Page 68 of Hell On Earth
The driver parked in front of Nicolette’s penthouse building, and Hades got out first to offer me his hand. He waited until Eliana and Fenris joined us before heading inside.
Once we were in the elevator, Hades drew me backward into the circle of his arms and kissed my temple.
“Are we going to discuss whatever Zotera’s mother made her promise not to tell?” he asked once.
Eliana shot me a nervous glance, and I silently questioned how Hades knew. The viewing pool? But that was too muffled, wasn’t it? And why only that part and not the first part of what Zotera said?
“I think we need to,” I said. “But I haven’t figured out how yet since the topic is probably going to upset you, and you don’t like when I use kissing as a distraction to keep you calm, and I don’t like when you make things shake. So, I’m kind of stuck.”
“That’s easy,” Fenris said.
“Please don’t,” Eliana said.
“Don’t what?” I asked.
“Say something that will embarrass me,” Eliana said, wrinkling her nose at Fenris.
He leaned in and gave the tip a quick lick before grinning at me.
“Start out the conversation in the buff, and each time he gets upset, put a piece of clothing back on.”
“Your suggestion is both irritating and intriguing,” Hades said.
Eliana’s eyes flickered black, showing that Hades was definitely more intrigued than annoyed.
“I’m hoping to come up with a non-sexual solution so the whole group can be involved in the discussion,” I said.
Our phones buzzed.
Megan: Zayn’s here. He thinks he can make a potion, but it’ll require ingredients that Hades might not like.
Eliana wrinkled her nose again as we arrived on the floor.
When we stepped out into the hallway, I stopped us from going to the door.
“Zotera told us a little bit more about Thanatos in those few seconds you went missing at the restaurant. I’m guessing you missed that part in transit?” I asked.
Hades gave a single nod.
“Zotera seemed worried about you finding out,” I said. “And based on the hard time you had when you saw what happened to Persephone, I agree.”
Hades exhaled heavily and hugged me close.
“Your memory has holes in it,” I said softly. “Sometimes, you’re mentally present; sometimes, you’re stuck in the past. Persephone is the past, right?”
I pulled back to look at him.
“She is. You are my future, Ashlyn.”
I smiled slightly. “I really like hearing you say that, but what happens if you find out Thanatos is the one who did that to her? Will you forget about keeping me safe and go after him because of the past?”
“Never,” he vowed with anger edging his voice but not in the caress of his fingers along my cheek.
Capturing his hand, I turned my head and kissed his palm.
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “Zayn, the powerful druid that Megan knows, is here to talk about a spell to track Thanatos. Please keep an open mind and stay calm, okay?”
“As you will it.”
