Dark Goddess (5 page)

I met Hartley in the center of the room.  “No.”

She huffed and faced her father.  “Tell me the truth dad.”

Cassidy seemed distracted by my throne room, his eyes darting everywhere unsure of where to look.  He took in the black marbles floors where crimson fires reflected, turning it to liquid red in some place.  The ebony marble walls were inlaid with a rainbow of jewels and crystals.  Silver drapes framed the window and balcony, both fluttering with the movement of the fires surrounding my castle.  A throne of onyx sat in the center, glittering in the firelight.

“Dad!” Hartley hissed, the fire lining one wall coming to life.

He was stunned even though he was aware of Hartley’s power.  Knowing and seeing were two different things.

“Well…?”  Hartley prompted. 

Her father finally sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets.  “Fine.  I’m half siren.  My mother was a siren.”

Hartley tossed her hands in the air.  “Am I even human at all?”

“Of course.”  He pursed his lips in thought.  “My father was human so that would make me half and you I guess one forth.”

That was not the answer Hartley wanted.  Her eyes suddenly burst into flames while one ignited in her palm. 

Hermes ducked behind the chaise and I quickly grabbed her hand, dowsing the fire.

“Don’t you threaten me with that crap young lady,” her father growled, his hand planting harshly on his hips.  “I’m still your father.  You will show me some respect.”

She scoffed.  “You’re in my home.”

I audibly cleared my throat.

She rolled her eyes.  “
Our
home.  And you’re a total liar.”

Cassidy took a deep, calming breath, but the vein in his neck still throbbed.  “I only found out after I met Hera.”  He still had trouble saying her name.

I was wondering how he managed to catch Hera’s eye for that long.

“And that makes it okay?”  Hartley stalked toward my throne and plopped down in it sulking.  Her eyes continued to flicker with red flames since she didn’t have the ability to blink them out yet.

“I was going to tell you eventually.”  Her father dragged his fingers through his hair.  “I just didn’t know how.  I knew you’d be mad and you had all these other things going on.”  He motioned to her eyes.  “And now the Ixion thing.”  His gaze darted to me.  “How’s that going by the way?  Any news?”

“Don’t change the subject dad.”

He sighed and rubbed his temples with the tips of his fingers, looking tired suddenly.  “Look, I’m sorry Hartley.  I don’t know what else to say.”

Hermes finally thought it safe enough to peel himself from beneath the chaise.  “Don’t fret over it Hartley.  You’re like a triple threat.  You’re a demigod, soul mates with Hades, and a siren.  It’s awesome.”

Hartley shot Hermes a narrowed glare before her lips formed that devastating pout.

A smile curled my lips.  I always thought Hartley had a little siren in her.

I shot up in bed, my internal alarm screaming that something was amiss in the Underworld.  Hartley was still sound asleep beside me, wrapped up in the silver and black sheets while her hair splayed out around her.

Part of me was tempted toss my obligation aside and kiss her awake.  Hell, not part of me wanted that.  All of me.

But I couldn’t shirk my responsibilities, especially with a crazy demigod on the loose no one has seen yet.  It might be Ixion himself causing trouble in my domain.

I slid out of bed, careful not to wake Hartley and tossed on jeans, a t-shirt, and shoes before slinking out the stone double doors.

I quickly patted each of Cerberus’s three heads as I passed through the massive iron gates to the inner regions of the Underworld.  Once inside I sensed exactly where the disturbance was originating from.

A slew of curses tumbled out my mouth and I dug my heel in and sprinted down the parched dirt road.  It was impossible to transport in flames within the inner regions.  I designed it that way to prevent other gods from sneaking in and popping up all over the place to lose me.

I sprinted passed the Asphodel Meadows and heard the murmurs of souls wondering what was happening.  The foul smell of rot and death clouded my lungs as I neared Tartarus.  The crimson flames licked high into the pitch sky, casting a red glow on the dirt road.  I passed purgatory and ran faster, anger fueling my legs.  Elysium was buried deep within the Underworld, far from any who might get the urge to sneak in.

Apparently that didn’t apply to all my inhabitants.

It’s been centuries since someone tried to sneak into paradise.  I wouldn’t take the offense lightly.

Finally I came upon a small grove of barren trees, bulbous roots digging into ash and soot clogged ground.  Vines shredded with jagged thorns twined around trunks and branches while briars snaked along the bottom, all precautions to ward off any who dare venture this far.  Within the bowels of the grove a full-length gilded mirror stood—the doorway to Elysium only I, those I allow, and worthy souls could enter.

