Page 29 of Hades

“If this is a bad time, we can come back,” I offer, though I don’t actually want to leave.

Hayden pops up and smiles. “Not at all, I’m glad you came. I was cold, so War was keeping me warm.”

Then her expression changes and she moves from standing in front of the couch to right before me. She is so close, I feel the heat off her skin, causing me to shiver.

“What’s wrong, beautiful?”

“You reek of Ares,” she replies as she starts sniffing me and her expression goes sour.

As I go to respond, she moves on to Frank, then Drevi.

“You have his scent the most. Was there someone in the elevator with you?”

Frank and I both turn toward Drevi. Not to sell our brother out, but he can explain this one.

He gulps heavily and replies, “Brittany.”

“Who is this Brittany? And why was she closer to you than these two?” Hayden asks as her eyes narrow on him.

“She’s my ex. It was a bad relationship, and I broke it off.Any time Brittany’s near me, she tries to win me back. I ignored her in the elevator, but she kept creeping closer.”

“That doesn’t explain why you stink of my power hungry nephew,” Hayden tells us.

“Brittany said she was here with her husband. Could he be your nephew?” I offer up.

Hayden shrugs but from the look on her face she isn’t dismissing the thought.

“Well, looks like we know where to find Ares,” War pipes in.

“First things first, will you three come take a seat? I have a few things to tell you.” Hayden smiles and waves her hand in the direction of the couch.

“Why does this feel like I’m being dumped, and we haven’t even had any dates yet?” I crack.

Warrick rolls his eyes as I take a seat in the armchair near the couch. Hayden sits down next to War, with Frank on the other side, and Drevi remains standing by the fireplace.

Hayden snuggles in closer to Frank and War. “Drevi, will you add another log to the fire?”

“How are you cold? It is burning up in here,” I grumble.

“Where I’m from, it’s so much hotter. I thought the heat in Vegas would match well, but I was mistaken.”

“And you’re from...?” Drevi asks.

“The Underworld,” she replies softly.

The three of us laugh. Well, that is, until we see the serious expression on both hers and War’s faces.

“It’s not a joke. I am Lady Hades, ruler of the Underworld.”

“Prove it,” I challenge her.

She inhales a deep breath, and when she lets it out a blue glow and it begins to spread over her body. It starts in the blonde of her hair and continues on to her skin. My jaw drops and I stare at her in amazement.

“This is my normal form. I toned it down because I was unsure how the mortals would view me.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Just when I thought you couldn’t be any more gorgeous.”

This gets me a smile, and her body relaxes a little more.

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