Page 73 of The Catacomb King
The chaosgötter was humanoid enough to blush. But he stood his ground. “No,” he repeated. “Don’t do it. Don’t sacrifice her. Please.”
Then another worker said, “No.” And another. And another.
“Cease that this instant,” said the Vizeking loudly. “She’shuman.”
But far from quieting, the voices surged. My heart surged with them. I couldn’t believe it, but a second chorus was building: “She saved us.” “She helped us.” “She thanked us.” “She helped us” —
Hades roared, “ENOUGH!”
He might as well have knifed me.
Everyone shut up. The workers gaped at him. Elke covered her mouth.
“There we go,” said the Vizeking with satisfaction. “Thank you, Your Lordship. It is good to know you have found your place.”
“Don’t ever thank me again,” Hades said flatly.
The Vizeking laughed. To the King, he said, “Come, Your Majesty.”
“Snack time,” boomed the King again.
“Snack time soon,” said the Vizkeing soothingly. He began to coax the King back the way they’d came. To the catacombs that led to the throne room. To the Lake.
As soon as they were gone, I punched Hades square in the stomach and bolted for the pipe-shaft.
But there were too many godlings in the way. Hades, who had doubled over when I’d punched him, recovered easily. He caught me and threw me over his shoulder like he was rescuing me from a burning building. I hammered on his back. I wailed. But no one, not even Elke, moved to interfere.
“How could you!” I shrieked. “How couldanyof you!”
Elke looked in shame at the ground.
I couldn’t believe it. They’d all fought for me a second ago. But this was different. The Vizeking and the King had their fear,but Hades had their respect. They would not defy him just to help a human. Not even one they kind of liked.
Hades began to run toward the Lake. I screamed.
When we were far from the crowd — which was shuffling, uncertainly, after us — Hades snapped, “Goddess. Stop screaming and listen. You have to trust me.”
“Idon’ttrust you!” I fought as hard as I could. I drew blood with my nails. I bit his neck again. But it was useless. Within minutes we were in the throne room, the stalagmite throne still empty. And then we were in the cavern with the Lake.
In the corner boiled the King. He was being kept at bay by the Vizeking, but he lit up when he saw me. I screamed again. This time I screamed, “CALIX!”
Hades flinched.
“Hurry, hurry, hurry!” the Vizeking hissed at Hades. I got the impression that he could not hold the King off much longer. But what would happen when his influence over the King broke? Would it be better or worse than getting drowned?
With me still writhing in his arms, Hades waded out into the Lake. I felt his body tense as the frigid water hit his skin.
I sobbed.
When he was hip-deep in the water, he stopped. This was it. Surely there should be some kind of ceremonial prayer, the lighting of candles, the drinking of some consecrated wine, as they did in the churches in Corcagia. Surely there was something that would enable me to stall, to save myself, to get the fuck out of here.
But no. Hades simply lowered me into the water. I hissed. My ass touched the water first, then my thighs and back. My hair.
“Trust me,” Hades whispered.
I sobbed back at him, “If Iamresurrected, you’d better get me in that sac fast, because otherwise I am going tokill you.”
His mouth quirked. Was I imagining, though, the flicker of worry and determination in his eyes?
