Page 155 of Hades' Shadow
Hermes frowns. “I need to get back and alert Zeus to what’s happened, but I will get to the academy as soon as I can.”
Hermes disappears and I turn to Hades. “I have a request for a friend.”
“I owe you young heroes for saving the underworld. What would you ask of me, Bethany?” Hades grins.
The outcropping of rocks moves as Claud picks his head up and stares at me with a watery smile.
“Claud wants to come back to the academy with us and he wants to bring the hundred-handed ones,” I say with a confidence I don’t feel.
“I’m not sure that’s a great idea, Bethany,” Hades says.
“Campe is still down there torturing them and for what? They never did anything wrong.” I stomp my foot.
“They are extremely powerful beings, young hero. They could end up trying to overthrow us and it appears we are already in the middle of a war.” Hades shakes his head.
“Father,” Jayden steps forward. “Claud was instrumental in helping us stop Hecate. If he hadn’t been here, we would have been overrun by demons and Typhon.”
Hades raises a brow, watching Claud silently. “Is that true, cyclops?”
“Kick bad guys,” Claud says with a nod and a grin.
It’s a start since just yesterday he didn’t want anything to do with Hades.
“He’s practically a child, Hades, and he can be added security at the academy in case anyone messes with the wards again,” I say, stepping toward Claud.
I’m extremely protective of him and if Hades decides to throw him back in the pit, I’m not sure I will be able to hold myself back.
“Help friends,” Claud agrees.
“Okay,” Hades sighs. “You are more selfless than any demigod I have ever met, Bethany. You have a favor from me but don’t use it for yourself but for others and that’s a mark of a true hero. I will grant Claud’s release to Halfling Academy.”
“What about the others?” I ask with a frown.
“I cannot release the hundred-handed ones into the world. It could be catastrophic, but I will release them from Campe’s torture and find them something to do here in the underworld.”
I chew my lip and glance at Claud. He grins at me and nods. If it’s good enough for him, then it’s good enough for me.
“Okay, and just so we are clear, Campe was part of all this. She deserves her own torture,” I say.
“Keep that one close, son. She is the best of all of us.” Hades pats Jayden’s shoulder.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment as Jayden glances my way with a grin.
“I already knew that, Father,” Jayden says softly.
“Bethany, I know you haven’t asked for anything for yourself, but I am in a giving mood.” Hades grins and steps forward.
He waves a hand and my necklace heats before going back to normal. I peer down at it and find another charm on my necklace. It’s made of the same metal and in the shape of wispy shadows.
“What is it?” I ask softly.
“That will allow you to call a shield of shadow whenever you have a need of it.” Hades nods and turns to Raven. “I hear you like weapons.”
“Well, I am a daughter of Ares.” She chuckles.
Hades pulls a broadsword that is made of obsidian from thin air and hands it to her. “This sword will cut down any enemy, no matter how impenetrable their hide.”
Raven gasps as she turns the sword over in her hands. “Thank you, Lord Hades.”
