Page 50 of Touch of Death
“And given your current situation,” he continues, his smile slipping into something more serious, “that may prove to be a deadly game, indeed.”
23
Death
My eyes narrow on Eros as I try to wrap my head around this so-called plan of his. If I am not mistaken, he means to teach Hazel to seduce Cerberus using me … but this seems impractical.
Impossible even.
It is clear to me now that Eros can feel my desire for Hazel, whereas Cerberus must be won over completely.
These tasks are not one and the same, and I get the sense that there is more to this half-cocked plan of his than he is letting on.
I do not trust him, and I still have a hard time believing that he actually means to help us. He still has not told us exactly how this plan of his is supposed to work, and I am beginning to suspect he does not know.
Either way, I have no intention of letting him get anything past me. Hazel’s safety and well-being are, and always will be, my first priority. Whether that means I must protect her from beasts, men, or gods, I will.
Even if it means I must protect her from myself.
“We must set some other rules, too,” Eros says, pulling my attention back to where he now lounges in an armchair, his eyes fixed on Hazel.
“What rules?” I ask.
“You will do as I say, when I say it, and how I say it.”
“Do not test my patience, Eros,” I growl.
“Given the circumstances, I think it isyouwho should not test me,” Eros replies, cocking his head to one side. “Now, we will begin with clothes. You are to wear what I give you without question. Last night was a good start, but—”
“Why do our clothes matter?” Hazel asks.
“Yourclothes matter because you need to play a part that you do not yet have the confidence for. The garden was practically drowning in your mortification last night, which will not do. Cerberus will sense reluctance the moment he smells it. You must recognize your own power, learn to wield your feminine allure like the weapon it is.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, despising the way he seems to say everything and nothing at all.
“Itmeanswe only have one shot at seducing Cerberus, and she must make him believe she wants him, in dress and behavior alike. Whether you like it or not, Cerberus has his weaknesses, just like every other man.”
I remain silent as I watch him, trying to keep my thoughts to myself while I attempt to figure out what game he is playing at. Hazel’s allure is not the kind that can be easily changed by mere clothing, and I worry that this is just another one of his ploys to get her in bed.
As far as I am concerned, she could wear a burlap sack, and still, it would not detract from her beauty or charm. She could wear nothing at all … I blink, cutting this thought off as soon it comes to mind.
Regardless of what Eros might think, I do not see how Hazel’s presence requires any changing at all.
Still, I hold my tongue for now.
“As for lessons, we …” Eros pauses as I cut him off with a hard look. Sighing, he corrects himself, “Shewill be trained in the various arts of feminine seduction. At least, as much as possible, before Cerberus returns.”
“Have you received word?” I ask.
“Yes, we have three days before he’s expected back. I will prepare a test for her on the third day—”
“Three days,” Hazel says softly, “is that enough time?”
“It will have to be if what Persephone told me is true,” Eros answers.
“When did you have time to meet with her?” I ask.
“Last night, before I came to bed. She seems to have found a way to stall him, but even Persephone cannot be certain of how much time we have.”
