Page 51 of Devils and the Dead
“An excellent plan, as always. Come on. I want to show you my home. And introduce you to my roommate.”
Chapter 22
Babylon
Icould tell that Maude wasn’t quite what Hades had been expecting, but he hid his dismay well, and was charming and polite as I made the introductions.
Maude was ecstatic. I’d never seen her so happy or animated. She rushed off to the kitchen to grab food and drink from the fridge, telling him that she wished she were in better condition to cook. With cheese and crackers and some wine, we all sat down in the living room. Maude showed Hades her crochet project, and I sat back with my wine, bemused to see Hades sitting next to a zombie, admiring her half-finished blanket.
“So I hear you want to live a second life,” Hades said to her once he’d complimented her handiwork.
She glanced over at me, and I nodded for her to be honest.
“Yes, I do. But I know it may not be possible. Babylon has tried, and time may be running out. She’s said that my disappearance has been noticed, and someone may come for me. If that happens, then I won’t have a choice but to go with them—I won’t risk Babylon’s safety by trying to stay. And I’m starting to get tired of existing in this decaying body. I don’t want to be like this for years, and it’s not fair to have Babylon keep trying over and over, spending so much time on trying to resurrect me.”
“I don’t mind,” I reassured her. But I knew she was right. Time was running out. And I knew it was hard for her living as a zombie, trapped inside my house and unable to leave, or to truly live.
“I’ll keep your presence here a secret either until Babylon is successful, or until you decide you’d like to go back to heaven,” Hades told her. “I’ll buy you as much time as you need.”
Maude patted him on the arm. “I appreciate it, but please don’t risk yourself or your reputation because of me. If things get dire, or it looks like the angels might attack hell over this, then I’ll go back. I don’t want anyone hurt because I selfishly want a second chance at life.”
We chatted for a while, then Maude went into her bedroom, not so subtly giving us privacy.
“What do you think?” I asked Hades once her door was shut.
He glanced over at Maude’s room. “I think she’s a lovely, charming woman. I absolutely understand why you’re trying to help her out, and I’ll support you any way you need.”
“But…” I added.
He sighed. “But I worry that she’ll be discovered. She’s safe here, but the angels are insistent, and there are enough people who know what went down that night you brought her from the grave, that a few clues may have slipped out—enough that someone will add them up and you’ll end up with a reaper at your door accompanied by either an angel or a demon.”
I nodded, depressed to realize he was right. “The spell I found seems to work a little, but for some reason I just can’t manage to fully resurrect her. Maybe I just don’t have enough power.”
“You’ll gain power as you grow older,” Hades said. “But Maude doesn’t have the time to wait for that.”
“Nor does she want to wait that long.” I frowned, an idea forming in my mind. “I’m wondering…”
He shifted on the couch to face me. “What?”
“My sisters all grew in power when they fell in love. There’s something about the pairing of a demon and a witch that amps up the levels of both partners.”
“I’m not a demon,” he reminded me.
I noticed that he didn’t mention anything about love. Truth was, I was more than halfway in love with him, and from what he’d said earlier, I knew he felt the same. Maybe that wouldn’t be enough, but it was worth a try.
“Neither is Eshu, but Sylvie got a power boost when they got together. Same with Ophelia and Nash. He’s a reaper, and not technically a demon either.”
“I’m willing to give it a try.” He reached out and touched my arm. “I just don’t want you to be disappointed if I do nothing for you.”
Oh, he did everything for me. I scooted closer to him—so close our shoulders touched. “Maybe we should get married first. The vows might help.”
He nodded, then shifted on the sofa so he could reach in his pants pocket. First he pulled out a pair of plain gold bands that hummed with power.
“These are not the same tokens as my first marriage,” he reassured as he passed the larger ring to me.
I didn’t bother asking why he was carrying around a brand new set of wedding rings. Maybe he’d just magicked them up out of nowhere seconds ago. Hades dug in his pocket again, this time pulling out the pomegranate.
He set the fruit on the coffee table in front of us, then took my hands in his.
