Chapter Eleven:

"When are you taking me back to the Underworld?"

Poseidon glanced up from his coffee as I stormed into the dining room. "Good morning to you, too."

"Don't play coy with me. Whatever your diabolical plan is, Hades will figure it out. It's up to you if you'd rather me tell him to kill you on the spot, or wait to hear your explanation."

His lips twitched. "I was under the impression that you never wanted to return."

"Oh, so it's better being your prisoner?"

"You're not my prisoner, Emma. I thought I've made that abundantly clear."

"Political captive, then. I'm here to prove a point, right?"

He leaned back in his chair, intrigued. "And what point would that be?"

"That you can take what belongs to Hades anytime you goddamn please."

"Maybe I just enjoy your company."

"Bullshit."

"Sit, please," he said, gesturing to the chair next to him, and I hesitated a moment before joining him, eyeing him warily.

He gathered his dreads into a low ponytail, unfolding his newspaper. "Have I treated you like a prisoner since you arrived last night? I put you in the most spacious suite I have, ordered you a hot bubble bath, and gave you unfettered access to my minibar."

I flinched, buttering a piece of toast. "You wanted to join me in that stupid bathtub."

He smirked. "Can you blame a guy for trying?"

"Yes, I can, because it was frustrating. Why are you trying so hard to seduce me, anyway? I can't be your type."

"I have a type?"

"Of course you do. She's probably athletic, snarky and completely full of herself, based on what I've learned about you."

He laughed, spearing some fruit on the end of his fork. "I've been wondering how Hades managed to break through your tough outer shell, since it's obvious that his fire and humor doesn't come close to your own."

I shrugged, nonplussed. "He was incredibly aloof but also didn't try to sleep with me every chance he got."

"His loss."

"Okay," I said, carefully laying my knife across my plate so I couldn't do something drastic with it, like stab his eyes out. "Other people say things like that and it sounds sweet. You say it, and it's creepy and self-gratifying. Do you want to know the real reason why I keep coming back to the Underworld, month after month? Not because I'm contractually obligated to - because you know I could talk my way out of Hell - but because he tries to make me a better person. He protects me and in return, I work with him."

Until recently, that backstabbing bastard.

"Don't you mean for him?"

"No. I can leave whenever I want, as long as I return when he calls me back - oh."

Well, shit.

Poseidon smiled at me pityingly. "You're not free, Emma, even if you think you are. Hades keeps you on a short leash for his benefit, not yours. If the rumor I heard is to be believed, you can no longer see or help the spirits of the dead, so why does he keep you around? Sooner or later, he'll toss you to the side."

"For my sparkling wit, of course," I bit back, trying not to let his words get to me. It'd been a week since the souls disappeared and in that time, I'd been distracted by Persephone's gardens and trying to avoid Hades, who likewise hadn't been interested in a face-to-face interaction, until last night at the party, but that didn't mean he wanted to get rid of me.

"EMMA!"

"BOOM!"

The doors of the dining room smashed to bits and I jumped to my feet as Hades barreled his way in, wild eyes scanning the room until they found me, cowering behind my chair.

Poseidon, for his part, looked vaguely bored as he poured himself another cup of coffee. "Hades. How nice to see you again. Come on in, and by all means, destroy my home."

"Release her."

"Oh, she's free to leave, if she wants to."

Hades stepped into the room and stopped again, hesitant. "What games are you playing, brother? You stole her from me, and now you'd let her go, just like that?"

Poseidon shrugged, popping a grape into his mouth. "I've said everything I wanted to, and after our little chat, I wouldn't say 'no' if she chose to stay here with me forever. But I'll grant her the choice to do what she wants, unlike you."

"What did you say to her?" His voice, like gravel in a dryer, bounced around the room and I flinched again, grateful that I wasn't at the end of his unchecked anger.

"The truth."

"Enough." I pushed the chair aside, slipping my hand in Hades' as Poseidon watched the interaction, lips pursed. "Please take me back to Portland. And if you," I said to Poseidon, who lifted an eyebrow in challenge, "ever kidnap me again, I'll make you wish you were dead."

He inclined his head to me. "I await your pleasure."

"Let's go." Hades pulled me close, tucking my head under his chin as the world spun.

***

"I said Portland, Hades!" I stomped my foot angrily against the floor as he moved around my room, throwing a ball of flame at the fireplace, which crackled and popped to life.

"I heard you the first two times, but it's not happening."

"Why are you being so frustrating? I don't want to be here!"

He whirled on me, eyes tense. "After you abandoned the party, I came up here to apologize, and when I couldn't find you anywhere, I tore the castle apart looking. I went to Portland, thinking maybe you'd run into Hermes and convinced him to take you back early, but your apartment was empty, too. It drove me insane, Emma. I ran through a thousand scenarios in my head, including death at the hands of a goddamned Fury. Don't push me right now."

"Do you understand why I left the party in the first place?"

"No, I don't. Care to elaborate?"

