Page 87 of Seph

“One million or so,” Simeon hoisted her to her feet, shaking his head. “Where do you live, Susan?”

“McCallister, Ohio.”

“Right. I’m going to need you to do something for me, all right, dearie?”

“I love this dress. Is this mine?” Susan seemed to be having trouble focusing.

“Susan! I want you to take this keycard, walk through the hotel, and open every door. Then tell anyone you find that they need to leave. Right now. Can you do that for me?” Simeon asked in a patient, soothing voice.

Susan nodded and took the card he held out. “This is a key? Don’t be silly. Is this another one of Joe’s jokes?”

Simeon pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is going to take a while.”

“You stay on the fifth floor and out of the sun. I’ll walk Susan out and sweep the building,” Emily volunteered. “You have to find a way to get Seph out of that side of the building—whatever that means. Break down a door. Use vampire strength.”

“Or... do you think it’s safe to call her husband?”

Emily smiled. “Oh. Oh, God. Yes. Fast. I’ll get the people out just in case he feels like burning this prison to the ground.”

“That’s wise. Pick up our luggage on the way?”

“Got it.”

“Come to my location. Okay?”

Silence met his declaration. “It... It was as easy as that?” Hades’ voice broke. “You found her in a week... And I ... I failed for so—”

“Shut up. No, I don’t care if you fry me up and dip me in tartar sauce, shut up. You didn’t find her because you didn’t think of how your brother would thwart a vow that a god can’t break, and you didn’t think anyone he betrayed would be stupid enough to trust him again. I didn’t find her alone. I found her because everyone with any sort of power back home helped me, and because I had Emily Van Helsing. She makes me think on my feet. She sees what I don’t. She’s my perfect partner, and if you get your wife back, I want you to give her... I want you to giveEmily whatever gift she wants. You told me I could have a boon. Anything I wished. Give my wish to her.”

“All right.”

The voice didn’t come from the phone, but from behind him.

Simeon whirled and saw Hades standing there, resplendent in his King of Hell suit, long flowing black robes, silver and bone crown, staff that looked like it might have the power to kill just by touching you.

“Dressed up pretty for her, I see.”

“She said I look good in black,” Hades whispered, eyes overflowing. “I didn’t tell the kids. In case... In case. If this goes wrong, I don't want to break their hearts all over again.”

“I get it, mate. Let's figure out how to get her.” Simeon handed him the second keycard, the one taken from Circe. “She said only Zeus can open her door.”

Blue flames shot out of Hades’ body, a concentrated burst that set the bar on fire. “What evil is this?”

“Look, whatever happened, you can’t undo it.” Simeon reached into his pocket. “This is Seph’s scrying crystal. Zag helped us make it. It’s starting to shimmer. See? Because Mnemosyne’s power is no longer distorting reality and hiding her.”

“You... You used mortal witchcraft?”

“I did.”

“I wanted to ask Hecate to assist me, but Hecate has vanished, both from the Olympian realm, and the mortal one!”

“Not surprised. Wasn’t there trouble between her and Zeus?”

“He stole the form of her lover Morpheus and forced himself upon her that way, creating a monstrous horde of daughters—the empousa.”

“He has a thing for taking other people’s forms to get his rocks off. Can’t you lot do something about that?”

“Oh, I have a very, very, good plan for that,” Hades said, and the way he smiled made Simeon want to forget he’d asked. Hades took the crystal vial and held it in front of him. “Take me to my love!” he commanded.

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