Authors: Cindi Madsen
Dean grabbed Persephone’s hand. “Why don’t you come in? Unless you changed your mind about going to a hospital.”
“It’s really not safe. And I swear, I don’t need the hospital. By tomorrow, I’ll be mostly healed. It’s just one of the many exciting side effects of being a freak.” Her sorry attempt at a smile didn’t change Dean’s scrunched-up expression.
Persephone put her hand on Danielle’s shoulder. “Feel any better?”
Danielle eyed Dean. “Yeah, nothing being slapped doesn’t fix.”
“I didn’t know what else to do,” Dean said, exasperation filling his voice. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Without answering him, Danielle unbuckled her seatbelt. “I don’t think I’ll ever not be scared again.”
Persephone leaned back in her seat. “Somehow you get used to it. I highly suggest being inside by dark, though. At least until after this threat passes.” Adding
if it passes
seemed too depressing, so she kept that to herself. “If it makes you feel any better, tonight was a really bad, not every-day kind of situation.”
“No Persephone, that, in fact, does not make me feel better. I saw a disgusting, nightmare creature from Hell with sharp claws and teeth who shouldn’t exist. I don’t care how abnormal that is.”
Well,
that
was normal, the numbers and the honed in attack were what was abnormal. Persephone didn’t dare point that out now, though, especially since that part was starting to be a normal part of her life as well. “I hope you also noticed I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, even against scary nightmare creatures from Hell.”
“Yeah, you’re tough, but you’re still hurt and in danger.” Danielle’s eyes met hers. “Stay with us. At least until Jax gets back.”
The three of them had gone round and round on this since Persephone had explained what she could about the situation. A vague description of the Order of Zeus, even though she hadn’t referred to it by name; demons were after her personally, and yes, Jax knew, and that was why he was so protective and why he went for help.
“Like I said before, my place is protected.” Persephone glanced in the rearview mirror again. “The longer I sit here, the longer I’m endangering you guys and myself. We’ll talk more when the sun’s out.”
“And you’re sure they can’t come out in the sun?” Danielle asked.
“I’m sure.”
As long as I don’t let them get a hold of the dagger anyway.
“My family has been in charge of this for generations. I know what I’m doing.” A lie, but hey, it sounded good.
Danielle’s face fell. “But your family’s all dead.”
Dean elbowed her.
Apparently realizing her lack of sensitivity, Danielle’s mouth dropped. “I’m sorry, Persephone. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay, D. I know.” But she also knew Danielle was right. Her family
was
dead, and it was because of the dagger. Exhaustion swept over her. “I’ll talk to you guys later. I’m sure you realize mentioning this to your parents will most likely result in a visit to the psychiatrist.”
“We’ll keep it under wraps. If you need anything, call.” Dean looked at her with sympathy she didn’t know he was capable of. “And I know you’re like a ninja or whatever, but be careful.”
The smile she gave him this time was genuine. She hugged him, and Danielle joined in. After they broke the group hug, Dean and Danielle scooted out the car.
And then Persephone was all alone again. But it felt a lot heavier than it had ever felt before.
Hot water ran over Persephone, easing her sore muscles while burning her cuts at the same time. Pleasure and pain. Seemed like an appropriate ending to her up and down day.
As she lathered her hair with shampoo, she ran through her options. Never go outside again—probably not possible— so she amended it to never being away from home when the sun set. She’d have to deal with the fact that people were dying, and she was doing nothing about it. Nothing but keeping the dagger out of demon hands, which was at least something.
The next option—and it definitely had its appeal—was to run away with Jax when he got back, with the hope that they could outrun the demons and find a new place to hide.
Until the demons found her again.
How are they finding me? If I could figure that out, maybe relocating would be the best option.
But they wouldn’t stop, no matter where she ran. Without Mara’s wards, how long would she last? Could she hide until the end of her days? Then what, leave the dagger with her children, and say,
Sorry, but hope you figure it out
. Nope. She wasn’t going to have children—no way she’d put someone else through this.
Then there was the last option. Stay and fight. Foolish, and possibly the worst of them, but for some reason she felt like it was the best option. Only she wanted a no-one-but-bad-guys-die guarantee, and there wasn’t one. In fact, she knew people would die. Good people. Some of them already had.
Frustrated by the impossibility of the situation, Persephone slammed her fist into the side of the shower. Then, suddenly exhausted, she leaned her forehead against the wall she’d just punched
.
I don’t want to be responsible for people dying, and no matter what I decide, people will die.
The water temperature dropped. Before all the hot water disappeared and she had to finish her shower on a cold note, she got out, bandaged her wounds as best she could, threw on her pajamas, and crawled into bed.
I wish my parents were here to tell me what to do. Or just here so I wouldn’t feel so alone.
