Page 29 of Love and Death
“Even if you managed to escape Aglaia, the gates of the Underworld are still sealed,” she continues, crushing any hope I had left. “And then there is the Styx. Charon. Lost souls. The mists—”
“I understand,” I interrupt, feeling foolish enough as it is.
It’s only now that I realize just how impossible escape will be without Death’s help. Even if I had the key to the gates and managed to find Death’s body and my father’s soul, Florence is right, I have no way to cross the Styx, let alone traverse the realms …
My heart sinks further into despair, and I hurry to turn my back to the succubus. I stare, unseeing, as the rippling water begins to blur before me, and grim reality sets in.
Without Death, there is no escape. Not for me. Not one with a future beyond the realm of the dead by any means.
My body still lies in his palace, far beyond my reach … beyond anyone’s reach. Without Death, there is no life to be had. The most I can hope for now is that my father’s soul can still be saved and that my own might be joined with Death’s in the afterlife … assuming his is there and mine isn’t lost long before then.
Enough.
I press my trembling lips together, driving these thoughts back into the dark corners of my mind. I have to stop allowing myself to wallow in self-pity. I have to be stronger than this. I have totry.
Though it will be no easy feat, I refuse to let Death’s sacrifice be in vain.
Regardless of what’s to come, Iwillfind a way to be reunited with him … but first, I must ensure the safety of my father’s soul.
And hopefully, before Hades’ return.
8
HAZEL
My heart hums to life again as a plan starts to take form. Florence may not be able to get me out of the palace, but she may still be able to help.
Especially now that I’m beginning to doubt Cerberus plans to honor my request.
I turn back to face the succubus, my eyes pleading with her to listen to me as I blink away unspent tears. “You said you wanted to help me, is that still the case?”
“I did, and I do,” she answers, eyeing me warily. “What is it you have in mind?”
“I need you to find a way to distract Cerberus when he returns,” I whisper urgently. “If you can just find a way to keep him busy, I could use the time to search the palace and find out what happened to my father, and what Hades has planned for Death’s body … Of course, I would probably need to borrow the keys he gave you, too.”
“Does a mortal mind really forget things so easily,”Florence murmurs, her eyes studying me for a long moment.
“Please.”
“No.” Florence nudges me to turn me away again so that she can start scrubbing my back. “As I have repeated many times, it is impossible. You would be caught before you could even begin.”
“But, if I can just—"
“No,” she interrupts sharply, prompting a tense silence to settle between us. “However, ifyouwere to distract Cerberus upon his return, perhaps I could do the searching for you.”
I brighten at her suggestion. Of course, she would be the better option, but the task will be no less dangerous.
Possibly more so.
If I were to be caught, it’s unlikely that Hades’ men would do me harm in his absence, but I cannot assume they’d do the same for Florence.
I mull over her suggestion for another minute before turning to look at her.
“I cannot ask that of you.”
“You did not ask. I offered.”
“Still—”
