Page 72 of Until Death
He isnothingcompared to me. His powers are limited but not mine. Death, it seems, outweighs all else, even in his own kingdom.
My eyes glance over his shoulder as Hazel curls up on the bed, tugging at her nightgown as she grimaces in pain. The way her body quivers shatters my heart as I fear I came too late.
That Hades has already broken yet another mortal woman with his greed.
My anger swells as I turn my gaze back to him.
“You will pay for what you have done to her,” I roar.
“Do your worst,” Hades snorts at this and Hazel flinches slightly. “Let me taste of your powers.”
I pause at this, but then Hazel shifts and I catch sight of the blood caked on her soft skin. The sight stops my heart for a moment.
She is injured, bleeding in his bed as she cowers from whatever nightmare he put her through.
I will kill him.
Unable to stop myself, I launch at him.
He meets me midway with fists that do not meet their mark. My strength is too great, too fierce for him to stop me. My rage fueling each and every blow I land.
Power be damned, I would rather kill him with my bare hands anyway.
The gods may be powerful, but I am Death, and I will not be stopped.
Still, Hades matches my hits, landing a few good punches of his own as we tear into each other with every ounce of power we have in us.
It feels good to finally drive my fists into him. His sputtering sounds almost bring a grin to my face …almost.
He still deserves so much worse for all the wrongs he has committed.
Hades puts up a tough fight but eventually, I manage to get the upper hand.
Lifting him from the ground by his neck, his eyes widen for a moment as he finally realizes just how powerless he is. I cannot stop the smile that spreads across my face, almost regretting that he is unable to see it behind my mask before I slam him back down to the ground.
He lays in a crumpled mess at my feet, gasping for breath and unable to move.
I prepare myself to do what I must.
To finally end him.
I cannot lie and say that I will not take great pleasure in this moment, especially as understanding fills his eyes.
Yet, before I can do anything, the room suddenly fills with the echo of approaching guards. I reach for Hades just as vines shoot from the floor, wrapping around me and rooting me to the spot.
I let out an annoyed hiss as I turn to look toward the door as Persephone steps into the room, anger on her face as she glances between her husband and me.
“That will be enough.”
I spit out a curse, struggling uselessly against her vines as one I tear through is instantly replaced with another.
“I said enough,” Persephone snaps.
Hades, who has now managed to get to his feet, whirls on her.
Anger flashing in his eyes as he stares her down, but she does not cower under the weight of his rage.
Not even as he takes a threatening step toward her. He seems ready to take her down, but stops as Eros moves to stand in the doorway, Cerberus at his side and another figure just behind him.
