Page 43 of Until Death
I shouldn’t even pretend to allow myself to daydream about a different life. My mind spinning, I get up to pace the room as I try to refocus on the task at hand. I’m supposed to be finding a way to save my father, not bemoaning my poor life choices.
I glance at the window, suddenly realizing it’s grown dark.
I pause in my pacing and wander over to the window, peering out at the starless sky. The darkness outside seems to mirror the hopelessness I feel in my heart.
My stomach growls softly, informing me of its displeasure at being ignored. Pressing a hand to it, I give it a firm shush. I can still remember the times that I went to bed starving, I can last longer than this if that’s the game Hades plans on playing.
Still, my stomach lets out another growl of hunger.
“Hush,” I whisper. “I will not be undone by you.”
Just then, another growl seems to fill the room … only this one doesn’t come from my stomach.
I freeze at the sound, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. Slowly, I turn to face the door. From just outside my room comes another low growl, followed by the sound of low sniffing, as if some large creature is prowling just outside it.
Immediately, my heart swells as I recall Eros’ ability to shift. He’s found me. By some miracle, he’s managed to make his way into Hades’ palace and find me.
Hope floods through me as I take an excited step toward the door, just as a key is inserted and turned in the lock. A smile is already forming on my lips as the door opens to reveal not a creature nor Eros … but a man I have never seen before.
He is as beautiful as he is terrifying as he fills the entirety of the doorframe. Messy dark hair is pushed back from a powerful face, complete with thick brows and full lips. Broad-shouldered, he is strong but lean, cut to athletic perfection, as he leans into the room, his sharp eyes searching the space before finally landing on me.
I stop in my tracks, my smile faltering and my heart skipping a nervous beat in my chest.
“Who are you?”
He doesn’t answer, his head cocking to one side as he continues to stare at me with eyes that almost seem to ignite and burn from within. I take a step back, watching as his brow furrows.
Without a word, he ducks to step into the room.
“Who are you?” I repeat, my voice slightly louder this time.
He still doesn't answer, but instead takes another step towards me. I can already feel the heat radiating off of him, and it sends a cold shiver racing down my spine even as a thin layer of sweat beads across my skin.
“I demand you tell me who you are.”
He pauses at this, his eyebrow lifting.
“I should be the one asking who you are,” he finally replies, his deep voice filling the room.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“How is it that you, a mere mortal, have managed to beguile Death himself, not to mention Eros and the very king of the Underworld.”
I swallow hard as I take in the stranger's words. How does he know about my connection to Death and the others? Is he an ally or an enemy? My mind races with questions as I try to assess the situation.
“You must be mistaken,” I say, “I have beguiled no one, at least, it was never my intention to do so … I am simply trying to save my father’s life.”
His eyes narrow on me, and I find myself unable to look away. Something about him seems familiar, but I am certain I’ve never seen this man before.
“Curious,” he mutters, his voice so low that I’m not sure I was meant to hear it.
Taking another step toward me, he cocks his head to the other side, the sudden motion causing his dark hair to flop playfully across his forehead. In a split second, he’s gone from a terrifying monster to looking more like a puppy with ears too big for its head.
“What could you know about Death and Eros’ feelings?” I ask, taking a small step back. “Why are you here? What business do you have with me?”
He snorts at this.
“Business with you? None. But your connection to Death and the others is of great interest to me,” he says, taking yet another step closer to me. His eyes roam over my body, and I feel exposed under his intense scrutiny. “There is something about you that draws them in, something that makes them see you as more than just a mere mortal. I want to know what that is.”
