by Cate Masters
“What do you mean?”
“If she were to meet her destruction. Would you retain your position as CFO?”
Zev shrugged. “It’s never come up. Hades would grant immortality to Lily as a wedding present, so it’s not likely.”
“Yes, it is.”
He focused on her, finally.
“I went to see Lil—”
He roared, “You went to see Lily?”
Meek and subservient, she lowered her head. “No, my lord. Lilith.”
He rested against the cushions, studying her. He must have found her blameless, and slipped the knot from her sash, and fondled her breasts. “The goddess? For what purpose?”
She nestled nearer, silently offering herself to him, sweetening the offer by grazing her hand across his crotch. “Advice, my lord. Because I will do anything to please you. I love you so much.” He made no protest, so she hastened to remove his slacks. Dress slacks, she noted; she’d bet he’d dined with royalty tonight.
He guided her hips to his. “You mustn’t say such things.”
She sucked air through her teeth. So hard. Already. But not for you. For the bitch Lily. No matter. She’d sate his appetite. His hands urged her faster, cock filling her up, and she rode his thrusts. “I do love you, Zev. I’d do anything for you. Even kill.”
“I will keep that in mind,” he muttered.
“I’ll do it, if you want. I’ll kill her.”
“Who?” Realization lit his eyes.
“Lily may be destined for more than she knows.”
He shoved her away. “Shut up.”
“Then we can be together, always and without fear.”
“We’ll be together when I decide. After the wedding, I’d like you to instruct Lily on the art of love.”
Make love to Lily? Or share her bed? “No.”
The slap sent her head back hard. She’d never seen it coming.
His fingers dug into her arms, and he was in her face, looking down with cold eyes. “Never argue with me, concubine.”
She nodded, and she wobbled as he released her.
He made a show of tucking his cock back into his pants, and zipped. Without a word, he swaggered out.
Glaring at the door he’d slammed, her fingers feathered across her cheek, still stinging. “And you should never argue with me, Zeveriah. I intend to kill her.”
No more waiting. And there would be no wedding. Veronica would see to that. Tonight.
***
Rustling sounds stirred in the darkness. Sleep eluded Lily, and the last haze of slumber vanished when something glinted in the candlelight, a flash of metal. She threw away the bed covers and her feet touched the floor. The vague registering of warmth reminded her she was not home. And not safe.
“You should not have come here,” a woman hissed.
Tell me about it. “I wanted to know my family. Show yourself.”
Veronica emerged from the shadows. “Zeveriah is mine alone.”
No doubt he’d given her that impression, at least. “Fine, he’s all yours. Take him.” Please.
A murderous gleam lit her narrowed eyes. “You lie.”
“I’m not the marrying type.” Especially not when it involved living in the Underworld.
Veronica advanced slowly, slithering like a deadly asp. “You are the Destined One. He wants you. He will make you his.”
Lily crept to the foot of the bed to avoid becoming trapped. “No, he won’t.” Her voice cracked, a dead giveaway for what almost happened.
Disgust filled Veronica’s face. “So he has already tried. You will not resist again.”
“I’m not staying long enough for anything to happen.”
“No, you are not. Not breathing, anyway.” Veronica whirled a scimitar over her head, beautiful in her moves, but this was no story dance unless it depicted the tale of Lily’s demise.
Shielding herself with her hands, Lily backed away. “Whoa. Let’s be reasonable.”
“I love him beyond reason. I would slit my own throat for him.”
Be my guest. “No need for that. I’m in love with someone else.”
A sick smile curled her lips. “Once you make love to him, you will want no other.”
“I will never make love to him.”
“No. Because you will be dead.” She swung the blade at Lily’s head.
Lily dropped to the floor in a crouching position; a defensive move, or else her knees had given out. “There’s no good outcome to this, Veronica. Think about what you’re doing.”
“I’ve thought of nothing else since you arrived.” The dancer thrust the blade down.