This was the angriest I'd ever seen him. I thought that it might've been a close call in the past, but those moments couldn't hold a candle to Hades now, glaring back at me, pain and deep frustration evident.

His nostrils flared as I stared him down.

"You knew we were soulmates from the moment I first came to the Underworld, and you said nothing. You let me think that I was crazy for having these feelings for you, and you shot me down at every turn - kept me in the dark when I could've maybe helped you get through the initial pain of losing her, because I lost her, too. Knowing that you kept the fact that we're soulmates from me doesn't make me hate you, Hades, but it does mean that I don't particularly want to be around you right now so, assuming Poseidon isn't going to grab me and dash again, I'm going to Portland for a while; clear my head."

"No," he said, reaching for me as I backed away from him. "What do I need to do to get you to stay?"

"Nothing."

"Name your price, Emma, and I'll pay it."

I laughed aloud, crossing the room to grab my suitcase from beneath the bed. "You still don't get it. I can't be here, because your feelings for me are misplaced. I can't care about you that way, not when Persephone doesn't remember who she is. If the curse breaks, and she remembers the life she had here, and she still doesn't choose you, well, that's on her, but until that happens, being here is too confusing."

He tracked me across the room, ripping the bag from my hands. "You went through the trouble of letting me know you knew we're soulmates, and now you want to leave?"

"Listen to me very carefully," I said, whirling on him. "You're looking for a rebound, and I can't be that for you, not now. It's convenient to have feelings for me, because I'm here, and she's not. If I wasn't your soulmate, would you be acting this way?"

A subtle pause, then, "No."

I expected that answer, but it still stinks to hear. "That's what I thought. Hermes!" I crossed to the bedroom door, yanking it open as Hades hovered nearby, an ever-present shadow that I wanted to shake and strangle in about equal measures.

"Yes, Emma, what is it?" Hermes appeared, casting a long glance Hades' direction before turning to me.

"I need a lift to Portland, if you don't mind," I said, stomping my way back to Hades, who handed my bag over, eyes dark...unreadable.

"I'd be delighted to take you, of course, but are you sure?" Hermes asked as I stuffed more shirts and dresses into side pockets.

"Yes. And don't ask me if I have a return date, because I don't, not yet anyway."

"What did you do, brother?"

Hades held up his hands in supplication as Hermes advanced on him.

"This was my decision, not his," I said. "I just need a little time away from this place. Okay, I'm ready." I buckled Bailey into her harness and Hermes held his hand out for my bag. "Figure your shit out," I said to Hades, who stiffened in place, expression wary. "Either you care about me and want to be with me for the soulmate connection, or you want me for me, but you can't act on either until Persephone is un-cursed, alright? I'm not that person. And neither are you."

I took Herme's hand in mine, smile tight...tense...as he poofed us from the room.

***

Portland, Oregon

Dear Emma,

I've kept my distance for nearly three months, knowing you needed space from me and the Underworld, but it's time to come back. You're overwhelmed, if the uptick in souls coming to me for help is any indication. I would be more than glad to resume our training, too, if that's something you want. I'm not trying to pick on you, but you're a little out of practice and need my guidance.

Please send Hermes word when you've packed. See you soon.

I shredded the note, tossing the remnants to the tabletop as I took a sip of latte. Early morning light illuminated the coffee shop in warm butterscotch tones as the espresso machine hissed and whirled behind the counter. I ground my teeth together, refusing to let his words get to me, but they kept coming back, like a stray cat begging for food. I should've read the damn thing when I was at home, away from other people, where I could discretely scream out my frustrations into a throw pillow.

Writing a reply to him wasn't as easy as I wanted it to be, either, because every time I thought about him, my mind involuntarily conjured up images of his skull splattered across a brick walkway and one of his lips, pressed against mine as he held me in his arms. The two of them flipped back and forth, neither one winning, just sort of there.

But, if I didn't send a letter back, and soon, explaining my situation, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't decide to visit Portland and bring me back himself, kicking and screaming the whole way.

I set my cup down, rummaging around in my backpack for my spiral notebook and pens. Why he couldn't figure out a way to get an Internet connection down there to send me an e-mail was beyond me. It would make this, what was bound to be a long and drawn-out conversation, easier to bear.

Hades,

I've been unable to find a job here after Josie's Flower Shop fired me, but I'll continue to try. You're right about one thing, you know, I DO need space, and I'm not ready to come back just yet.

I'm sorry that my one-hundred-and-forty-souls a day statistic doesn't live up to your god-like standards, but it's what it is, and I'm trying my best with the time I have. Hermes told me, by the way, about the fate of the Fury who wanted you to send them to Elysium. Did you know they never made it there? Did you know that meant the promise you made with her, about me not helping the souls anymore, would end? If you did and didn't tell me, well, I shouldn't be surprised, but that was a nasty little wake-up call...literally. So I don't need any guilt trips from you about how those numbers could be BETTER, not now. I'll send word when I'm ready, but don't expect that to be anytime soon.

