It was early evening and Lasse sauntered into town; his hands stuffed in his blue jeans pockets, a whistle on his lips. His hair was lifted from his polo shirt collar with the light breeze coming in from the sea, and for all intents and purposes he could be anyone looking forward to a good meal, a few drinks and maybe some conversation.

“Hey, Jose,” he called out to a local taverna owner, the Greek language falling easily from his tongue. “You have a special for me today?”

“Of course, Lasse. For you we have a succulent lamb still fresh on the bone. Some sweet salads and a dressing that will make your heart sing.”

“Sounds wonderful. I’ll take a table outside.” Lasse sat with his back to the taverna, watching the early evening night life. Young women in bright headscarves giggled and blushed at young men who hung around in a group by the fountain in the middle of the square. Older couples sat and watched with bemused smiles, a drink and a cheroot in hand. Lasse had always preferred living in the quiet fishing village as opposed to the bigger towns. There was something timeless about the cobbled square surrounded by old buildings.

“Here you are.” Jose bustled around, setting down a large platter of food, his utensils and a large glass of beer. “Your companion not joining you this evening?”

“He’s visiting family,” Lasse shrugged. “You know how it is.”

“Ah, yes,” Jose nodded sagely. “My mother, god bless her, she’s forever nagging me about not coming to visit. I tell her I work, I have a business to run, but she’s my mother, you know.”

Lasse nodded because he was expected to. The locals simply knew him as the man who lived on the hill. They had no idea of his background and if anyone wondered why he never appeared to age, they never mentioned it. Lasse had worried, coming into town so soon after the demon fight at the docks, but no one looked at him any differently than they had before, so if anyone had seen the demons and the fighting, they weren’t talking about it. He made a point of always being friendly; he spent his money in local businesses and was always ready to help if asked. For the people in his small town, that was enough for him to be accepted. After a few more enquiries about Jose’s daughters, his son, and the welfare of his good wife, Jose left him to tend to other customers.

His plate was almost empty and Lasse was debating whether to drink the beer or order water when Cerberus slid into the chair opposite him. Lasse managed a smile. As a shifter of sorts, Cerberus would smell any lie, or tension. Tonight, it seemed that the guardian of the gates had tried to blend in with the locals, wearing jeans and white top. His short black hair was clean but there was a haunted expression in the dog’s eyes.

“Cerberus, I’m glad you hunted me down.”

“You are?” Cerberus looked around cautiously. “Where’s Ja?”

“Oh, you wound me, old friend. I thought you wanted to talk to me. As you can see I’m dining alone.” Lasse was careful not to lie.

Cerberus seemed taken aback but recovered quickly. “I was hoping you’d come with me to the underworld. There’s still no word about your uncle.”

“That’s why I wanted to speak with you. You don’t need to worry about my uncle’s whereabouts anymore,” Lasse let his smile get wide enough to show his teeth. “I spoke to my father today and told him of your concerns. Sei and Claude saw him not five days ago at their club. It was as I said. He’s just having a holiday, as he is entitled to do.”

“I see.” Cerberus’s lips tightened. “How was it your father could contact him, when I could not?”

“Mobile phones.” Lasse tapped the one peeking out of the top of his shirt pocket. “My uncle called them and asked if he could spend the night at Claude’s club. That’s my father’s mate, you know. He spent the evening there regaling Sei about how well things have been going since Thanatos and Sebastian are mated. You can stop worrying and return to your post where you’ll feel more comfortable.”

“Did they mention when your uncle might be home?” Cerberus was strangling the crap out of the edge of the table cloth.

“I imagine it will be any day now. That’s why I wanted to see you.” Lasse leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I know how worried you have been, but as you can see, there’s no need.”

“I’m glad and I thank you.” Cerberus didn’t look happy at all. “But there’s something else I must speak to you about,” Cerberus looked around the square nervously. Lasse couldn’t see anything amiss, but Cerberus’s tension was contagious. “I’m concerned about your association with the barbarian, Ja.”

