Page 20 of The Prince of Hidden Shadows
In a flash, I reassess my previous goal.
Yes, I wish to go back ASAP and in one piece, but why should I care about the origin of the painting? I was hired to develop a well-thought-out plan, steal said painting for my client’s benefit and get paid a hefty sum. Period.
“Until I saw it with my own eyes, I thought it was… a myth… but what I do know is that sticking around yourhomewon’t help me do my job or help you see it with your own eyes. Why are you so interested in it anyway?”
Before answering, he retraces his steps towards Charon, and I have no choice but to follow. I have so many questions. This is all too much for me to process. I brace myself for his reply, far from ready for his bluntness.
“That’s none of your business, young man.” He smirks at me as if we weren’t around the same age. Granted, if he is who he says he is, he’s way older than me, and I should discard any of the emotions he elicits in me because he’s way out of my league. “But I think I need you to navigate your world. To get me closer to that painting. To restore some balance. It’s been a while since I walked the Earth, and things have changed. I’m not exactly equipped to deal with everything going on up there. We should join forces.”
“What?” I can’t help but chuckle, and stammer, “Youneedme? You needme?Youneed me?You, Zagreus with no last name, Greek god and son of Hades no less,need me, Théodore Cassel, a con artist and mere human.”
“Right.” His hand is back on my shoulder. My body is back to quivering. Our connection is back on with a simple touch. How crazy is that? He doesn’t seem affected as he continues, staring me square in the eye. “Your job requires you to be observant, patient, and precise… essential qualities to snatch this painting.” Why does he smile so big? Why does he care so much about it? Why does he almost look relieved?
“True. That’s why I was hired to do so,” I confirm, stating the obvious.
“You’re right, I should bring us back.”
It’s not this world I’m scared of—it’s his enthusiasm. Gnawing at my lower lip, I take a step back, his words heavier than I can process. He closes the distance, fingers digging into my shoulder as the surrounding cacophony swells—deafening, inescapable.
I press my hands on my ears to muffle it, yanking myself from his grip. Bewildered, his eyes widen and his lips part. That’s all I see before I close my eyes to get my bearings and stop my heart from hammering inside my chest.
When I pop them open, Zagreus’s grin has faded. His hoarse voice sounds pained. “I wasn’t joking earlier. Before we go back, I’ll need to erase you.” My heart stops and my brows spike up. What the fuck? “I mean, your memory. But don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.”
I blink at him, half expecting something to go down right then and there. Nothing does, but the way he stares at me, unblinking, sends me a step back before I realize it. “That’s ridiculous,” I say, though my voice wavers. “That’s… not how memory works. You can’t just?—”
“Can’t I?” he interrupts again, tilting his head like a predator sizing up its prey. “You’re the one switching between accepting and doubting reality, Théo. I know where I belong. This is my realm, my reality. You need to make up your mind, and fast!”
I feel a cold sweat breaking out, but I force myself to hold my ground. “What do you want?” I ask, doing my best to keep my tone calm and collected. “Why not prevent me from coming here right off the bat? You are a god after all,” I taunt.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” He swallows, and I watch him purse his plump lips like the creeper I’ve become. I blow out a breath, trying to control my traitorous dick. Without looking at me, he murmurs, “I couldn’t have stopped it, even if I wanted to…”
“But you still haven’t sent me back, have you? You still haven’t erased my memory, have you? You still haven’t performed any magic tricks on me, have you?”
A cocky smile takes residence on his poker face. “Maybe I’m stalling because I like the way your mind works. Or maybe I like how it doesn’t when you’re out of your element. Either way…” He looks down at his feet. “…you’re more fun to watch when you’re questioning everything.” He snickers at that.
“Mock me all you want, but I have a life, and you’re not part of it!”
“I am now.” He leans towards me, moving to touch my shoulder again, but halts mid-way. Instead, he slides his hands in his pants pockets. “Listen, Théo, you should trust me on this. I have a feeling we’ll work well together.” His excitement is palpable, but I still don’t follow his train of thought. “Like I said, you’rethinking too much. I mean, I can understand that’s why you might be good at your job, but I’ve got this… We’ve got this.”
Before I can reply, the sting I felt at the back of my neck earlier itches, and I scratch the tender skin. He does the same. “This isn’t funny,” I growl.
“You feel it, too, don’t you?”
“Of course, I feel it.” What’s going on now?
Upon my confirmation, Zagreus’s brows knit, annoyance written all over his gorgeous face. He looks around, as if trying to locate the culprit responsible for our current state. I’m dazed, but it feels more like Cloud Nine than I’ve ever experienced. What the hell happened? Is that why I loosened my tongue and spilled my guts so freely? My throat constricts as my confusion grows.
He grumbles about something I don’t get. Unfortunately, once again, he doesn’t give me time to intervene. Next thing I know, he gestures towards a tall woman with long, wavy black hair and a regal posture—someone I’d missed near Charon’s boat. With a swift and commanding move of his hand, he ushers her our way and introduces her as his friend, Hecate. Strangely enough, she hardly acknowledges me, visibly unfazed by the presence of a human around here.
“Charon told me you were back.” She hugs Zagreus, who doesn’t lean into her embrace. Releasing him, she shoots him a quizzical look. “What’s wrong? I came to say hi and warn you that your father was starting to get antsy.” She juts her chin my way. “How many men do you plan on bringing here to brag about your human conquests?”
“Don’t be silly!” He shakes his head, and I can’t help but admire how his silky curls are effortlessly back in place. My fingerstwitch in a weird impulse to run through them. WTF? “Nathan found his way here without my help, and as for Théo here, my initial issue with him—” He pauses, shooting me a sideways glance and a timid grin. “Never mind, I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry.” Their exchange is oddly compelling, so much so that I keep my mouth shut, although they’re talking as if I weren’t here. “But I think we have a bigger problem.”
Both his friend and I capture his eyes.
“A bigger problem than getting on your father’s nerves?” she challenges the prince.
He shrugs, nodding. “Look, I know I shouldn’t ask you this,” he tells her, “but can you undo a spell?”