Emma

I tore the note out, putting my pen away, and thought I heard a sound, like someone striking a single key on a keyboard. When I glanced down at the table again, the paper was gone.

What the heck?

I carefully scanned the crowded coffee shop, wondering who I'd have to fight today. I hadn't seen anyone approach my table, but if the letter were in someone's hands right now...

I jumped when another piece of paper materialized in front of me.

Emma,

I can make this easy or difficult for you, it's your call. Since you didn't deny the fact that you're completely over your head, I'll take that as a 'yes' and if so, you should know that there's a limit on the amount of energy the souls can take from you before there are unintended consequences.

I didn't tell you about the Fury because it wasn't worth mentioning, not at the time; if you perceived that as an indication that I don't care about you, or your life, you're sadly mistaken.

Come home, now. Don't make me ask again.

Hades

Oh, hell no.

If he thought he was going to manipulate me with all this macho crap, he can think again. I grabbed another sheet of paper, not even pausing to consider how my words sounded as I took all my frustration and anger out on the pen.

Hades,

Did you REALLY think that THREATENING ME was going to work? I'm not afraid of you, or what you're capable of, because we both know you're not going to hurt your soulmate. Not even to get me to return, which I don't want to do, and I don't know how many times I can say it before you get it. You want me to be someone I'm not prepared to be because you're LONELY. Get over yourself. Oh, and by the way, from now on, I'm going to hang out in public places all day every day, so that you can't make a scene. How's that for retaliation? You're starting to piss me off.

I'm not coming back. I have no idea why you want me there so badly in the first place, but I don't care. I haven't turned anyone into a Fury lately, and I'll find a way to manage the stress on my own. I have in the past. I'll be fine, but thanks for the fake sincerity. You're just using me because I've proven that I can do what you do and still have a life that's not tethered to the Underworld, or to you. If I were immortal, maybe that wouldn't be the case, but I'm not and never will be.

Leave me alone, please.

Emma

The paper disappeared, and I sat back in my chair, gnawing on a thumbnail as I waited. His response, this time, was slow coming and I began to panic as the minutes ticked by. Was I too forward in my statements? I didn't exactly want to see the look on his face as he read what I wrote, but not knowing what was taking him so long was painful, too.

I heard the metallic ping and immediately reached for it, hands trembling.

Emma,

You are, and always will be, tied to the Underworld, and to me. Nothing will ever change that. If I wanted to, I could snatch and dash you right back here in an instant, but instead, I'm begging you to see reason, and I don't often do that. If you had my strength and experience, you wouldn't question why I'm asking you to come home. Please just trust me, for once, when I tell you that my only goal is to keep you safe, and I can't do that if you're constantly in Portland. You know I can't be there with you while Persephone is; it's just one of many ways the Fates have chosen to screw me over.

I'm coming to get you, so don't even think of running.

Hades

The blood ran hot then icy cold through my veins as I jackknifed up, stuffing everything into my bag. He was coming, when? Now? Tomorrow?

No, no, no. I'm not ready to see him yet.

I had to go home, grab Bailey and maybe camp out at mom and dad's place for a bit. They already extended the invitation to me twice in the past two weeks, so why not?

I tip-toed up the stairs to my apartment, trying to sense or hear anything inside, anything that might indicate he was already there, waiting for me, but heard nothing.

So much for staying in public places, Emma. Grab and dash. That's the plan.

The spirit world, it seemed, wasn't on board.

Souls stretched the entire length of my place, snapping to attention as soon as I entered, and I balked, pressing myself against the front door.

"I can't help you right now, so it's probably best if you find Hades instead."

"He's not available," one woman hissed, stepping out of line. "He put up the equivalent of an away message so now, we're here."

I rolled my eyes as I moved into the bedroom, banging drawers open.

"What about Persephone? She's a death goddess, too, so go find her."

"She can only do so much," another woman said near the back. "Are you going to help us, or not?"

No, please go away.

"Ten. I'll help ten of you and the rest, go find Persephone."

The group shifted restlessly, surging forward and back like a freaky tidal wave.

"I said go!"

Half of them disappeared and I sighed, tossing shirts and pants into my bag. I was so sick of doing this over and over again. It felt like I didn't live here anymore. "Alright, who's first?"

They surrounded me, pressing in from all sides, and I held up my hands to ward them off, but their energies pulsed around and through me and I felt dizzy, light-headed, like I'd gone one too many times on a rollercoaster.

When was the last time I ate something? 'There's a limit to the amount of energy the souls can take from you before there are unintended consequences.'

Well, shit. "Stop, please."

My body tilted to the side and I reached out, catching myself on the edge of the bed as I sank to the floor. In the distance, I heard the sound of the front door opening and closing, heavy footsteps crossing the living room floor before I was yanked up into a pair of muscled arms, and I buried myself in them, not caring who it was or where they were taking me, so long as they stopped the spirits from bothering me.

I felt a gentle breeze caress my cheek seconds before I smelled it - cinnamon - and sneezed violently. That sapped whatever strength I had left in me as darkness reached up to snatch me away.