by Carly Spade
We stood there for a few awkward moments.
“Everything good with, uh, Hades?” He scratched the back of his head.
“Hm?” Between Hades and the enigma that was Rupert, my mind couldn’t concentrate on the present moment. “Yeah. He had some business stuff to take care of, but he’ll be at the concert tonight.”
“Cool.” He nodded. “Well, it was good talking to you.”
“You too.”
He brushed past me, and I slapped a hand over my face. Tonight couldn’t get here fast enough.
I waited outside of the atrium, bouncing around on my heels. Hades was running late. It was like first date jitters. Only this wasn’t a date and not the first time I’d hung around Hades. I wanted to make the most of it. The final night together. I wrung my hands together before clasping them around the lanyard on my neck. Maybe he had to go back and didn’t have time to tell me?
“Think I wouldn’t show up, darlin’?”
My breath caught in my throat as I felt his presence at my back. The smell of ash and burning firewood hit my nose, and I turned to face him. “I would’ve understood if you had to go back unexpectedly.”
“And that’s precisely why I made it a point to show.” He dipped his chin, those sexy strands of hair falling over his cheeks.
With a stiff arm, I shoved another lanyard at him. “Here you go.”
“Ah, yes. How fortunate we’re VIPs.” He plucked the badge from my hand and slipped it over his neck with a grimace.
“What do you have against Apollo’s Suns?”
He led us toward the entrance. “Their singer is my egocentric nephew.”
Hades walked forward, but my feet froze to the ground. He opened the door, waiting for me, and did a double-take when he saw I was several feet away.
“The frontman of Apollo’s Suns is the actual Apollo?”
“As I said—egocentric.”
I shuffled forward, but my arms remained stiff. “I’ve been a fan of them so long. I’m not sure how I’m going to look him in the face.”
He slipped his arm around my waist. “You look me in the face without issue. Just try not to get blinded by his sunshine smile.” Sarcasm laced his words like venom.
A resort worker spotted our badges and motioned for us to follow him. Without knowing, I gripped onto Hades’ shirt, my heart racing as we got closer and closer to the stage.
“You have no reason to be nervous. He has half the power I do. Maybe even less.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Did you ever stop to think I’m nervous about meeting a rockstar, not the fact he’s a Greek flipping god?”
He frowned. “Sorry.”
Now I was double nervous. I often heard rockstars referred to as “gods” in their own right, but never in the literal sense. It was ingenious. His cover—was essentially himself. Ingenious or extremely arrogant. The resort worker led us to the wings. We were so close you’d be able to see the sweat rolling down their faces.
“Here we are. The show should be starting in a few minutes. You’ll be able to meet the band after the first act. Enjoy!”
Hades folded his arms over his chest, a scowl distorting his features. The lights dimmed, and I clapped. The band entered the stage from the opposite side, the drummer taking his position first, followed by the bassist and guitarist. The crowd roared, waiting for that pivotal moment when Apollo made his grand entrance. A burst of flames ignited in the middle of the stage. Ace or rather, Apollo stood with his iconic silver and ivory guitar with glowing orange suns down the neck.
“Oh, brother,” Hades mumbled.
I stopped clapping. “That wasn’t pyrotechnics, was it?”
“No. It wasn’t.”
Apollo stepped up to the mic stand, throwing the rock symbol into the air. “How are we tonight, Corfu?”
He wore skintight metallic gold pants and a leather vest with no shirt underneath. His bleach blonde hair hung to the nape of his neck, draping over his perfectly sun-kissed skin. Every time he ran his fingers through, it only made him more attractive as it fell in a perfect frame around his chiseled facial features. He had the brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen, a broad jawline, and just as Hades described—an electric smile.
The drummer began their first song. Apollo strummed his hand over the strings of his guitar, sun rays blazing from it toward the audience. I’d seen the effects before, but it was crazy to know they weren’t parlor tricks. Every time he did something, Hades’ eyes would fall shut and he’d shake his head. Considering he was stuck underground every waking day of his life, it must’ve been annoying to watch another god flaunt their powers so openly.
