Page 49 of Wild Hunt
“I could ask the same of you,” he snapped, leaning down to peer through the hole. “How did you manage to get yourself into this?”
“Just pull me up,” I hissed.
To my surprise, he actually grabbed my hand and pulled me up. As soon as my feet hit the solid stairs above, I scrambled up, unwilling to take any chances. Loki was there in the hallway with a familiar black beast behind him. They were both watching me in dismay.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Loki asked.
“The fuck if I know,” Hades grumbled, coming to stand next to me. “Maybe Odin lied and we all got zapped to the same place.”
“That’s not possible,” I insisted. “I’ve been walking forever and this is the first sign of life or civilization I’ve seen. If anyone else was here, I would’ve run into them.”
“I think she’s right,” Loki mused, his eyes glimmering as he looked at me. “It’s just the four of us.”
“How is that possible?” I demanded. “How did you three end up inside my mind?”
“What makes you so sure it’syourmind?” Loki challenged.
“Because it’s empty,” Hades said without missing a beat.
“Oh, fuck off, asshole,” I said, flipping him off.
He sneered. “That’s no way to talk to the man who’s saved your life twice.”
Before I could respond, Loki waved his hand and a strip of tape appeared over both of our mouths. I let out a muffled cry of irritation and Hades immediately started clawing at his.
“Enough. Whoever’s mind we’re in, I’m stuck with both of you and I’d rather not add a migraine to the mix,” Loki scolded. “You already fight like an old married couple.”
I ripped the tape off, wincing. “We do not,” Hades and I said in unison. I glared at him and looked away when I realized we were only proving his point.
“Let’s just go,” Hades grunted, brushing past me as he continued down the hall. “There’s obviously nothing here.”
I reluctantly followed him, glancing over at Fenrir. He chuffed in response and walked past me. Guess he wasn’t feeling ferocious today.
“Why is he in that form and why can’t he communicate telepathically?” I asked as we carried on down a vast hallway. My voice echoed and each room I looked into was empty.
“No idea, but he’s stuck on four legs,” Loki answered. “I suppose you could say it’s a form of erectile dysfunction.”
Fenrir growled low and snapped at the other god’s hand. Loki managed to yank it back just in time with a sharp laugh.
Hades rolled his eyes.
Even though I’d been less than thrilled to see him, I couldn’t deny this was preferable to the abject isolation that had characterized my journey to the barren palace. I wasn’t about to admit it, though.
“Odin said we were on our own,” I murmured. “Did he lie, or is this some kind of glitch?”
“He’s my father and even I couldn’t tell you that,” said Loki. “I’d say it’s about fifty fifty either way.”
“So what do we do?” I asked. “Only one of us can win, right?”
“I’m more concerned about finding out why we’re all here than winning at the moment,” said Hades.
Of course he was. He knew everything in life was just handed to him and the Games were no exception. As far away as the real world seemed, I hadn’t forgotten that more hinged on my winning than bragging rights.
“The potion has to wear off at some point, right?” asked Loki. “Worst case scenario, if we don’t find a way out, we could just wait it out.”
“That won’t work,” I told him. All three of them turned to look at me. “I know how these potions work. The medicinal effects last only a second before your body metabolizes it, but it’s long enough to change your brainwaves. It’s a deep state, like a coma. The only way out is through force of will or being given the antidote, which means we lose.”
“I see,” Loki said thoughtfully. “Well, you are the resident drug dealer.”