“Jason? What would you know that I haven’t already heard? You know what Artemas is like; he had a dossier on my mate the moment I mentioned his name.” Leaning back in his chair, Lasse crossed one ankle over his knee. He assumed Artemas did indeed have a dossier on his mate. He had one on every other type of paranormal which meant Lasse wasn’t technically lying.

“Ja committed many atrocities during the Great War,” Cerberus confided, his eyes wide open, yet done in a way that suggested he’d been told the action would inspire others to trust him without actually pulling it off successfully.

“That war brought out the worst in many, so I hear.” Lasse nodded, his expression suitably somber. “Even my father no longer speaks of those times without a pained expression.”

“Ja’s actions were worse, so much worse than any other,” Cerberus insisted. “He slaughtered whole villages for no reason at all. Every man, woman and child. They say he danced in the blood of his enemies.”

The lamb Lasse enjoyed twisted painfully in his stomach and he toyed with his still full glass of beer, debating a drink. To hear Jason maligned in such a way made him feel physically sick. Only years of dealing with his father let Lasse ask calmly, “Who is these people, Cerberus? Who was witness to these actions? No written accounts were ever made of those times and for good reason. They are best forgotten.”

“The spirits talk. They talk to me. Word of Ja’s horrific exploits have spread far and wide around the underworld and have done for centuries. I worry about you being associated with such a creature. There’s no telling what harm he might do to you if you cross him in some way. Please, come with me. I can introduce you to spirits who’ve seen these things with their own eyes and they can tell you their stories themselves.”

Stroking his beard, Lasse gave a good impression of thinking about Cerberus’ offer. He already knew he’d accept; he just didn’t want to seem too eager. With every second that passed, Cerberus’s agitation grew. “Very well,” Lasse said at last, stretching out his legs and pulling his wallet out of his pocket. “I’ll come with you. After all, I understand you are just looking out for me as your master’s nephew. Isn’t that right?”

The fact Cerberus didn’t answer spoke volumes.

/~/~/~/~/

“This place gives me the willies,” Jason muttered as he followed Thor through the great halls of Hade’s domain. Unlike Poseidon’s palace which was full of beautiful treasures artfully arranged, Hades’ home with its obsidian walls and tall depictions of evil creatures and demons was intimidating. Even the excessive heat did nothing to dispel the chill the walls gave off.

“You’re just lucky Hades agreed to this little stunt,” Thor peered around a corner, and then indicated Jason to follow. “Anyone attempting to come here uninvited will find their shoes stuck to the marble floors. Where do you think he got the statues? He’s got that whole Hotel California vibe going on. You know, you can never leave.”

Jason shuddered and it wasn’t just because of Thor’s off-key singing. When they’d come up with the plan, with the help of Poseidon and Claude, it all sounded perfectly simple. If Cerberus wanted Lasse in the Underworld, then he’d go. Thor and Jason were told to wait five minutes and then follow. It was the longest five minutes of Jason’s life. By the time Thor said they could go, Jason was prepared to give Cronus a swift kick up the ass, sure the god of time had slowed down every second during their wait.

But now they were here and while Jason’s sphinx told him Lasse was near, there was no sight or sound of him. “They have to be in the throne room,” Thor muttered, “although why that mutt thinks he has the right to be there is anyone’s guess. Hades will kick his ass to Tartarus if he hears about this.”

“Oh, he’s going to hear about it,” Jason promised. “That little girl could’ve been killed because of his freaking demons.”

“Hey, just be thankful we kicked so many asses yesterday,” Thor reminded him. “Otherwise we’d be knee deep in them now.”

“I thought demons couldn’t enter Hades’ home?”

“They can’t, but Cerberus bent the rules opening the portal. Just be thankful he hasn’t learned how to change the walls in this place, like Sei is prone to do when he’s bored, otherwise we’d be walking around in circles for decades.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Jason searched for Lasse through their link. Poopsie, you finished playing with the puppy yet?

Cerberus has his brother with him and there’s….

What? What? “Damn it,” Jason hissed. “Something’s blocking our link.”

“You guys have a mind link? Nice.” Thor nodded. “Did he say anything useful before you lost it?”