She turned, looking at the empty space beside her. She’d give anything to have Jax next to her, telling her it would all be okay, even if it was a complete lie. Wherever he was, she hoped he was safe.
An idea popped into her head, and she didn’t know why it hadn’t occurred to her earlier. She hated to call on Adrastos, especially since she was going to have to reiterate she couldn’t be with him. But if his army showed up in time, maybe, just maybe, they could win the battle she could feel coming.
Hey, it’s worth a shot.
She squeezed her eyes closed and visualized the place she and Adrastos always met, focusing all her energy on calling for backup.
Persephone immediately recognized the scenery around her. The question was, would it be the demons or Adrastos who came for her tonight.
A twig cracked off to her left, and she whipped around. She threw a hand to her heart, expelling a long breath. “Adrastos. Thank goodness it’s you. I thought the demons were coming.”
A crease formed between his eyebrows. “The nightmares are that bad?”
“Nightmares. Real life. Yeah, it’s bad.”
He ran his gaze over her arms and frowned.
The tank top she wore displayed the scratches on her shoulder and arms. “I ran into more demons tonight. I managed to get away, but I’m afraid it won’t be long until they find me again. They’re hunting me now. They say I’m their queen or something, and Hades is coming, and…” Holding it together was becoming more and more difficult. “I’m in trouble, Adrastos.”
“I’m coming. I’m almost there.” He reached out and squeezed her hand.
She wanted him to hold her, but she held back. Because of Jax. She was with him now, no matter how hard it was to hold in her feelings for Adrastos.
Persephone pulled her hand out of his. “I’m not going to deny I need your help. In fact, that’s why I put so much energy into meeting you tonight. But to be fair to you, I’ve got to tell you again, I’m with someone else now.”
His fists clenched at his sides. “We’ll work that out when I get there.”
He stepped closer, leaving mere inches between their bodies. She couldn’t stop staring at the lips that always sent warmth through her. Every part of her body hummed and her pulse picked up speed.
She closed her eyes, pictured Jax, and remembered how she felt when she thought she was going to lose him. When her eyes opened, Adrastos leaned down, bringing his mouth toward hers.
Persephone put out a hand, keeping him back. “I can’t. I’m in love with him.”
He gripped her arm. “You’re in love with me. You belong with me.”
Standing here with him, it was hard not to agree. Whenever she was around him, it was almost impossible to imagine being with anyone else.
Forcing down her confused emotions, she pulled her arm out of his grasp and worked to keep her voice steady. “I care about you, and I always will, but I’m with him now. If that changes your mind about coming, then we’ll just try to—”
“I’ll be in New Orleans tomorrow. I’ll no longer have to wait until your dreams to see you.”
For years it was all she wanted. Even now, she wanted it. It made her feel like a traitor, but she wanted it all the same.
“Now tell me where you are,” Adrastos said. “Your exact address.”
“I…” Persephone looked around. Even though she couldn’t see anyone, she was too scared to risk it. “I can’t. Not here, not now.”
“But you will meet me? You’re not going to stand me up for some”—his mouth twisted in disgust—“Warrior?”
“I’ll meet you. I can’t wait to see you.”
His dark eyes lit up. “I can’t wait either.” He held out his arms. “Surely you can hug me. Even friends hug.”
She fought the smile threatening to break free. “I’m afraid I don’t believe you’re capable of just a hug.”
One corner of his mouth lifted in a wry, half-smile. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He dropped his arms and his expression turned serious. “Meet me at Jackson Square tomorrow night. I should be there around twilight.”
“But what about the demons? I can’t go out right before the sun sets.”
“My army and I will be there, and I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.” His fingers grazed her cheek. “Don’t worry, my love. We’re going to win this fight.”
He seemed so sure, so confident, she felt more hopeful than she’d dared to in days. Her arms were around him before she’d even realized she was going to hug him.
He squeezed back, a low chuckle sounding in her ear. “After tomorrow, we’ll never have to be apart again.”
She knew she should correct him, reiterate she was with Jax, but she held on for a second longer.
And then he was gone, and it was too late.
The effect of last night’s fight lingered in Persephone’s sore muscles as she crawled out of bed. According to the alarm clock, she should be walking into the doors of the school in ten minutes, which so wasn’t going to happen.
But she couldn’t bring herself to care. Tonight she would see Adrastos. Actual real life, not in a dream, Adrastos. Introducing him and Jax was going to be tricky, but she’d cross that bridge when she got to it. For now, she was just going to bask in the fact that he and his army were on their way.
Danielle smacked Persephone’s shoulder. “Why weren’t you here first period? I thought you’d been taken out by demons and I was freaking out.”
Several heads turned their direction.
“Hello, are you trying to make us look like lunatics?” Persephone asked.