Page 96 of Hades

“Well, I’m sure that she can’t allow all the souls to fight, the dead will outnumber the living but only a select few can be trusted to return to their rightful places. There may be more but she’ll save them for the end of the battle.”

We prepare for the next wave when my vision darkens for a second and then the scene before is one out of my nightmares.

The sand is bleeding and there are bodies littering the shore everywhere. My legs are heavy and I glance down at my blood-covered body to my feet where my men lay. How did this happen already? In the blink of an eye, I lost everyone that I loved. Why are the fates so cruel? Ares and his men still approach me.

The tears spill down my cheeks as I fall to my knees and an animalistic scream leaves my lips. I’m no longer in control over my powers and I don’t care. I pull at each of my men and haul them into my arms the best I can. My lightning arcs all over my skin, this is new even for me. I don’t fight anymore, I give into the rawness of my loss and for the first time, I literally light from the ground up and send out my power to any of the standing enemy.

This time, my vision clears and the bodies that are strung across the sand are those of Ares’s men.

I’m in Stone’s arms, he is looking down at me, concern written in his expression.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I was about to ask you the same thing.”

“Bodies, blood, everyone died and I couldn't cope. My powers lashed out and I didn’t stop them.”

“If I had to guess, it was my brothers, Deimos and Phobos. Ares likes to think of them as a secret weapon. They personify terror and fear, they play on your weakness to blind you from the truth in hopes that you will kill your loved ones for them. But jokes on them, even with you in your own head, you targeted Ares’s army and those two crispy critters are most likely the twins,” Phoenix states.

“Oh, Ares is going to be pissed at me,” I laugh.

“That is an understatement,” a female voice confirms.

“Aunt Enyo, what a displeasure to see you again. Can’t let dear old Dad make an idiot out of himself alone, I see,” Phoenix says.

“I’ll deal with you in a little while, this bitch is mine. The twins were my favorite of Ares’s spawn, there is hell to pay.”

“If you want Harper, you have to get through me,” Phoenix states.

Nile steps up next to him as Stone helps me to my feet.

“You good?” Stone asks in a whisper.

I nod and his arms unwrap from around me and he takes his place on the other side of Phoenix.

“Aww, she can’t fight me, woman-to-woman?” Enyo teases.

“The twins you are here to defend are still smoldering from her powers. You’re stupid if you think she can’t handle you,” Stone spits.

“I meant for our steel to do all the talking. Or is she too much of a coward for that? Having to hide behind her powers from Daddy,” she taunts.

“You aren’t going to goad me into fighting you. If you want a fight, I’m right here, bitch.” I say.

My men step aside and she advances on me, with her blade poised to attack.

“This isn’t going to end well for you. Once I have your head, I will collect theirs, too,” she smirks.

“That’s gross, I bury what I kill. Trophies aren’t needed,” I respond.

“Less talking, more action.”

“As you wish,” I say.

I raise my sword but I wait for her to attack first. There is no rush on my part; unlike her, I’m not fueled by rage. I do my best to clear my mind and focus on her movements and calculate her weaknesses. Her blade isn’t evenly balanced and this throws off the way she swings it. She protects her left side, leaving her right open for an attack.

Enyo steps closer, hoping that will help her land a blow, but I counter her with ease. I can see the frustration on her face grow with each failed attempt.

I think of gloating but I will not stoop to her level, I take a deep breath and wait for that right side to open up and I take my shot. I land the blow into her ribs and she gasps in surprise.

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