Broken: Hidden Book Two (28 page)

“You knew it would kill you, when I finished him,” I said quietly.

“Yes.”

I curled my hands into each other to keep myself from hitting him, remembering the way I’d mourned, the emptiness inside me that had just only now been filled, being in his presence again. There would be time later. I just shook my head.

“And what happened when you resurrected here?” Hades asked, trying to hurry things along before I lost my temper.

“I woke up. And I tried to get back to her, but I couldn’t get through the gateway. I tried, but the guards kept me back. I knew there were other demons getting through to her world, and I wanted to be there, with her, to keep her safe. To let her know I was alive,” he said to Hades, though his eyes were on me. “I drew too much attention to myself, and the gate guards called on the Furies. Alecto was the one that took me into custody. And when she realized what she had, she and the Guardians kept me locked away, figuring they could put me to use eventually.”

“And you were freed by one of the Guardians?”

“Eunomia,” Nain said, and I said a silent prayer to who knows what in thanks that E had not betrayed me. “She didn’t know. The Guardians knew Molly was her friend. I think they planned to try to use E eventually, too.”

I nodded, and so did Hades. “And the shifter?”

“Tossed in the cell with me. That was an interesting reunion,” Nain said, watching me. “And then I guess things started going bad for Hermes and his people here, and a few of the Guardians and Alecto came to us, started punishing Brennan. There was a huge fight, and then Alecto had to come here, and then E showed up and between the three of us we managed to overpower enough of them to get free. E took Brennan away, and I came here, because I could feel Molly.”

“You will return to your world and aid my daughter in any way she needs, demon,” Hades said. I could feel dislike from him. He knew what I’d been through. Who knew Hades would be a protective sort of dad?

Nain bowed to Hades, then glanced at me.

“Uh. So. You’re coming home with me?”

He nodded.

“Well. This is going to be interesting.”

He grinned. “Always.”

“Mollis, we need to leave. Now,” Hades said, and I nodded. We walked out of his office. The army of demons that had assisted us in the fight against Hermes lined the halls and they all bowed to Hades, briefly, then saluted me, fists to chests, and stood there that way. Hades studied them, and me.

“You are all free of your bonds to the Nether, should you swear allegiance to the Fury Mollis Eth-Hades in the mortal realm. Should you bind yourselves to her, you will serve her with your lives. Choose. Now.”

Not a single demon moved. They kept their fists over their hearts, their red glowing gazes on me.

“You’re sure?” I asked them. “Things are about to get bad.”

“We were made for bad, my Lady,” Elsoloth, said, and the rest of the demons, males and females, nodded.

“Oh,” Persephone said, and Hades, Nain, and I looked at her. “This was another part of the prophecy.”

“And she shall rally an army of the Nether,

And the heavens will bleed in her wake.” She said softly. A chill went down my spine.

“That is just fucking creepy,” I muttered.

“Agreed,” she said, raising her eyebrow at me.

“Let’s go,” Hades said again, and we left, my army (Jesus Christ…) flanking me as we walked out of Hades’ home.

“Why couldn’t I be part of Christian mythology?” I asked as we marched. “I could be surrounded by happy angels eating Philadelphia Cream Cheese on fluffy white clouds or some shit like that.”

Hades laughed, and I heard Nain snort behind me.

The streets of the Nether were mostly deserted. We marched toward the gateway, and as we approached it, I could see why.

“Damn,” Hades muttered beside me.

I looked. Several gods were coming toward us, from one of the other gateways.

“Run,” Hades shouted, and my army moved me along, toward the gate. A few beings blocked the gateway, and my demons cut them down like they were nothing, then they turned to watch me. I looked toward Hades. A group of gods had gathered around him and another. The other god had a flowing white beard, white hair. He was huge, and a golden lightening bolt adorned the front of his white robes. He was shouting, and pointing at me, as were several other gods. Nain’s hands on my shoulders held me back.

The conversation went on, getting more heated. Hades was saying several things that were pissing the other god off. As it went on, some gods went to stand behind Hades, some stayed behind Zeus. I looked at individual gods. That there, behind Zeus, had to be Ares, god of war. I’d killed his sister, and, by the way he was staring at me, he knew it. Yeah, he wouldn’t be joining Hades’ side in this fight. Athena, however, had stood with Hades and Persephone immediately, and, as I looked at her, she gave me a nod of acknowledgement and respect. Aphrodite, as well, had gone to Hades’ side, along with Asclepias, Artemis, Demeter, and Hestia. The Nosoi sided with Zeus, as did the remaining Guardians, Hera, Hephaestus, Apollo, and a few gods I couldn’t figure out.

The shouting got louder. Things were getting heated between the two groups of gods, and I heard my name several times.

And then Ares let out a wild shout, and struck at Hades, and Hades struck back, and Persephone stabbed Ares with a long blade that just seemed to appear from nowhere, and Zeus threw a lightening bolt toward the Nether’s group of allies.

“Time to go, Molls. Earth is going to need you,” Nain said behind me, and I nodded numbly. I glanced at my demons.

“Last chance. You’re sure?”

They all nodded. I faced the gateway, and started to walk though, with my army and my very alive demon mate at my back.

Chapter Nineteen

We walked through the gateway, the demons, Nain and I. When we came through, I saw that my entire imp army, as well as Shanti, Levitt, and several shifters from the Grosse Pointe pack, were there. They were all armed to the hilt, ready. Waiting.

There was nearly a bloodbath when they saw the demons come through, but I shouted, and everyone froze. “They’re with me,” I said. “They are allies.”

My Earth-bound allies eyed my Nether allies, and vice versa. Dahael and Bash stood right near the front of the group. Bash looked up at Nain, who was still beside me.

“Demon,” he said in greeting.

