Page 27 of Raising Hell
There was definitely anger in her voice. Hades heard it, too, because his roving fingers stilled on my ribs.
“Take care with what you say, daughter. Caged tigers still have claws.”
Megan frowned at him. “I don’t know what that means. Why am I here?”
He was quiet for a long moment, and I wished I could see his face. I could see Megan’s, though. Hers lost some of its anger, and her gaze flicked to me. Or rather, Hades’ hold on me. When her gaze landed on mine, I silently pleaded with her.
Be calm. Wait. Try to help me. Please.
“Though we have never met,” Hades finally said, “you know who I am. The same is not true for all gods and goddesses. Do you not recognize your mother?”
Megan snorted. “Mother? No. I’m pretty familiar with my mom, and that’s not her.”
“Then who do I hold?”
The rest of Megan’s defiant anger disappeared, and she gave me a worried look. I realized then that she didn’t want to do anything that would put me in danger. Outing me as a human might do that.
I tipped my head, twisting to look at Hades. The move brought his hand closer to my breast.
“Goddess, you tempt me,” he said softly, staring down at me.
“I’m not trying to. She doesn’t understand why she’s here. Please let me explain.”
“You gave your word.”
I scowled, frustrated.
“When I agreed, I thought you would get to the point as soon as she got here.”
Hades grinned at me, a flash of true humor so unexpected that it stole my breath. More so when he leaned in and brushed his nose against mine.
“As you wish, Goddess.”
When he lifted his head, a hint of his humor remained as he addressed Megan.
“Tell me who I hold, daughter, and confirm all that I already know.”
I straightened and nodded at Megan, encouraging her.
“Her name is Ashlyn. She’s a human from Uttira.”
“A human? How is a human in Hell?” he asked, amusement lacing his words.
“Three idiot druids sent her here. They’ve already been mindwiped, so this won’t ever happen again.”
He was silent for a moment as his thumb slowly moved beneath my breast.
“Tell me more about Ashlyn,” he said softly.
“There’s not a whole lot to tell. She lived in Uttira almost her entire life with her uncle Trammer. She was used as bait by the council and mistreated by the residents there. Yet, her life experiences didn’t make her angry and bitter. She made some friends with a few of the werewolves, some other humans, and a succubus who is actually a lot nicer than the rest of her kind.
“Ashlyn was trapped in Uttira by birth and circumstance. Please let her go. She doesn’t belong here.”
The pity in Megan’s gaze had me giving her a grateful smile. But I couldn’t help wondering why she was begging for my release when the other fury had asked for my help in finding a way to appease Hades.
“Let her go?” Hades asked, sounding far less amused. “Do you think I would simply forgo my due simply because my daughter asked me?”
I cringed, understanding that he was completely missing the point of this.
