Page 11 of Love and Death
“Well, be sure to let me know when you do,” he interrupts, kicking the door open behind him so hard that it hits the wall with a gut-wrenching thud. “Until then.”
He waves his hand toward the open doorway with a mock half-bow. I swallow hard, my eyes darting past him to search the dim room beyond as I try to choose my next words carefully. And then, think better of it.
Fine, if he wants the truth. He can have it.
“Why did you bring my father into the arena?” I asksoftly. “Why did you choose to do something that would hurt me after saying you wanted to protect me?”
Cerberus flinches at this, his shoulders dropping slightly under what I can only hope is the burden of his shame.
“I was just following orders.”
“That is no excuse when it comes to doing what’s right.”
“You do not understand, I had no choice—”
“Wealwayshave a choice,” I say bluntly, meeting his gaze as fiercely as I can. “You’re right. I haven’t decided whether or not to forgive you. Not because I do not wish to, but because I believe thekindof forgiveness that you seek must be earned … and I think I know how you can do that.”
“How?”
“A simple favor.” His eyebrow arches slightly at this, and I take it as a sign to continue. “If Hades is to be my fate, and likely my end, then I would ask that I be allowed to see my father once again. To know that he is safe … and to say my goodbyes.”
Though my request is far from what I’d hoped to ask of him, at least it’s a start.
Cerberus’ eyes drop from mine, his jaw working as he considers all that I’ve said, and hope begins to bud within my chest. Only for his eyes to snap back to mine a few seconds later, the sharpness within them piercing me straight to my core.
“Inside,” he orders, with a sharp nod toward the bedroom.
“Cerberus, I—”
“Inside. Now,” he barks, his lip curling up over his canines in a snarl as his voice ricochets down through the stairwell.
I lower my eyes to the floor in dismay, quickly moving past him and into the tower room beyond; the hope that had started to blossom within me wilting away with each step I take ...
4
HAZEL
Iflinch as the door slams shut behind me, and I hear the key once again scrape and twist inside the lock. I wish I knew what I’d said wrong to anger him so greatly.
Perhaps he does not believe I will ever forgive him for what he’s done.
Turning to look back, I’m startled to discover that I’m not as alone as I thought.
Cerberus leans heavily against the door, watching me intensely, as if trying to decide how best to deal with me. My mouth goes dry at the thought, my heart skipping an anxious beat in my chest.
Have I already ruined my chances with him? Assuming there was ever really a chance. Will Cerberus report my request to Hades, or does he intend to punish me himself?
I start to open my mouth to question him, if not plead my case entirely, but he quickly lifts a finger to his lips to silence me. It’s only when he leans further back to presshis ear flat against the door that my nervousness shifts toward curiosity instead.
A long, painful minute passes between us before I finally hear it …
The faint scuffle of approaching footsteps.
I immediately shoot a panicked look Cerberus’ way, realizing he must have heard them coming long before I did, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
There’s a distant look in his eyes as he continues to listen intently, and I can’t help but wonder if he can tell who the footsteps belong to
Another minute passes before I see the faintest flicker of worry cross his features.
