Authors: Cindi Madsen
“That was quite a spell protecting it. I couldn’t find it or you whenever you were near it. But at least I could still find you in your dreams, until that stupid Warrior interfered with my communication with you, too. There were nights I stood alone, trying to call you to me, and nothing.” He clenched his jaw and anger lit his eyes. “He must’ve been pretty close to block me like that. I can’t believe you’d—”
Hades took a deep breath and his calm manner returned, which was almost scarier than the anger. “I’m willing to forgive you, though, my love. What matters is you’re here, and everything will be the way it should be soon.” He looked into her eyes and extended a hand. “Now, bring me my dagger.”
Persephone retreated another step and furiously shook her head. “It’s my job to keep it out of your hands.”
Snarling filled the air, and a large dog stepped next to Hades. Black as night, three heads, and six glowing eyes. Cerberus.
The demons bared their teeth.
Fear twisted around her heart as a couple of the largest demons advanced toward her.
Hades held up a hand. “Hold your ground. She’ll bring it to me.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She’d failed everyone. Once he got the dagger, demons would roam the earth day and night. All because of her.
Persephone clenched her fists.
No! This is what you’ve been fighting for your whole life. Don’t give up now. You’re good. You’ve got to be good.
“Don’t be scared, my love. I’d never hurt you.”
“You’re hurting me right now!”
“All you have to do is let go. I’ll take away the pain, the sorrow. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more.”
The heat coming from the dagger amplified. She wanted it off, but if she touched it…
Will I be able to control the pull? Or will I lose myself?
This was why Jax was supposed to be here. To stop her. To bring her back like he promised he would.
Hades took a step forward, his demon army close behind him.
“Persephone.”
The way her name rolled off his tongue sent chills down her spine. Her hand moved toward the dagger like it had a mind of its own. Keeping from grasping the handle was physically painful, almost impossible. Her body shook, and beads of sweat formed along her forehead. Every muscle contracted with the effort it took not to give it to him.
“We can’t be together unless you give me the dagger,” Hades said, his tone perfectly calm. “You’re my other half, and I’ve been waiting an eternity to find you. You and I will rule the earth together. I love you. I’ll love you forever.”
Euphoria tingled through her chest, and she stepped forward before she could stop herself. She wanted to give him everything—it was hard to think of anything she’d ever wanted more. She wanted to hand him the dagger and stand at his side. The power coursed through her veins, yet it wasn’t enough, she craved more. Needed more.
Together, we’ll rule it all.
Persephone looked up, into his eyes.
And all her resolve melted away.
***
Jax rushed through the crowds, focusing on finding Persephone. He felt her and could tell she was in danger. He sensed the demon presence around her, too. He and Persephone were definitely going to be outnumbered, but he rushed on anyway.
The demon vibe saturated the air now, pulsing through him. Every nerve in his body was on high alert. He sprinted to the center of Jackson Square.
At first he wasn’t sure it was her. But that streaked hair, the tug in his chest and the way his skin buzzed—it was Persephone. She wore a black dress with a huge poofy skirt. The top showed off her shoulders, and her skin glowed in the moonlight. Across from her stood a man in dark clothing and behind him, a frightening amount of demons.
Crouching low, Jax circled right, trying to get a better vantage point. That’s when he saw Cerberus.
Surely that’s not…
It was, though. Hades himself, Jax was sure of it. He crept closer, straining to hear what Hades was saying to Persephone.
“…and I are going to rule the earth together. I love you. I’ll love you forever.”
What?! Hades is telling her that he loves her?
Persephone took a step toward Hades, her face drained of its usual feistiness, her body slack, like she was surrendering to him.
Jax sprung to his feet. He sprinted toward her, desperate to keep her from moving any closer to Hades. “Persephone, no!”
***
Jax’s voice cut through the air, breaking Persephone out of her trance. She staggered back, then turned and rushed toward Jax. The dagger was still pulling at her. It felt heavy and hot against her thigh—angry, even. A dizzying, disorientating feeling washed over her.
Jax’s blurry figure ran at her. There was two of him, and she wasn’t sure which one was really him. Her feet slowed and her thoughts got muddy.
Jax grabbed her hand and yanked her behind him. As she clung onto him, the world started to clear.
Then everything became too clear. They were outnumbered, she was unarmed, and she’d almost handed the dagger to Hades. And there was that whole she’d-been-in-love-with-the-Lord-of-the-Underworld thing, too.
Jax drew his sword, the blade shooting out as he did so.
“Please tell me you brought back up,” Persephone said.
“Not so much, no.”
Demons surrounded them, cutting off every exit.
Hades strode toward them, his eyes even darker than usual. “So, you’re the mere mortal who’s trying to take my queen. It was brave of you to come. Brave, but foolish.” His eyes flicked to Persephone, and she tightened her grip on Jax. “I’m disappointed, my love. But you will be mine in the end.”
