“I just want to protect the people of the Underworld!” Prue shouted. “Why are you standing in the way of that?”
“We only want to be free,” Hyperion said. “Why areyoustanding in the way of that?”
“What does your freedom entail? Do you intend to slaughter the gods and goddesses who defied you? To slaughter their innocent children? Do you intend to honor and respect the souls of the Underworld? If you do, I’ll gladly step aside and let you roam the realm as you wish.”
She waited, but Hyperion only smirked at her. The other Titans snickered again.
“Such a naïve little girl,” Atlas sneered from the sofa. “Should we tell her, Hyperion?”
“Tell me what?” Prue demanded. Her pulse quickened. She didn’t like the looks of smug satisfaction that passed between the Titans.
“Aidoneus and his precious sons wanted to usedemonsto fuel the rivers of souls. Did you know that?”
Prue’s stomach twisted with dread. A sour taste filled her mouth.
“The rivers are alive. Aidoneus needed to fuel the rivers fromsomewhere.So, he sought to use the population of demons—to drain their souls and draw power for the rivers.”
Oh god.Prue was going to be sick. Hyperion drew closer until she was backed against a wall. Still, he leered over her, revealing his fangs.
“Aidoneus didn’t want to sacrifice any of the death gods to power the rivers,” Hyperion hissed. “No, they were far too valuable for that. Instead, he sought a source that was dispensable. A source no one would miss.”
Prue shook her head, her eyes squeezing shut. “No.”
“These are the people you are standing by,” Hyperionspat. “They are monsters. More monstrous than we are. Wake up and face the truth, girl.”
Magic churned in the air, and Hyperion’s brow furrowed. He sniffed, as if trying to scent out whatever power was circling the cottage.
Prue’s heart lurched as she realized Mona must have cast the spell. With a sharp gasp, Prue shoved at Hyperion’s shoulders, but he didn’t even budge. “You’relying!” she screamed.
Hyperion bared his teeth, looking every bit the predator he was. “I am not.”
“You said Aidoneuswantedto use demons to fuel the rivers,” Prue said, her voice rising with her fury. “But he didn’t, did he?”
Hyperion went perfectly still.
“I know for a fact that the rivers are fueled by the death gods themselves,” Prue said, her voice gaining volume. “Because when Cyrus was called to the mortal realm, his river dried up from being disconnected from its source.”
Hyperion’s nostrils flared, and a muscle twitched in his jaw. He was caught in his lie, and he knew it.
Prue jabbed a finger straight into Hyperion’s chest. “Youarea liar. So don’t try to turn me against them, you sick bastard. You’re a brute, and I refuse to be intimidated.”
Rage contorted Hyperion’s features, and he slammed his forearm into her throat, pinning her to the wall and making her cry out. “Is that why you came downstairs? To fling accusations at me? Bold of you, considering your life is in myhands.”
Prue’s throat burned, but she managed to choke out, “You… can’t… kill me.”
Hyperion’s nostrils flared. “Maybe not. But I can suck that soul of yours dry. Leave Cyrus with nothing but an empty husk for a wife. How will it feel to return to your home as a withering wisp of a human? You think your doting husband will still love you?”
Prue gritted her teeth, clawing at Hyperion’s arm as her lungs strained for air. Sharp pain lanced through her throat. She tried to inhale, but nothing came in. Black spots danced in her vision.
She managed to jerk one of her knees upward, ramming it between Hyperion’s legs. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough for her to shove his arm off her. She ducked, her vision foggy, and crashed into a side table. A vase shattered, littering the floor with tiny shards.
The other Titans were on their feet in an instant, eyes blazing.
But then, Prue felt it. Heat and energy coursed through the air, filling her with vibrance and clarity. She straightened and inhaled deeply. Magic crackled in her veins, alive and ready to do her bidding.
It had worked. The wards were down.
Goddess, it was a relief, to feel her power flowing through her once more. All she wanted to do was choke the life out of each of these Titans.