“Bash. Dahael,” Nain said, looking at my two imp captains. Bash just nodded. Dahael stared daggers at Nain, undoubtedly remembering everything she’d seen me go through after his death. She didn’t say anything, but her ears twitched in irritation. Had to love her.

“Okay. Things are about to get messy,” I began.

“Messy already, godslayer,” a creaky, crackly voice said from behind the group of very armed Earth allies. Everyone turned, and three women stood there. Dressed in flowing white robes. One looked ancient. One was a woman in the prime of her life. And another was a young woman, a maiden. They each wore an amulet around their neck.

“Fates,” I murmured, and my stomach turned.

They walked toward me, through the group that had parted. “Messy. Bad times. Your parents told you about the prophecy.”

I nodded.

“They didn’t tell you everything,” the maiden said.

“They are gods. That doesn’t surprise me.”

The three Fates laughed, their laughs ranging from a ringing tinkle to a cackle, but coming together harmoniously. “Smart girl,” the woman said.

“They said I can save this world,” I said. “How?”

The Fates stood a moment, so still they could have been statues. “By being you, mostly,” the maiden said.

“That doesn’t help a whole lot,” I said, trying to be polite.

“You have everything you need. Except the knowledge, which we can give you,” the ancient one said.

“Your home, this city, will be hit hardest by the war of the gods. Punishment for being the place you call home,” the woman said.

“And if I move? If I go where they can’t find me?”

“They will still punish this area, because your memory lives strong here. People here who love you. People here who pray your name in the long, cold night.”

I swallowed. What a goddamn mess. People were going to die, again, because of me and my stupid lineage. “What can I do?”

“First step is to keep the gods where they belong,” the ancient one said.

“Meaning?”

“Make it so they cannot cross into your realm, godslayer,” the maiden said.

I bristled. Already hated “godslayer” as much as I’d hated “abomination.”

“But….they need to be able to come here,” I said.

“Why?” all three asked at once.

“The Guardians have to escort the souls of the dead. And the Furies need to come here sometimes. And what about the Earth gods, like Poseidon and Cithaerus? What happens to them?”

“The earthly gods will simply become the elements they once ruled. Cithaeron will be nothing but a mountain. Poseidon is currently in the Aether, and he will remain trapped there,” the woman said.

“As for the rest. The Guardians are no longer of use. Compromised,” the ancient one said.

“Yes,” I said.

“Old days, ravens escorted the dead. They can do so again,” she continued. “The Furies have no reason to come here.”

“So, I can keep the gods away from this world. Can I go back to the Nether?”

They were silent, and their silence was all the answer I needed.

“But…my mother. My father…” I stared at them, and Nain took my hand.

“They survived eons without you,” the woman said.

“But I just found them,” I said quietly, knowing I sounded like a child, and, for once, not caring.

“We must all pay a price,” the ancient one said.

“And how much is she supposed to keep paying?” Nain said, finally losing his temper enough to break the calm facade he’d been showing. “She gives, over, and over, and over again, and it’s never enough with you people. Why does it always have to be her?”

“With great power–”

“if you say, ‘must come great responsibility’ I am going to scream,” I said.

The Fates stayed silent.

“So I won’t see my parents again. What else will it cost?” I tried to focus, Brennan's pain duller, but still present. I needed to get to him.

“There is no telling,” the maiden said. “It takes a great amount of power to close a realm off from the gods. Only the child of prophecy could do it.”

I felt the gate shaking, trembling. They were trying to come through. My parents were fighting, just beyond the gate. I looked that way.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye,” I said quietly.

“Goodbyes mean nothing to immortals,” the maiden said.

“It does to me,” I said. “Can you tell them I said thank you? As crazy as they are. I’m glad I had them.”

“We will convey your message, godslayer,” the ancient one said.

The gateway shook again, and everyone readied them selves for a fight.

“If they get through, your life is forfeit, and there is no protection for your city. Is this what you want?” the Fates asked.

“Fine!” I snarled. “What do I do?”

“Mortals. Leave. All of you,” the Fates said, and, after I nodded, everyone, Nain, demons, imps, and shifters alike, left. Shanti gave me a fearful look before Levitt took her arm and led her out.

“You are closing a doorway, a gateway. The demon taught you how to build a doorway in your mind, to protect it from those who would breach it, yes?” the woman said, and I nodded.

“Yes.”

“This is the same process, on a much, much larger scale. You are building an impenetrable threshold between here and the Nether and the Aether, one that can never be breached. You will put all of your considerable power behind it. Once it exists, it is forever.”

“It has been foretold,” all three Fates intoned, which was creepy as fuck.

I shook my head. “So, just think it? How does that make sense?”

“The gateways only exist for the gods. A strong enough god, one who was destined for this particular task, is the only one capable of keeping the gods in their own world. The time has come.”

“I won’t be the same when this is done,” I said softly.

“No,” they said after a pause. “But not even we can tell you how this will change you, Mollis Eth-Hades,” the maiden said.

“So…we won’t feel the effects of the war here, right? This saves them from that.”

They shook their heads. “Wrong. The world of the gods and your world are still tied together, even if the planes between them can no longer be crossed. Zeus’s anger will still cause storms, and the gods of Famine, Strife, and War’s influence will still be felt. Your world needs your gifts. This region will be hit hardest by the effects of the gods’ war, and there is no telling even to us, how long it will go on.”

“Is there any way to stop them?”

“No. This was destined.”

I wanted to scream. “So all this does…”

“Is keep you alive and keeps the gods out of your world, where they can cause even more harm than they can from their own realms. Now are you going to do it or not, girl?”

“Fine!” I shouted.

“Good. Focus. Give it everything you have. We will speak with your parents.” And with that, the three women disappeared, and I was alone.