Page 19 of Touch of Death
Hades sits back, clearly surprised by this.
“A favor?” he says after a moment, an eyebrow arching. “It would appear the Fates are smiling upon me once again. It is no small thing to have Death himself owe one a favor. This must be a terrible request indeed.”
A smattering of nervous laughter ripples through the room at this, though I don’t understand what he said that was so funny.
Death doesn’t move, though I can feel his rage building in the way his shadows whirl up around my ankles. I shift slightly, letting out an involuntarily squeal as an icy tendril swirls up beneath my skirt.
Hades is on his feet in an instant, his form suddenly far more intimidating as his dark hair bursts into blue flames that lick their way down his neck and shoulders.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hades roars. “What have you brought into my court in secret? Answer me!”
“A mortal,” Death says after a long pause.
“What? Show it to me.”
Hesitantly, Death steps aside, unveiling me from his cloak.
Hades’ eyes shift to take me in, raking over every inch of my form in a way I am all too familiar with from men like him. It takes everything in me not to wrap my arms around myself in an attempt to hide from his stare as his face twists, his lips curling up in a wicked grin.
“Tell me, Death, what is this favor you ask of me?” Hades asks, the flames dying down to smolder around the edges of his being.
My stomach twists at the tone of his voice. It’s the same one Amadeus and Merelda used on me whenever they were trying to bait me.
I don’t need to hear the rest of the conversation to know where this is going. Hades has already made up his mind about me, and nothing Death or I can say will change that.
“Release Hazel Godwin’s soul to me so that I can fulfill a promise.”
Silence echoes through the hall following Death’s words. Then, Hades lets out a rumbling laugh that seems to bounce off every jagged corner of the room. It doesn’t take long for the rest of his court to join in with his laughter.
Still, Death stands tall, unwavering in his stoicism as he awaits an answer from Hades.
“A promise involving a girl’s soul? My, my, youmusthave been lonely,” Hades finally says with a sneer before gesturing toward the court. “No, I will not allow it. She is but a mortal. What would the others think if I were to grant such a ridiculous request? That they, too, can cheat Death himself with but a bit of seduction? Tell me, was she a good enough lay—”
“We have not lain together,” I snap, rage burning through my veins like a searing inferno. Before I can think twice, I take a step forward, my hands clenching at my sides as I draw myself up to my full height.
Hades cocks his head to one side, seemingly unfazed by my wrath, as an amused expression plays on his face. Still, I don’t let that stop me as I narrow my eyes on him, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I spent my entire life trying to do what was right by others,” I continue, “and I will not have my name slandered in such a way,especiallynot by the likes of you.”
Hades draws back for a second before moving to close the distance between us. He reaches for my chin but pulls back before he can touch me as Death quickly steps into place by my side. I feel sick as their energies mix, crashing over me in a wash of ice and hate.
My body trembles, but I force myself to stand tall even as Hades towers before me. I will not allow him to intimidate me, not when I have Death on my side.
“Fascinating,” Hades says with a wry smile, “tell me then, mortal, how is it exactly that you earned Death’s favor then without giving yourself to him? Let me decide if your soul is somehowworthyof saving.”
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I glance nervously up at Death. He nods once, his face still neutral, and I take a steadying breath.
It still takes me a moment to find the words I need, my chest tight as I am reminded of the life I left behind. Of my father and what I gave up to save him with as few details as possible to still convey my story, careful to leave out my feelings for Death, and what I can only hope he feels for me.
Hades listens, his head cocked to one side, his expression unreadable.
When I fall quiet again, the silence is nearly deafening as he considers what I’ve just told him.
“Hmm,” he says with a nod before turning to return to his throne.
I can’t help the small sigh of relief that escapes me as I watch him settle into it. His eyes rake over Death and me before gliding over the rest of his court, and I can feel their silent anticipation as we all wait for his final decision.
My chest tightens, hope intertwining with a sense of overwhelming dread that he will still not help us.