The songs I knew had a different meaning now. The lyrics centered around Apollo’s life. Lyrics I previously thought were a complete myth. I curled my hands around the strings of my lanyard. Apollo moved to the front of the stage, swinging the guitar on its strap behind him. He grabbed the mic stand and leaned forward, reaching out to various women screaming and clawing over each other to get to him.
I elbowed Hades. “Aura?”
“Aura and an ego the size of Olympus,” he mumbled.
“We can’t help who our family is.”
“Very, very true, darlin’.”
Apollo worked the crowd, especially the ladies, occasionally hopping down to roam the aisles. Fire, sunbursts, and blinding flashes of light went off throughout the performance. When they played the final song of the first act, he turned in our direction, and my heart quickened.
Oh, my God. He was coming over here. My inner fangirl went into overdrive. This was my chance to redeem myself from the airport.
He dragged a hand through his hair, grinning wide when he spotted Hades. The guitar slung over his shoulder, and he rested one of his hands on the neck of it. “Uncle. Long time no see.”
“You’re hilarious,” Hades replied, narrowing his eyes.
Apollo bit his lip, letting his steely blue gaze drop to me. “You look familiar.”
I snorted, feeling my cheeks warm. “Stephanie. Steph.” Keeping one hand on my lanyard, I stuck the other one out to him.
He snapped his fingers. “The airport. You were that shy little mouse who couldn’t bring herself to talk to me.” He gave a snarky grin and shook my hand.
Why in the world did he have to remember? The heat from my face traveled down the back of my neck. Hades stepped between us, breaking Apollo’s hold on my hand.
“So, this is what you do with your time? Pretend to be a rockstar? Exhibit your powers openly?” Hades asked as he slipped an arm around my waist.
Apollo looked at me with a cocked eyebrow.
“She knows,” Hades said.
“She knows? Well then, that changes things entirely, doesn’t it?” He grinned at me. “And I’m not pretending to be a rockstar. I am one. Are you able to subscribe to Spotify in the Underworld?”
Hades sighed. “Considerin’ none of us are ever in the same place by coincidence—why are you here?”
He pointed at Hades and spoke to me. “This is why my dad gave him the Underworld. He’s a smart cookie.”
His dad. Zeus. Uncle Hades. Underworld. Apollo. I’d warped into the Twilight Zone.
“My visit comes with bad news, I’m afraid,” Apollo started, draping both hands over his guitar.
Hades rolled his shoulders. “I’m listening.”
“Thanatos has abandoned his duties.”
“What?” It came out more like a growl.
Apollo held up his hands. “I’ve no idea how or why. But something tells me you’ve noticed.”
Hades dragged a hand over his face.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“It means, my dear Stephanie, Hades here is in charge of souls both on the surface and below.” Apollo pointed at the ground with a smirk.
His smile annoyed me. “This doesn’t sound like a funny situation.”
“Maybe not for my uncle. He’ll be a very busy man.” He slapped his shoulder.
&nb
sp; Hades growled again, balling his hands into fists. “I’m powerful, but even I can’t be in two places at once.”
“Sounds like you need to have a little talk with Thanatos.” Apollo shrugged.
It unnerved me he didn’t offer to help, and on top of that, he acted like this was all no big deal.
Apollo rubbed his chin. “I’m curious. How did you go about telling her about, you know?”
Hades cocked an eyebrow. “I showed her.”
“You just—” Apollo’s eyes widened. “You took her to the Underworld?”
My body stiffened.
“No, you idiot. I showed her power. The fog from Styx.”
“And that was it? Just like that, she was cool with it?”
“More or less.”
Apollo frowned.
“Is there a particular reason you’re asking?” Hades said.
“No. Nope. Just curious,” Apollo replied, looking away.
The lights faded on the stage before brightening again.
