“How dare you.” His voice rumbled low, the growl of a predator. He stalked toward me, his face pale. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were aflame.
Anger fought with fear. “How dare I? Of course I dare! I can’t stay here.”
He gestured at the fleeing wolves. “They would have torn you limb from limb had I not come.”
“I was fine.”
“You were not.” He looked back toward the library, the door blackened with smoke. “You can’t escape without the key.”
“A key?”
I could have kicked myself. He hadn’t locked it behind him when we’d left the first time, and there were the damned night wolves as guardians, yet there was still a key.
He was nearly to me now. His tall form towered over me, and his wings flared golden and bright behind him. He’d forgotten he had them out, no question. He was too angry to remember, but I knew he hated them.
“You’re coming back with me.” He gripped my arms and pulled me to him.
His eyes blazed into mine as he swept me up into his arms. Memories of what we’d just done together slammed into me. My heart leapt into my throat, and my skin heated.
No.
I struggled, trying to break free, but he was too strong.
His wings disappeared, and Horse appeared in front of us.
In an impossibly graceful move, he launched himself into the saddle without letting go of me. His grip was iron tight as we rode back through the city, and the tension thrumming through his muscles was enough to turn him to cold, hard stone. I stayed stiff, trying to ignore his hold.
The wind tore at my hair, and my mind raced as we neared the castle.
I’m going back.
I couldn’t stand it. How could I possibly be going back?
I was supposed to escape.
And Mac . . .
How would I get the potion to her? I was running out of time.
I needed to find Beatrix. To give her the potion to take back to my friends.
Horse came to a quick stop in front of the castle, and Hades hauled me down after him and set me on the ground. The fortress loomed over us, a prison without bars.
Frustration beat its wings inside me, a violent cacophony of disappointment ringing through my head.
“I hate you,” I hissed up at him.
Hades ignored me as he started toward the castle. I didn’t follow. He turned back and arched an eyebrow. “So this is how it’s going to be?”
I crossed my arms and glared at him.
He strode back and swept me up into his arms, cradling me close to his chest. Despite the anger on his face and the tension in his body, his touch was gentle. His stride was not, however, and he charged up the stairs and into the fortress. Within minutes, we were in my bedroom.
He tossed me onto the couch, then stepped back, his chest heaving. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.
He was magnificent in his rage, and it made me hate him all the more.
“Why are you so angry?” I demanded. But I knew. After what we’d just shared . . . I’d run out. “You had to know I would try to escape.”
“I expected your betrayal.” His eyes turned dark. “Yet I let my guard down. I won’t be so foolish again. Not with the likes of you.”
The likes of me.
“And don’t ever do something so dangerous again. The city is far too deadly for you to be wandering alone.”
“You’re a bastard. My friend is dying!”
“Everyone dies.”
“I’ll never do what you want me to. Never.”
“Tomorrow, you’ll practice your magic as you vowed.” He strode to the door, turning back to look at me with hard eyes. “And your raven friend is gone.”
He left, the door slamming behind him. I stared, shocked.
Beatrix was gone.
Hades
I strode back to my chambers, my bones vibrating with rage and fear.
Fear.
It was the worst of all the emotions.
And I felt it for her.
The wolves had almost gotten her. They’d have torn her apart in seconds. I shuddered, running a hand through my hair.
This was too much.
After everything we’d done together, it was all too much to feel. I’d woken on the floor, half naked and still hard as a rock. The scent of her had been strong on the air, sending me right back to the moment she’d come apart in my arms.
Then I’d come to my senses.
She’d betrayed me.
I didn’t expect her loyalty. I knew what she was, and what I was to her. She would never trust