Page 63 of Hades

“Pyro, baby, there you are,” a familiar, whiny voice says. Fuck, Chelsea is here.

“Not your baby, what are you doing here?” I ask in a neutral tone.

“You think just because you said we were over, I’m not going to come to the biggest party in Vegas?” she retorts. “By the end of the night, you’ll be moaning my name once more.”

I have to stifle my laugh. “Doubtful, but I hope you enjoy the party and find a man with a heart as cold as yours and move on with your life.”

The stunned look on her face is the reaction I had hoped for; I push past her and towards the elevator. There is an older couple standing in it, waiting for the doors to close and take them to their rooms. I hop in and hit the close button and we are off.

“Floor twelve?” I ask. The gentleman nods, answering my question. “Are you two having a good time at the casino?”

“It is a lovely place, perhaps a little loud for us older people. But all in all, we are enjoying our stay.”

“That’s great to hear; how about a couple of drink certificates to the cabana by the pool? My treat.” I smile and hold out the little blue strips of paper I carry for times like these. I used to keep them for all the hot women I hit on, but I’ve come more to my senses now.

“Isn’t that kind of you, what can we do to repay you?” the older woman asks.

“It’s my pleasure, my brothers and I started this place so all that came would enjoy it. So, if this makes your stay a little more pleasurable, I’m glad to help.” I smile as the elevator dings, and the doors slide open to their floor.

“Thank you, young man, we need morepeople like you in this crazy world.” The gentleman helps his wife out of the elevator.

That would be Hades and I, if only we aged, I muse.

As the doors close, I hear a blood-curdling scream.

“Remind me to maim Lainie later,” I complained to Drevi. “How one person would want toget into all this lace and tulle is beyond me. This is torture, and I don’t even give torture out this harsh.”

Drevi tries to cover the grin on his lips, but he isn’t fast enough.

“You’re useless,” I mutter.

“You are almost in the dress, calm down, and I’ll help you get it straightened out. It will work out, you'll see.”

“Thank you, Drevi, I just want the night to go perfect. It’s my first Halloween with the four of you, and it’s been some years since the mortals have laid eyes on my blue skin.”

“It will all work out, you’ll see,” he promises me.

Pyro barges in the door, distress written on his face until he notices me in the flaming dress. “Holy fuck, you look amazing. But how many souls did we bring back?”

“Thank you, and I thought six, but there were only five when we got here. What’s wrong?” I ask, crossing the room andtaking his hand.

“Oh, when I was in the elevator, an older couple got off and there was a scream. I ran to the sound, thinking the worst, but when I got there, it was a frightened woman claiming that a ghost attacked her. So can you call Lainie and check the number of souls? We can’t have one loose and roaming the hotel,” Pyro explains.

“My money is on Seph, he probably loosened the binding of the wrists. I will maim him for centuries when I get a hold of him,” I fume.

I push the button on my phone and tell it to call Lainie. She answers on the third ring.

“Hades, mistress, is everything all right? I expected you to be busy with the party tonight.”

“No, Lainie, it hasn’t started, but we have a soul loose. Was Seph anywhere near them before we came to pick them up?” I ask.

“Yes, mistress. He met me at the gates and walked me back to the palace. Do you think it was him?”

The anguish in her tone pangs my heart. “I can’t prove it, but I’d say yes. I want to confirm that I brought six souls from the Underworld, correct?”

“Yes,” is all she replies.

“Don’t worry, I don’t blame you. Looks like I have a soul to reap and send back to you. Good thing I have Death at my side.” I smirk as I wink at Drevi.

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