by J. N. Colon
Confusion knotted my chest and furrowed my brow. The souls never acted like this for fear of Hayden’s anger. “What happened? Are they possessed or something?”
Charon swatted at a skinny man who tried to get passed him. “If only it was that simple.” His gaze pierced me from beneath the shadows of his hood. “It’s because there’s no one to keep them in line.”
My brows knit. “But Ixion…”
“Ixion doesn’t care.” He jingled his bag of coins. “He doesn’t care if I get paid for passage. He doesn’t care if the souls tear each other apart. Hades was the one that kept them in line. He cared.”
Sadness crept inside my heart, hardening the ice that had melted a little in the heat of the Underworld. With Ixion as its ruler, the Underworld was going to fall into chaos.
My gaze lingered over the misty fog crawling along Acheron River and the banks, slowly coiling around the closest pillars alit with crimson fire. The barren courtyard stood on the right, Hayden’s tribunal handing out the awaiting souls’ final resting places. The gleaming black palace surrounded by hypnotic crimson fire was on the left, spires twisting into the ebony sky. Massive rot iron gates blocked the inner regions of the Underworld, Cerberus, Hayden’s three headed dog, sat guarding it. The sky melted to navy further in, marking the start of the Asphodel Meadows.
All of what Hayden had created would be ruined. All that he worked for would be destroyed by a careless, selfish, insane, lovesick demigod.
My jaw flexed, anger igniting a fire within my veins. Not if I could help it. I wasn’t going to let Hayden return to a crumbling world—and he would return. I will get him back. “I’ll handle it. Don’t Worry Charon.” I stood tall and squared my shoulders, flicking my hair with a proud toss of my head. “Out of my way Reese.”
Reese’s dark eyes regarded me with a mixture of caution and fascination. “Yes ma’am.” He saluted me like a soldier.
I marched directly in the middle of mayhem, pulling on my dark power to ignite my eyes. I wasn’t the god of the Underworld, but I sure as hell knew how to give orders. “ENOUGH!”
My voice rang out and, while it didn’t have the powerful effect Hayden’s did, it was commanding enough to catch every souls’ attention. I met each one of their gazes with crimson fire in mine, waiting until the only sound was the rushing waters of the Acheron and the distant crackle of fire. I shook my hair out and planted my hands on my hips. “You should all be ashamed of yourselves.”
A few confused murmurs resonated.
“Quiet.” I didn’t yell—I didn’t need to—but my voice carried firmly over the crowd. “Ixion has stolen Hades’ throne and imprisoned him somewhere. Now you may be frightened of Hades, but he has made the Underworld livable for those who deserve it.” I motioned my hand toward the navy sky of the Asphodel Meadows. “Without him you’d all be living in darkness for the rest of eternity no matter how good you were in life. He did this for you.”
Several souls averted their eyes as a flush of shame swelled in their cheeks. Charon nodded in agreement while Reese simply stared with an unreadable expression.
“Hades is missing, maybe even hurt.” It took some effort to swallow the lump in my throat and blink back the tears. “Ixion may have taken his throne, but he doesn’t care what happens to you. Hades does.” I motioned toward my chest. “I do. And while I don’t have the authority to force the rules, you should want to behave. For both of us. Because I need to find a way to bring Hades back and I can’t do that with chaos all around.”
Pain twisted my heart as the ice inside me was melting again, bringing back so much emotion. If my little speech didn’t work I wasn’t sure how I could get them to obey.
After several seconds of silent debate, the souls went into action. They dusted themselves off and started sorting out the coins amongst them, handing them to the rightful owners. The ones with coins formed a line in front of Charon while the others backed off and silently sat in the black sand, sullen expression beneath the quiet resolve.
My eyes glittered with tears and I had to bite my bottom lip to keep them from spilling over. It didn’t work too well. I quickly wiped a few stray ones off my cheeks. “Thank you,” I said, nodding toward them.
Reese was fighting a smile as I met him. “Way to go Queen Hartley.”
I halfheartedly shoved him. “Shut up.”
