Page 44 of Love and Death
Surely, I must have misheard him.
“You found my father?” I repeat once I can find my voice again.
“Yes, if you can still call him that.”
I don’t know what he means by this, but I push the strange wording from my mind as I hurry over to the door.
“Where is he? Is he okay?” Wariness is quick to stop me in my tracks when he doesn’t answer me. “Cerberus?”
“I think it may be best that you learn the answers to those questions yourself.”
“How?”
“I can take you to see him, but we must hurry.”
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth,” I press.
“What reason do I have to lie to you about this?”
“To get me to open the door.”
I can almost hear Cerberus’ mind working in the short silence that follows.
“I know you have little reason to trust me, but I cannot bring your father here. So, if you would like to see him, then you need to open the door,” he says with a heavy sigh. “Now, do you wish to see him or not?”
I grimace as I come to terms with the unfortunate situation that I’ve now found myself in. The door is locked, Florence has yet to return with the keys, and this may be my only chance to see my father again.
“Yes,” I answer softly, “but I can’t open the door.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have the keys.”
“Where is the succubus?”
“I don’t know,” I admit.
A low, guttural growl emanates from beyond the door, carrying with it the weight of exhaustion and near defeat.
“Step back.”
“What are you going to—”
“Hazel, move,” he orders, his voice thick with gravel.
I stumble backward just before a heavy mass slams into the door. It shudders in its frame, but holds.
The second blow cracks the thick ebony down the center with such a booming thud that it makes me flinch in imagined pain.
Outside, Cerberus lets out a low growl of frustration,his breathing ragged and sharp. I open my mouth to say something, but only a scream escapes me as he throws himself against the door for the third time.
This time, it splinters like brittle bone, shattering with a thunderous crunch as shards of wood and bits of metal are scattered across the floor.
Lifting my gaze from the destruction now strewn about the room to the doorway, I stagger back against the nearest wall, clamping a hand over my mouth in the process to stifle a gasp as the hellhound steps into view.
14
HAZEL
