Page 31 of Touch of Death
“Do you really think this will work?” I ask Persephone after allowing myself a moment to think.
“I do,” she answers. “Cerberus has lacked companionship for far too long. I doubt it would take much to truly win him over.”
I chew my lip nervously, doubting myself as I finally come to a decision. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I let out a deep sigh as I look between them.
“Okay.”
“You do not have to do this, little one,” Death says in a low whisper as he gently grabs my upper arms and bends to look me in the eye, suddenly seeming like himself again. “I will end this right here and now, if you but say the word.”
“Do you have another plan?” I ask before clarifying, “One that doesn’t involve mass slaughter.”
His silence confirms my thoughts.
“I detest this plan,” he says.
“As do I, but it may be the only chance we have. Hades has already refused us, and if we can’t win Cerberus to our side … then what hope do we have?”
“So, is it decided then?” Eros asks.
Straightening, Death and I turn to face him only to find his hand raised before him, a strangely familiar silver substance swirling around his arm. It takes me a second to realize what it reminds me of, and my eyes widen as I glance up at Death in horror.
“What are you doing with my shadow?” he says, his voice terrifyingly soft.
“I warned you that this palace wasmydomain,” Eros says. “As part of Hades’ deal with the Fates, any power used against us in our own homes gets partially transferred to us. At least, for as long as the offender remains in the Underworld … Welcome to the new City of Gods.”
“Did you know about this?” Death hisses, whirling on Persephone.
“Of course, but I could not say as much,” she says, her cheeks flushing in shame. “It was another part of his deal.”
“You need not worry, Death,” Eros says as he draws closer, the little bit of silver shadow playfully swirling around him. “I do not need your power, nor do I want it.”
With that, he plucks the silver shadow from him and tosses it back at Death. Immediately, it turns inky as it merges with the larger pool of darkness that churns at Death’s feet.
“Now, shall we get started,” Eros says, his eyes dropping to me. “You need not worry, mortal. I amthemaster of seduction; before too long, you will have Hades’ lapdogbeggingto be on his knees before you. Of that, I am sure.”
14
Eros
“Come,” I say as I move toward the doors, turning to walk backward as I motion for them to follow me. “Let me give you a tour of your new home.”
Spinning back around, my back now to them, the grin falls from my face as I let fear take hold of my heart.
All it took was a single touch to spell my ruin.
A single touch of her skin and I was able to see her more clearly than I have ever seen anything in my entire life. And, considering that I am blind, that is saying something.
One kiss was all it took for the darkness of my life to be flooded with light and color, and for a moment, a single heartbeat, I was sated in ways I have never been before.
In ways I never knew were possible for me … and by amortal, of all creatures.
Her soul, her energy is so pure, so … fiercely intoxicating in its intensity. I find myself suddenly cravingnothing, no one but her.
I must have her. I must find a way to claim her, to stay Death’s hand from taking her from me, if only just for a time. I will not stop until I do.
Until I have known her.
Hell, what I would give to experience that with her. I do not remember the last time I trulywantedto lay with another.