He laughed and draped an arm over my shoulders, pulling me toward Charon.
The gaunt ferryman eyed me with respect and bowed his head. “Thank you for restoring order Hartley.”
I nodded.
He motioned toward his boat. “Please have a seat. I will bring a few souls with us.” And surprising the hell out of me he waved at the coinless souls sitting in the sand. “I will take the two that have been here the longest.”
Shockwaves rolled through the crowd at Charon’s unexpected and never before seen gesture.
When I gave the ferryman a questioning expression he simply shrugged his boney shoulders. “For Hades.”
I nodded, finding it difficult to speak. “For Hades.”
A familiar female voice echoed from the throne room, raising my hackles. I tiptoed toward the opened door, hoping my presence didn’t set off any fires in the sconces or along the walls.
“You need to stop this Ixion. It was millennia ago.” Hera was standing in front of Ixion, her sapphire dress turning shades of purple from the crimson fire in the windows and fireplace. Her copper hair cascaded down her back in glossy ringlets while her creamy skin was shaded red.
Ixion smiled, looking up at her dreamily. “Then I have loved you for millennia.”
A frustrated sigh slipped out of Hera as she rubbed her temples. “You’re just infatuated. Believe me. You don’t love me.”
My gaze narrowed on her. I wasn’t sure if I was angrier because she thought I wanted her help or more grateful she was trying without me stooping so low to ask.
“Return Hades and his throne. I’m not going to suddenly love you because you’re a powerful god.”
He winked a dark eye. “O contraire my love.” He produced a flame in his palm, twisting it into the shape of a peacock. “You like?”
I couldn’t see her face, but I was guessing it wasn’t amused.
Please. I could probably do that. He should have made a life sized one.
A half-smile curled his lips and he closed his palm, smothering the fire bird. “Stop skulking Hartley and come in.” His dark eyes flitted toward the door.
Damn. How long had he known I was eavesdropping?
“You didn’t enter the Underworld with Hermes so I knew the moment you and my brash father Ares arrived.”
My jaw flexed, annoyed. I trekked into the throne room, my eyes skimming over his new additions. Everything was overly modern, making it look like a tacky hotel trying too hard to cater to the trendy rich. Gone were the beautiful works of priceless art and delicate trinkets. Odd geometrical paintings hung from the marble walls. The curtains were gone all together, replaced with stark pewter frames protruding awkwardly. The mirror television was now a massive television turned to garish music videos possibly from another country or another time. A fish tank sticking out of a slab of hematite took up nearly an entire wall, the multicolored fish like moving jewels where real one used to be.
Without meaning to my gaze landed where the gray chaise used to sit, memories of Hayden and me together for the last time swarmed my fragile mind. I shook my head, shattering the visions. Now sat a black couch with straight lines and a stark glass coffee table.
Hera glanced over her shoulder, shooting me an unreadable expression. She almost seemed embarrassed I caught her trying to help.
Ixion motioned between us as he lounged back in Hayden’s throne, a lazy smile on his lips. “You two are absolutely stunning. Standing next to each other might give a mere mortal a heart attack.”
I squelched the urge to gag, rolling my eyes instead. Hera wasn’t that successful, but Ixion didn’t seem to mind h
er annoyance. Apparently it humored him.
I took a deep breath, swallowing my pride, and fixing Ixion with sad eyes. I didn’t care if Hera was witnessing this. “Ixion…?” I drew his name out.
His gaze shifted from Hera to me with interest. “Yes Hartley?”
I bit my lip and clasped my hands together. I’d try anything. He was a male after all. What could I lose? “Ixion, can’t you please give me Hayden back. Please.” I blinked innocently.
He bristled in his seat. “I can’t Hartley. I’m sorry.”
“Why?” I whispered, slowly edging forward.
He sighed. “Because he would come after me and try to take his powers back.”
I stepped closer. “He won’t I promise. I won’t let him. I only want him back. He doesn’t need his powers.”
Ixion shook his head, tossing his dark curls around. “If I gave him up I’d have no leverage.”
