Page 73 of Until Death
Anteros.
Frowning, I ask, “What is the meaning of this?”
Persephone’s lip curls up as she glances between all of us. After a moment she steps to the side, motioning for Anteros to come forward.
The man does, looking more annoyed and inconvenienced than anything as he takes in the scene before him.
“I have been summoned to oversee a trial,” he announces, his tone almost sounding offended.
I narrow my eyes at this.
There is only one trial that involves him, and it is not one any of us would be foolish enough to ever evoke, one that all of us know better than to breathe a word of.
“For who?” I ask, knowing this is unlikely to end well for anyone involved.
“A mortal by the name of Hazel,” Anteros says.
“What,” I breathe, my entire body tensing as my heart skips a beat in my chest. “Who the hell would call for such a thing?”
“I did,” Eros says.
My eyes narrow as I stare at the man. Without meaning to, I rip through the vines holding me in place and take a menacing step toward him. The idiot has gone too far this time.
“You fool, what have you done?!”
Raising his hands in defense, Eros is quick to say, “Wait, let me explain.”
“Speak,” I snarl. “Before I tear your head from your shoulders.”
“As is one of my rights as brother to Anteros, I did not call it for myself,” he pauses for a second before continuing, “but for you.”
29
Hazel
Ihave no idea what’s happening, or what this trial they speak of is.
From my place on Hades’ bed, with the sheets now clutched to me, I watch as Death tenses. If his reaction is anything to go by, I’m not sure Iwantto know.
Death seems furious as he tears at the vines, freeing himself enough to march toward Eros. Wincing, I wait for another fight to break out.
But before he can reach Eros, Death is stopped by Anteros and Persephone stepping into his path.
“The trial has already been called for,” Anteros says. “It must be carried out.”
“She is in no condition to undergo such a thing,” Death says.
I can feel the weight of their gazes as everyone’s eyes suddenly shift toward me.
Persephone’s face is hard as her eyes meet mine, and my cheeks burn with all the attention. Especially given the fact I’m currently curled up in the king’s bed, my nightgown torn and my body bruised and broken.
Hugging the sheet to me as tight as possible, I wish it were possible for me to disappear entirely, as Hades did earlier. I would not blame Persephone for ending my life here and now for finding me in her husband’s bed.
But as she stares at me and her eyes move across my bloodstained body, her face softens slightly.
"I understand your concerns, Death," Persephone says softly, "but the trial must be held at dawn, as is the way.”
“Persephone—”