Crazy how it appeared a ceremonial move.
Lily had no wish to be the sacrificial lamb. Like a choreographed dance, she matched the woman’s twists and turns in equal and opposite arcs and sways. The dancer’s handling of the blade suggested little training, not formal if she had any, and her obvious struggling hinted that her muscles strained under its weight.
The next time the woman raised the sword, Lily sidestepped her and grabbed the hilt as it lowered. She wrested the hilt from Veronica’s grasp, shoved her backward and held it like a shield between them. Its heft surprised Lily, and she had to grip hard to keep it from slipping.
“Listen up. I’m going to say this one last time. I do not want Zeveriah. I am not marrying him. I’m going home.” The sooner the better, though Veronica appeared unconvinced. Time to add a little drama. “Now get out before I’m tempted to use this to remove your useless head!” She shook with the effort of her roar.
Veronica backed away. “Perhaps you should have while you had the chance.”
Right, the woman wouldn’t spare her life. Not until Veronica had fled did Lily lower the scimitar and breathe again.
She had to make sure there never would be a next time.
***
The dank tunnels reeked of decay and mold. At first, Bodie held his sleeve to his face, but the odor penetrated anyway. Even with Zacharel and Illiana’s guidance, sneaking into Hell was no easy feat. They kept to unused passageways, the echoes of screams and screeching laughter another reminder of the urgency of their mission.
Shuffling footsteps sounded, too close. They pressed against the walls, warmer than at the entrance. Must be getting close. Torchlight fanned ahead of a trio of demons. Guards, not very interested in their duty. Their leisurely pace grated on Bodie’s patience; something he’d have to work on. He’d lost that virtue.
They finally passed, and he lurched ahead.
Zacharel’s hand pressed against Bodie’s chest. The angel shook his head, and reached for his sword.
Bodie wanted to argue; the guards were gone, and they needed to get to Lily. Before he could say a word, the three appeared out of the darkness, sharp teeth bared and blades lunging.
Knife instantly in hand, Bodie stepped between Illiana and a demon. Armor and its thick skin resisted his blade. If only the opposite held true. Something sharp pricked his side, and a slash into his leg made him cry out. Stunned, it held him motionless for a moment. Pain? Bodie had never felt it. The unfamiliar ooze of blood trickled down.
Confidence corroded, Bodie stumbled backward. A figure lunged, hissing, and instinct drew his knife hand up. It connected with a yielding surfacing; must have found a soft spot. The demon screeched and jerked away. Something hard crashed onto Bodie’s head, sending him into the stone wall.
The clang of metal, sword clashing sword, brought him back to the present. Fight! Using the wall for support, he stood and unsheathed his sword, struggling to wield it, as if underwater in a heavy current. Grogginess overtook him.
Zacharel’s faint glimmer provided dim light, enough to reveal bodies swirling around him with grunts and yelps. All fell quiet, and he barely made out the figures of the angel and his wife, still crouched and poised for attack.
She was the first to sheath her knife, and rushed to him. “You’re hurt. Sit.”
“No problem.” Already on his way
down, the wall bit into his back as he slid.
She fumbled in her satchel. “Zach, a little closer so I can find… Ah, here.”
Something cold and wet pressed against his slit side. And stung. He flinched. “Ow!”
“Sorry, but the last thing you want is an open wound. The air down here will cause it to fester.” She handed him a flask. “Drink this.”
He tilted it to his lips, and choked on the sharp liquid, barely winning the battle against spitting it out. “Ugh. What is it?”
“An herbal remedy. It will help you heal faster. Drink a little more.”
Wincing, he did as ordered. The haze in his head cleared, and he sat up. “Much better. They dipped their blades in poison?”
“Yes. And from now on, don’t block me during battle. I can hold my own.”
“So I noticed, and with much gratitude.”
She returned the items to her satchel. “We’re getting close. From now on, we have to be prepared. Hades will no doubt have a greater number of guards posted than usual. He’s not forgiving of wedding crashers.”
