Page 6 of Guided by the Stars
I blink a few times, a little shocked about the animal part. Luckily, Adriane chimes in before I can. “Wait, isn’t the entrance to the Land of the Dead leading you into the Underworld?”
“Yes, it’s an entrance. However, it’s a passage that, when taken, traps you. Only a select few have ever been able to make it out.” He shrugs, stepping a little closer to us. “Most come here wanting to offer whatever they can to bribe Hades. They come hoping the King of the Underworld will allow the dead to return to us for one night, wanting to speak to their souls. Like my aunt over there.” He points in her direction before continuing, “My Uncle died many years ago, but she doesn’t give up hope. In the summer months, she comes each weekend, offering as much as she can, longing to speak to her husband.”
My gaze travels over towards his aunt. One of three women in a group, she is kneeling down. All three have their backs towards us, their heads facing the dark wall at the very end. Each is wearing all-black clothing and their hands lay in front of them as they pray. Or maybe they are chanting?
It breaks my heart knowing what they are doing. It’s not like going to church or a temple to honor your loved ones. This place is more like ritual grounds where people come together to raise the ghosts of the dead. Mourners willing to offer sacrifices, hoping to talk to their loved ones once more.I don’t get how they could want this. When I had to bury mine, it was hard enough. I wouldn’t survive seeing them again. Especially not for one night, anyway.
“What are they doing?” I ask, watching them stand, holding bowls in front of them. Each passes their bowl around to the other.
He turns his eyes back towards her, shaking his head and lowering it slightly. “The offerings can be anything. My aunt chooses to offer grains to Hades. She hopes the fruits of the harvest will entice him enough since she cannot afford more,” he says, rolling his eyes and chuckling. “I suppose I’m lucky. I found some blood earlier as I was helping my aunt. People sneak in here a lot with animals.”
“Wait, you were serious? People still do that? Bring dead animals into what is now a tourist site?” Adriane asks the question I was thinking.
He shifts, seeming uncomfortable, rubbing his hand against the back of his head. “Because it’s sacred ground, people come here. The animals aren’t always dead, though. Some believe they must be fresh to offer them to Hades.” He gives us a weak smile before he continues, “This is part of our culture here. Some of us believe it more than others.”
“Anyway, my name is L—” His words fade into the background as I look back to his aunt. They had placed the bowls on the ground in front of their feet. Now they are standing tall with their heads raised as they hold hands, speaking words I wish I understood. There is a power in their voices, a strength in their belief. It’s something mesmerizing to witness.
My body shudders with the sudden chilly breeze. It washes against my skin as I watch the lights around us flicker. I take a step back, but stumble as powerful waves of emotion flood me. I can’t breathe. “A!” I yell towards her, feeling trapped. “Igotta get out of here.” I don’t give her time to ask questions. My hand reaches for hers and I pull her along with me, making our way back to the car.
“I’m sorry, A. I guess when the lights flickered, and it went dark, the past caught up to me,” I finally have the courage to say once the driver put some distance between us and that damn ritual site. If I stayed any longer, my anxiety would have gotten worse. I should have realized that walking down into the dungeon would spark some buried feelings. It was overwhelming. Years of pent up pain were coursing through me.
“Wasn’t just you, Nor. I was more than willing to get back to the Land of the Living. Something in there was off. How about a quiet night back at the hotel?” She smiles, nudging me, and I nod, agreeing with her all the way. My best friend is always here for me.
“Love you to the moon and back.” She yawns, resting her head against her chair.
I sigh, letting my head lay against the cool window and say, “Love you to the sun and back.”
Kai
When Duty Calls
As the son of Hades, you might assume I’m living the dream. With a powerful father and kingdom of souls to rule, how could I not, right? Wrong. Punishments are a regular occurrence for me. I’m tortured and healed, just to start all over again. Every time I’m summoned, I end up with scars or broken bones. Sometimes both.
Even as a kid, when Hades was figuring out what my powers were, he was ruthless. He was so damn sure I’d be able to command Cerberus like he could, something his other children couldn’t. He stuck me in front of the drooling, growling, three-headed dog and left me there. No words of wisdom, no safety leash or anything to protect me. The bastard didn’t even give me any sweet honey cake in case things went wrong. It was lucky I could gain enough control over the beast in the last second to save me from being eaten.
Sometimes the beatings take place in Persephone’s gardens, and I suspect it’s her favorite spot. She sits on her throne, highup on the veranda, watching. Occasionally she’ll take part, but Queen Bitch of the Underworld isn’t the type to get her hands dirty.
She mixes special concoctions though, by picking flowers and herbs to make things more fun. I refused the tea at first, except that only made things worse, so I drink up like a good little boy to save myself extra torment. My least favorite is a steeped tea that paralyzes my body and leaves my mind free. I can’t speak or move, yet I can still think and feel. They love it because it means they don’t have to put extra effort in to bind me, but that loss of control fucks with my head.
Over the years the mixtures she creates have evolved, and she’s so sporadic with her choices that I can never guess what’s coming.
Still, I’d take whatever they gave me if it meant saving Jax from taking a beating. He’s been my bodyguard since I can remember, and we’ve grown close over the generations I’ve known him. Hades and Persephone see that, though, and use it to their advantage when I misbehave.
Before Poseidon gave Jax to us, I never laughed or smiled, and I didn’t have any friends. He noticed, and despite being uprooted from his home and forced into servitude, he would try to brighten my day. Most of the jokes were lame, but a few would have me cracking a smile, despite my efforts to hold it back. Eventually I grew to cherish those moments, looking forward to his puns and funny stories, but then Hades found out.
Hades treated defiance with swift force, and now he aimed that at Jax as a way to control me. No longer would I act out or refuse to do something. I couldn’t stand to see him in pain, and it became more uncomfortable to watch him bleed for me than to follow orders.
It might be his job to protect me, but even if it wasn’t, I know he’d take a thunderbolt for me and I’d do the same for him. He’s the only person I trust, and I’ll do whatever I can to save him from getting caught in the crossfire of my fucked-up family.
I’d like to say all this shit hasn’t broken me. That I’m so full of positivity and happiness that I could fart rainbows. But some days, like today, I wear my cracks like armor. The kind that does absolutely nothing, but at least everyone knows you’re damaged and to expect little from you.
A servant had silently slipped a note under my door earlier. Another test from Hades is to do the absolute least he can to notify me of things, yet if I’m late or miss it altogether, it’s my fault.
Unease runs through me as I walk down the hall toward the sitting room. Everyone has been on high alert since that shift vibrated through the realms. Power like that can mean only a few things, and it didn’t make sense that no one could find it’s source.
I expect to see Jax waiting for me with a grim expression on his face, but he’s standing by the door with excitement pulsating from him in waves. What the fuck is going on?
“Why are you looking so cheerful?”
