Blinking hard, I tried to pull the spear from my shoulder with no success. Someone was pulling at my legs, another appearing near my head. There was nowhere to run and no way to fight them all off in my present condition, but I still had one option for escape.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered all the energy I had left, opening my mouth and screaming out a prayer so desperate, I was sure it had been heard. “Hades!”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hades
She was so beautiful. It was like looking at the sun, except she was even more magnificent. Perfect, tanned skin, blonde hair that framed her face delicately, eyelashes that seemed to kiss her rosy cheekbones. Her lips were like a bow, turned upward at all times, and so deliciously pink that I couldn’t help but wish I were kissing them every time I laid eyes on them. It was amazing, how the pictures I had of her appeared to do no justice at all, paling in comparison to the real thing.
“You’re staring again,” she mumbled, cuddling deeper into my embrace, the black sheets sliding off her shoulders as she laid an arm over my waist.
“Can you blame me?” Chuckling, I kissed the top of her head, relishing in the feel of her warm body against mine. “This whole thing feels like a dream.”
“It’s not a dream.” Looking up at me, she smiled. “I’m really here. I’m back.”
My heart felt like it could burst. “I know you are. I don’t plan on ever letting you leave again.”
Throwing the sheet back, I rolled on top of her, grinning as she giggled and bit her bottom lip in a way that drove me mad with wanting her. Lowering myself down, I kissed her gently, savoring having her so close. The touch quickly turned more passionate, though, as I slipped my tongue inside her mouth, tasting her. Her hands grasped my bare back, holding me against her as she moaned, arching her back slightly.
Threading my fingers through her hair, I held her mouth against mine, barely even breathing as I tumbled back into the feeling of what it was like to have Katrina with me at every moment. It was like I was high all the time, floating somewhere between paradise and ecstasy, forever feeling her body next to mine. I felt as if I’d not had water my entire life and suddenly found myself with an abundance of the liquid, mine to keep, forever. The fire that burned within me was at a new level of heat, roaring ferociously in happiness.
Smiling, I broke away, layering kisses over her cheek and down her neck, grazing her collarbone with my teeth. The soft noises she made were all the encouragement I needed, my hands traveling over the planes of her body, rediscovering her, remembering what was mine and mine alone.
Katrina sighed contentedly, her fingers playing with my hair and stroking my face as I kissed her stomach, the cotton fabric of her dress sliding over my skin like it was air. “Was it always like this?” Her voice caught, like she was upset, hands stilling on the top of my head.
Pausing in my exploration, I raised my head, concerned that I had somehow done something to upset her. Where I expected to see her beautiful eyes, I instead was met with the darkness of Erebos, the blackness catching me off guard. In an instant, I was reminded that this was not the same Katrina I had fallen in love with. She was still there, but the darkness within her had changed something. It was unclear exactly what was different now, but I knew she sensed it, too.
“Not always,” I replied softly, moving to lie beside her again. “Physically, I mean.”
“It’s frustrating, not remembering exactly how everything was.” Frowning, she twisted the sheet in her fingers, staring down at the fabric. “I’ll figure it out over time, but then I’m left wondering if that was really how it was, you know?”
“Ask me.” Encouraging her, I put a finger under her chin, tilting her face up to look at me again. The darkness in her eyes had faded some, revealing the sadness behind it. “I’m happy to help you remember.”
Hesitating, she winced, an apologetic expression taking over her face. “I think . . . some of my memories aren’t mine—they’re Erebos’. Things I’m sure I never did, but I can clearly recall every moment of it. That’s what’s so frustrating. Why can I remember what he did, but not what I did? How is that fair?”
Surprised, I pulled back some, studying her. “You’re sure?”
“I remember every moment of your fight with him in the labyrinth. He’s faced Cristos as well, in a place that looked like a school. I’ve seen the face of Kronos and could pick him out of a crowd, but I know I’ve never met him in my life. How is it possible that I know all of these things, but I can’t remember the name of the school I went to?”
Circe’s warning of the darkness that would inhabit Katrina after the ritual flashed through my mind and I suddenly felt like kicking myself. Of course she had traces of Erebos in her. We’d used his essence to bring her back. I’d thought she was only suffering lingering effects of the magic whenever her eyes blacked out or the darkness seeped around her like smoke. The more I thought about it, though, the more convinced I became.
Erebos had lived on inside Katrina, in a sense. His memories and powers were now hers; forever tied to the mortal he had tried to destroy. She didn’t seem to have any problems with controlling herself, only remembering her life versus his. It wasn’t like Avalon, who had a living Titan inside her and had lost the fight for control. Instead, it was like Katrina had been a spy on the inside, learning everything about the Titan’s and their war plan. Of course, I didn’t point this fact out to her just then. She was still adjusting to living; there was no need to overwhelm her with questions about the war.
“Your memories will come back over time. It’s going to be confusing for a while. You were—gone—for a long time. Patience is a necessity while your mind recuperates.” Pulling her close, I kissed her forehead again, before resting my chin on the top of her head.
