Chapter 2 #2
Those two words come out like a taunt.
And I know from experience that he isn’t talking to the approaching Alphas, but to us.
“Fuck,” Orcus mutters, misting to Hades’s side. “Let’s go.”
I ignore them and focus on Ares. “A door, please?” I ask my old friend, interested in neither leaving nor running right now. “We came here to talk to Demeter, and I would prefer not to have to return in an hour for that same purpose.”
Rather than reply, Ares tosses me a key—one that burns my palm as I catch it.
Because it’s on fire.
Just like his hands and horns are now.
“Thank you,” I say, trying to infuse some gratitude into my tone, which is difficult given my clenched teeth.
I turn just as a doorway appears, the obsidian slate an entryway that I recognize as one of the many entrances into Ares’s world.
Except it’s no ordinary door. It’s a solid sheet of rock boasting a feminine head at the top with stone snakes for hair.
Medusa, I think, familiar with the folklore surrounding her existence. Only, she used to be a real Omega, one I suspect Ares fancied in a past life. I’ve never asked. Nor has he ever commented on it. But the evidence of his previous infatuation is built into the foundation of Pandora’s Box.
I present the fiery key to the guardian of the doorway and wait for the snakes to writhe with life. One slowly slithers down to take the token from my palm, utterly oblivious to the chaos forming at my back. Or perhaps uncaring is the better term.
It’s not like those Alphas can harm the door.
But they can absolutely hurt me if they get too close.
So when the threshold parts to grant me entry, I don’t bother to look back or think twice. I simply step through.
And freeze when I find Hades and Orcus waiting for me on the other side.
My brow furrows as the wall whispers closed behind me. “How?” I ask, not only startled but also curious.
“I’m the one who brought Demeter here,” Orcus says. “Remember?”
“I do,” I say. “But how did you mist through Ares’s wards?”
Orcus shrugs. “He gave me access eons ago.”
“Why?” Hades asks before I can.
“Because he likes me,” Orcus tells him.
“You mean he likes Reaper,” I reply, folding my arms. “Yes?”
Orcus shrugs again. “We’re a circle. If he likes one of us, he likes all of us.”
I grunt at that. “Yeah, it’s Reaper.” That makes sense. Ares adores violent fae, and there are very few who are more violent than Reaper. “I’m surprised he doesn’t like Maliki.”
“Oh, I do,” Ares says as he joins us in a flash, his leather jacket soaking wet as he peels it off to let it plop onto the stone floor. Firelight dances through the corridor in the next instant, allowing me to see the red liquid oozing around his discarded coat.
Blood.
Of course.
Sighing, I shift my attention to his face. “How many did you slaughter?”
“Does it matter?” he asks, some of the crimson leaving his irises and allowing the dark rims to shine through. “They’ll regenerate, Morpheus.”
That last sentence is spoken in a tone that’s very unlike the Ares I know. It carries a hint of regret. Perhaps because it bothers him to see the madness that has overtaken our kind.
Or maybe one of those Alphas out there was a former ally.
Regardless, I don’t press.
There are horrors in our world I don’t want to discuss or face. Not tonight, anyway.
“What’s going on with Serapina?” Orcus asks, his attention on Hades again. “Alina said she…” Orcus clears his throat. “I need to confirm that Serapina is all right.”
I frown. “Why wouldn’t she be okay?” I ask, inserting myself into the conversation because he’s talking about my mate. As far as I’m concerned, Hades is no longer in the circle. Not until he decides to put Serapina first.
And I honestly doubt that will ever happen.
“Alina said she felt her… disappear.” While Orcus appears to be replying to me, his focus is still on his brother. “What happened?”
“She was about to go into heat, then Demeter did something to stop it,” Hades replies.
“Actually, I think she did something to her before you brought her to the Netherworld Kingdom. That’s why we need to talk to Demeter—to understand exactly what she created with Persephone’s and my powers, and also to determine how to fix it. ”
My eyes narrow. “Yes. Hades wants to erase Serapina and restore Persephone’s soul.”
Orcus glances at me with wide eyes, then back at his brother.
“What?” The word comes out stilted. Angry. Impassioned. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”
“No, but Morpheus bloody has,” Hades returns in a snap.
“Not once have I said that I want to erase Serapina. Nor have I commented on restoring Persephone’s soul.
Serapina said that, not me. However, the fact that you seem to assume the same only further confirms what I need to do.
” He looks at Ares. “Take us to Demeter. Now.”
A sigh escapes me as flames erupt down the hallway, the candles all flickering to life with red flames that match the crimson rock decorating the corridor.
“Hades,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.
But it’s too late.
This is Pandora’s Box.
A prison-like labyrinth riddled with violence.
And its warden is now furious with my cousin.
Bloody idiot, I think, looking up at the writhing red snakes now decorating the ceiling. Welcome to Ares’s realm of pain and suffering, Hades.
What’s the infamous mortal phrase? You reap what you sow?
Yeah…
Cheers, Cousin. Cheers.