Captured (Shadow Guild Hades & Persephone #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,25

bricks climbing over each other to form buildings.

“It’s amazing,” I said.

“Indeed.” Hades strode down the stairs from the cauldron, and I followed.

By the time I reached the ground, the city had returned to normal. I spun in a circle, taking in the entire thing. It was surreal to stand in an ancient Greek village. “Which way do we go?”

“I do not know.”

I nodded, unsurprised. We were here to find my mother. Therefore, this would be up to me.

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, focusing on my surroundings. As I did, knowledge seemed to flow into my veins, an awareness of this place that had to be wholly magical, a gift from my mother to me. It was almost as if I could feel the layout in my mind.

“We’re looking for her temple,” I murmured. “I think it’s to the north.”

Hades was silent as I opened my eyes, but the way he looked at me made me feel powerful. The respect in his gaze warmed me from the inside, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

A corresponding one pulled at his lips, just briefly. He seemed to realize it and snuffed it, and I turned away.

A road to the north called to me. It led deeper into the city, and I approached it.

As I stepped onto the avenue that led between the ancient stone buildings, plants began to creep from the side streets, blocking our passage. There had to be millions of them—vines, bushes, trees, and flowers. The massive array of plant life formed an impenetrable wall that was many meters deep.

“Do we not go this way?” Hades asked.

“No, we do.” I frowned at the plants. “It’s a test.”

“That will be no problem for you, then.”

I frowned at it. “No, I don’t think this will be like normal, where I just have to tear them away.” That was too easy, and not the point of being Persephone. She wasn’t a goddess of destruction. “I think I have to clear them out without hurting them.”

It would be difficult, however. There was such a variety, with tiny, delicate flowers twined around massive, sturdy tree limbs.

Difficult didn't mean impossible, though, and I was determined to stretch my muscles and prove myself.

I closed my eyes and raised my hands, laying them on the masses of foliage in front of me. It filled the entire city street, dozens of meters thick. There had to be thousands of pounds of plant life here.

No matter. I could handle it.

Quickly, I began to feed my magic into the wall of plants, getting a feel for what was there. I made a map in my mind, finding the most delicate plants and focusing on them first.

Sweat dripped down my back as I worked, the strain making my muscles ache.

As I made the plants retreat, I wished that I had access to all my power. It would make this so much easier.

“You're doing it,” Hades murmured.

I could feel the road clearing, the different plants creeping back to clear our way.

“Seraphia.” Hades’ voice echoed with concern. “There are snakes watching you. Step back so I can kill them.”

My eyes flared open and I looked down, feeling the gazes of the animals. Brilliant green snakes had slithered from the masses of foliage to sit at my feet, gazing up at me with glittering eyes.

My heart leapt into my throat, fear making my heart pound.

“Step back,” Hades said.

“No.” Instinct drove me. “I don’t feel danger coming from them. They’re fine.”

I could feel Hades’ frown. “Then why are they sitting there?”

“I don’t know. But they’re fine.” Even though my heart thundered with nerves, I believed it. And I was almost there. The road was almost clear.

Then it was. In front of us, a narrow path stretched down the street, bordered on either side by an impenetrable wall of plant life. The snakes moved to the side, allowing us to advance.

“Come on.” I started down the path, hurrying to find my mother’s temple.

A building loomed at the end of the road. Excitement thrummed within me, and I broke into a run. A massive wooden door blocked me from the inside of the temple, but as I neared it, the door swung open.

Hades gripped my arm and pulled me to a stop.

I whirled on him. “Let go!”

“Be careful.” His voice was low and powerful. “You don’t know what’s in there.”

“My mother. And I want to see her.”

His jaw tightened. “Just be careful. Not everything is always as it seems.”

He