This wasn’t working. Real tears filled in my eyes and my lips quivered. I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Please Ixion. I need him back. I just want him back.” My voice cracked with emotion.
His gaze surveyed me, the usual crumbling of resolve I got when I turned on the waterworks was absent. He gripped my hand and pried it off his shoulder, squeezing it before he released me. “Sorry sweetheart. I’m immune to your charms. While it was a worthy try, my heart beats for your mother.”
I scoffed and stood straight. “I wasn’t trying… I mean I’m being sincere. I just want him back.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “You’re more like your mother than you know.”
Anger coiled in my chest and I ignored the smile radiating off her.
He fixed Hera with another loving stare. “Now, if you fall in love with me I’ll gladly give Hades back.”
Hope filled my insides, but one look at her and I knew it was futile. She would never stoop so low for me or Hayden. Only for herself.
Hera crossed her arms against her chest. “No Ixion. You’re not going to force me to love you.”
A dangerous laugh tumbled out his mouth, his eyes shimmering with insanity. “This is not forcing you.” He stood and lithely stepped toward me. “This is forcing you.” He caressed my hair, holding me with power so I couldn’t draw away. “If you don’t decide to give me a chance I might look elsewhere. Your daughter is a very beautiful girl.”
A cold shiver slid ominously down my back at his foreboding words.
He bit his lip lasciviously. “I might be tempted to start pinning after her like your husband.”
Chapter 18
Hayden
I watched several Danaides march through the burning plains, carrying jugs of water—not real water of course—their dresses frayed at the bottom and legs covered in soot. Their goal was to fill a bath in order to cleans themselves of their sins and be free of purgatory.
That was certainly never going to absolve them even if the task wasn’t impossible. Holes punctured each of their jugs, draining the imaginary water before they reached the tub. They repeated this over and over with the same disappointing results.
The Danaides were the twelve daughters of King Danaus and set to marry the sons of his twin brother. This was their punishment for killing their husbands on the wedding night.
Their journey to the fake river and then to the bath took them far across the inner regions of Tartarus. They could have easily witnessed something. I simply needed them to acknowledge me. I’d been trying for the past—well I had no concept of time—but it sure as hell felt like forever.
I marched beside them. “Just tell me if you’ve seen anything or possibly this new dark soul who is especially vile. You can walk and talk at the same time.”
They remained tightlipped, their heads high and eyes focused on the terrain before them. Their dirty feet kicked up ash and soot, careful to miss the hot glowing embers and fires. I didn’t bother.
My anger started to slow burn inside, mixing with irritation and desperation. It was a volatile combination, especially for me. A woman with frizzy auburn hair walked beside me, her once green dress dulled and darkened by dirt. Without warning I gripped her elbow and pulled her to a stop, halting everyone behind us. Several gasp resonated and the woman turned her wide, shocked blue eyes on me.
“Tell me if you know anything,” I growled.
She struggled in my grasp, but it was the brunette behind her that spoke. “We don’t know anything and if we did we wouldn’t tell you.” She yanked the red head away and the women resumed their mission.
I was so stunned I stood motionless for a moment. I should have known the Danaides wouldn’t listen to me, a man.
Unfortunately for them I didn’t give up easily. I clenched my jaw and marched after them. “You’ll never get out of here!” I yelled. “You can never fill that damn tub. You’ve been trying for eons.”
They ignored me, sending my anger soaring.
I needed a different tactic. This was the one thing I didn’t want to give them, but it was the one thing they wanted. And if it got me out of here then it’d be worth it.
“If you help me I’ll free you myself once I have my powers back.”
Immediately the line halted, the fake water continuing to leak out of each jug, wetting their feet. The brunette slowly turned around, her dark brown eyes surveying me with distrust. She seemed to be in charge. I would have assumed it was the blonde in the front, but perhaps being in the middle meant she could monitor more sisters.
“And how do we know you speak the truth? How do we know once you leave you’ll never return and free us? You are a lying, thieving god.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. “I’m the only real shot you’ve got so you might as well take a chance.” I pointed to her leaking jug. “You know this will go on forever.”
