Page 118 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"What is this?!" my dad roared as he approached Lyle. His slicked-back hair was now a mess, but the devilish smirk didn't evade him.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Alpha? His voice went smooth.

"Don't play games, Lyle. Did you throw the spears?" Mom walked up to my father and gripped Dad's arm. She gave a disappointed glance while Lyle shrugged his shoulders.

"I did. And for a good reason!" He pointed his finger at Dad, who only used his Alpha growl to make him submit. Lyle was now face down in the dirt with his neck bared.My cries were drowning out the gasps as people gathered around Lyle; he had been with the pack for many years, and this sudden outburst of betrayal hurt many.

"Loukas," I whispered as I tried to grab his hand. Hades pulled me up and pushed me to his chest.

"My Little Flower, always one for the dramatics? Hmm?" He chuckled. I sniffed while looking up at him. Petting my hair, he kissed my forehead. "He's one of my demons; I can regenerate him if I so choose, remember? He's just a drama queen, putting on some show to make you like him."

I dried my tears with the back of my hand. "That's mean!" I grumbled. Loukas’ body stilled and suddenly reduced to nothing but ash. I sighed, at least he was Okay.

"Yes, well, if you think that's mean, just wait what I'm going to do now." Hades sauntered over to my dad holding me tightly. Dad was still nude after his shift, so I adverted my eyes while my mom pulled me close to her. Hade glades glared at Lyle.

"May I?" The question hung in the air as Hades spoke to dad. It wasn't a question if Hades could do anything; it was a statement. Hades was being polite in his own way standing in front of dad’s pack. Dad only growled in agreement, stepping way.

The fiery cage that was around Lyle was waved away as Hades snapped his fingers. Three demons, giant demons that were as scary as the palace dungeon keepers, held onto him. Lyle was a tracker, not the strongest in the pack but more substantial than your average human. The demons didn't flinch as they held him on either side of Lyle's arms. The third demon stood behind him with one hand around his neck.

"Speak, for it may be your last time in doing so." Hades' darkness filled the air with tension. The once clear sky clouded with darkness. Wolves were waved to go home while the warriors stayed and gathered around the area. Lyle only gave half a smile, and the demon behind him instantly adjusted his grip.

Lyles' face turned red as the lack of oxygen wrecked his body. Hades held in his hand the spear that was thrown. It was small, three feet long, with a sharp, black metal at its end. Red markings were written on the most vital point.

"Do tell me, what is this? You have my full attention." Hades' voice boomed. Cyrene neared our group as she held the other spear in her hand where Loukas had fallen.

"Strong, new magic," Cyrene whispered.

"New?" I questioned.

"Magic evolves just as life does. It grows, evolves to adapt just like life. Animals evolve to work with their surroundings, just like the birds of the Galapagos Islands. This magic has evolved to deal with higher beings, that of gods."

Hades turned to Cyrene as his cloak moved along the ground. His fists tightened. "Your spear may have wounded me but a moment, but it did not stop me. What magic was placed on the point?" Lyle continued to shake his hung head as the demon's grip loosened for him to talk.

Hades chuckled as he stepped forward. His fingers pulled up Lyle's chin as he bent forward to inspect his face. "You like the darkness? The blackness that you wish that would surround you?" Lyle's chains clanked together as the demons held a better stance.

"Then you shall have it." Hades stood back up, hands behind his back. "I'm not a patient god. Alpha Wesley, may I use your dungeons?"Again, it wasn't a question, just a formality for Hades to play nice.

"Of course, Hades. Anything that you may need on this territory is at your discretion." Hades chuckled as he grabbed my hand while we walked to the packhouse dungeons.

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