Page 137 of Seeking Hades' Ember

"Do they know there is no more dragon blood? That it will all be gone by the time you create these next two spells?" Whispers and gasps came from the darkness, and Demeter slammed her hand on my mouth. "You know nothing," Demeter screamed. "I have the blood and can get more!" Lies, all lies.

Biting her hand that dared to grip my neck, she screamed and ripped it away. "Really now? Because Cyrene, the powerful Sorceress, has told me no Shifter Dragon blood will be given to anyone. That most had been destroyed in the Dark War! I yelled again.

"I will get them their blood." Demeter's emotions ran wild with fear. "I have my ways. You should hold your tongue!" Trying to slap my face again, the ropes dropped, and I grabbed her wrist, sinking my claws into her delicate skin.

"If you have more dragon's blood, please, use it on me to tie me back to the pole. For I know is this, the magic is weakening, my fangs are already itching, my claws are lengthening. It will only be a small amount of time until Hades and the entire Black Claw Pack will invade this forest and send you and the rogues straight to Tartarus." My grip tightened on Demeter. By her outward appearance, you wouldn't think she believed me, but I knew. I knew her fear and the helplessness she was feeling.

Whispers came from the crowd again. "Is it true, there is no more Dragon Shifter blood in storage? All of it gone? That wasn't written in the history texts of the war. The history books said it was all buried into the ground!" One Vampire hissed towards Demeter. I huffed. Demeter went to extra lengths to hide the history of the Dark War? How low could she possibly be?

"You changed the history books for your favor. Too bad you couldn't change the God's history; the fates couldn't allow that. Then we wouldn't have had a clue that Gabriel was Persephone's mate!" I squealed in laugher. "You are just full of plot holes, aren't you, Demeter?" Demeter's confidence wavered, and doubt settled into her mind.

More time, more time. I needed more time for Hades to get here. He wouldn't stay away for long, he wouldn't, he couldn't.

Demeter's vines tried to wrap around my ankle, but I swiped them away. Panic had risen her heartbeat while Vampires and Witches screamed from the darkness. The light kept them hiding in the tree line.

"Is it true?" another yelled. Demeter's head darted to the voice. Running to Hermes and Hecate, I pulled them from their poles.

"Look! Their strength is returning! How are you going to hold us back now, Demeter?" Demeter darted towards Selene, and a prolonged fingernail ran over Selene's pale neck. Standing frozen, I waited for Demeter's next move.

"Come here, mate of Hades," she cackled. “It doesn't matter if the magic is wearing off because Selene is the weakest; it will take her time to heal. You don't want her blood on her hands, do you?" Demeter's eyes grew fire, her white teeth glimmered with the wetness of her mouth. "Get over here and finish it, or I will finish her. I saw your little show on your territory. Demons and Wolves, a perfect combination, hmm? Now separate the goddess from the damn angel Gabriel who is too busy to move into my domain so I may have my daughter." Demeter turned to the unsettled crowd.

"I will get you your blood. Have I not delivered my promises so far? Three goddesses for you to feast on their blood and Dragon magic that I pull from my cloak when needed? I do have more, and it is for you if my tasks are completed!" Demeter pulled Selene away, heels dragging into the dirt.

Demeter had become dirty, nasty, vile. Her emotions had polluted Earth and Bergarian soil. Her reign as a goddess will be put to an end. If not done by me, but by Hades himself. Hades' powers were more robust than any others. He withstood Kronos. He could fight this easily.

Bright red blood dripped from Selene's neck. Not a sound escaped her lips as she shook her head. "Don't." Her hands held onto Demeter, trying to pull her away. Hermes and Hecate could only stand back and watch. The vampire that had helped with my façade stood near Hermes, who only eyed her longingly.

My body was aware of the nature around me. The brisk breeze picked up as my body drew closer. The Sphere shimmered in the firelight, and my fingers pricked with unease. Demeter's emotions grew impatient while she gripped Selene tighter. "Get on with it!" she growled. For a moment, I thought I saw Persephone's finger twitch. Her golden hair dropped to the dirty forest floor.

In front of the Sphere, I stood. No one knows what Selene and I could see in front of us. Just smoke rolling around the ball.

Persephone and Gabriel stood in front as I pictured them in my mind. Their bond was strong; even with the fake bond created for Malachi and Persephone, it held true. I was sure that breaking their bond would cause both of them to die, two strong beings like these. Demeter had no clue what she was asking for.

My finger flung them back into the Sphere as I searched for two more. Hermes and his vampire companion. Hecate was muttering under her breath; Persephone moved her hand, and I found the two I was looking for.

A distraction is what I needed and what I was going to get.

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