Apollo raised a single finger. “That’s my cue. It was a pleasure meeting you, Stephanie. And Uncle, charming as always.” He flashed a smile before returning to his waiting audience.
Hades paced like a caged lion. “I’m sorry. I wish nothin’ more than to spend time with you, but I’ve got to take care of this.”
“I understand.” Tears built up in my eyes, but I fought them back. “Will I ever see you again?”
He frowned. The deepest frown I’d seen on him yet. “I’ve never lied to you, and I won’t start now. I don’t know.”
There was no stopping them now. Several tears rolled down my cheeks.
His face fell, and he cupped his hands around my face, wiping the tears away with his thumbs. “This may sound strange to you, but mortal tears over me is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”
I gulped, staring up at him, wishing with every fiber I could go with him. Before, the thought of the Underworld terrified me, but now facing the harsh reality of never seeing him again terrified me more. He dipped his head down and kissed me. A kiss so tender no one would have ever believed it came from a man who tortured the evil in Tartarus. And then he vanished. The faint smell of fire hung in the air, the taste of ash on my lips.
For the rest of the concert, I felt numb. Gone were the excited jitters. I didn’t even bother sticking around for the encore, yanking off my lanyard, and tossing it in the closest garbage can. I texted Sara to tell her I was going back to the room and not to worry about me as I didn’t feel right. In reality, I wanted to be alone, go for a walk, and try to forget Hades.
After half an hour of wandering the resort grounds, it was proving impossible. How did he know I couldn’t go to the Underworld with him? He didn’t even try. Maybe he toyed with me like all the other gods. My insides twisted. The night grew chilly, and I rubbed my arms. I passed by a series of rooms.
Clank.
I stopped.
What was that?
Following the direction of the sound, I heard it again. It sounded like chains rattling against each other. I pressed my ear to a door, hearing a man’s pained moans. Either someone was into some severe kink, or they were in trouble. This was one of those moments I should’ve stepped away, but my conscience wouldn’t allow it. I pushed my ear harder, and the door creaked open.
My heart raced as I pushed my fingertips against it. The room was pitch black save for a sliver of moonlight sneaking through the curtains. Against my better judgment, I stepped inside, a chill running down my spine. I held my breath, taking cautious steps forward.
“Don’t come any closer,” a voice said from the darkness. The clanking sound happened again, followed by him grunting.
The voice sounded like several voices speaking at once. One was no louder than a whisper, and the other two were in different pitches. But the tone was deep and husky.
“Who’s there?” I stopped, squinting into the darkness.
“It’s me, darlin’. Don’t come any closer, please.”
The southern accent was too recognizable.
“Hades?” Ignoring his plea, I continued forward. “Why? You sound like you’re—are you chained up?” My heart thudded so quickly I thought it’d burst through my ribcage.
“Stephanie, please. I don’t want you to see me like this.” He spoke low, with a gravelly voice.
I rounded the corner and gasped. The moonlight spilled over Hades, illuminating his half-naked body. He was barefoot and shirtless, wearing only his black pants, chained shackles around his wrists.
“Oh my God,” I stammered, running to him and dropping to my knees.
He lifted his head when my hands clamped around the chains, and I gasped again. His hair was white, flowing down to his stomach. It floated around him as if in water. He had no facial hair, and his irises were a vibrant white. His skin looked inhuman in a pearl-like sheen, and ears that came to a point like an elf.
I cupped his face with my hands, a tear rolling down my cheek. “Is this the real you?”
“Yes.” Those white eyes gleamed up at me, his brow crinkling, and with the staggering whispers of his real voice.
I thinned my lips, staring down at the true him. Should I have been afraid? Aghast from his appearance? Because I wasn’t. In a warped way, I preferred this side of him. “Why are you chained up? Who did this to you?” I pulled on the chains, eyeing the connection to the shackles.
“You’re not afraid of me?” He dipped his head down to look at my face, his hair floating behind him.
“I haven’t been afraid of you since the day we met. Why would this change anything?”
