display danced colorfully behind the glass, magic making the objects move in order to entice customers. I drew in a deep breath and turned back to the library.
Mac and Eve helped me through the door, each supporting me with a shoulder under my arm. Every step was agony as we entered the hallowed halls of my gorgeous library. The gleaming tile floors echoed underfoot, and the domed ceiling soared overhead. Magical candles flared to life, illuminating the tall wooden shelves and millions of leather-bound volumes.
I breathed deeply of the paper and oak–scented air, letting it fill my lungs with the scent of home. I’d hardly spent any time here since my escape from Hades. No one else had been allowed in, either, just in case he planned to grab someone as leverage.
Now, I was headed right for his portal.
Right for him.
“Nearly there,” Mac said.
I nodded weakly, forcing one aching foot in front of the other. I’d never been in such pain in all my life, and I had Hades to thank for it. I’d resisted returning for as long as I could, but at this point, I’d honestly rather be dead. Slowly, we crossed the floor underneath the great dome, heading deeper into the stacks.
“I'm going to stash these bags in the ether,” Eve said. “The spell is connected to you, so you’ll be able to retrieve them anywhere.”
I looked at her, gratitude welling within me. She was the premier potion maker in Guild City, and she’d kitted me out with thousands of pounds’ worth of potions. Mac had contributed weapons, and my friend Carrow’s familiar—a raccoon named Cordelia—had found me the best snacks in Carrow’s cupboard. I could probably eat of the underworld now that I’d taken the pomegranate potion, but I couldn’t be too careful.
“I just wish you’d let me go with you,” Mac said.
“Hell, no. Not until I know it’s safe.” I shook my head hard, nearly going blind as pain exploded behind my eyes. “Bollocks, that hurts.”
Mac tightened her arm around my waist to keep me up. “You’ll feel right as rain in no time.”
“And ready to murder Hades,” I muttered, rage warming me from within. I was going to kill that bastard for doing this to me. Whatever semi-soft feelings I’d developed for him were long gone after what I’d been through.
We reached the stacks at the back of the library. A dark mist began to rise up from the ground, smelling of firelight and ash.
Hades.
“He knows we’re here.” I pulled away from my friends, nearly going to my knees. “You need to go.”
“Take this.” Eve thrust a tiny vial at me, then retreated from the mist. “Invisibility potion. It won’t last long, but it will give you time to get your bearings before he sees you.”
“Thank you.” Invisibility potions were exceedingly rare. I gulped it down, feeling the chill of the magic as it raced over my skin. Mac and Eve blinked at me, their gazes suddenly searching.
“It worked,” Eve said.
All around, the mist began to rise higher. Eve and Mac watched it warily, stepping backward as it curled toward them. Breathing too much of it would land them in a hell of a lot of trouble, as Mac had learned three weeks ago.
“Get out of here,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”
“Wish I’d hugged you,” Mac said.
“Same.”
She smiled.
“I’ll hug you when I get back,” I said. “Now go!”
The mist had reached my knees and continued to crawl toward them.
“Be safe,” Eve said.
“Of course.”
Mac and Eve gave me—or rather, the place where they’d last seen me—one last look, then turned and fled. I sucked in a deep breath and spun back to the mist. It rose quickly, prickling against my limbs. It should have felt horrible.
Instead, it felt like a caress.
I drew in a shuddery breath, hating what it could make me feel.
“I’m coming for you, you bastard.” I set my jaw and staggered farther into the mist. I only made it a few feet before going to my knees, the pain too much to bear. Rage flared in my chest.
He’d done this to me.
Hand over hand, I crawled toward the deepest part of the mist, a jet-black pool that must be the origin. The portal. He’d be here at any moment, and I didn’t want him setting foot in my precious library.
Tears of frustration and pain stung my eyes as my arms gave out. Every limb felt like it was being eaten by acid from the inside, and it seemed as if I were