I feel my mums’ hand on my shoulder.
“Sweetheart we need to get this done.” Her desperation to have my dad back is all-consuming.
I want so much to see my family whole. Something that I thought would never happen.
“I know. I’m ready.”
The look she gives me tells me I have no idea what I’m getting myself into.
“Just a warning. I don’t know how strong your bond is, but you could feel some of his pain as your own. You cannot show it. Hades can’t know of your bond. Also, Alistair is almost as ancient as his father. There is much he can withstand and survive. His body may even heal wounds as soon as you cause them. The only way to kill him is decapitation or ripping out his heart. Anything less he will eventually recover from.” She says in a matter-of-fact tone.
I shudder at the thought of either of those things happening to him. But if this is going to be convincing, I’m going to be damn near close to doing it. My stomach suddenly feels queasy. I swallow the bile in my throat. Some deep breaths help it to pass. I think again of my dad and the pack. My fear is eclipsed by determination. I look to Alistair and see him leaning his head back with his eyes closed. His mouth is set in a hard line and his fists are clenched. He’s preparing himself for what is coming.
I go to him and hold out his phone. He opens his eyes at my approach.
“Unlock it.” My voice is strangely empty.
He holds his thumb to the bottom of the phone without a word. I watch him as he brings up a number from the contacts.
“Ready when you are.” His cockiness is back but the tightness in his tone betrays his unease.
I give the phone to my mum as I prepare myself. Extending my connection to the earth, I tighten Alistair’s’ bonds, pulling his arms back to an excruciating point. The branches around his legs and chest tighten also. His discomfort is obvious from the tensing of his jaw.
I look at my mum.
“Call him.”
She taps the screen then turns it to face me. I see myself standing in the frame of the phone and the beep-beep of the dialling tone is the only sound. The seconds seem like years but in a moment the call is answered and I’m looking at the coldest, most piercing silver eyes I’ve ever seen. His face is mostly in shadow. The dark room he must be in is making it hard to see him. I can barely make out the shape of his face. His eyes are pretty much all I can see and they terrify me. They widen in a split second of surprise before freezing over in calm enjoyment. Like he’s watching his favourite TV show. I force myself to keep eye contact as his gaze threatens to shatter all of my resolve. He’s silent. Daring me to speak first.
“My name is Krista Lambros and I want to make a deal.” My voice miraculously holds steady.
His eyes study me. His teeth shine out in the darkness in a mocking smile. Like a monster lurking in the dark. Just eyes and teeth. That’s all I can see of him. Of Hades. The devil himself. When he speaks it’s soft and honeyed, like a malicious lullaby.
“And what deal would that be Nymph? How did you come by my sons’ phone?”
I smirk. “By acquisition.”
My mum angles the phone to Alistair. I move next to him in the frame and swiftly raise one hand into the air. Shards of razor-sharp rock hover in the air pointing directly at Alistair.
Hades’s white teeth disappear but his eyes smile still. “My son.” He says calmly. “You seem to be out powered?”
Alistair’s voice is tight. “Undeniably so.”
Hades laughs. It sends chills down my spine. I step in front and his attention turns to me.
“I will let Alistair live on the condition that you let my father and his pack go free.” I challenge.
This time his laugh is a roar. Unconvinced and mocking.
“Not a chance. Alistair end this foolish game.”
Before Alistair can respond, I send the shards of rock shooting though the short empty space. They go straight through him and cleanly out the other side painted crimson. One goes through his neck. The rest through his torso. One only just misses his heart. He clenches his teeth in pain. His groan vibrates in my ears. In a moment the wounds knit back together and Hades's expression is no less amused.
How can that not have affected him?!
“So, you can throw a few pebbles my dear. You are no murderer.” He chuckles.
“You have no idea.” I respond hollowly.
