Page 89 of Hell On Earth
He disappeared.
“Hades,” I said quietly.
He immediately reappeared in his chair. The woman at a nearby table dropped her fork with a clatter. Megan smiled at me.
“Grandma said this place has the best bread. I hope you’re hungry.”
The woman looked around in confusion before looking at her wine glass. When she picked up her water to take a long drink, Megan had a coughing fit. Oanen settled her down with a few whispered words.
The food was amazing and the conversation relaxing. Oanen and Megan talked about their plans for the house and her grudge toward Elbner, the goblin who had made it look too welcoming in their absence. Then she talked about her grandma Irene, which led to a discussion regarding Grace and Paxton’s progress on finding clues regarding Thanatos and where the other gods might have gone.
“The records they’re finding are vague at best,” Megan said.
Hades disappeared again, and I quietly said his name.
“Exactly an hour,” Megan said. “I checked the time.”
“But it’s not consistent,” I said.
“I believe it is,” Hades said. “It’s an hour from the last time you spoke my name.”
He frowned suddenly and turned around in his chair to look out the window on the other side of the room. At least, I thought he was looking out the window until I saw a shimmer on the glass that winked out.
“What was that?” I asked.
“I believe we’re being watched. It’s time to leave,” Hades said.
Oanen waved down the waiter to pay, and Hades took my hand.
“Go ahead,” Megan said. “We’ll get Zotera and see you back at the house.”
Instead of teleporting us there, Hades helped me stand and led me toward the exit. When the door opened, the room bent around us and solidified into my living room.
“Do you know who was watching?” I asked.
He shook his head, and I wrapped my arms around him to hug him tight.
“Thank you for tonight. It felt like a normal date, something I thought I would never experience. It was really nice.”
He kissed the top of my head and held me.
“We will ask Megan and Oanen to do this again,” he said. “Very soon. Perhaps more shopping too. I enjoyed seeing how you look in these modern clothes.”
I tipped my head back. “Same.” He kissed me lightly.
“Were you serious about what you said in the restaurant? That you disappear an hour after I say your name?”
“Yes. Tonight, I will know for certain. My name can be the last word from your lips before you rest.”
I nodded and kissed his chin. That turned into a lot more kissing until Megan, Oanen, and Zotera appeared in the living room with us.
“Sorry,” I said breathlessly as I turned my head to look at them.
Megan shrugged with a slight smile.
“Seems to be the thing to do when two people are alone.” She took Oanen’s hand. “Ready to go home, bird-boy?”
“Very,” he said.