Wedding! “You don’t think it’s too late, do you?”
“To save Lily? No.” Illiana’s voice, though soft, held a sharpness.
“Of course. We’ll get her out of here no matter what. I just hate to think of her having to endure…” He couldn’t finish.
She rose, and extended her hand. “We’ll make sure she doesn’t.” She yanked him up, hard.
***
Still shaken hours later, Lily entered the small dining room where Hades read The Wall Street Journal on his iPad and Persephone browsed through The New York Times. A paper copy. Go figure.
Persephone glanced up. “Did you sleep well, darling?”
Lily slid onto the chair, feeling like a little girl. “No.”
“Sounds like you need coffee.” Her grandmother signaled the server.
Lily ignored the wary look Hades shot her. “It’s been a lovely visit, but it’s time for me to go back.” She’d had enough fighting off Zeveriah, and his deadly concubine.
“You can’t leave now,” Hades said, his voice a mixture of pleasantness and poison. “We’ve barely begun to get to know you.”
Lily gripped the edge of her seat. “I appreciate all you’ve done. I must go home.”
“We’re your family. You are home.” His tone matched his glare, hard and ugly.
Dread froze Lily. “No. My home is above. Where my job is, my friends are.”
Hades returned his attention to his iPad. “Your home is here. You’ll stay.”
It’s been a trap all along. They never meant to let me go home. Ready to lash out at Persephone, Lily’s fear tripled when she saw her grandmother was every bit as surprised. She can convince him. “Don’t let him do this.”
Persephone’s hand fluttered across the linen tablecloth. “Darling, please. Lily will return for another visit.”
“Yes, I’ll come back.” Over my dead body.
Hades dabbed the napkin to his mouth, and set it on the table. “I’ve decided she’s staying.”
Lily grit her teeth. “You can’t do this.”
The image of suave and charm, he smiled and rose. “Of course I can.”
Persephone reached for his hand as he passed. “Hades my love, I beg you.”
“You learned to love it here, did you not?” Hades lifted her fingers to his lips.
“I love you, yes. However, Lily isn’t me.”
“She is our blood. And Zeveriah will make a fine husband.” He headed for the archway.
Lily huffed. “Zeveriah can go back to his lethal consort, for all I care.”
Hades snapped his head in her direction. “What happened?”
“She visited my chamber last night. Luckily, I wasn’t asleep or she’d have succeeded in beheading me with her scimitar. Seems she’s a bit territorial where Zeveriah’s concerned.”
“What is her name?”
Lily suspected Hades already knew. “We never got around to such pleasantries. She’s one of the women who danced my first night here.”
“Veronica. Of course, that’s why she ventured out to the border to see Lilith.”
Persephone’s hand flew to her mouth. “Lilith?”
“Don’t worry, I moved the goddess beyond anyone’s reach.” He snapped his fingers at the server. “Have the guards bring Veronica to me. And Zeveriah.” After the server hurried out, Hades sprawled on his chair. “We’ll soon straighten this out, and proceed with wedding plans.”
Lily’s mouth fell open. She hastily recomposed herself. “I’m not marrying him.”
“You will, and you’ll thank me. Probably the morning after your wedding night. I’m sure Veronica can attest to his sexual prowess.”
Lily stiffened. “I love Bodie.”
Hades hissed. “Don’t ever say that name again.”
Lily glared her refusal. All her life, she’d managed without any man telling her what to do. She wasn’t about to start letting one now. With all her energy, she screamed, “Bodie!”
His name echoed like a thousand ping pong balls striking the walls again and again, until she had to cover her ears to block it. When it finally died away, Hades laughed and strode off.
Barely able to speak, Lily turned pleading eyes to her grandmother. “Persephone. Please help me.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Try,” Lily urged.
Her grandmother remained silent, but the way Persephone squared her shoulders and the calm in her face said she would.
