Page 23 of Wicked Warlock
Persephone placed a light hand on Hades’ arm. “Is there ever talking sense into him?”
“No, I suppose not.”
Hades waved Liesin toward Nova. “Give her the key. She earned it.”
With slow, hesitant steps, Liesin marched toward Nova. She held out her hand toward him and he grabbed her wrist. She tried to yank her hand back. “Don’t.”
But it was too late. His fingers brushed over her bare skin as he laid the key in the palm of her hand. Nova could see anyone or anything’s death if she touched it with her bare hands. She’d lost her gloves back at the tornado of souls. She flinched way from him, curling her fingers around the key and yanking her arm free. “Next time, you’ll lose that hand.”
“Next time, you’ll want more than just my hand touching you.” He winked and took a step back.
Purple magic sparked from her fingertips and around her eyes. She took a step toward him, and I knew she was about to let loose. For some reason, Liesin got under her skin big time and if I didn’t do something, we’d never get the hell out of here.
“Nova! Stop!” I snapped so loudly, they all turned to look at me.
“Just when it was getting good,” Beckett mumbled under his breath. “Bet she could take him.”
“I’ll take that bet,” Kylian whispered back. “Demi-Greek versus queen witch. Could be interesting.”
“Both of you, shut up.” I wanted to smack them in the back of the heads, but I didn’t make a move to. Instead, I turned back to Hades and Persephone. In my best respectful tone, I tried to remain calm. “Lords of the underworld, or is it King and Queen, or is it Rulers?”
Hades rolled his eyes and waved me on. “Yes, what is it?”
“Since we have completed the tasks, and found the key, are we free to leave back to the mortal realm?” I held my breath. He could very well keep us here in this dark marble gothic but also hellish castle.
“Eh, yes, I’d say you all are free to go.” He motioned to a door to his left.
“Thank you, thank you so much.” I didn’t want to ask for directions. Nova would get us out of here. We all started toward the door.
Hades cleared his throat, and my stomach sank. “You all are free to go…” He held up his hand and a small translucent women stood in his palm. She was beautiful, delicate, and held the look of sadness. Her long streaked blond hair fell over her shoulder, covering half her face. “But she cannot.”
“Oh, no. I knew this would happen.” Ashryn pressed her hand over her mouth as tears shimmered in her eyes yet never fell.
Hades tossed the translucent girl to his side, and she dropped to the ground and began to spring up to full size. I grabbed Beckett’s arm. “No, no, it can’t be. Serrina! How? How did this happen?”
Ashryn sprinted past us and went right for Serrina. She threw out her arms, trying to pull her in for a hug, trying to grab her. Her arms went right through her. “I’m so sorry. Forgive me. Please.”
“There is nothing to forgive.” Serrina’s sad smile filled her face. “We completed our bonding for this moment. Where you go, I will go. Together.”
“I’m staying.” Ashryn pressed her lips into a hard line and curled her fists at her sides.
Kylian scoffed. “If she stays, then I stay. I’m not leaving without my sister.”
Soto shrugged and looked around the castle like she was about to purchase it herself. “I can live down here. It’s actually nicer than Unseelie.”
Kylian held up his hand, giving her a high five. “Right on.”
Logan groaned and pulled at the strands of his hair. “Nope, none of us are staying.”
This was a complete clusterfuck. Rage rolled through my body. We were so close. “There has to be another way. Serrina wouldn’t have died if it wasn’t for Nova killing us. We got the key, and you gave us permission to leave. She should be able to leave, too.”
Hades slouched down in his throne and ran his fingers over his goatee. “Nah.”
“Nah? That’s it? Nah?” I threw up my arms and let them slap my thighs. “No talk? No debate. Just nah?”
“Hades, there has to be another way.” Logan’s power flowed over the room and suddenly I wanted to comply with all he said.
“Don’t play your games on me, boy. I’m far too old and you’re far too weak,” Hades growled low in his throat.