But low and behold who did I find peering into it?  Isaak and two souls from Asphodel Meadows, chowing down on lotus flowers and giggling like idiots.  Isaak was a demigod who’d live in my domain for centuries, causing mayhem with souls involving many wild parties in the castle.  Hartley had taken a liking to him and even dragged me to a few of those said parties.  He had never gone as far as attempting to break in to Elysium.

Anger boiled my blood, staining my eyes red.  My approach was silent.  I watched the Isaak dig a piece of mystical onyx from his pocket and place it on the mirror.  The reflective surface shimmered, displaying the paradise beyond.  Green plants and a plethora of vibrant flowers appeared while a sweet, tropical fragrance drifted out.  Exotic birds chirped and the sound of a babbling brook mixed with a distant waterfall resonated.

Elysium was a world within a world.

The two female souls gasped, their eyes growing wide with amazement as they stared into the opened doorway.

“Pretty sweet.” Isaak bit off another petal from a lotus flower, chewing it loudly. 

“Yeah.”  The brunette agreed.  “I never thought it would be so beautiful.”

The blonde scoffed.  “It’s paradise Nelly.  Of course it’s beautiful.”

Nelly touched her finger to the mirror, attempting to pass through.  Her hand was met with a solid surface.

Disappointed, the girls turned on Isaak.  “Why can’t we enter?”

Isaak pursed his lips and tried pressing the mystical onyx to the glass without success.

Crimson flames licked my shoulders, adding heat to the fury already boiling deep in my bones.  “You’re not
allowed
to enter.”  Danger tore through my lowered voice, my dark godly power lacing through it until it sounded terrifying to even my own ears.

All three of them jumped and whirled around.  The two souls grabbed onto each other while Isaak simply stood still, a goofy smile plastered to his face while his amber shimmered with a hazy, unfocused gloss.  Clearly he was drunk off the flowers otherwise he’d be cowering like the two girls.

His fingers dragged through his brown curls, stalling.  “Hades, buddy.  We were just uh…”

“Trying to sneak into Elysium,” I growled, stalking closer, the flames on my shoulders reaching out toward the gnarled branches.  “That is not only forbidden, but impossible.”

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbling in his throat.  “Ah, well, I see that now.”  He grabbed the girls.  “We’ll be on our way.”

A snarl slipped out my mouth, instantly halting their steps.  I held my palm open and snatched the onyx out of his with an invisible force.  “I don’t even know how you got this.  And drop the lotus flowers
now
.”

The uneaten flowers fell to the ground.

My flaming eyes narrowed on Isaak.  “I tolerated you sneaking into the palace and partying, but this is different Isaak.  You’ve gone well passed my breaking point.  I think it’s time for you to remember who’s in charge here.”

Isaak held his palms up, fear flashing across his face and staining his eyes.  “All right man, Hades, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean…”

A flame ignited in my hand. 

“Oh, come on.  I’m sorry!”  His voice cracked.  “What would Hartley say about this?  She wouldn’t want you to hurt…”

His words were drowned out by my angry growl.  Bringing up Hartley only served to ignite my fury more.  I tossed the flame at him, but midway it fizzled out into a thin line of smoke.

What the hell?

Isaak’s brows disappeared into his sandy brown curls, his eyes darkening with a mixture of confusion and worry.  He was well aware I hadn’t done that on purpose.

What the hell is wrong with my powers?

Hartley

My god—kind of literally—I could get lost in Hayden’s kisses.  His mouth consumed me, stealing my breath and making my heart slam against my ribcage in an erratic staccato.  His hands were hot on my skin, caressing my curves, his grip soft one minute and firm the next. 

“Are you sure your dad isn’t going to be home any time soon?” he asked, his breath hot on my throat as he covered it in kisses.

My fingers laced through his silken sinful hair.  “Yes,” I breathed.  “He’s probably out exercising his
siren
abilities at another bar.”  I still couldn’t believe my dad was freaking half siren.

Hayden and I were at my house in my living room doing homework.  Or at least we had been.  But he was just looking too good not to touch.  One thing led to another and the books were tossed aside while he laid me out on the couch.

“I always knew you had a little siren in you.”  Hayden’s chuckle vibrated against my skin, tickling me and turning me on at the same time.

“I don’t even sing.”

Hayden peeked up, distant flames flickering in his irises.  “
Can
you sing?”

I pursed my lips in thought and shrugged.  “It’s never really been my thing.  I usually stick to dancing.  Then again, I’ve never really tried.”  I opened my mouth to belt out a note.

Hayden suddenly clamped his hand over it.  “Oh hell no you don’t.”

My brows knit, silently questioning him.

“Your pouting is bad enough and you already mesmerize an entire crowd just by walking in the room.”  He slowly removed his hand and kissed me gently.  “I can barely say no to you as it is.  You start singing a siren song and I’m done for.”