Her expression turned pensive as she thought, danger radiating from her despite her petite frame. She must have been the one to concoct the murderous plan.
Maybe letting her go wasn’t such a good idea. Oh well. I’d cross that bridge later.
“Delia.” She waved her hand to the front of the line.
A blonde hurried back, her jug’s leaking water weaving a trail behind her. “Yes?”
“Tell him what you know.”
Her doe-like light blue eyes rested on me. “The soul brought something with him.”
My brow arched. “What was it?”
Delia shrugged. “I don’t know. I only saw something silver beneath his shirt catching in the light of the fires.”
Mmm. Something silver?
Hartley
I skipped school the following day. I couldn’t face my friends especially Will. He was going to demand answers I couldn’t give and I hadn’t thought of a plausible lie. Thankfully Ixion steered clear of me. I wasn’t certain if he was serious about his threat to go after me and I didn’t want to find out.
I passed by a sad looking Cerberus. His three heads lying sullenly, their glossy brown eyes drooping. My heart shuddered when I entered through the gates and walked deeper into Asphodel Meadows, instantly detecting the change. The usually vibrant wildflowers were dull, shriveling up and falling into the brown, dying grass. Dead petals were strewn about and sifting in the air as they disintegrated. The souls had noticed as well, some pointing with worried expression to the disappearing foliage.
“Hartley.” Davis waved me over to the River of Lethe, his eyes shadowed with concern.
I marched over, a gasp echoing out my mouth. The once placid flowing, full river was receding down the banks, revealing muddy, rocky ground. The River of Forgetfulness was drying up.
Davis’s whisky colored eyes met mine. “Hartley, what’s happening?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know,” I lied. Deep down I knew exactly the cause behind the fading meadow. Hayden wasn’t here to maintain the world he created. My gaze traveled up to the navy sky with fluffy clouds drifting across. The western edge was receding as well, dragging darkness toward it.
�
��This is bad.” Isaak was beside me, his amber gaze fixed on something in the distance I couldn’t see. He handed me a gilded pair of binoculars. “Look at this.”
I put the metal to my eyes and tried to keep my knees from buckling at what I saw, unwilling to frighten the souls. The blood drained from my face, leaving my lips frozen. I could see the crimson raging fires of Tartarus. And they were growing closer.
***
Comforting fires burned on either side of the balcony I stood on in the living room off our bedroom. I ran my fingers through the flames, reminding me of Hayden’s touch. An ache so painful and deep it shook my body resonated in my chest. It reinforced the hole part of my soul used to reside in. It was better in the Underworld, but without Hayden himself it would never heal.
Two more weeks had passed, most of which I spent in the Underworld. I missed a few days of school, but graduation was not at the top of my list or anywhere near it. The important thing was keeping my attention on the Underworld. The souls on the black sand shore hadn’t been too much trouble. A few new ones tried stealing coins, but the vets put them in their place. It made me smile despite my melancholy.
The souls in Asphodel Meadows were getting antsy though. I had to stop a few from fighting over the last little bit of water running through the River of Lethe. It was beginning to turn to mud. Without it the souls would grow frustrated and dwell on their lives past. According to Isaak it could eventually create chaos.
Great. More chaos.
My gaze flitted to the pitch sky above and then out toward Asphodel Meadows. The navy was a shade darker and still shrinking around the edges. I knew once the darkness came the fires would grow. Not everyone here was a fan of them and no one except Hayden and I—and now Ixion—could touch and control them. If that happened the souls wouldn’t have a peaceful meadow anymore.
I walked toward the other side of the balcony and lifted the binoculars to my eyes. Tartarus was growing and I could practically see the malice in the atmosphere surrounding it. If these fires reached us, the souls would only find purgatory in the Underworld. It would truly be hell. Not even Elysium was safe. Isaak took me to the mirror door—I didn’t dare try to enter—where the ground was unnaturally hot while the vines surrounding it were beginning to dry out and crumble away.