door, and he looked toward it, seeming almost reluctant to draw his gaze from me. “Enter.”
A maid pushed open the door and walked in, carrying a heavy tray. Silence filled the room as she approached the table and set a plate in front of me, along with a glass of wine. She put nothing in front of Hades, then turned and left. He never so much as looked at her.
I stared between my plate and the empty spot in front of Hades. “You aren’t eating?”
“No.”
“Do you eat?”
“Yes.”
“But not in front of me.” It was just too odd. Like he wouldn’t lower his guard even that much. Wouldn’t show anything human.
So much for getting him drunk.
“Eat, or you will grow weak.”
“Hell no.”
Something flashed in his gaze. “You fear being trapped here.”
“Of course I do.” I looked at the plate. “That’s what this dinner is about? Ensuring that I eat so I can never leave?”
“You need to eat.”
“Oh, don’t think you can avoid the question. That was an answer in itself.”
“Don’t eat, then.” He leaned back in the chair. “You’ll eventually starve, but if I’m quick, I can use you and be done with you before that happens.”
“Ugh.” I sat back. “You are a monster.”
“Remember that.”
This was going nowhere. Fighting would get me nowhere.
Even if I was willing to waste away here—which I wasn’t—I owed it to Mac to return with a cure.
I crossed my arms and leaned back. “You need my help.”
“I need you. Not your help.”
“Semantics.” I shrugged. “You’ve stalked me for years, hunting me. Which means you need me for something. You’re desperate for me.”
At the words, something flickered in his eyes. It was gone so soon I could have imagined it.
I seemed to always be imagining things with him.
I leaned forward. “Whatever your end goal is, I guarantee it’s going to be easier if I’m willing.”
“Unless it’s your death I require.”
Okay, that would be bad. “Unless? You don’t know if you need me dead? That seems like kind of a big deal.”
“The stars slowly reveal the path I must take. In two nights’ time, at the Temple of Shadows, the next phase will be revealed. Perhaps they will reveal that it is your death I require.”
He spoke of my death like a transaction. It sent a chill down my spine. “Do I need to go to this Temple of Shadows?”
“You do.” He tilted his head, studying me. “Are you attempting to bargain for something?”
He was so quick to read my motives. “Yeah. And it’d be easier for you if I go willingly.”
“I can make you.”
I remembered the way he’d forced me to follow him when we’d first arrived. The way he’d forced me to leave this room earlier today. Anger bubbled up inside me, fueled by helplessness. “No, you can’t.”
His brows rose. “Really?”
“Really.” I surged to my feet and stepped back slowly, rage hot in my blood. It was probably stupid of me. I probably couldn’t resist him. But damn it, I was going to try.
I might not have control of my magic, but I wasn’t going to let him control me.
“Stop me.” I stepped back again. “Just try.”
Battle lit his eyes, the first emotion I’d seen there, and he rose slowly to his feet. His magic surged, the scent of firelight filling the air. I braced myself, feeling it reach out to me.
When it gripped my legs, I fought back, calling upon every ounce of magic inside me. Instinct propelled me, rage at my circumstance and fear for Mac fueling the fire.
“You can’t fight me.” His voice was a soft, low rumble that lit my soul. “You can’t fight yourself.”
My gaze flashed up to his. “Myself?”
“There is darkness within you. I can feel it.” The intensity of his gaze burned into me. “You can feel it.”
“Don’t tell me what I feel.” Anger surged through me, followed swiftly by terror.
He couldn’t be right about me. I wouldn't let him.
The anger gave me the strength I needed to break his hold. I forced away the shackles of his magic, tearing my feet off the ground and stepping backward to the door.
“You can’t make me go with you to the Temple of Shadows.” I stretched my arms out, and surprise flickered in his eyes, gone in an instant. “See? Your power has no hold on me.”
“My strength does.” He was in front of me in a flash, looming over me. His brilliant blue eyes burned into mine.
Suddenly, he was all tightly leashed passion, no longer the ice god but one