Page 30 of Touch of Death
“No.”
“Death,” Persephone says, stepping nervously toward us, “he is not wrong about needing help. You do not know—”
“I said no,” Death snarls, his hand tightening around my waist. “Of all the gods I trust least, he is among the worst.”
My heart pounds as I look glance between them, tension filling the room as the creatures around us give up all pretense of minding their own business.
“I think we should hear what he has to offer,” I say, the words slipping from me before I can stop them.
Death looks away, obviously disliking the idea, before letting out a deep sigh.
“Fine, what is it that you suggest?” he asks, his voice hard as his eyes darken on Eros.
“Well, first, I need to know exactly what you were seeking my brother’s help with.”
“I thought you said—”
“Cerberus,” Persephone answers, cutting Death off. “We need help convincing him to betray Hades,temporarily, in favor of letting Hazel escape the underworld.”
Eros doesn’t say anything for a moment as he furrows his brow in thought. Death continues to stare at him, his shadows curling up around us in icy waves, and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake asking him to listen.
Suddenly, Eros straightens, a grin spreading across his face as he looks at each of us excitedly.
“I know exactly how I can help,” he says. “I will help the mortal seduce Cerberus.”
“Absolutely not,” Death growls, an angry snort fluttering the fabric of his mask slightly. “Come, Hazel.”
“I am the God of Lust and Desire, am I not?” Eros calls out as Death turns to drag me out of the room. “What better way is there to win someone over to your side than to offer them what they most desire?”
Death keeps his eyes trained forward, his chin dropping slightly as he ignores him.
“Wait,” Persephone says as she hurries to follow at our side. “This could work. It is not what I originally planned, but it may be exactly what you need.”
“No.”
“It might even be the fastest way, the safest way of ensuring you get out of here in time.”
“I said, no,” Death snaps, his black eyes widening with rage as he turns on her. “I will not allow it. It is far too dangerous.”
“For her … or you?” Persephone asks quietly, stopping Death in his tracks. He looks away, his jaw working beneath his mask as if he’s trying to maintain his composure. “Death, this may very well be your only option. Hades has turned many against you since last you were here. You cannot be certain that anyone else will help.”
“And that is supposed to make me willing to entrust her tohim?”
I glance between them, confusion worrying my brow as I think about everything that’s been said. Wouldn’t it just be easier to toss Cerberus a steak or two to win him over rather than try to seduce him?
“Wait, I don’t understand,” I say. “Isn’t Cerberus a dog? Or, at least, a dog-like creature? How would this plan even work?”
They stare at me for a second, and it’s obvious I must have misunderstood something. Persephone’s eyes suddenly widen in understanding, but it’s Eros who answers, “You are not wrong, but that is only his beast form. If you play your cards right, If, you allow me to train you … I have no doubt that you will discover his true form soon enough.”
“That will not happen; we will find another way.”
“Letherdecide,” Eros says, drawing closer to us. “After all, it is her soul that is at stake here.”
Death tenses, but, much to my surprise, he turns to look down at me, his eyebrow raised in question.
“Fine. What do you want to do, Hazel?”
I blink, taken aback that he would even let me choose, given howclearlyhe dislikes Eros’ company.
