmur. “I see all your fantasies, as you know.”
He smiles, the expression positively wicked. “True. You are a voyeur.”
“I am.” No point in denying my nature. “So will you help me talk to Demeter?”
“You? Absolutely.” He looks at Hades. “He can fuck off.”
I shrug. “You’ll hear no complaints from me.”
“No. I’ll be joining you,” Hades inserts. “I need to understand what Demeter has done to my mate.”
“Our mate,” I remind him.
“Then treat me as your equal in this and stop making plans without me,” Hades replies, his dark eyes glimmering with barely restrained fury.
A harsh laugh escapes me. “That’s a bit rich, Cousin. Particularly as you demanded I accompany you without feeling it necessary to explain why.”
“Because you already knew why,” he returns sharply. “Why are you being purposely obtuse?”
“Because I don’t know why you want to see Demeter,” I tell him. “I only know why I want to see her.”
He stares at me. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Exasperated, I ask, “Are you going to Demeter to talk about Serapina or Persephone?”
His dark eyes burn. “Both. Obviously.”
I shake my head. “That’s not the right answer, Cousin.”
He just continues to look at me, his expression exuding confusion. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you mean, Morpheus. And I’m exhausted by this banter. Stop playing games and be blunt with me.”
He wants bluntness? After he refused to do the same with me? Typical. Fucking. Hades.
I have half a mind to leave him here to sort this out for himself. Head back to Serapina and indulge her with Maliki. Please my mate.
But something Hades said moments ago rings true—Serapina needs actions.
So I’ll be blunt. Not for Hades. But for our Omega.
“Serapina is under the impression that you want to erase her existence by replacing her presence with Persephone’s soul. Yet rather than take an opportunity to correct her, you opted for this field trip, stating you want to prove your intentions through actions, not words.”
I pause to evaluate his expression.
Which provides him with the opportunity to say, “All of that is true.”
I nod, aware that it’s true. But I’m glad we’re at least on the same page thus far.
“Right. So I’ll ask again—why do you want to speak to Demeter? Are you trying to determine how to fulfill Serapina’s suspicions? To replace her existence with Persephone’s soul? Because that’s not what I want, and if that’s why we’re here, then you can speak to Demeter alone.”
Meanwhile, I’ll mist back to grab Maliki and Serapina… and run.
Hades’s nearly black eyes shine with a furious emotion, one that rivals my own. Only, I suspect it’s for entirely different reasons. “I—”
A cluster of smoke springs toward us, causing Ares to flick his cigarette toward the movement. Vibrant blue flames erupt all over the forming mist, followed by a shriek of enraged agony.
“Oops,” Ares murmurs, not sounding at all apologetic. “I suppose I need another cigarette.” He starts patting his leather jacket, likely searching for a pack.
“That’s a horrible habit,” Hades tells him.
My gaze lifts to the smog-covered sky before settling on my cousin. “Seriously?”
But it’s too late.
Fire erupts along Ares’s fingertips, his focus entirely on Hades now. “You want to visit Pandora’s Box?” he asks in a silky tone. “That can absolutely be arranged. In fact, how would you like a prolonged—”
More wasps of smoke appear, causing Ares to send fire across the space, only for one of the balls to be caught and thrown into the sky as Orcus materializes in a wave of fury.
“Do not fuck with me, Ar…” He trails off, taking in the scene. “Oh, thank fate you’re here. We need to talk.” The words appear to be for Hades since his eyes are locked on his brother. “Is Serapina okay?”
“Why?” Hades demands, causing my spine to stiffen.
“Did you sense something?” I add.
Orcus glances at me before refocusing on his brother. “Alina felt—”
A swirl of energy cuts him off, the furious swarm shifting into the shape of several familiar faces. My lips part. These Alphas are ones I haven’t seen in many, many ages. And all of their expressions are feral with need.
Fuck.
“Now you’ve done it,” Ares murmurs, flames licking across his hands. “Bringing that sweet aroma of Omega pussy into a realm full of crazed Alphas.” He shakes his head, then waves his hand to create a fiery wall between us and the incoming fae. “Better run.”