Captured (Shadow Guild Hades & Persephone #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,51

moments later, as if they’d been able to tell that I’d finished, Zeus and Poseidon stepped through the portal.

“Was it frozen?” Zeus asked.

“Yes.” I pointed to the line of ice in the distance. “I thawed it that far.”

Zeus’ eyebrows rose. “Impressive.”

I nodded, then turned in a circle to take in the quiet island. In the distance, I could see the bright glimmer of ice, but everything here appeared normal. I prayed my aunt and uncle were safe. Even if they weren’t, we were going to fix this.

“We’re close,” I said.

“Where are we going?” Poseidon asked.

“To the same spot that I opened before. I could have tried to open a passage on the mountain, but I figure my odds are better here.”

“Lead the way.” Zeus gestured. He’d magically conjured appropriate clothing and now wore armor similar to Poseidon’s.

I climbed the hill toward the field where I’d released Chronos. It was partially dead, and I hoped that wouldn’t be a problem. When I reached roughly the same spot I’d been in, I knelt and plunged my hand into the earth.

I drew a deep breath and felt the life thrum beneath my palm. It vibrated wildly, my senses heightened now that I had united my magic inside me.

In fact, everything felt different. Easier.

I directed my magic downward, drawing power from the roots below. The tattoo on my arm glowed as I worked. Things had changed since the last time I’d been here, but I was certain I could recreate the passage to Tartarus. I put my other hand to the ground and fed the magic through my palm, creating a crack.

Zeus and Poseidon stepped back.

I kept working, using the life in the surrounding trees and plants to force a fissure in the earth. As I worked, my breath grew short and my muscles ached. It was hard work, but I was making progress.

Unlike last time, I didn’t feel the call of the darkness. I’d banished it completely, and gratitude welled within me.

“Almost there,” I muttered, feeling a little faint.

Power vibrated through my body, and I kept going, forcing the crevasse deeper.

Finally, it hit the portal that led to Tartarus. I could feel the darkness welling up, and I yanked my hand back. I looked at Zeus and Poseidon. “I found the entrance.”

“Then let’s go.” Zeus stepped toward the dark ravine.

I stood and looked down, my stomach turning at the idea of jumping into that dark hole. “Are you sure about this portal thing?” I swore I’d felt it, but now that the black pit was staring me in the face… “We’re not going to smash into the ground below?”

Zeus nodded. “Sure as I’ll ever be.”

“All right, then.”

“Come on.” He grinned, then stepped off the edge of the crevasse, dropping like a stone.

Poseidon shrugged and followed, disappearing in a split second.

Shit.

I was alone, standing at the edge of the heart of darkness. Fear made my heart race.

Hades is down there.

Memories of him being tortured flashed in my mind, and I stepped into the nothingness.

Wind tore at me as I plummeted, and my stomach leapt into my throat. I bit back a scream as I plunged toward Tartarus. When the portal sucked me in, it was a relief. The ether spun me through space, spitting me out into a dark, hot cave.

I staggered, my eyes adjusting. Poseidon and Zeus stood in middle of an enormous dark tunnel. The stone walls were uneven and jagged, lit only by the glow of tiny lights that danced near the surface.

Zeus raised a finger to his lips to indicate the need for quiet, and I nodded.

Poseidon joined me and leaned down, speaking low against my ear. “Do you know where he is?”

I shook my head.

“This place is enormous,” he said. “So if you can get a feel for his location, try.”

I nodded, closing my eyes. I knew little of Tartarus except what I’d read in the books before the collection had been frozen. It wasn’t all torturous hell because all the Titans hadn’t been totally evil. There were parts of it that were supposed to be just fine.

But Hades wasn’t in those parts. He was being tortured in one of the bad bits, so we would head in that direction.

I drew in an unsteady breath and reached out with my magic, seeking our connection.

He was the other half of me. I’d felt it. Of course I could find him.

It happened in an instant, the bond solidifying until I felt it tug at my middle. I opened my eyes and