Page 69 of Until Death
Of protecting her fromhim.
But no matter how much anger I throw into my attacks, the doors do not so much as budge. Then I remember the deal.
I quickly realize that I will not be able to accomplish this on my own.
Hades asinine deal with the Fates makes it impossible for me to step foot in his personal chambers.
Reluctantly, I step away from the door, crushing Deimos’ leg beneath my foot in the process. Not that it matters now.
The silence that comes from within does not sit well with me.
Turning, I race away from Hades’ chambers as fast as my legs will carry me through the palace hallways and out into the city.
Lifting my nose, I lock on to the scent I am searching for and tear after it.
Death is her only hope of surviving the night.
I am nearly gasping for air by the time I finally find the man himself just outside the city gates. As expected, dark shadows power and worry swirl about him as he strides toward me.
“Cerberus,” Death says, his voice cold as I shift back to my human form and his eyes snap to mine.
“The mortal,” I gasp, sucking in air. “Where have you been?”
“I was looking for Hazel’s brother. What has happened?” he immediately demands. “Where is she?”
I am unable to answer as my lungs strain, the shift back to my human form taking its toll on me.
Death steps forward, a gloved hand taking a handful of my shirt as he drags me up to his height.
Our eyes meet, and I finally see the same fire burning in him that has awoken in me. See the same desperate need to protect her above all else.
Whatever the cost.
“Answer the question, now!”
Swallowing, I tell him what has happened. His grip on me tightens as he listens.
As soon as I mention Hades’ bedchambers, he lets out a swear. Tossing me aside, he storms past me.
“You had better hope that we are not too late,” he snarls. “Or there will be hell to pay for every last being in this damned realm.”
I scramble to my feet and race after him.
Little does Death know that he is not the only one who will help raze the Underworld to the ground if we are too late to save the mortal.
Reaching Hades’ palace, two stone guards move to block our entry, but they stand no chance against Death.
I watch in stunned silence as Death’s shadows burst out from him, covering the stone giants in darkness so cold they crack and then explode into a thousand frozen shards. We crash through the main doors just as several of Deimos’ guards round the corner, drawn by the sound of the explosion.
Death waves a hand, his shadows rushing to fill the hall and shred through the men as he storms forward.
“The Fates’ deal,” I shout after him, but Death doesn’t pay me any mind as he cuts his way through anyone who dares to stand in his way.
Shit.
Watching after him, I consider my options for a moment before splitting off in another direction. Instead of returning to Hades’ rooms, I head toward the dungeon.
At this rate, we are going to need all the help we can get.