Silence wrapped around us, the steady rise and fall of our breathing more comforting to me than anything else. For decades, I’d hated this room, dreading the nightmares I knew would come as soon as I closed my eyes. However, as soon as I’d stepped into it with Kat at my side, an incredible weight seemed to lift off my shoulders. Not one terror had plagued my sleep since then.
“Do you think Cristos will be okay?” She sighed as she spoke, moving away so she could look at me. “He seemed worried when I saw him. I couldn’t tell if it was because of me or what he was going to do.”
“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “I understand what he’s going through better than anyone else. However, the love of my life was already dead. He has to choose between betraying his entire family or killing the woman he loves.”
“You think he would join her?” She didn’t seem surprised by the notion, but watched me expectantly, waiting for my answer.
“No. I think he’ll kill her and it will destroy him.” Grimly, I sat up, moving to the edge of the bed. The conversation was suddenly too heavy for me and I wished to take her out of the room and show her more of the Underworld, to help her remember more.
“We listened to a symphony here before,” I started, scooping my shirt off the floor and pulling it over my head.
“Really? I don’t recall.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I laughed as I watched her pout, patting the bed that I’d just vacated. “Believe me, I am more than happy to get back in and cuddle the day away. We can go recreate that night, though, and maybe get some more memories back. However, I will never say no to being in bed with you, no matter what we are, or aren’t, doing.”
Grinning wolfishly, I climbed back onto the mattress, crawling over to her in what I hoped was a seductive manner. Giggling, she sat up, meeting me halfway with a kiss.
“Hades!”
The cry slammed into me with such force that I actually misplaced my hand and fell face first into the pillows, grunting as I pushed myself back up. It had been some time since anyone had uttered a prayer to me, making the loud voice in my head that much more shocking.
“What is it?” Katrina asked, alarmed as she looked at m
y face.
“Cristos is in trouble,” I replied grimly, quickly getting off the bed and fixing my shirt again. “I need to go.”
Halting, I looked over at her, suddenly feeling an extreme anxiousness at the thought of leaving her behind. I’d just gotten her back. What if something happened while I was gone?
“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly, climbing out of the bed as darkness engulfed her form, quickly redressing her in the battle uniform she’d worn at the end of the ritual.
“No.” The reply was automatic, but I meant it as well. “The last time you got involved in the gods’ business, it killed you. I need you to stay here.”
“Last time I was mortal,” she replied smartly, crossing her arms in defiance. “Every second you stand here arguing with me about it, Cristos could be dying. Do you want his blood on your hands, too?”
Of course she would argue with me about it. She was also right—Cristos’ cries were echoing in my head more urgently. I had to go now or risk being too late to help. “Fine,” I sighed. “But stay behind me. I don’t know what we’re getting in to.”
“You forget, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” Tapping the scythe at her hip, she smiled, moving for the door. “I was when I was mortal and I still am now. It was saving you that got me in trouble the first time.”
“So, you remember that.” Shaking my head, I followed her out of the room, hurrying down the hall.
“This is taking too long,” she declared, grabbing my hand. Suddenly, we were engulfed by darkness, the breath knocked from me as air rushed by. In the blink of an eye, we were suddenly standing in the armory, two very surprised guards jumping at our sudden arrival. On the wall behind them, my helmet glittered proudly, waiting for me to use it again.
“Whoa,” I stated, looking at her in awe. “How did you know how to do that?”
“I just did.” Motioning to the armor, she gave me a look of impatience; like I was crazy for being shocked she used so much power without any apparent struggle.
Pushing aside my budding questions about what else she was able to do at the drop of a hat, I nodded to the guards, stepping between them and taking the helmet. “Inform Arsenio that we will be returning with Cristos shortly.” Pausing, I tried to think of how best to word the next part. “Tell him to have any medical supplies he has ready.”
“Yes, sir!” The two guards saluted as I shoved the helmet on my head, waiting for us to leave before they carried out my order.
Reaching for Katrina, I felt a slip of fear at bringing her with me, but shoved it to the side. “How far can you transport us?”
“As far as you need me to.”
Taking my hand in hers, the darkness closed in around us again and I felt as if my feet were yanked out from underneath me. Cold air rushed past me, stealing my breath, my skin prickling, the fire inside me practically freezing as we moved.
And then, as suddenly as we’d started, we stopped. The air came rushing back, the earth firm beneath my feet. Without even telling her where we needed to go, Katrina had somehow deposited us right at Cristos’ feet.
And it was utter chaos.
Harpooned to the ground, a sword sticking out of his stomach, Cristos was practically drowning in his own blood. The ground was awash with it, the dark red seeping through the ash and dirt, trampled by the beasts trying to rip him apart. His face had claw marks gouged into it, his right leg covered in the ripped shards of his pants, several deep scratches were present there as well. Blistered and burned flesh covered his arms, his voice hoarse from yelling. The only defense he seemed to have was lightning, which he shot at anything he could see.
“Hades!” he yelled again, striking a Titan as it reached for his head.
“I’m here!” I roared back, holding my hands up and creating a circle of fire around us. The beasts caught in the blaze screamed, scrambling backward, trying to get away as I engulfed the whole area around us. It wasn’t long before they started climbing the rubble around us, though, vaulting over the flames, bloodlust in their eyes.
