Page 75 of Love and Death
Hades, on the other hand, misreads the moment by some fortunate miracle.
“Well done, my good boy,” he crows with a slow clap. “I was beginning to think you did not have it in you. Though, of course, now she is ruined for me.”
“Tell me to hurt him,” I grit into Hazel’s ear.
“What?”
“Please, tell me. Command me,” I growl low, shifting back to meet her eyes. “Let me serve you.”
She hesitates only for a second.
“Cerberus, make Hades pay.”
22
HAZEL
Isee the moment my command takes hold in Cerberus, the fire in his eyes blazing to life. Slowly, he adjusts and releases his hold on me to turn back toward Hades.
He rolls his head, shaking out his body like an animal just freed that’s been beaten and caged far too long.
“The girl remains her own, unclaimed by touch.”
Hades steps closer, pointing a threatening finger at Cerberus as his face contorts with rage. “What, how dare you defy me! Finish what you started, or I will—”
The hellhound lunges, and for a split second, I see fear in Hades’ face. Then, he is tackled to the floor, and the two become a blur of fire and rage upon it.
The ground trembles beneath their fury. Stones and crystal dust rattle across the sanctum as the two collide.
“I own you,” Hades roars, throwing Cerberus from him with a blast of blue fire. “Obey, or I will strangle you with your defiance.”
Cerberus straightens, wiping blood from his mouthwith the back of his hand before grinning at Hades. “I would like to see you try.”
He launches himself at the king, this time his whole torso bursting into flame as he lashes out with claws and gnashing fangs. The scene is as terrifying as it is impossible to turn away from.
However, I cannot help but wonder why Cerberus won’t just turn into his beast and end it. Surely, even Hades cannot stand against him then, just as Death could not.
My stomach twists, and I have to cover my mouth as Hades manages to kick Cerberus to the floor before dropping onto him to throw flaming punches at his face.
The hellhound goes limp before Hades finally sits back on his heels, breathing hard as he straightens the rings on his fingers. Rising to his feet, he gives Cerberus’ boot a kick for good measure and then turns to walk toward me.
“It looks like I will have to be the one to ruin you, and in front of Death, no less,” he says with a mocking click of his tongue. “Not that I mind breaking you myself. It is simply a shame. I had such plans for you.”
He reaches out to run the back of his fingers down my cheek, and for a split second, I fear all is lost. And then, my eyes widen as a massive burning frame looms up behind the king with a rumbling growl.
He barely has time to whirl around before Cerberus’ beast bites down on his shoulder and hurls him across the room. The king slams into the sapphire wall, and it cracks under the force of the blow.
I watch with bated breath as his body slides to the floor, and then, stays there.
Still, and unmoving.
Cerberus falls to his knees, his back to me, once again a man, his chest heaving, sweat glistening across his body. He holds up a hand toward me as I start to move toward him.
“Wait! Wait …” he says through hard breaths.
“What’s wrong?”
“I do not have control yet. I am … the beast still has hold.”
