Page 22 of Touch of Death
I will not let Hades, or anyone else, stand in our way,” he says, the deepness of his voice rumbling through me. “We still have time, Hazel. I promise that we will find a way yet.”
Hope immediately bursts to life within me at this, especially when he pulls back just enough that we can look into each other’s faces. Our eyes meet briefly before his gaze dips to my lips, and for one glorious second, I think he might actually kiss me.
My heart races, and I want nothing more than his touch in this moment. For him to give me some reassurance that he feels the same way I do about him. That him being here is because he loves me, and not simply out of guilt.
Death presses both palms into the wall on either side of me, his eyes searching my face.
“Hazel—”
Before he can say anything more, let alone kiss me, the soft clearing of a throat interrupts us. Immediately, I press myself back as flat as I can away from Death, my cheeks burning at the thought of being caught in such a state.
Nervously glancing toward the main hall, I find a small woman peering in at us curiously. She’s breathtakingly beautiful, with delicate features and large green eyes that soften as they meet mine. Amusement pulls her lush lips into a smile as she takes a step toward us.
Death lets out a hiss of annoyance as he shifts away from me, his eyes narrowing on the woman.
“What are you doing here?” he demands, his voice coming out icier than I’ve ever heard.
The woman doesn’t seem fazed by his tone as she lets out a small chuckle.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she says, her voice somehow even more beautiful than her face. “After all, this ismyhome you are in.”
Death tenses as she takes another step toward us.
“Yourhome?” I glance from her to Death and back in confusion.
“Yes,” she says with a small nod, “I am Persephone, wife of Hades, whom I believe you have already had the absolute pleasure of being acquainted with.”
“What do you want, Persephone?” Death asks, clearly irritated by her presence.
“I think I may just have a way to help you.”
“Really?” I ask, hardly daring to believe her, especially when I can feel the skepticism rolling off Death in heavy waves. I don’t even need to look at him to know he doesn’t trust this woman as his shadows curl at our feet.
Still, I find myself curious to at least hear her out, and I find myself shifting forward without thinking. Death says nothing as the silence following her words stretches.
Finally, Persephone continues, “It won’t be easy. In fact, it may very well be impossible ... This task that I believe will help you.”
“Out with it,” Death says, impatience making his voice gruff.
“Please,” I add quickly, not wanting to scare off any help we might get.
Persephone smiles, “Find a way to convinceCerberusto let Hazel through.”
“Impossible,” Death immediately scoffs. “Cerberus is Hades’ lapdog; you know that as well as anyone. There is no way—”
“Will you let me finish?” she asks, cutting him off with a single look.
Death falls silent, and I step closer, reaching for him in an attempt to calm him. His tension eases slightly at my touch, though his shadows continue to swirl in frustration around us.
I understand his frustration, given how our last encounter with Cerberus went. I don’t see how this woman thinks we could possibly befriend him, but that only makes me all the more curious to find out what she has to say.
“Cerberus may be my husband’s dog, but that does not mean that he cannot be swayed. Hades has grown cold as of late. He has forgotten who his friends are and where true power lies.”
“What does that have to do with us?” Death demands.
“Hades needs to be put back in his place. Reminded of the god he once was,” Persephone says carefully. “If you can find a way to win Cerberus to your side, to convince him that Hazel is worth his temporary disloyalty to my husband … it may just help shatter Hades’ illusions of grandeur. If he can only be reminded that those around him require a leader and not a tyrant, then it very well might help the whole of the Underworld in more ways than one.”
The goddess’ eyes flicker to me as she says this, but Death doesn’t seem convinced by what she’s said. I cannot blame him either. What she asks of him, of us, involves a great deal of risk.
