but within my allotted two minutes, I’d completed everything I’d set out to do.
Then something changed in the wind. An added chill. A spark of danger.
I’d never felt anything like it.
Except when Hades had haunted me.
“Persephone?” Hades’ voice cut over the wind.
Somehow, in the space of a heartbeat, he became the safe spot in the storm. “Coming!”
I turned to run toward him, but lightning struck, a bolt so huge and bright that I went nearly blind. Vision blurred and a sharp crack sounded. Not quite thunder.
Like rock, breaking in two.
10
Hades
Lightning cut through the air, illuminating the mountain around me. It struck the rock outcropping where Persephone had gone, sending fear rocketing through me.
I launched myself toward her. “Persephone!”
As I spotted her, another bolt struck, right in the same place, plowing into the boulder behind her.
Rock split, the unnatural force of the bolt slicing it in two.
I lunged for her. Grabbing her around the waist, I spun her toward safety. Quickly, I shoved her up against the rock outcropping, shielding her.
Behind us, the boulder crashed to the ground, right where she’d been standing.
Fear iced my skin, a sensation that I wasn’t sure I’d ever felt.
She looked up at me, eyes wide and terrified.
“Don’t do that again.”
She scowled, the fear fading from her eyes. “Do what? Exist?”
A low growl sounded in my throat. “You know what I mean.”
“I actually don’t.” She shoved at my chest, her hands small and warm. I could feel the burn through my cloak, and I wanted to lean into it, to have more of her.
“Don’t ever put yourself in danger like that.”
“You’re being ridiculous.” She shook her head. “And I don’t know why you care.”
“I don’t.” I forced myself to believe the words. “Not about you. But I need you. You are the pawn that I need to win this game.”
Of course that was why I cared.
She shoved harder against my chest, and I backed up, releasing her from the cage of my arms. She slipped away, moving swiftly to the open area behind me, then stopped dead at the sight of the huge boulder that had tumbled to the ground right where she’d been standing.
Unease rippled across my nerve endings, and I spun in a circle, searching our surroundings for further threats.
Could it be . . .?
Yet I saw nothing. No one.
I returned to her side. “As I said, don’t put yourself in danger like that.”
“Whatever.” She strode away, back toward Horse.
The beast stood patiently, waiting for us. Unease flickered in its eyes. I searched our surroundings, my senses alert. Prickling.
There was danger nearby.
Persephone stopped next to my mount, staring at it with trepidation. It was large for a horse, but exceptionally well trained. She needn’t be worried.
No need to tell her that, though. Best she be wary and on guard.
“What’s his name?” she asked.
“Horse.”
“Horse? Just . . . horse?” She looked between the beast and me. “Is he new or something?”
I frowned. “New?”
“Yeah. Like, did you just get him and haven’t had a chance to name him yet?”
“He’s been with me always.”
“Huh.” She frowned. “So he’s been around your whole life, and you’ve only ever called him Horse.”
“I fail to see what is interesting about that.”
“Oh, nothing.” She shook her head. “Just getting to know my jailer. You really are a machine.”
“I am. And a monster. Don’t forget.” The word monster had lodged itself inside me, strange and uncomfortable. Machine joined it.
I shook my head, driving away the thoughts. They were ridiculous. I’d never cared before, and there was no reason to care now.
“Come, we must keep moving.” I stepped toward her.
She stared at me, her arms crossed. She was far too small to get onto Horse without assistance and she knew it, but she wasn’t going to ask.
No matter.
I gripped her waist, my hands burning at the heat of her. Quickly, I swung her onto the mount, then climbed up after her, settling into the saddle behind her.
As before, she strained to keep from touching me.
Smart.
My chill would suck the life from her. The warmth.
And yet, I wanted her touch.
I shook the thought away and nudged Horse forward. He began to move, heading toward the path once more. It was steeper here, the land rising at a sharp angle.
In front of me, Persephone stiffened, trying harder to keep from sliding back. The scant sliver of space between us sparked with tension, my mind riveting to it.
Riveting to the moment in the library.
I drew in a steady breath, attempting to banish the thoughts.