Page 72 of Touch of Death
And I only want her more for it.
Moving to cup the back of her head in one hand, I lean in to kiss her again as my other trails up her arm, finding the strap of her dress. Only before I can remove it, Hazel’s body stiffens, and I pull back just as Eros pushes his way back into the clearing, looking more irate than I have ever seen him.
With a sigh, I remove myself from Hazel. Reaching for my glove, I pull it back on with my teeth before grabbing my mask and refitting it, all too aware of Hazel’s sigh as she watches me.
Lifting myself up out of the water, I watch as the strange liquid drips from us both, pooling beneath us like oil before it slowly makes its own way back to join the rest.
I frown as I watch it go, wondering what exactly we just drenched ourselves in.
“What is wrong?” I ask, realizing Eros has yet to address us as he presses his fingertips into his temples
“There has been a change in plans.”
Immediately, I am on edge. Narrowing my gaze, I watch as his eyes dart about the small clearing we are standing in.
He has yet to note any changes in us or that the pool has been disrupted. Eros takes a deep breath, raking a hand back through his hair as he shakes his head.
Something is very wrong here.
“What kind of change?” I demand.
“Hades means to leave the Underworld,” he says, hesitating before adding, “tomorrow.”
“He means to do what?” I growl through clenched teeth.
Eros lets out a frustrated groan, and for the first time since coming here, it seems we are on the same page. Hazel glances between us, her eyes wide in question as she searches my face for some explanation.
“What does that mean?” she finally asks. “Is that not a good thing for us?”
I shake my head, almost unable to meet her eye, but I force myself to.
She frowns up at me before glancing at Eros. He remains silent, apparently preferring that I deliver the bad news to her. Not that this surprises me.
“If Hades leaves, then it is over for us. Over before we have even had a chance to begin,” I tell her.
“Why?”
“If Hades leaves, even if we manage to gain Cerberus’ favor, the gates to the Underworld will freeze over. Making it impossible for any soul to pass through them. Making it impossible for you to leave, little one.”
She blinks at me, sorrow pouring into me through her gaze for a moment. Then she shakes her head, once again glancing toward where Eros sulks.
“There must be something we can do,” she says.
Eros hesitates, finally lifting his head to look our way.
“There might still be a way, but—"
“Tell us,” I demand of him. “Immediately, we have no time to waste.”
He frowns. “I do not know if it will work ...”
“Eros, out with it,” I growl as I start to lose patience with him.
“We could attempt to convince Hades to stay,” Eros says, shrugging as he glances in my general direction.
I snort at his suggestions.
“Do not play games with me, Eros. What possible reason could we give Hades to make him stay?”
