Page 43 of Hades

In one swift move, I grab Aradia and hoist her over my shoulder. “I fucking love you, but sometimes you’re a pain in the ass.”

With Aradia over one shoulder and my arm wrapped around her, I jump onto the window ledge and quickly survey the area below. I might not have the power to flash us to the Underworld, but I hope to fucking hell I’m not mortal, or this will hurt.

“Oh my God!” Aradia yells, her fists beating against my back. “Please tell me you aren’t going to jump,” she cries in a panic.

“We aren’t going to jump,” I assure her as I watch shards of wood scatter across the room from her chamber doors being forced open. “On second thought, just kidding,” I utter, just before leaping thirty or forty feet to the ground. Aradia’s screams echo through the air, and I would be shocked if all the Heavens didn’t hear her displeasure.

My feet hit the ground harder than I anticipated, most likely due to the extra person I’m carrying. It only takes me a split-second to gain footing before sprinting through the gardens with a very unhappy Aradia.

“You son-of-a-bitch!” she screams and kicks. “You said you weren’t going to jump. You are such a liar, just like they said you were.”

Her accusations are like a dagger to my heart. Although, in this situation, it’s not untrue. I know they come from a place of fear and confusion, but they sting, knowing that I have never lied to her.

“I’m sorry, my options were limited,” I snap as I glance back, hoping they haven’t had time to follow us yet. Thankfully, no guards have exited, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.

“Help me!” Aradia screams again and again.

“Do not make me gag you, because I will,” I inform her as she wails and kicks. We’re near to the edge of Themis’ domain, and I can see the Arc’s training arena when a foot hits me in the stomach, causing me to wretch and stumble forward. It takes everything I have to remain upright as I try to regain my footing. But the awkward position of Aradia over one shoulder has me toppling to the side, twisting my body so as not to land on top of her.

We hit the ground with a thud that momentarily knocks the wind out of me, but Aradia is safely tucked into my chest, seemingly unfazed as she gets up and dusts herself off.

“I can’t believe you jumped out the fucking window. Are you insane?” she barks as she hikes up her gown and kicks me in the side.

“Fuck! Why are you kicking me? I’m not the bad guy here,” I inform her as I stand up.

“You’re not the bad guy?” she asks, her hands planted on her hips. “You literally kidnapped me. How are younotthe bad guy? Please enlighten me.”

Shit, I forgot how adorable she is when she gets angry. I can’t help but smile as I take her in. Her hair is tousled, pieces dangling around her face from her formal updo, and her cheeks are flush from having been over my shoulder. Even in disarray, she’s the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.

I take a few steps forward until I’m only a couple of inches away, causing her to look up to see me. “It’s rescued, not kidnapped,” I growl.

“Are you delusional? You tossed me over your shoulder and jumped out a window while being chased by guards. If you look up the definition of kidnapping, I’m fairly certain that’s it.”

I let out an aggravated sigh as she shoves me out of the way, or at least she tries, before stomping off. “Aradia, where are you going?”

“Home,” she snaps as she points toward Themis’ temple and starts walking.

“Ugh!” I bellow out in frustration at her behavior. I’d like her to see just how wrong she is, but unfortunately, the sound of Themis’ guards approaching tells me we don’t have time for her temper tantrum. “Time to go, princess,” I tell her as I grab her by the waist and spin her around just as the first guard comes into sight.

She also sees them but thinks they are her saviors, not the enemy coming to drag her back. “I hate to do it like this, but I have no other option,” I say as I once again hoist her over my shoulder and sprint toward the arena, all the while she continues to scream for help.

Reaver mentioned that the Arcs were missing, but as we approach the arena, I can hear the familiar sounds of training. The clank of metal and the hollow clunk of wood as young Arcs train for battle.

“Shit,” I mumble, because the last thing I need is to have Aradia screaming for help as I try to sneak out of the Heavens. Arcs in training are hungry to be the hero, and a seemingly kidnapped Aradia would be the perfect opportunity to prove their worth. “I need you to be quiet,” I ask as nicely as I can while tapping her on the leg.

“Are you serious?”

Taking a second to remember the layout of the arena, I recall a door on the right side of the venue that I would use to sneak in as a boy to watch the Arcs train. If I remember correctly, there was also a storage room not far from there.

Heading along the perimeter, I spot the door just where I remembered it. It looks old and forgotten, with moss and ivy growing on the wood. And with trepidation, I grab the handle and pull it open, thanking any god that will listen that it wasn’t locked. The storage room is only a few yards, even still, I’m quick because any noise or scream for help will echo through the entire stadium, alerting everyone to our presence.

Thankfully I can slip inside before Aradia has time to continue her caterwauling for help. As gently as I can, I place her on the ground as I look for a few things to help us. She turns and glares daggers at me.

“What are you doing now?” she inquires with an air of displeasure in her voice. “And what’s stopping me from just walking out that door?”

“We need a few things,” I inform her as I dig through the shelves. “And nothing, except for the fact that I am bigger and faster than you. So, you won’t get far.”

By the third chest I open, I’m beginning to think I’m going to be out of luck in finding what I’m searching for. But the moment I open it, I see what I need. Grabbing the wrist shackles, I hold them up and let them dangle from one finger.

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