A smile threatened my lips as my fingers trailed under his shirt.  “You’re already done for baby.”

He cocked his head in thought.  “You’re probably right.”  He helped me remove his shirt, tossing it on the floor.  “But I’m about to have
you
undone.”

Heat seeped through my body at his promise.  His lips crashed on mine again, devouring them in the possessive way I loved.  His fingers found the top button on my shirt, nimbly undoing each one until my silk purple bra was showing.

“Mmm, Hartley.”  His voice deepened, the control wavering.  Hayden hooked my leg around his waist, hiking my skirt up and shifting his hips against mine.

A moan of pleasure slipped out my mouth as I arched into his body.

A dark laugh vibrated through his chest moments before he pulled away and started trailing kisses down my chest.

“Hayden,” I hissed when he arrived at my lower abdomen, flicking his tongue across the skin below my belly button. “Are you going to tease me all night?”

Another dark laugh.  “Baby, I haven’t even started.”

A hot thrill rolled through me that Hayden could obviously feel from the naughty glint in his eyes.

His mouth clamped down on the button of my jean skirt, expertly prying it opened with his teeth.  His tongue licked the skin at the top of my panties.

My sharp intake of air echoed through the room.  He seriously wasn’t kidding about teasing me.

My fingers tangled in his hair, uncertain whether I wanted him to come back up or continue going down.  Hayden smiled smugly at my dilemma.

A flash of lightning charged through the room and Zeke suddenly appeared in front of the fireplace.  The moment he saw us in the precarious position on the couch his eyes widened and cheeks burned.

“What the fuck Zeke!” Hayden hissed, crawling forward and holding my shirt closed with his hands.

“Sorry.”  Zeke averted his eyes toward the ceiling.  “I didn’t expect you two to be getting hot and heavy in the living room.”

Hayden’s eyes sparked, but started to fade.  “Just turn around idiot.”

Surprise swirled inside.  I thought Hayden would have gone full on flaming the moment Zeke appeared.  The two brothers hadn’t had contact in months since we visited Mt. Olympus after Hecate’s spell was broken.

Hayden helped me button my shirt and pulled my skirt down before retrieving his shirt and tossing it over his head.  “You can turn around now,” he growled.

Zeke faced us, his blue eyes lingering over me a little too long for Hayden’s liking as demonstrated by the deep snarl he released.

“What is it Zeke?” I asked, breaking the thickening tension.

He took a deep breath, a glint of worry entering his eyes.  “Have you heard or seen Ixion yet?”

Hayden shook his head.  “Nothing.”

“Neither have we.”  Zeke rubbed his face in frustration.  “I’m trying to lay low and do nothing, but this silence is worrying me.”

Hayden shrugged noncommittally.

I rolled my eyes.  “What do you want to do?” I asked Zeke.

“I’m worried about what Ixion might do.”  He fixed Hayden with a pointed look.  “What if he comes after Hartley to hurt Hera or get to her somehow?”

My brows lifted.  “Is that possible?”

Hayden chewed on his bottom lip.  “I’ve considered it, but I doubt he’ll do that.  If he’s been listening he knows Hera isn’t exactly mother of the year.  She did in fact try to kill Hartley.”

“Still.  She also saved her from Ares.”

I grimaced.  “Don’t remind me.”

Zeke shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted nervously on his feet.  “Maybe you should consider letting Hartley come to Mt. Olympus for safety.”

Hayden shot to his feet, his eyes flaming again.  “You’ll use any damn excuse to get close to
my
girlfriend,” he snarled. 

Zeke didn’t exactly deny it.  “I want to keep her safe too.”

Flames spread down his shoulders.  “Hartley’s safety is none of your business Zeke.  She isn’t your little prophecy girl anymore.  She’s with
me
!  Get the fuck over it.”

“Hayden…”

The flames on his shoulders suddenly died.  At first I thought he was attempting to remain calm on my behalf, but fury still morphed his face, giving no indication that was his intent at all.  If not, why did his fire fizzle out?

Hayden

I gnawed on the end of my pen as I sat restlessly in class.  If I chewed on it any harder it would bust, exploding ink all over my mouth.  My mind was going a hundred miles a minute, trying to figure out what was happening to my powers.  First I lost consciousness and now my fire was fizzling out.  I was god of the Underworld.  I couldn’t lose my powers.  It wasn’t possible.  There had to be a reasonable explanation for this.

I was sure of it.

I needed to figure it out before Hartley persisted with her questions all the while worry growing on her beautiful face. 

A tap hit my shoulder and I spun around to find Reese staring at me with a pair of dark, knowing eyes.  “What?” I hissed.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

One dark brow arched, disappearing into his hair.  “Something is off with you.  What’s going on?”

