Page 92 of Hades' Shadow
“There’s a woman over there who looks familiar.” I shrug, nodding to the woman.
“No, stay by me,” he growls, never taking his eyes off the group in front of him.
The woman takes a tentative step forward.
“What are the living doing in Elysium?” The woman’s voice sends a jolt of recognition through me.
No. No, it can’t be.
I tug my arm from Jayden’s grasp and he turns to me sharply.
“What are you doing?” Jayden asks.
His eyes flick between me and the woman.
“Jayden, it’s her,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion, and my eyes well with tears.
“No, Beth. Don’t. No good will come from this.” Jayden wraps his arms around me, holding me close.
“Beth?” The woman’s eyes widen in recognition.
No, no, no. This can’t be happening. It’s been years since she was taken from me. I can’t do this knowing I’ll just lose her all over again.
“Beth, my Beth. You found out what you are?” She takes another step toward me.
I cringe away, burying my face in Jayden’s chest to hide from the woman who gave birth to me and then died trying to protect me.
“I can’t do this. If I talk to you, I won’t want to leave and I have to leave.” My voice is muffled against Jayden’s chest.
“We just need information on the prophetess, and then we will be on our way.” Jayden puts his hand on the back of my head, holding me against him.
My tears soak into his shirt as I let them fall.
I’m showing weakness but I don’t care. This is fucking torture. The one thing I have wanted since I turned eighteen is standing right in front of me but it’s too painful to deal with.
“Beth, I’m sorry I had to leave you, but it looks like you have an okay life now,” my mother whispers.
Fuck, don’t do that. Don’t make me feel guilty for not wanting to fall into her arms. I can’t stay here and if I do what she wants, then I will never want to leave.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do this,” I whisper. “Jayden, we have to go somewhere else. Find someone else to help us.”
I stare up at him with pleading eyes and he nods.
“Yeah, c’mon, guys.” Jayden turns with me still glued to his chest and we start down a golden path.
“The prophetess doesn’t usually see anyone. Especially not Hades’ kin,” a man calls from behind us.
“Well, if anyone in the underworld and the mortal world is to survive what’s coming, she will have to.” Raven spins on the man, ax in hand.
I peek over Jayden’s shoulder to see shocked looks on all their faces at my friend’s angry words.
“We don’t have time for this. Do you know where she is or not?” I ask, sniffling. I square my shoulders.
My heart is still shattering in my chest. Pain lances through me in waves but I have to be strong. I can’t let this be the end.
We have to stop the Titans from rising and every minute in this paradise is a minute too long.
“The journey there is too long for the living. You can’t go, Beth. You can’t be stuck here.” My mother takes a step forward and I hold up my hand to tell her to stop.