His nostrils flared as he stared at me. His lips parted several times, but in the end, he pursed them together, saying nothing. I opened the drawers of a nearby desk. What did I expect to find? It’s not as if hotels stored toolboxes in each room.
“You won’t be able to remove the chains. They’re cursed.”
I slammed the last drawer shut, fishing through my hair for a bobby pin. I squatted on the floor next to him. “Like hell, I can’t.”
The chains clattered together as Hades’ arms tensed, hands balling into fists. The faint sound of a revolver’s hammer pulling back filled my ears, followed by cold metal pressing into my head’s side.
“Step away, love. No sense in you getting tangled up in all this,” Rupert’s voice said in a hushed tone.
Hades growled, trying to stand up, only to be brought back to his knees. “When you arrive in the Underworld, I will not be merciful. Mark my words, mortal.”
My hands trembled as I held them up and rose to my feet. Rupert pressed the gun harder against my skin, and I pinched my eyes shut.
“As long as I keep you chained, no one has to die. And I’ve got far too many things left to do with my life.”
I grunted. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Oh, come now, love. What kind of a Greek myth trivia winner are you? The story of King Sisyphus and the god of death?”
It wasn’t easy drumming up Greek myths with a loaded gun to your head.
“He tricked Thanatos and chained him with the same chains the gods were going to use to punish him. Without the god of death roaming free, no mortal could die or go to the Underworld.” He chuckled.
And with Thanatos relinquishing his duties…
“Rupert, can’t we talk about this?” I asked, gulping.
He pushed on the barrel. “Sorry, love. There’s nothing left to talk about. I knew as soon as Hades showed me his true face, I was dying. Bloody bleeding ulcers. I didn’t expect this to work, honestly. But a little voice in my head told me otherwise.”
Think. Think. In the story, Ares freed Thanatos. But Ares was a god, capable of bypassing the curse.
“Did you stop to think what happens when you don’t get away with this?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
He poked my head with the gun. “The only thing keeping me from getting away with this right now—i
s you.” He pressed his lips to my ear. “Don’t worry. You won’t die completely. Remember?”
I never thought I feared death until now. The thought of my life being ripped away by someone else felt unfair. The same way my mother’s life was torn away by a stranger. Was it fate to be killed? Shouldn’t we all die of natural causes?
The faint sound of the revolver clicking filled my ears.
“No!” Hades bellowed. He let out a ferocious yell, wings sprouting from his back. The arches of the wings glowed with fiery embers, morphing into smoke and ash. Remnants of singed feathers floated around him. “These chains may make me weak, but it doesn’t mean I can’t hurt you.”
Rupert shoved me in front of him, his free arm draping over my chest. His body trembled, and he pushed the barrel into my head with such force it made me wince. “You come any closer, and I will pull this trigger.”
Hades’ chest heaved, the ash from his wings suspended in the air, floating around him. He wrapped his hands around the chain, pulling it taut. He snarled, revealing teeth shaped like a wolf. Sharp and deadly. His hand splayed, and the black fog swirled up my leg before passing over Rupert. It curled around his neck. Hades closed his hand into a fist, and his eyes glowed with a white intensity.
The pressure of the gun against my head fell away. Rupert gurgled and gagged behind me. I launched my elbow into the side I’d seen him clutching. He let out a strangled cry of pain and pulled the trigger. A stinging pain blasted over my shoulder, my blood spraying me in the face.
“No!” Hades roared.
I yelped but caught the revolver when Rupert dropped it.
The fog loosened its grip from him, floating back to Hades. I winced as I lifted the gun, aiming it at Rupert.
Rupert laughed as he rubbed his neck. “It’s no use, love. As long as Hades is in those chains, I can’t die. And none of us can break them. Not even me.”
“How did you even get magical chains?” I said through gritted teeth.
Rupert snickered like a hyena. “They fell into my hands in the right place at the right time.”
“You have a gun pointed at your head. Do you really think now is the time for riddles?”