Shit.  Not him too.  “Not a damn thing,” I lied. 

Reese cocked his head to the side in disbelief.  “I’ve known you for a long time and something weird is going on.”  He leaned forward, his scent of gunpowder hitting my nose.  “You passed out the other day.  Gods don’t pass out.  So what’s the deal?”

My blood ran cold because a deep down part of me knew something was definitely wrong and I fearing it would get worse.

“Come on Hayden,” Reese continued as we walked through the hall toward Hartley’s locker.  “Just tell me.  I want to help.”

I shot a skeptical glare over my shoulder at him.  “Why are you suddenly trying to buddy up to me
Reese
?”

“Come on.  We used to be friends.  Okay, sort of friends.”  He ran his fingers through his hair.  “Fine.  I’m trying to make up for possibly
almost
killing your lady love.  And you two are the hot power couple these days.  I’d like to be in your good graces.”  He shrugged.  “You know I like to go where the power is.”

That sounded more like the god of war.  “Go suck up to my brother.  The king and queen of the gods are powerful enough for you.”

Reese sucked his teeth.  “They’re boring and so is Mt. Olympus.  You guys are exciting.”

“Oh yeah.  The Underworld is the newest hot spot,” I joked.

Reese let lose a grin.

Shouting echoed down the hall and I recognized Blake’s voice.  With a look of agreement Reese and I jogged around the corner to see him tag-teamed by those two punks who attacked Hartley at a party when they were influenced by the lust spirit.

“Son of a bitch,” I hissed.

“I remember those two.”  Reese’s eyes were so dark they reflected the florescent lights unnaturally. 

“Your fault,” I reminded him.

“Let’s go.”

I nudged Reese toward Blake, his quick reflexes yanking him away seconds before the short one punched his jaw.

I grabbed the blonde wiry one named Mike, easily twisting his arm and flicking him away as if he were a mere fly.  His light blue eyes widened when he recognized me, probably remembering our last run in. 

A leer curled my lips, liking the fear radiating off him.  “Mike,” I growled.  “Haven’t you learned not to piss me off?”

The other one—Daniel—was sneaking up behind me, but I was a god so the sneaking part was basically nonexistent.  With barely a look over my shoulder I punched him in the gut with a satisfying oomph and then tossed Mike into a locker.

Several cheers resonated down the hall and then I caught sight of Hartley leaning against her locker with a relieved expression.  My heart shivered. 

I took one step in her direction, my suddenly one track mind ready for my thank you kiss until a fist went straight for my face.

A
smack
reverberated followed by an explosion of pain.  My nose instantly began spurting blood.

Several thoughts flew through my mind, most centering on one single question—what the hell just happened?

And then that punk with short man syndrome was coming back, an expression of elation on his face.  I reared back and punched him, knocking his ass out cold.

Hartley came running at me, her face a myriad of panic and worry.  “Hayden.  Oh my god.”  She held the hoodie she kept in her locker up to my nose.

I tried to swipe it away.  “I’m fine.”

She pouted and eyes began watering.

Shit.

I let her put it up to my bleeding nose before pulling me toward the bathroom.  On the way I caught Reese’s worried expression that mirrored my own hidden thoughts.  I was passing out, losing my flames, and now bleeding from a little human punch to the nose.

“Hayden, what is going on!” Hartley screeched as we stood in front of the sink in the girls’ bathroom. 

“Nothing.  I’m fine Hartley.”  I shoved another wad of tissue in my nose to stop the bleeding.

“You are not fine,” she hissed, her hands planting on her hips and eyes flaring with anger.  “Now tell me what is happening to you.”

If only I knew.  “Baby, it’ll be okay.”

“Don’t baby me damn it.”  She gripped my bicep hard and spun me toward her.  “You tell me what is going on or I’ll…”

I cut her off.  “Are you about to threaten me?”

“Yes.”

I threw the bloodied tissue into the trash with unnecessary effort.  “Everything is fine Hartley,” I hissed, my eyes flaming.  “I just need to go back to the Underworld.  It’s my domain.”  I motioned my hands in the air.  “Not here.” 

She wasn’t even fazed by my anger.  “Well, let’s go.”

“No.”  I leaned down.  “You need to finish your classes and then do your homework.”  I would love for her to come with me, but I needed to think.  I couldn’t do that with her distracting me.

Her mouth hung open.  “Who the hell do you think you are, my father?”

I ignored her.  “Just stay here.  I’ll be back for you tonight.  Call me if you feel the pull.  Or Hermes. 
Not
Zeke.”

Before she could say another word I disappeared in a ball of flames.  She was going to be pissed next time I saw her.