Hades crossed his arms over his chest. “Really? You’re going to piss me off more? You think that’s a wise move to make?”
“Can’t seem to help myself.”
“You should try.”
“Why, when this is so much fun?”
Hades blasted him. “Aye, it is.”
Valynda gasped as Nibo was thrown back against the stone creature that held them prisoner. He hit the slab so hard, it was a wonder he hadn’t shattered his bones. Blood poured from his nose.
Furious over the god’s childish behavior, she glared at him. “That wasn’t necessary!”
“You willing to bleed for him?”
“If needs be. Aye. Are you?”
Hades’s eyes widened. Then he burst out laughing. “Have you any idea what I could do to you?”
Sadly, she did. And it would most likely hurt. However, it wasn’t in her nature to back down or be intimidated.
Even when it was stupid. “But you won’t. Last thing you need is me in your own little hell here, leading a rebellion against you, day after day. Year after year.”
“You’re threatening me?”
Valynda shrugged with a nonchalance she really didn’t feel. “Just explaining consequences.”
Coughing, Nibo let out a nervous laugh. “She’s not jesting. That’s me girl, Hades. Believe me, if anyone can lead a rebellion in hell, it’s her. You’d be wise to be afraid. The Bondye knows, I am.”
He paused to consider it. “I would call you both liars, but Persephone has educated me well on what a woman can do when she sets her mind to something. Truly, it’s terrifying. So you’re right. I know to be afraid. Sometimes the smallest mouse makes the loudest roar.”
Nibo pushed himself to his feet. “And I wasn’t breaching your domain. I came to negotiate. It was your daughter who told me I could leave here with Agrios.”
“Mel?” he growled. “I don’t believe you. And none of my Furies would ever do such a thing.”
“Makaria.”
Hades rolled his eyes. “Ah, bloody hell. Damn that heart of hers. I’m surprised she hasn’t set loose half the souls here for one reason or another.” He growled low in his throat. “I’ll talk to her later about this.” Narrowing his gaze at Agrios, it was obvious he didn’t want to honor his daughter’s word, and for a moment, Valynda was sure they’d have to battle their way out.
Finally, Hades nodded. “Fine. Take the worthless beast and go.”
Nibo inclined his head to him. “Thank you, my lord. And might I ask one more thing?”
Hades arched a dark, irritated brow.
“Makaria said that I’d have to return a soul to you within a month. As I’m not one of your usual messengers, is there someone in particular I should be seeking to fulfill your quota?”
Hades appeared impressed. “Well, at least she remembered that much. I’m surprised it stuck.” He passed a speculative look to Agrios, then Nibo. “But this one time, I’ll let that pass in lieu of a favor.”
Nibo felt his insides shrink with fear at those words. No one ever wanted to be beholden to a god. That never worked out well for anyone. “What kind of favor?”
“No idea. But when I come to you for it, you will remember, and you won’t deny me.”
Beautiful. That had all kinds of disaster upon it. Yet when Nibo passed a tender look to Valynda, his gut unknotted. Whatever price the god demanded, it would be worth it, and he would pay with a smile on his face. “I will remember.”
“Then take your worthless warrior and go.”
Hades dissolved all obstacles between them and the stone doorway.