“Only that Cerberus’s brother is with them. I think he was trying to warn me about something else when he got cut off.”

“Shit. That brother of his is meaner than a junk yard dog with his foot in a trap.”

“You seriously need to upgrade your cultural references. Is this the throne room?” Jason pointed to the set of black doors shimmering at the end of the hallway.

“It is. Watch yourself.” The words were barely out of Thor’s mouth when the floor beneath his feet opened up and he fell.

“Shit.” Dropping to the floor, Jason just managed to grab Thor’s outstretched hand as he fell, yanking him back to firm ground.

“That’s new.” Thor ran his hand through his hair, before peering over the edge. Jason couldn’t see the bottom and doubted Thor could either. Thor pulled his hammer from his belt. “Hang on. I’ll zap us over.”

“Don’t you think they would’ve thought of that? There’s no telling if there’d ever be anything to land on.” Jason looked at the deceptively smooth stretch of marble leading to the doors; the floor that now had a huge bottomless pit in it.

“We can’t zap into the throne room. We’ve got no idea what we’d be facing or how many demons might be in there.”

Jason looked around the space they were in. I might fit, he thought, trying to judge the width. Not seeing any other alternative, he stripped off his shirt.

“Hey, not that I mind the scenery, but now’s not the time to get your freak on.”

“Actually, it’s exactly the right time to get my freak on,” Jason snapped. “And before you think up any more innuendos, yes, you are going to ride me and if you ever tell anyone it happened, I’ll cut your balls off. Deal?”

“We’re going to be great friends,” Thor laughed, leaning against the wall as Jason kicked his boots off. “How come we never hooked up when we used to fight together.”

“I was never interested,” Jason lied. Anyone who wasn’t interested in a tumble with Thor would have to be dead or mated. “If you laugh, I’m leaving you here.” He called on his furry sphinx form, stretching his wings to see if he could fly. It would be tight, but he could do it. “Climb on and watch where you’re putting those boots of yours.”

“You’re built like a horse, you can take it.” But Jason noticed Thor took care as he scrambled to find a place to sit on his back without interfering with his wings.

“Keep that hammer of yours handy. If I was Cerberus, I’d have locked the doors and we’re flying straight through them. And don’t hit me on the head with the damn thing.”

“One battering ram coming up.” The handle of Thor’s hammer widened and lengthened.

First time for everything, Jason thought as he backed up, his tail swishing madly. This is for Lasse, give me everything you’ve got. Two steps into his run, Jason’s feet left the floor, sailing over the huge void, straight for the throne room doors. Somewhere midflight he felt a large helmet shoved over his head and he would have thanked Thor except the door was on them, and then they were through it and Jason’s blood ran cold.

Hades’ throne room was much like the rest of the palace – black walls, a throne made of skulls and a huge fire pit in the middle of the floor. It was the fire pit that held Jason’s attention because swinging above it, bound in chains was his beloved mate. Sliding to a stop on the marble floor, Jason barely waited until Thor dismounted before addressing the two men in the room. One of them was Cerberus in his human form, while the other could only be his brother. Demon shadows lurked against the walls, but he ignored them for now.

“Have you lost your mind?” Thor’s voice was like thunder bouncing off the black walls. “How dare you detain the son of Poseidon.”

“Thor, I wish I could say it’s a pleasure, but I’d be lying.” Cerberus stroked a finger over one of the skulls that made up Hades throne. “This really doesn’t have anything to do with you, but I’m glad you’re here. It makes my job so much easier.”

“Thor’s right. You’re out of your fucking mind,” Jason prowled around the edge of the fire pit, his tail flicking angrily. There was no way he could get close to his mate without flying and he risked a singed tail or worse if he tried, although it would be worth it if he could get his mate free. Lasse’s silence worried him; he appeared to be unconscious which explained the break in their mind link. As he got closer to the edge of the pit, the flames shot up, obscuring his view. The flames didn’t seem to touch his mate which was the only positive in a crap situation. “What possible reason could you have for taking Lasse like this?”

