“Do calm down, Caius. I wasn’t seriously suggesting Malik take your place in this. And I would never dream of revealing your secret to the world.” Hades took a step back, putting space between us. “I’m having far too much fun watching everyone scurry around like a bunch of frantic ants. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when it comes out, and eventually, it will. With the kind of enemies you have now, you will have to play that card at some point.”
He glanced at me before turning his attention back to Caius. “I always liked the Morrigan. We had many nice chats. I won’t stand in the way of the Child or tip your hand.”
If he liked the Morrigan, then why was he okay with my existence? Shouldn’t he hate me because I was going to destroy her?
Hades’s black eyes came back to me. “My dear little one, you haven’t a chance in the universe of destroying the Morrigan. End her yes, but never destroy.”
I finally found my voice. “If you aren’t the devil, what are you?”
“I’m a god, young one. I thought that was clear.” He flicked his eyes at Caius. “She isn’t lacking in intelligence, is she? That would be unfortunate.”
Another growl rumbled through Caius and Hades waved a hand at him like one would a dog. “I didn’t mean anything derogatory by it. Merely a question. I wasn’t aware the mortal world had fallen so far in their knowledge. I really should pay more attention to it.
“To answer your question, little Morrigan, I am not the devil. Even in the mortal world, I believe that title belongs only to Lucifer who isn’t a pointy-tailed, pitchfork-wielding kind of guy.” Hades sighed as if disappointed I didn’t know this. “He isn’t even the evil thing the mortals believe him to be. Merely a high-ranking angel that fell because he disagreed with some of the politics in the Heavens.”
Yeah right, because non-evil people regularly keep pits of eternal fire to torture souls in. If I were braver I would have rolled my eyes. Or at the very least scoffed.
Hades gave me an indulgent look. “Every soul needs a place to go, even the sadistic and evil ones. I mean really, would you suggest that a child molester go to the Heavens? No, you wouldn’t. No soul reaches the pits without cause. And only the most despicable ever see the pits anyway. You forget, there are many levels to the Hells in the underworld.”
He shook his head and sighed. “It really is a shame they have forgotten so much in the mortal world.” He fixed me with a firm look. “Politics, my dear, are the only thing that separates the Heavens and the Hells, nothing more. There are plenty of good people who belong to the Hells, like Caius here. And just as many who aren’t good who belong to the Heavens. Remember that, little one.”
Looking back at Caius he said. “It was good to see you, my friend. Perhaps when we meet next, it will be under circumstances that don’t generate so much distrust.”
“Perhaps it will.” Caius still hadn’t moved and heat still bled through his shirt along with the glow of the tattoos.
Hades gave me one more appraising look before disappearing into the shadows under the trees.
About the Author
A.D. Trosper currently lives on the plains of west-central Kansas with her husband, three children, five dogs, and a flock of chickens. When not taking care of necessary life stuff, she loves watching movies with her amazing husband, gaming with her kids, and exploring the fictional worlds and people that take up space inside her head.
Learn more about her books, follow her newsletter and read her blog at www.adtrosper.com
Table of Contents
Other Books by A.D. Trosper
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Betrayed
About the Author
Unveiled (Raven Daughter Book 1) Page 28
