Page 33 of Hades

“He’s not. He’s not even banished.” Alastor must have noticed the confused look on my face because before I can ask my next question, he continues, “Themis tricked him and imprisoned him in Treachery for millennia. He’s a crazy motherfucker, for sure, but I’d be willing to bet he can still get in.”

I let out a long whistle. “Shit… that’s just fucked up. Your mother is one fucking bitch. You know that, right?”

“Do you think I just woke up one day and decided to be the Keeper of the Fires of Hell? Because I didn’t. I protected a friend and paid the price. So, yeah, I deserve a little payback too.”

I never thought I would need a plan to return to the Heavens. But I have been merely existing since our curse began when I should have been growing my empire and taking my rightful place as Ruler of the Underworld, a place my family has called home longer than the gods have been alive.

“I think it’s about time your mother realized with whom she is dealing,” I say, turning on my heel and heading for the door. “If I have to destroy the Heavens to get Aradia back, I’ll do it. And if that means taking down Themis in the process, I’ll consider it a bonus.”

“Do you really think killing the mother of the woman you love is a good idea?”

His question has me halting and taking a moment to think about the consequences of bringing an army into Themis’ domain. “I’ve ignored my birthright long enough, and every ruler needs his Queen by his side. If Themis stands in my way, I’ll have no choice.”

ARADIA

One moment, I wasbacked up against the wall, pounding my fist against it, hoping to wake Hades in the next room. And the next moment, I’m… I take a moment to look around. Wherever I am is beyond beautiful. There are bright blue skies as far as I can see and gleaming marble buildings. The trees and flowers look like nothing I have ever seen before, their colors so vibrant it looks as if they were painted.

My attention is on everything around me. I’m unsure if this is a hallucination or a dream, but it’s magnificent. I’m barely paying attention to Themis, who is several yards ahead of me as we walk through the garden.

“Where are we?” I ask her, and she stops abruptly at my question.

When she turns to look at me, her arms are crossed, and her lips are pursed. She looks furious at my question. She’s silent as she takes a few steps toward me. On instinct, I take a step back. The anger that had just marred her beautiful face seems to vanish as she takes another step forward. This time, I stand my ground.

When her delicate hand comes up, I flinch just before she cups my cheek. “My sweet girl, what has Hades done to you? This is your home.” Her voice cracks as if she’s about to cry. “He stole you from us,” she adds as the first tear falls down her flawless cheek. “We have searched for you for so long.”

I want to feel bad for her, yet I feel nothing. Out of concern or maybe just manners, I rub her arm to try and comfort her. “It’s okay, I’m… here now.”

To my shock, she lunges forward and wraps her arms around me, pulling me in for a tight embrace. “I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea how hard your father and I have been searching for you,” she sobs.

“Umm, I’m still baffled as to… well, everything,” I confess as I maneuver out of her embrace. “And I’ve only just met Hades.”

Without warning, I feel her hand slap my cheek. “Never mention his name again. Do you understand?” Themis snarls, all her compassion gone.

All I can do is hold my stinging cheek and nod, agreeing that I’ll never mention his name. “Yes, ma’am,” I whisper.

In the blink of an eye, her demeanor again changes. “Ohh, it’s just so good to have you home. I’ve planned a feast for tonight. The most amazing gala anyone has ever seen, celebrating my daughter’s return.”

“Am I dead?” I ask, because there is no other rational explanation for anything happening here.I must be dead. I must have fallen asleep on the drive. My Jeep is in a ditch, and a pack of coyotes has eaten me.

She laughs at my question, which is more of a cackle and contradictory to her angelic façade. “Come!” she exclaims, now barely able to contain her excitement as she grabs me by the hand and pulls me along. “Your father will be beside himself when he sees you.”

Digging my heels into the ground, I do my best to stop her forward motion. If she realizes I’m hesitant to follow, she does her best to ignore me as I plead for her to stop.

“Please,” I beg. “Stop!” I scream, and she finally halts. It takes her a moment to turn and face me. I can feel my heart beating rapidly in fear. Whoever this woman is, she doesn’t take orders from anyone, least of all me.

She lets out a long sigh and slowly turns to face me. If looks could kill, I would be dead where I stand. “Aradia, I have already explained everything to you. What more do you need?” she snaps. “You aremydaughter, and now you’re home, where you belong. End of story.”

“Okay… But how are you my mother? I mean, we’re practically the same age.” I laugh nervously as I fidget under her intense stare. My question irritates her, since she seems to ponder it for so long.

“We’re immortal, dear. Age means nothing to us,” she says matter-of-factly, as if that should answer any further questions I have. Again, she raises her hand to either caress my cheek or slap it, but I don’t give her the opportunity before I step backward.

“I think I’m just going to go back…”

The words are barely out of my mouth before Themis flicks her wrist, and we suddenly stand inside my bedroom. Not my bedroom in California or even the hotel room she took me from, but my bedroom here. I have the faintest memories of this place. They are foggy and jumbled, but I recognize this room as my own.

“Oh, God,” I gasp as the realization that she could be telling the truth hits me.

The look on my face must say it all, because Themis gives me a broad smile that illuminates her flawless face. “See, you remember. It will all come back to you, I promise. I had the room kept just as it was when you were taken. I knew it would only be a matter of time. I always had hope that he would release you.”

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