“Orthrus pointed out a few facts of life to me,” Cerberus waved at his brother. “How Hades really doesn’t care about the underworld anymore and how it’s me that’s been protecting this place all this time.”

“That’s still got nothing to do with Lasse,” Jason fumed as he paced. His animal form was agitated by the fire, but angry their mate was bound and in danger.

“Not directly, no, but you see, it’s not as though I could get Poseidon or Zeus down here, now could I? None of the brothers can step foot in the realm of the others.”

“Make your point, mutt,” Thor snarled. “I’ve got a date in an hour and I’m not leaving here without my friend.”

“It’s all quite simple really. I’m taking over the underworld and Lasse is my insurance to make sure none of the brothers interfere.”

Jason’s mouth dropped open. “You’re not a god, you don’t have the powers these men have; you’re just a freak of nature, like I am.”

“But Lasse is a Demi-god and with him serving as my consort, his father and uncles won’t dare retaliate.”

“He’s MINE!” Jason’s words reverberated with the roar of his lion, but Cerberus just laughed.

“That’s why I’m glad you brought Thor along for the ride. He’s going to push you into the fire pit, ensuring your eternal doom and then Lasse will be free to be claimed by me. If Thor doesn’t do as I ask, then Orthrus and my demons will eat him.” Orthrus’ form shimmered and, in his place, stood a two headed dog who stood at least six foot tall at the shoulder. Bright red eyes gave the hound a feral look, along with the drool dripping down his fangs. The demons peeled themselves off the wall, their spears, swords and fists held high.

“Get reinforcements,” Jason yelled to Thor as he charged the hound. Tucking his wings in his side, Jason met Orthrus head on, grateful for the helmet Thor provided. Orthrus howled as Jason crashed into his ribs, but the hound quickly regained his footing and came at him, teeth gnashing in both heads. A crunch on his hind quarters let him know Cerberus had also shifted.

Jason was in the fight for his life. He’d barely ever fought in his shifted form and while his claws were useful, his lack of lion’s head or teeth made attack difficult. He had wings, which were useful as he soared away from Cerberus’ teeth and landed behind Orthrus, swiping at one of his necks. But Orthrus’ other head came swinging round and bit Jason’s shoulder. The demons were cheering and calling Orthrus’ name, but it wouldn’t be long before they started fighting too.

Bleeding from two wounds that would go septic if they weren’t treated, Jason flew to the other side of the throne room and shifted, calling on both of his swords. One arm was virtually useless, even after a shift and blood was pouring down his leg. But the flames of his swords burned brightly and letting out a battle yell, Jason raced at the two beasts and the demons that flanked them. Letting his instincts take over, he swung and dipped and rolled and swung again, desperate to take as many of the traitors down as he could.

His swords were forged in the same fire pit Lasse was suspended over; the only force capable of taking the demons and hounds down. But in the chaos it was hard to know if he was making any headway. Some of the demons were clearly annoyed at not being in the thick of things so were fighting each other. Cerberus and Orthrus were ducking and diving around the demons in their efforts to get to him. All the while, Jason had to be conscious of the fire pit. If he fell in there, he’d spend eternity in Tartarus.

Sliding under Orthrus, narrowly missing a charge by Cerberus, it was Cerberus who crashed into his brother. Snapping and howling the two beasts fought for a minute before they turned on Jason again. Panting hard, Jason adjusted the grip on his swords and braced his feet as they came towards him. Leaping sideways at the last minute, he brought both of his swords down on Cerberus’s back.

Cerberus howled as the flames seared his flesh and then that howl was answered tenfold. A shiver ran down Jason’s spine. The hellhounds. How the hell could he have forgotten about them? As the howls rang through the night, the demons at least saw sense and disappeared, leaving just Jason and the brothers. In the middle of the carnage, a petite man, no taller than five feet four appeared, closely followed by Thor and a dozen hounds and of all people, Sebastian, son of Death himself. Thor’s idea of reinforcements.

“Confine the beasts,” the small man ordered the hounds in a voice far too large for such a small stature. “Don’t let them get away.” Their wagging tails at odds with their fierce expression, the hellhounds rushed at the brothers, quickly bringing Cerberus and Orthrus to submission. When all was quiet, beyond the panting of the hounds, the small man turned to Jason and lightly inclined his head.

