Page 36 of Hades' Shadow
He obviously doesn’t like admitting to weakness.
“Do you have any idea where it might be?” I ask as I settle in the chair.
“I believe it’s still in the underworld,” he says, tapping his fingers on the skull on the armrest of his throne.
“If it’s here, why ask me? I can’t just come to the underworld for a day trip. You have minions. Have them find it.” I shrug, still staring at his fingers tapping the damn skull.
Is that a human skull? Does he use skulls as coffee mugs too?
“I believe someone in my realm has betrayed me and stolen it,” Hades says.
Hypnos shifts slightly. “My lord, tell her the rest.”
“The rest of what?” I ask, glancing at Hypnos.
That’s right, Hypnos is the god of sleep so that’s how I got here. Hypnos helped Hades.
“The more I weaken, the more the underworld weakens and things escape,” he grumbles and I gasp.
“Creatures from the underworld are escaping? Like the monsters that keep coming back from the dead?” I ask, hoping that if we help Hades, the monsters will stop resurrecting.
“Unfortunately not. Those monsters are not under my domain. These creatures are what mortals would call demons and they prey on them.”
“You are telling me that these demons are escaping the underworld and attacking humans?” I gasp in shock. This is fucking bad. “How long has this been going on?”
“Only a few days that I have noticed. Nothing can be done until I get my helm back though.” He straightens his spine and glances over at Hypnos.
“We don’t have much time. I can’t hold her here for much longer.” Hypnos sighs in frustration.
“We need the helm to stop unnecessary death.” Hades stands, then paces in front of the throne.
“It will take some time to get out of school. We can’t leave without permission,” I say and sigh.
I have to do this. We have been planning on retrieving all the gods’ items of power anyway.
“You will help us, then?” Hades’ head snaps in my direction and his eyes glow with power.
“I have to. Humans don’t even notice the monsters that actively hunt us, but if there is something hunting them, I need to help stop it if I can.” I chew my lip nervously.
“Thank you, Bethany. Tell me something. Are the rest of the gods weakening or is it just me?” He clenches his hands into fists as he sits back on his throne.
“It’s all of them as far as I can tell. Except my dad. I already found his lightning bolt a few weeks ago. Something big is coming and we all need to be ready.” I pull the blanket around me tighter as I shiver.
“You’re waking up; I can’t hold you here anymore,” Hypnos says regretfully. “Come to the underworld.”
I swat at the hands that are shaking me and gasp as I open my eyes wide. Jayden’s brows are pinched with concern as he raises his hands in surrender. “Sorry, you were whimpering in your sleep.”
I sit up as he backs away only slightly. “Shit. That was intense.”
“Bad dream?” he asks, sitting on the edge of my bed, too close.
“It wasn’t exactly a dream.” I glance at the clock. Hypnos held me there through my alarm. “What are you still doing here?”
“I fell asleep. Sorry.” He shakes his head and moves to stand.
“It’s fine. Can you gather the others and meet me at the cafeteria? I really don’t want to have to explain it more than once and I need a shower.” I stand from the bed, but Jayden doesn’t move away.
“Why were you whimpering in your sleep if it wasn’t exactly a dream?” he asks, reaching up and pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
