Page 48 of Found In Destruction

“Ares is the happiest, most boisterous and hilarious man I’ve ever met,” Diana cut in, a smile on her face. “He makes us all laugh every day, even Bash.”

Azazel nodded, a shy smile on his face as he glanced at Ares. “Yeah, he’s very smart, too. Doesn’t give himself enough credit, really.”

“Well, it sounds like you’ve come a long way since you landed here after getting exiled. Proud of you. If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you. Love is tough to come by, and even tougher to keep. I pissed it away and acted like a smacked ass… to her and to you. Glad to see you happy.”

He smacked Ares on the back, and I had the feeling something private passed between them, like maybe they reached some kind of understanding? I’d have to ask Diana for the full story later.

“So, what brings you here? I’m happy to see you, but no one comes down here unless they want something.” Hades crossed his arms, scanning all of us.

“Hades, it’s a long story, but my mom is stuck in equilibrium. She’ll die if we take her out. We consulted the best necromancer in the world, and he said that he can’t guarantee he’ll be able to revive her because of the length of time she’s been suspended. I miss her terribly, and Ares thought of asking you to revive her,” Diana summarized in her sweetest voice. It was the same one she’d used to get cookies or take a ride on the back of Pop’s motorcycle when we were growing up.

“I understand this is a lot to ask of you, uncle, but I’d do anything for my Little Goddess. It’s not her mother’s fault that she’s in this circumstance, and this war is integral to the world’s survival.”

Hades leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard in thought. Silence fell over the room like an oppressive, stifling heat as we awaited his answer on pins and needles. I thought he wasn’t going to answer.

“I won’t do it for free,” he stated. “I’ve been pushed around by your father and the other gods for too long, and as much as I like you, nephew, there’ll be a price to pay.”

“I have a deal I can make you,” Lucifer said in a deep, tempting voice, as if he was offering Hades the world on a silver platter. “Join us–be part of the new order we’re creating. Come live at the compound and take a seat at my inner table. We need someone with your intelligence and abilities.”

“Think of all the power you’d have, and the impact you can make. You can be part of something, instead of being pushed to the side,” Ares added on. “I’d love to see you more often, and you can help me train the soldiers.”

“I can’t leave. Who’ll watch over all the souls?” This was the first time I heard any emotion from this beautiful, stone-faced man. He seemed scandalized that they would even suggest such a thing.

“Um, I hate to break it to you, uncle, but when was the last time you got a new soul? No one believes in the old gods anymore… most of these souls are dormant, and you can appoint someone to watch over them in your absence,” Ares suggested.

“Yeah, you can visit whenever you want,” Azazel added on.

“I’ll need someone to manage my underworld when I come back into power. Who better than Hades, himself? The job is yours.” Lucifer offered his hand, and Hades stared at it, not taking it right away.

“Will I have to see Zeus?” Hades picked at some invisible lint on his leather jacket, but that didn’t fool any of us.

“Not really, aside from a few odd times here and there. He won’t be living on the compound, and you’d be in a higher position than him. If you want to see him more than that, it’s on you.” Lucifer glanced from Hades’ face to his outstretched hand, waiting for the man to shake.

“Alright.” He shook Lucifer’s hand. Sparks flew from where their hands connected, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I’d finally see my sister after all these years. I started crying, and Hades handed me a handkerchief from the inside of his jacket. “What’s wrong, gorgeous? Beauties like you shouldn’t cry.”

Oh lord, this man was going to be trouble.He’s Apollo's uncle, I reminded myself–again. Couldn’t say for sure if that reminder helped or made this whole thing worse.

“I’m just so happy to see my sister again. Thank you so much,” I cried into his borrowed handkerchief, suddenly embarrassed by how emotional I acted. “Ugh, I swear I’ll clean this and get it back to you soon.”

“No worries, keep it as a way to remember me,” he said, tossing me a wink.

Diana discreetly elbowed me, and I wished for the second time today that we could mindlink. Maybe if I asked Lucifer, he’d be able to make it happen.

Hades got up, then stretched, extending his arms over his head. For fuck’s sake, he had a six pack?!Fuck my life.

“Give me a few minutes to pack a bag, then I’ll come with you and revive her.” He walked into another part of the house.

I hugged Diana, and we cried together. We had cried over Marilyn so many times in the past, but this time felt different. They weren’t tears of sadness—they were hope. We’d finally get her back after all these years.

Soon enough, Ares joined in. He may have been a bloodthirsty lunatic, but he had such a gentleness underneath it all. Then Azazel and Michael hugged us too. Lucifer patted Diana on her shoulder, ditching his emotionless bastard facade as a tear wet his cheek.

“It’s happening, Di. She’s coming home.”

21

DESMOND

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