***
Persephone arrived at Demi’s condo, a modest dwelling unbefitting the goddess of nature. She made a mental note to find her a more upscale home, at her husband’s expense. Although she used to spend part of the year above ground with her mother, she’d stopped coming long ago, after accepting her role as Hades’ wife. Falling in love with him. Visits with her mother only provoked argument after argument, irresolvable and pointless, not to mention risky. Two hard-headed goddesses drew unwanted notice from nosy neighbors. Unlike ancient times, people had no qualms about poking their nose into business that had nothing to do with them. Goddesses garnered little respect these days.
Demeter answered the door. “Persephone.” At her welcoming embrace, happy memories flashed. Riding her horse through a meadow of wildflowers. The sun warming her face. Star-gazing with her parents. Of all the wonders of the world above, she missed stars the most.
No time for reminiscing now. “Hello, Mother.”
“Are you all right?” Demi guided her inside to the English sofa, so soft it made Persephone want to curl up with a book.
“I need your help.”
“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“My husband never hurts me, Mother.” Not intentionally, though his sharp tongue occasionally cut deep. “He’s become very stubborn about Lily.”
Recognition lit Demeter’s eyes. “He wants to keep her there. Just as he trapped you.”
“I’m not here to discuss me. You know I chose to stay. Lily didn’t.”
“What can we do?”
“You have some influence with Gaia.”
“Mother Earth and I haven’t spoken since she plotted with Zeus and Hades to capture you.”
A crazy notion, but Persephone had to try something. “Without adequate vegetation, Gaia would dry up, wouldn’t she? Her crust would crack. If she becomes too brittle, the crevice could become very deep. So deep, it could expose Hades’ empire to prying eyes of those above.”
“Hades has always dreaded that.”
More than that, he obsessed about it. “He doesn’t respond well to threats. Perhaps if you merely suggested such an outcome, he might see reason.”
“Daughter, you are becoming too much like your husband.” Demeter smiled. “The irony of it makes the idea even more appealing.”
“Hades has a progressive mind, Mother. He’ll come to understand how outdated a concept an arranged marriage is.”
&
nbsp; “You call that progressive? Even on Earth, women are honored for their fine mental skills. A little late in gaining political power, though mortals will come around. Soon America will elect a female president. And hopefully Hades will keep his nose out of it.”
“He has a hand in everything. His brilliance unfortunately means he’s easily bored.”
Demeter smirked. “You managed to keep his interest all this time.”
“Yes.” Persephone couldn’t help smiling. “It’s really not a terrible thing, Mother.”
“I suppose, not if you chose it. Lily deserves the same opportunity to decide her own life.”
“I know. We will make sure she has that opportunity.”
“Good. And let’s make sure Hades knows better than to mess with goddesses.”
Chapter Fourteen
Zeveriah led Veronica down the dank hallway, lit by scant torches. The clank of her chains grated his anger like metal against flint. Someday Hades would fall, a victim of his own twisted cruelty. Zev couldn’t wait. Maybe he’d plan a little something to help the day arrive sooner.
One of the two guards opened the cell door, the ancient metal creaking under its own rusted weight.
Head high, Veronica entered the small space, devoid of any comforts. Not even a window, though Zev imagined she might prefer not having a view of the other parts of the dungeon.
“Leave us,” he ordered the guards.
The demons exchanged wary glances.
“Now,” he hissed.
They stiffened in salute, whirled on their heels and marched off, scaly tails swishing behind them. After their footfalls faded, Zev let out a breath.
“Hades ordered me to punish you.”
She kept her gaze lowered, a gesture of respect. “Yes, my lord. I was there.”
As he well knew. “Even though you did a very foolish thing, I don’t want to.” Maybe it would ease her pain to know.
Deviousness gleamed in her eyes. “The prince never specified a means of punishment.”
One of the things he liked about her: her quick mind. “No, he didn’t.”
“For me, it’s torture not to be able to touch you.”