Page 132 of Hades' Shadow
“I can help,” I argue.
I reach inside of me for the power I know is there, but Jayden is right, it’s depleted. I should still be able to call my whip even if I can’t pour my electricity through it.
“Just let us handle it,” Jayden says and pushes me behind him.
I growl. What the fuck is his problem?
“I can still call my whip even if I can’t use my magic with it,” I growl at the stupid, overprotective ass.
“Fine, but no magic,” Jayden groans.
I step up next to him and call my whip to me. It’s so different using the weapon without my magic.
The Empusa screeches again and lunges for me. I flick my whip and strike out at her. The whip wraps around her hands locking them together.
“Raven, now,” I yell.
Raven swings the ax but right when the ax would lop her head off, the Empusa goes incorporeal.
“Fuck,” I say and leap back.
She becomes corporeal right in front of me and I scream in her face. The Empusa shrieks and runs away.
“Well then,” I say in shock. “What the hell was that?”
“It’s said in the old stories that if you scream in an Empusa’s face, then they will get scared and run away,” Raven says.
“I would rather kill it,” I say with a sigh.
“They are spirits and shapeshifters. They can’t be killed,” Jayden says.
“Let’s keep going.” I rush forward.
We need this fucking mission to be over already. I wish that we could just find the helm and leave, but nothing is ever that easy.
“What were you saying about the Empusa earlier? Who are they bound to?” I ask.
This could be a clue to whoever is stealing the items of power from the gods and weakening them.
“They could just be here doing what they do. I don’t want to accuse anyone of being a traitor without proof,” Jayden says.
“That is true. The stories about the Empusa say they torment travelers. I’m sure that’s just what they were doing.” I nod.
I don’t know if I actually believe that.
“The Empusa are bound to Hecate,” Raven says and I groan.
“I cannot stand that evil bitch.” I shake my head.
“I know and it wouldn’t be surprising if she was a part of this given our history,” Raven grumbles.
“Hecate is one of the most loyal goddesses to my father; I don’t think she’s a part of this,” Jayden says. “It’s more likely it was just the Empusa doing her thing.”
I don’t know that I am convinced. Hades said someone in his underworld had betrayed him. If it’s true, then Hecate could definitely be that person.
“I think we should make camp and regroup for the night,” I say as we get close to the edge of the river that ends at a massive cavernous space. It’s a huge pit.
Tartarus.