Yanking the scythe from her scabbard, Katrina spun around, expertly slicing across the closest Titan. A second scythe formed out of the darkness around her, the pommel sliding into her hand with ease. Striking upward, she caught the enemy’s sword as he raised it above his head, her second blade cleanly digging into his abdomen. Before I could even blink, she’d cut across his calf, knocked him on his back, and hit him good enough to knock him out.
Apparently, she had also retained Erebos’ expert dual wielding scythe skills.
“We can’t kill them,” she stated, turning to her next opponent as they hurled through the flames.
“We need to get Cristos out of here.” Turning to my nephew, I grabbed the handle of the sword and yanked it from his body, ignoring his cry of pain. Quickly grasping the spear in his shoulder, I broke the long staff in half, leaving a good foot sticking out of him. “Sit up as far as you can,” I ordered, grabbing his opposite side and helping him.
Grunting, he struggled to do as I asked, still firing lightning at anything that came over the wall. Between him and Kat, I sort of felt like I wasn’t needed in the defense department.
As soon as I could see the part of the spear lodged into the ground, I blasted it with all the heat I could, breaking him free. “I’m guessing you decided to try killing Phoenix,” I stated conversationally.
“It didn’t go so well.” Grimacing, he struggled to his feet, picking up the sword from where I’d dropped it. Spitting blood from his mouth, he faced to the growing number of creatures gathering outside the ring.
Katrina’s shout drew my attention and I turned, watching as she fought a large Ipotane. The creature was gaining ground on her, fury in his eyes.
“Bane!” Cristos yelled, striding forward, despite the liquid freely flowing from him. However, before he could join the fight, he was stopped by a sight that caused everyone in the area to freeze, breath catching in a mix of emotions.
Bane stabbed his sword toward Katrina, shouting angrily, his mane flying in the wind as he put the full force of his body behind the blow. His target, realizing what was happening, vanished in a cloud of black, reappearing beside him. Stretching her hand out, she touched his arm, her eyes completely black and a frown on her face.
Suddenly, black tendrils broke from the ground beneath them, wrapping around the creature’s legs, twisting up his abdomen, and lacing across his entire being. His screams and neighs of terror echoed in the space as the darkness pulled him down, through the ground, until there was nothing left. Not even the earth looked as if an entire person had just been torn through it, carried away to the abyss.
Staring at Katrina, I felt a new emotion I’d never experienced with her before—fear. The woman I was staring at now was not my innocent farm girl. Instead it was a creature of such power and darkness, I didn’t know how to approach her. Never in all the years I’d lived had I witness something like what she’d just done.
So many questions swirled in my mind. Where did he go? Did she know what she was doing? Where did that kind of power come from?
The army on the other side of the flames hesitated, clearly thinking many of the same things. It was obvious she had scared them, their eyes betraying just how frightened they all were.
Turning back, Katrina strode over to us, grabbing our hands, and pulling us away in a flash of darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Hades
“What the hell was that?” I demanded, watching Katrina in awe and fear. “And how did you do it?”
“Calm down, Hades.” Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair, looking like she could climb into bed and go to sleep right at this moment.
“Calm down? Are you kidding? You literally dragged someone down to the Underworld, just by touching them. I think I’m allowed to be a little shocked over this.”
Wide eyed, I glanced out the door of the stables, where a group of guards was leading an angry Bane away
to Tartarus. The Ipotane had panicked when he found himself in the prison he’d managed to evade for so many years and broke free, heading right for the tunnels and freedom.
Except, he was physically unable to leave. The guard I’d spoken to said there had been some kind of invisible wall that kept him from exiting. No matter how the creature had tried, he couldn’t set foot outside the Underworld, even though the guards easily crossed over—it appeared Katrina had effectively banished him from the mortal realm for the rest of time.
Peering back at her, I saw that she was watching the creature as well, a mixture of fear and acceptance on her face. Biting her bottom lip, she folded her arms, shaking her head as she turned away. With a sigh, she picked up a brush and entered Hero’s stall, dragging the bristles over the horse’s body slowly.
“How did you do it, Kat?” I asked softly, following her in. Standing behind her, I placed my hands on her waist, nudging her hair to one side with my nose and kissing the back of her neck. I would never be angry with her over this, and she knew that. Her hands shook as she worked, though, the experience obviously having startled her.
“I don’t know,” she whispered, stilling. “All I was trying to do was knock the sword from his hand, but when I touched him . . .” Swallowing hard, she looked down at the ground, leaning against me. “I couldn’t control it.” Shuddering, she drew in a hard breath, her hands balling into fists. “I am the dark and dangerous thing everyone warned you about.”
“You’re not,” I scolded, tightening my hold on her as I rested my head on her shoulder. “You have new powers, so what? You’ll learn to manipulate them. After all, you’ve been touching me and nothing has happened. You grabbed Cristos, too, and he’s completely fine. Other than being stabbed all over, anyway.”
Her body never relaxed, her gaze fixed at a spot somewhere on the ground. “You should have listened to everyone and left me dead,” she whispered quietly.
Exoria (The God Chronicles #5) Page 17
