Captured (Shadow Guild Hades & Persephone #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,12

it was still better than turning into a Popsicle, so I just nodded, trying to infuse the gesture with confidence. I will take care of this.

“Seraphia and I are fated to defeat Chronos. And we will,” Hades said.

All eyes flicked toward me, and I felt my cheeks burn. I could see curiosity in the eyes of some and blame in others.

They thought I was responsible for the ice that covered Guild City. For the ice that covered the world.

I was.

I had released Chronos. My attempts to save my friends had led to this. I’d do anything to save them.

Including sacrificing so many other lives?

The memories of the people standing frozen in their houses flashed in my mind. Guilt tore at me. I drew a ragged breath and looked at Hades, trying to focus on the moment. There was no point in going down that ethical rabbit hole.

“Seraphia and I will seek Chronos,” Hades said. “But your assistance in slowing the progression of his curse will be most helpful.”

He didn't tell them about the crown, I noticed.

Smart.

The spell seemed to lift from the crowd. Hades gazed at them expectantly, clearly waiting for someone to step forward and say something.

A dark-haired woman came forward. Her ebony tresses were done up in a high bouffant, and her long black dress plunged to reveal a showgirl amount of cleavage. The look was completed with a massive sweep of black eye makeup that gave Cordelia’s mask a run for its money.

I’d never met her, but I knew who she was. Mordaca, a famous Blood Sorceress from Magic’s Bend. Her voice rolled with low power when she spoke. “My calculations suggest that you have three days to defeat Chronos. Longer, if we can organize ourselves well enough to repel his dark magic.”

There was a brief silence before everyone began to talk at once. All around us, the voices of the crowd grew louder. A group of witches hurried past us, and the commotion made it hard to think.

Hades looked down at me. “Come, we will go.”

I looked out at my town, at the people who’d come from all over the world to help, then up at Hades. “All right. Where do we start?”

“This way.” He gripped my hand, and a shiver raced up my arm.

My gaze flashed to his, and I caught sight of the briefest hint of heat. Then he turned and pulled me away from the crowd, pushing through the hordes of people who continued to stream from the town.

He found a quiet, dark alley and pulled me inside. When he dropped my hand, I swore I could still feel the warmth of his touch. I clenched a fist.

“It’s quieter here,” Hades said. “We can make a plan.”

I nodded and drew a deep breath, mind racing. “I need to discover who bound my magic, but how?”

“The answer is in your past.”

“My parents, do you think?” Just the idea of them hurt. If I’d met them, I didn’t remember and had no idea who they were. Long ago, I’d buried any desire to know. It had been a survival instinct.

But now that I knew I was a goddess, the floodgates had been opened, I wanted to meet them like I wanted my next breath.

“Likely your parents, yes. Do you know where to start looking for them?”

“In Cyprus.” I frowned, my heart hurting at the thought. “But I hardly remember it. I have family there, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen them, and my grandmother said it was too dangerous to visit them. If only I could ask my grandmother, but she’s at Kamarina.”

Hades cursed low under his breath. “Poseidon guards that place now. We’ve expressed interest, so he’ll have put watchers on the temple. As soon as we arrive, he will know.”

“We have to risk it.”

Hades nodded, his eyes shadowed. “Yes.”

“Hey!” Mac’s voice sounded from the end of the alley. “What are you creepers doing back there?”

Tall and lean, she sauntered up to us. Eve accompanied her, her pale pink hair gleaming in the low light that filtered between the tall buildings on either side.

Their expressions were set and determined, and I had a feeling they weren’t going to lighten up until we’d defeated Chronos.

Join the club.

“We’re coming up with a plan,” I said.

“Good.” Eve nodded. “How can we help?”

“I’m not sure you can,” I said. “Besides some potion bombs, perhaps.” Although, I probably didn’t need them now. Last time I’d been there, I’d done just fine with my magic alone.

“Where are you