Page 34 of Until Death
This causes an outburst of whispers from the woman, my own heart pounding at the implication of her words. The fury in her eyes intensifies as she allows the murmuring to continue for a moment before summoning silence with the lifting of a hand
Nodding once as silence is granted, she continues, “Should the chosen woman successfully win over my husband, the rest of you will all be allowed to leave and return to your lives.”
Persephone pauses as several of the women let out relieved sighs at this, but I’m unwilling to let my guard down just yet.
“However, if the woman is unsuccessful in her attempts, she will not return to see another day. This cycle will continue until one of you manages to win him over, or none of you remain.”
A deadly silence falls over the room, and Persephone’s expression grows harder as she looks over the women once more. Again, this version of the beautiful spring goddess seems so unlike the woman I met only days ago.
I can feel the terror wafting off the women trapped here with me. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to bear this feeling of guilt, especially now that these women’s lives are at stake. Women who are only stuck here because of me.
An icy shiver runs down my spine as I realize the true gravity of the situation that we have now found ourselves in.
This is no game.
This is a challenge.
This is a fight for our very survival.
“We begin tonight,” Persephone announces, drawing my focus sharply back to her. Her gaze sweeps past me once before snapping back, suddenly noticing me despite Lilia partially blocking me from view. Her eyes turn dark for a moment before warming into soft honey-green pools.
The change is so quick, I take a startled step back.
“Hazel?” she says, confusion flickering across her face for a second before she can shake it. “Come, stand by me.”
Reluctantly, I force my feet to carry me toward her as the other women eye me warily. She gives me a soft smile as she watches me, though her gaze sharpens again as I draw nearer.
I don’t trust this version of Persephone, and I’m careful to stand as far from her as possible. I still can’t shake the feeling that something more is at play here, but I do not yet know what.
“Persephone, I—"
“I will speak with you later,” she says, turning back to face the others. “You will need to know everything there is to know about my husband and his ... desires. From this moment forward your likes, your desires, your very hopes and dreams are to become his.”
Many of the women exchange uncertain looks at this as they continue to shift uncomfortably on their feet, but several seem all too eager to learn more. I force myself to remain still, trying my best to keep my face neutral and my emotions in check.
“We will begin with your demeanor,” Persephone says, her voice taking on a sultry tone. “Hades is a powerful man, and he enjoys being in control. You must learn to be submissive, to let him take the lead, but do not mistake submission for weakness. You must be confident in your perceived innocence, make him believe you are worth his time and attention.”
I frown at this, my confusion only growing the more she speaks, and it appears that she’s genuinely trying to teach us how to seduce her husband.
The others seem to shift closer, suddenly curious about this lesson on how to please Hades. My frown deepens until Persephone glances at me. She smiles, and her teeth almost appear to flash and sharpen into points in the eerie glow.
“Here, I will use Hazel as an example,” the goddess says, snapping my attention back to her as she steps closer.
Our eyes meet and I see nothing good buried in them. There is no kindness like I saw the day I met her.
I can’t help but wonder if she knows this is all my fault, and if she does, what she intends to happen to me.
“Persephone,” I start again, only to quickly my lips together when she gives me a warning look and continues her lesson.
“Follow my lead, and try to pretend that this girl is Hades.”
She approaches me, her movements fluid and graceful, and strangely disarming. I can feel the heat of her body as she comes near, the fresh scent of spring enveloping me. It's intoxicating, but I know better than to let my guard down.
She reaches up to brush a strand of hair behind my ear, and I fight the urge to flinch away from her touch.
“Now, observe how I touch her,” she says, her voice low and dangerous. “You must learn to be sensual, to make him crave your touch … without allowing him to thinkyouwant to bed him.”
My muscles tense as she suddenly bends to pick something up and pretends to accidentally brush her body against me. Though her movements do little more than add to my discomfort, I have no doubt if I were a man, it would be quite a different story.
