Page 51 of Touch of Death
Hazel gives me a worried look at this before her brow furrows in thought.
“If Cerberus isn’t guarding the gate, then can’t we just slip through once Hades unlocks it?” Hazel asks.
“In theory, yes,” Eros answers. “But, no.”
“What Eros means to say,” I explain, “is that Hades will not unlock the gate if Cerberus is missing. Guarded or not matters little, as long as it remains locked.”
“Exactly, which is why we must continue on with my plans. The mortal will learn my arts so that by the time she encounters Cerberus, he can be brought to heel.”
“What about the other souls?” Hazel asks. “The ones who arrive while Cerberus is away, surely they cannot be expected to roam the banks of the Styx.”
“Yes,” Eros answers, “and I suspect the river will claim its fair share of them.”
Hazel blinks at him in horror before turning to look at me.
“But if you’re here, then how is anyone dying?”
Her question makes me uncomfortable. It reveals just how much there still is that she does not understand about this realm, let alone the very nature of my being.
“My shadows,” I answer, lifting one hand as I let some of the inky darkness swirl around it. “What you see around me is only a small portion of them; the rest fill the realms as an extension of myself.”
Hazel tilts her head as she takes them in. I can already see the question that’s forming behind her curious eyes.
“I only collect souls that require a little extra … coaxing myself,” I say. “Do not worry, little one, the shadows will not claim anyone whom I would not mark for death myself.”
At this, Eros clears his throat. It would seem the attention has slipped away from him for too long.
Sighing, I turn my gaze back to him, and he grins as Hazel does the same.
“So, as I was saying, we have three days until the mortal’s first test. In the meantime, I suggest you do exactly as I say, regardless of how unusual it may seem.”
I let out a small sigh of displeasure at this, not liking the smirk that settles over his face. I am sure there is more to this plan of his than meets the eye, but I will have to be patient to find out what it is.
Before whatever he is planning gets out of hand.
But, for now, I must bide my time. Even if that means allowing him to think he can tell me what to do.
Whatever this deal is that Hades made with the Fates … it must be truly terrible for them to allow a god like Eros more power. He hardly knew how to control what little he already had.
“Okay,” Hazel says, answering for me. “I am sure we will both try our best and are grateful for your help.”
I glance at her, happy to find she is watching me and not Eros. There is a soft, encouraging smile on her lips that gives me hope. She moves to lay a reassuring hand on my arm, and I look back at Eros.
“Very well, we agree to your terms for the time being.”
“Finally,” he says before striding back across the room to pull open the main doors. Waiting in the hallway are the two succubae from the day before. “Quickly, now.”
They step in, their arms full of colorful garments and he motions for them to follow him into his closet. After a few moments, he returns with two outfits draped over his arms.
He gives me a look before shoving black pants and a shirt in my direction.
“I’m afraid this is all I have left in the way of black clothing,” he says before turning to Hazel. “Not that I would ever dream of dressingyouin anything so solemn. You, my dear mortal, need to shine brightly. Now, change.”
Hazel glances at me before accepting the clothing from Eros and disappearing into the bathroom with one of the succubae.
“I think I will wear my own clothes today,” I say, looking at the handful of fabric he has given me in disgust.
“I already sent them off to be cleaned.”
