Page 37 of Hell On Earth
The ground gave a light rumble as I turned us around and led us toward the back booth. It was empty except for Eugene’s backpack. Releasing Zotera’s hand, I slid into the booth and dug out a book from his bag.
“I’ll be safe enough here for a few minutes,” I said with a confidence I didn’t feel. “Make sure you punch whoever is making out with Eugene, okay?”
“I will,” Zotera said before walking away.
I lifted the book, shielding my face from view and potential darts, and started reading. I’d sat in this booth hundreds of times and survived, and distracting myself with a good story was the easiest way to ignore the creatures who would try to bait me. Yet, the thought that there might be someone else in the club who wasn’t interested in baiting but killing kept me from fully sinking into the story.
“I see you got my message,” Eras said beside me.
The sound of his voice sent a thread of relief through me. I realized my mistake the moment he leaned toward me.
“I can make you feel even better,” he said, his voice like a caress.
I focused on the words on the page, my breathing, and pushing away all emotions. It wasn’t working, though. I’d given him an in with the relief, and I could feel him feeding on it. I could feel how I wanted to turn to him and thank him.
And then my head was turning.
I fought it with everything I had, all while pushing away the fear that wanted to rise. If he had that emotion, he’d own me.
“How long has it been since I’ve tasted you, Ashlyn?” he asked. “Look at your master, Ashlyn.”
Keep your gaze down, Ashlyn,I screamed at myself even as my gaze lifted.
The trembling grew more pronounced under my feet as Eras took my hand and helped me stand.
“Time to worship me, human. On your knees.”
He reached for his zipper as my knees folded. Tears filled my eyes as I stared up at Eras in adoration. The hate I felt wasn’t enough to overshadow the love he was forcing me to feel. My hand lifted to assist his efforts to free himself, and I wanted to scream.
Instead, I moaned when my fingers touched him.
The glasses on a nearby table rattled.
I fought Eras’ compulsion even harder, wishing I could claw out my own eyes rather than look at him for another second. Yet, I felt like I’d die if I looked away.
Was this how Hades had felt with Persephone? In a constant state of love warring with hate?
“Hunger for me,” Eras commanded. “Need me.”
I did both. Desperately. I could think of little else but how he would taste and feel. How I would do anything to make him happy.
Eras’ hand fisted my hair, and he smiled down at me as he positioned himself near my mouth.
The building around us groaned, and the floor heaved under my knees. Eras looked away from me. I craved for his gaze to return even as I screamed at myself to get away from the incubus. If I didn’t, we would all be in danger.
The woken god was watching.
And he wasn’t happy.
“Hades,” I breathed, trying to tell him to stop even while wishing he was there to prevent what I knew was about to happen.
An unholy roar filled the air. Eras released my hair and spun away from me. I reached for him, still caught in his spell of need even as I fought it. My fingers brushed his pants as he screamed and ran, and I fell forward onto my hands and knees.
My hand landed next to a black hoof. Lifting my head, I stared up at the horned, winged, monstrous version of Hades. His eyes glowed a brilliant red as he looked down at me, each heaving breath expanding his chest and moving his wings.
“Help,” I whispered, even as I moved my hand to crawl around him. “Please.”
He picked me up gently, his demon form melting away as I stared at the red doors Eras had fled through.