“Madison Worthington at your service. Mate to Sebastian, son of Thanatos, and leader of the hellhounds.”

“Jaxarinth Savopoulos, known as Jason Savo, mate to Lasse, son of Poseidon. I’m truly grateful.” Jason bowed as much as his wounds and heaving chest allowed. “Sebastian, it’s been a long time. Help me get Lasse down if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll do it,” Thor said, chucking Jason a pair of pants. He hadn’t given a thought to his nakedness. “Those wounds look serious. You need to get them seen too.”

“Later.” Jason pulled on his pants ignoring the long gash on his leg. His head swum as first one foot and then the other had to leave the ground to get them on. “I need Lasse safe.”

“He’s here,” Thor cradled Lasse in his arms. “He’s got a large bump on his head, but he’ll be fine.” Thor carefully handed him over and while Jason’s shoulder screamed at the added weight, Jason refused to let go. Brushing the hair back from Lasse’s flushed face, he could see Thor was right. There was a huge bruise on the side of Lasse’s head and Jason curled his lip at the guardian of the underworld.

“You should lose your position for this, you scum. I should throw you in the fire pit myself.”

“Unfortunately, you can’t do that,” Sebastian said, tucking his mate under his arm. “Hades entered into a covenant with this creature when they first bonded. Only he can decide Cerberus’s fate. Orthrus on the other hand, has no reason to be here. You can throw him on the one-way trip to Tartarus if it makes you feel better.”

“No, no, please.” Cerberus was back in his human form, whimpering like a puppy. “None of this was meant to get out of hand. I just wanted Lasse for my own and Orthrus said he’d help me.”

“What about your plans for taking over the underworld?” Jason yelled. “Lounging around on Hades throne like you already owned the place. Claiming Lasse was going to be your consort and sentencing me to Tartarus so you could get your own way.”

“It wouldn’t have worked,” Thor said as he tested out the throne for himself. “Damn, how can Hades stand to sit on this thing. It’s full of lumps. Ow,” he yelled as a flame shot out from one of the skulls and hit him on the ass, making him jump to his feet. “Fine, I get the message. Gods,” Thor shook his head. “Hades was always possessive over his things. Damn it.” He rubbed his ass.

“Your ass is the least of our problems,” Sebastian said quietly. “If what Jason says is true…”

“It is,” Jason and Thor said at the same time.

“Then Cerberus deserves to be punished by Hades.” He looked down at Madison who was patting one of the huge hellhounds. “Can your hounds handle guarding the gates until Hades returns? I really don’t want to disturb his holiday with this. The man seriously needs to get out more.”

“What are we going to do with Cerberus and his brother in the meantime?” Madison asked.

“The rogue hellhound cages should hold them until Hades returns.”

“I’m needed in my job,” Cerberus pleaded. “No one has guarded the gates of hell more loyally than me.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you started stalking my mate.” Jason turned away. He was fed up with the underworld. “Thor, you’ve done so much already, and I don’t forget my debts. But is there any chance you can take me and Lasse home? His head wound is worrying me. He’s been unconscious for some time.”

“Take him to his brother Nereus,” Madison said quickly. “He’s at the Cloverleah pack. They have fae there who have healing powers, and an omega who can heal any type of shifter. They can take care of your wounds too. I’d offer the services of the doctor at our pack in San Antonio, but he’s more of a human doctor and tends to use medicines rather than powers which won’t work on your bites. You will need to call Nereus first so you can get through the wards, but that would be the best place for you both.”

“Whatever you think best,” Jason wobbled and his grip on Lasse tightened. “Just make it quick, please?”

“Let me help you.” Thor was there, offering a broad shoulder, and for once, Jason didn’t turn down the offer. His shoulder ached, his leg felt as though it wouldn’t hold him, and his heart was racing uncommonly fast. His head felt woozy and he tightened his grip on his mate as though terrified someone would take him from him. He was barely aware of Thor’s yell as he blacked out.