The Promise of Hades (The Hades Trials #3) - Eliza Raine Page 0,71

Someone was lying on the floor, in the center of the chairs.

Joshua.

"Joshua?" I ran forward, dropping to my knees beside him, about to turn him onto his back when I froze. Blood. There was blood, pooling beneath him, reaching my knees. But if the blood was spreading now, this must have just happened.

I leaped to my feet, my fists raised, my muscles swelling.

"Where are you?" I roared at the unknown threat. "Show yourself!"

The air in front of me shimmered, and then there was a blinding white flash. My hands moved to cover my eyes instinctively, and I could feel the anger building inside me.

I was ready to fight.

I dropped my arms and blinked rapidly, clearing my eyes.

And gaped.

A man was standing the other side of Joshua. And he looked like no man I'd ever seen.

He was seven feet tall at least, and was wearing gleaming golden armor like a freaking Roman soldier. His face was covered by a massive shining helmet with a red plume, and his arms and legs were made of muscles, thick ropes of it wrapping around his limbs like Arnold fucking Schwarzenegger.

He reached out with his sandaled foot and poked at Joshua.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I yelled, darting toward him. "Why have you done this?"

The eyes in the helmet snapped to mine.

"You are more interested in challenging me than saving him? That confirms it. You are the right one," the man said, his voice deep and abrupt. His words took me aback, and I realized he was right. I needed to help Joshua.

I shoved my hand in my back pocket, pulling out my cellphone and fumbling to unlock it.

"Stay right there! I don't know why you've done this, but I'm calling the police!"

The man ignored me, flipping Joshua over with his foot, and there was an awful squelching noise. Blood soaked the front of his shirt.

"Is he dead?" Please, please, please don't let him be dead, I prayed, the backs of my eyes burning.

"Yes. He is dead."

I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me, my stomach flipping.

"No, no he can't be." I dropped to my knees again, feeling for a pulse in his neck.

There was nothing.

"His human body is dead. The police will think you did this," said the man simply.

"What?"

"You are here, alone with the body. And human police are fools."

"Human police? Who the fuck are you?"

I glared up at the armored giant, my head swimming, red seeping into my vision. This couldn't be happening.

"I am Ares, God of War."

"Ares? The fucking Greek god?"

"Yes. Stop saying fuck. It is unladylike."

"Unladylike?" I realized I was yelling as I got unsteadily to my feet. "Why did you kill him?"

"Stupid girl. I did not kill him. And only his human body is dead. His immortal body has been kidnapped, taken to Olympus."

I felt myself sway slightly, then a surge of adrenaline shot through my veins, steadying me.

"You need to start talking sense right fucking now," I hissed.

The huge man glared at me a few seconds, then sighed.

"I am Ares, the God of War. And you are Enyo, Goddess of War. I am here to kill you."

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Thanks for Reading!

Thank you so much for reading this take on Hades and Persephone’s story.

I’ve been obsessed with Greek mythology for as long as I can remember, and I can’t tell you how much I love sitting down every day to bring characters from that rich world of craziness to life. The moral message, the mutual sacrifice, the intense love between Hades and Persephone, that perfect balance of two such different beings, has always been right up there with my favorites of all the myths, and I have LOVED writing this story.

‘Love conquers all’ is the theme behind everything I write, and that comes in no small part from the love I get from my own husband. He’s my biggest fan, despite having never read anything I’ve written (he’s not a reader - I’ll get him to listen to the audiobooks one day). But he listens to me and supports me and helps me in all the other ways I need it and I am eternally grateful.

I am also in awe of how much help and support complete strangers have given me during my journey as a writer. Reena, I can’t believe you actually sent me the ring, from Greece, that inspired Persephone’s wedding ring!! (Picture on next page!) You make my books better and I’m so thankful for your help and support and friendship! Brittany, thank you for your sharp eye and experienced early opinions! Mum, thanks for proofreading everything I write, even if it’s a bit steamy. And for trying to keep the naughty books away from Grandad…

I will keep writing about all the incredible gods from the ancient Greek world until I run out, and I’m pretty sure that won’t happen. Next up is Ares, and I am very, very excited about it.

Hecate turned out way more fun than I had originally expected, so I have a follow on novel for her planned too.

Thank you again, fabulous reader, for making it possible for me to keep writing!!

Eliza xxx

The ring Reena sent me from Greece - Persephone’s wedding ring!!

You can get exclusive first looks at artwork and story ideas, plus free short stories and audiobooks if you sign up to my newsletter at elizaraine.com and you can hang out with me and get teasers, giveaways and release updates (and pictures of my pets) by joining my Facebook reader group here!