I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter what happens to me. If Brennan is dead, I may as well be also.”
Hades took my hand and led me back to the bed. We sat on the edge, my hands shaking. The picture that I had just seen hung heavily in my mind and laid on my heart like a dead weight. My tongue felt like a lump of wood in my mouth and suddenly nothing seemed to matter anymore.
Hades squeezed my hand and nudged my shoulder. “It doesn’t have to be so,” he reminded me. “Remember the first vision? You are the true princess of the Underworld. You can take your rightful place and fight against Zeus by my side. You and Brennan can reside in my world without worry of harming the mortals- the Underworld will buffer your abilities. It is safe there for you.”
As I stared at our hands, my moonstone bracelet caught my eye. In all of this other craziness, I had completely forgotten its importance. My soul was tied to it. It couldn’t be destroyed or I would be destroyed as well. And Hades had once said that he wanted it destroyed because it was a danger to all creatures of the night. Whoever held it could control any child of the moon, including me.
Hades read my mind before I could even say anything.
“There is a way around that,” he said thoughtfully. “I was always correct in my assertion that your moonstone’s existence is not safe for the inhabitants of our world. However, I would relent on insisting that it be destroyed if you would entrust its care to me. It would be guarded night and day, I assure you. And if you decided to come live in the Underworld, you could keep it yourself. As long as it remains in the Underworld, I will agree to let it stay with you. It’s a solution to think on, Empusa.”
“Everything has become so convoluted,” I said weakly. “I almost can’t decide what the true issues even are anymore.”
“The issues are simple,” Hades answered solemnly. “You want to figure out a way to stop Zeus’ game, to save the son of Apollo, to learn how to harness your powers so that you can be together, to find a release from the curse that Mormo put upon you and to live a normal life. You’d like to figure out a way to do all of these things without confronting Zeus outright and without losing your life or Brennan’s.”
“I guess that about sums it up,” I replied tiredly. “And when you list them like that, our issues seem insurmountable.”
“Nothing is impossible for you anymore, Empusa,” Hades said firmly. “You’ve got to remember your new identity. You’re the daughter of the god of the Underworld. Combined with your mother’s witchery, you are unstoppable if you put your mind to it.”
“I don’t even know where to start,” I said uncertainly. “I really don’t. It’s all so overwhelming.”
“You must start at the beginning,” Hades said wisely. “You must choose what side you are on. If you stand with me, your rightful father, I will help you achieve that which you want the most. And in doing so, you will help me achieve what I want the most.”
“You want to rule Olympus.”
Hades shook his head. “No. I’ve never wanted that. Think on that, Empusa. You are like me. Would you rather live on Olympus in the sun and the light or would you rather live in the peaceful shadows of the Underworld? The Underworld is my home. When I imprisoned the other Olympians, did I sit on a throne and reign in Zeus’ absence? No, I did not. I simply went on about my business at home. But I did it without the interference of my brother. He has no right to try and inflict his control over me. I simply want to be free of that.”
I believed him. With a start, I found that I truly did believe Hades. And if I believed the god of the Underworld and was willing to fight with him against Zeus, what did that say about me? I decided that I didn’t want to put too much thought into that.
Hades held out his hand. “Are you with me?”
I paused, completely still and uncertain.
“Well?” Hades prompted. “Are you with me? I am the only way to save Brennan.”
My thoughts flashed to the vision of Brennan being trampled in the streets, his sightless eyes fixated upon me. I gulped and put my hand in Hades’ cool grip.
“Your word is your bond,” he reminded me.
I nodded. “Yes.”
I shook his hand.
And that is how I made a deal with the devil… my father.
Chapter Sixteen
Hades and I tumbled from the Neitherworld back into the Druids’ sacred clearing and I stood for a moment as I gained my bearings and my vision sharpened. It was always a little bit disconcerting. This time, if only took a minute to realize that we weren’t alone and that Brennan wasn’t the only one here.
The priestesses were all in attendance, each dressed in a dark hood and standing in a circle around the large stone altar. They were chanting incoherently and I couldn’t understand their words. But I understood the fierce tone of their voices and the absorbed expression on their faces. This couldn’t be good.
“What the hell?” I murmured quickly, turning to Hades as we emerged from the tree line. “What is going on here?”
“It’s hard to say,” he said quietly, his dark gaze frozen on the scene in front of us. “But we should probably break this little party up.”
“Agreed.”
We crept quietly into the clearing and Hades pushed two of the women apart without aplomb so that we could enter the circle. I glanced sideways at them as I passed by, but didn’t say a word. They were clearly annoyed with our interruption, but they didn’t speak aloud. I could see that they sensed who Hades was as a quiet pall fell over the circle.
“Dark lord,” Keelin bowed her head in deference. I could see, though, that she resented our presence.
“What is going on here?” I demanded, pushing through the circle. “Brennan, are you okay?”
I was finally able to see him after pushing through the women and he seemed to be fine. He was still bound since no one but Hades was able to break the restraints. At the look of surprise and then dismay on Brennan’s face, I realized that was exactly what they were trying to do.