Page 279 of Bonds of Hercules
The shouts.
The fists.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Hades said quietly as he raised his hand toward me. “The House of Hades is known as the House of Death because when we feel passionately about something … we wage war.Always.”
Nyx slithered up my leg.
It took me a second, then I realized he was reaching his hand out for me to take.
“Welcome to the family, daughter.” Hades’s voice brimmed with pride.
I grabbed his outstretched hand.
“Domus,” he said as the Underworld disappeared and we leapt to Crete.
The roaring villa fireplace burned bright on the far wall, and the sparkling night sea glittered with moonlight behind the couch.
Charlie and Persephone greeted us with expressions of shock. They immediately started tending to my wounds, as Hades laid Medusa down on the plush couch.
“I’ll cover for you,” Hades said. “We’ll take you back to the training center and I’ll say I found you here.”
“What about … Medusa?” Persephone stared down at her with a tender sadness. “I remember when she was just a little girl.”
“The federation will search here first.” Hades’s eyebrows lowered with worry. “We’ll need to find a place to hide her that they won’t expect. The safe houses will all be searched.”
“I’ll figure it out,” I said quickly. “Just give me a little time to come up with a plan. Please—I’ll come back for her as soon as I can.”
Persephone, Hades, and Charlie all stared at me. Concern was written across their faces.
“I’ll h-handle it,” I whispered. “Please, trust me.”
The moment stretched.
Persephone nodded first. “Okay—I’ll prepare a room for her. And if the federation comes before you do …” She smirked and pet the dragon on her shoulder. “The island will attack them. Violently.”
My mother was beyond ferocious.
Even now, there was a strange energy rising from the floorboards, as if the island was sentient and welcoming me back.
“Be safe, daughter.” Persephone smiled at me, and I leaned forward, gratitude filling my heart as I hugged her tightly.
She smelled like lilacs and something fruity,pomegranates.
“Thank you,” I whispered into her curls.
She squeezed me three times, in quick succession. “Anything for you, my sweet Alexis.”
When I pulled away, Charlie was waiting for his hug.
I embraced him.
Hades cleared his throat, his eyes full of moisture. “We have to go.”
With one last look at the sleeping woman on the couch, we leapt away. This time straight into the Chthonic medical center. Jars of body parts lined the walls.
Hades spoke in a hushed tone to the doctors, and I made myself useful by flopping onto a medical gurney and passing out.
Time spiraled after that.