“She’d never be with you!” Jax yelled, keeping her behind him.
Hades smiled, a caustic, chilling smile. “She already has been. She bears my mark; she belongs to me.”
Jax glanced over his shoulder at her.
“Yeah. Meet Adrastos. Obviously I didn’t know he was actually Hades until just a few minutes ago.”
“Bring her to me,” Hades said in a bored tone. “Kill the Warrior.”
With a wave of his hand, the demons advanced.
“Stay behind me,” Jax said, lifting his sword.
“We’re seriously outnumbered. You’re going to need my help.” Heat radiated from her thigh. “I’ve got the dagger, but I’m afraid if I touch it, I might forget which side I’m on.”
“Give me a sec and I’ll get you a sword.”
The demons closed the distance, all of them armed.
Frantic energy coursed through Persephone as she prepared to fight. Energy, and a whole lot of fear.
In the next instant, demons descended upon them. Metal clanked against metal. Jax slashed at the demons. He took out one and then another, in rapid succession. Two more went down with one swipe. He lunged, thrusting his sword into a third. As the beast fell forward, Jax ripped the sword from his hand and tossed it to Persephone.
Gripping the handle, Persephone swung the blade in front of her. The demons near her hovered out of range. One forced its way between her and Jax.
They’re trying to separate us.
Persephone sprung at the demon, but another came at her from behind. She whipped around and slashed at him. The sword lodged in his shoulder.
She jerked it out, then swung at the first demon. Each time she’d take out one of the creatures, another would show up. Her movements slowed. Her arms ached. Still, she fought, praying for miracle.
She couldn’t see Jax anymore—didn’t even know where he was. Her next swing caught a demon across his knees. It was weak, though, barely enough to break open the scaly skin.
“Persephone!” Hades’s voice boomed out.
Instead of getting chills when he said her name, this time, her blood ran cold. She turned toward him, afraid of what she’d see.
Hades stood across from Jax, a sword aimed at his throat.
The world came to a crashing halt as Persephone stared at Hades, all too aware the slightest movement could end Jax’s life. “Don’t hurt him! I’ll do anything, just let him go.”
Blood ran down a cut in Jax’s face; gashes covered his shoulders and arms. A trail of dead demons filled the space between her and where it appeared Jax had finally been stopped.
“See, I’m…” Persephone dropped her sword and held up her hands. She glanced at Jax. “I’m so sorry, Jax. I’m sorry I pulled you into all this.”
He spit blood and shot her a smile. “No worries, babe. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Tears filled her eyes, obscuring his arrogant expression.
Hades looked at her across the grassy area. “Now you have a choice. Bring me the dagger and I’ll forgive you and spare his life.”
“Don’t do it, Persephone,” Jax said. “No matter what he says or does.”
Hades pushed the blade into Jax’s throat and a trickle of blood ran down.
“Stop it! Just stop!” She’d sworn to protect the dagger, no matter what, regardless of the lives sacrificed to keep possession of it. But looking at Jax, she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t let him die.
Hades lowered his sword. His brow furrowed and he leaned closer to Jax. “You’ve got some demon blood, too. Not much, but…” His gaze moved to her. “Persephone, my love, what have you been doing?”
Hades didn’t wait for her answer. “How do you like that, Warrior? The blood you despise is now in you as well. Do you like the power you feel? Would you like some more?”
Jax jerked free of the demons and sent his fist into Hades’s face. Demons were on him in seconds, recapturing him and pinning back his arms.
Rage lit Hades’s eyes. A dark stream of blood ran from his nose and he wiped it with the back of his hand. His face hardened, and he jabbed the edge of his blade into Jax’s stomach.
“Let him go, and I’ll give you the dagger!” Persephone yelled, terrified she was about to watch Jax die.
Hades turned his dark eyes on her again.
“Once he’s got a head start, I’ll bring it to you.” She wasn’t sure how she knew, but somehow she suddenly did. “That’s what you need, right? I have to give it to you?”
Hades sneered. “Your voodoo priestess did a good job coating it with protection spells. I’ll have to give her my regards when I hunt her down and kill her for it. Of course I could get through her enchantments eventually, but time is short, and I’d hate to start our eternity together by spilling enough of your blood to reverse the wards.”
He extended the hand that had held hers so many times before. “Give me the dagger so we can start the ceremony.”
Jax fought against his demon restraints. “He’ll still kill me, Persephone. You can’t trust him.”
Hades lowered the sword and locked eyes with her. “You have my word that neither I nor my army will be responsible for his death. For tonight, at least.”
This was the moment, the moment that would change the entire world as she knew it. She wished for so many things—that she’d never fallen for Hades, that she’d never endangered Jax’s life, that her family was here to help her, and most of all, that she wasn’t going to be the person responsible for unleashing Hell on Earth.