Page 109 of Hell On Earth
It was the best evening I’d ever spent with friends in my life. And when Fenris started to get hungry, Zotera prepared a feast for us in the kitchen. Some of the foods were ones we knew and loved. Some were from Hell for the others to try.
Midnight rolled in too quickly. And with it, an explosion of light that shook the house.
Megan’s eyes flared. “Be right back.”
She disappeared, and Oanen took a calming breath.
“I hate when she does that. She doesn’t even know what’s out there.”
“It’s Thanatos,” Zotera said. “But don’t worry. The God of Death won’t touch Megan. He’ll run.”
Another light show sparked and sizzled along the walls.
“My house won’t start on fire, will it?” I asked, setting down my slice of pizza.
“It won’t,” Zotera said. “Does anyone want any dessert?”
“I like how nothing gets you down, Zotera,” Fenris said.
The words were barely out of his mouth when an explosion came from the front door. Zotera’s head whipped toward the sound, and I saw the fire spark in her eyes as chunks of wood flew past the kitchen’s arched opening.
Oanen started to stand.
“Sit, Oanen,” Zotera said, sounding very unlike her normal cheery self. “My daughter will be upset if you’re hurt.”
Zotera strode toward the opening just as a small object rolled along the floor in front of her. She bent down to touch it just as Oanen shouted a warning.
Bubbles exploded in the air around us.
“What the…”
Fenris looked around then back at Zotera as another canister rolled into my home and another. She moved quickly, touching them all, and then sprinted out of view toward the door.
Oanen tried to stand again but couldn’t. Neither could Fenris. Eliana could, though. She hurried to the opening and peeked around the corner.
“Adira,” she said softly, slowly straightening. “Come to me, my pet.”
Fenris swore under his breath and tried to stand again.
Making a face, I slowly stood. I knew it was probably the worst idea ever, but I couldn’t just sit there. My friends were doing everything they could to protect me. I owed it to them to have their backs as much as I was able. So I crept toward Eliana as she turned fully toward the door, showing me her profile.
She was in full seductress mode as she glided toward the door.
I peeked around the corner and saw a silent war outside. People I didn’t know were trying to throw things through the open door. Zotera was standing in front of them, channeling some wicked power that was turning everything into flowers, butterflies, and bubbles.
In the midst of the fighting people stood Adira. She wasn’t paying attention to me or Eliana but directing the people around her.
Making a face, I rushed around Eliana, grabbed her face, and planted a chaste kiss square on her lips.
It had the effect I’d hoped. Eliana jerked back and gave me a look, her eyes flickering between their normal color and black.
“Are you sure you want to go after Adira?” I asked. “She’ll make your life hell.”
Eliana smiled. “She knows not to try. I’ll be okay.”
She glanced out the door, and I turned to see Adira had finally noticed us.
Her gaze locked on me for a moment, but when her gaze met Eliana’s, Adira started talking fast to the people around her.
