Page 4 of Bonds of Hercules
Hades spoke vehemently. “You have nothing to fear from the Assembly of Death. You aremydaughter. They will come to fear you.”
Hades smiled wistfully. “Both our blood runs in your veins.” He looked back up the hill fondly to where Persephone stood. “You’re our miracle child.”
I tried to smile, but my lips wouldn’t comply.
I don’t want to do this.
Hades straightened the long robe of his toga. “Do you have all your weapons?”
With shaking fingers, I patted the new leather holster that rested on my hips and nodded.
“And do you remember everything I told you about the Assembly of Death’s hunt?” he asked. “It’s just hazing.”
“I think s-so.”
“Perfect.” Hades cracked his neck. “I can’t wait to watch you fight this summer in the coliseum, daughter.”
I have to do this.
I would make my husbands pay for trapping me.
Hades stepped closer. “You and I are two of the most dangerous Spartans on earth. But danger is nothing without power—and power doesn’t exist without fear …Makethem fear you, daughter.” His voice dropped an octave, like he was letting me in on a treacherous secret. “What have I taught you? Repeat it to me. One last time before we leap.”
He stared down at me expectantly.
“No one fears the sane,” I said on numb lips.
You’re already there, and no one is afraid except you.
“Don’t forget it,” Hades said as he extended his hand and pointedly looked down at his outstretched arm.
I laid my trembling hand atop his, and tendrils of his vicious power wrapped around my forearm, embracing me.
The House of Hades was synonymous with evil, and I was its favorite daughter.
“Domus.” Hades’s voice faded as darkness exploded around us.
Crack.
The landscape changed.
For the second time in my life, I stepped into Hell.
This time, I went willingly.
Smoke rose around my feet as pale moonlight filtered through an ice-covered forest and a frozen breeze whipped our togas. Hades dropped my arm and stepped to the side.
A long jet-black geometric building sat inconspicuously in the shadows of snow-covered trees—the Assembly of Death’s unofficial outpost.
Six Chthonic assassins stood in front of it.
Location:Siberia.
Every hair on my body stood on end.
Two men lookedparticularlymurderous. Their gazes scoured the side of my face with knifelike sharpness.
Three months ago, they’d placed me on an altar. They’d kneeled before me, worshipping my flesh with soft lips and reverent touches.
