“What the fuck happened?” Hades’ voice was powerful and authoritative, just the way he liked it. He lowered his hands as the soothing darkness enfolded him. Mordecai didn’t answer, but then again, he knew the warrior had to be feeling the effects of whatever that light was. The serpent also didn’t enjoy traveling through the portals, so he’d feel even more uncomfortable than Hades was. At least that gave him some pleasure.
They stepped out into his chamber, and Hades strode to his chair and threw himself down onto it. He would never admit to anyone that his knees were weak and he was sick to his stomach. There was something about that light that was dangerous to him. “Well?” he raised an imperious brow.
Mordecai shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I think that was the curse being broken.”
“But time hadn’t run out.” They’d still had several hours, time he’d planned to use watching both the woman and the lion die before dragging their souls to his domain. He’d been cheated. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair as he pondered this new development.
The warrior went to the long sideboard filled with food and drink and poured a goblet of wine. He walked to the throne and handed it to Hades. “I think the clock might have had some help.”
“The Lady?”
Mordecai nodded. “The light that struck felt very familiar. It’s possible the Lady was able to make time seem as though it was passing slowly when really it was moving faster.” He paused. “Much like when Luna used your power to catch Araminta in that waking dream.”
“Hmm.” Hades sipped the wine and contemplated Mordecai’s explanation. “So the Lady is not as weak as she seemed.”
“Not then, but it takes an enormous amount of energy to manipulate time. That’s if she was indeed responsible for what happened.”
Mordecai strode to the wall and leaned against it, losing himself in the shadows. Hades didn’t care where the warrior stood as long as he knew where Mordecai was. He didn’t trust the warrior. Of course, he didn’t trust anyone so it was a moot point.
He turned and stared into the mirror. It was dark. “Show me the Lady.” A vision of a dark meadow slowly came into focus. The goddess was lying in the dirt, naked and obviously exhausted. There was no way for him to know if she’d had a hand in this latest debacle or not. Either way, she was now powerless.
“Show me the warrior and the girl,” Hades commanded. A pinprick of light appeared in the center of the mirror, expanding slowly outward. The warrior was lying on the ground with the girl lying half on top of him. Neither was moving. He couldn’t tell if they were dead. All he knew was he didn’t have their souls. Would never have them now.
“Damn the Lady.” He flung the goblet toward the mirror, not wanting to see the image any longer. He realized what he’d done just as the goblet struck the glass. He flung out a surge of power, calling the wineglass back. If the mirror broke he would be blind to the world outside his realm. But there was no need. Mordecai’s hand hit the object and knocked it aside. Once again, the serpent had proven his worth.
“So there is only one warrior remaining.” Hades continued as though nothing had happened and he hadn’t almost destroyed his only link to the earthly plane.
“Arand.”
“The wolf.” Hades rubbed his hands together. “We know who the woman is. All we need to do is bring them together so she can set him free.”
“We need a new plan. The old one isn’t working.” Mordecai resumed his position leaning against the wall.
Hades thought about sending a bolt of lightning at the warrior and disintegrating him, but as much fun as it would be to watch the warrior burn, he needed him if his plan was going to succeed. Of course, he could do it without the warrior, but it was so much easier to have others do his fighting for him.
The warrior also wasn’t lying. Inserting demons into the lives of the women who freed the Lady’s guardians hadn’t worked. Neither had offering them deals. Maybe an all-out attack was in order. That’s the way he’d done it in the early days. He’d gotten Mordecai but lost Stavros and Phoenix. A dead warrior was no good to him. But his latest approach had allowed the last three to escape. Two of them were free. He muttered a curse, hating to admit he’d lost to Roric and Marko.
At least Leander was out of the picture. He was seriously injured but could recover given time. Hades knew the warrior would soon be dead. Hades had seen how the warrior looked at Araminta and knew the lion would use his life force to try to save her. Other than beheading, the only way for one of the warriors to lose his life was if he willingly gave up his life force to another. Personally, Hades didn’t understand why the warrior would do this for another. It didn’t matter if Araminta lived. She was human and of no consequence. He might not get the warrior’s soul, but the lion wouldn’t be offering any interference in the future.
“Maybe you’re right,” he conceded. “What do you suggest?” He would listen to what Mordecai had to say and then make his decision.
In the shadows, Mordecai smiled, and there was such evil intent in it that a shiver raced down Hades spine.
“Here’s what I think we should do.”
The Lady shivered, chilled all the way to her soul. It was strange for her to be cold. In all the years of her existence the temperature had never affected her.
“Lady.” The soft voice was followed by a gentle touch.
“John?”
“Yes.” A blanket was wrapped around her. “What have you done to yourself?”
What had she done? For a moment, all was blank. Then it returned in a rush. She’d shifted time. Only a few hours, but it had taken an enormous amount of energy, of power. Time was not under her jurisdiction, and her actions would definitely cause ripples in other planes of existence.
“Come. You must not stay here.” John lifted her until she was standing. She was so weak she leaned against him. “I’ll carry you.” He started to lift her, but she stopped him.
“I can manage.”
He was disgruntled but allowed her to walk, keeping his arm around her waist and lending her his strength. “What can I do to help you?”
Love flooded through her, pure and clear as a mountain stream. “You’ve already done more than enough. I just need to rest and recharge.” Again.
There was still another warrior waiting to be set free.
She wished she knew what was happening with Leander. She’d done all she could for him and his woman. The rest was up to him. She glanced up at the sky and sent what little power that remained inside her spiraling off in his direction.
When she swayed, John ignored her weak protests and lifted her into his arms. And she allowed it, having spent all her reserves.
“I have camp set up. You’ll rest and eat.”
She nodded, was too tired to speak any longer. The fight was not over and would get worse before it got better.
She prayed for Roric and Marko and the women who were now a part of them. She prayed for Stavros and Phoenix, fallen warriors lost in the battle. She prayed for Arand, still trapped and waiting. She prayed that Leander might yet live. His soul had not yet passed over, not wanting to leave the woman behind.
And she prayed for Mordecai and the dark path he’d taken.
Araminta awoke to a chill that gripped her bones and made her shiver uncontrollably. Why was she so cold? An uneasy feeling filled her and she wondered what had woken her. Something warm rubbed against her face and then butted against her nose. The action was followed by a grumbling purr. Percy.