ARIAS

We wait to see if the attack comes. Powaqu's head suddenly tilts and her eyes narrow. The rest of us watch her closely. Her eyes fly to mine, "Arias, the witches. They set an alarm. He and the dragon will notice the sound."

"FUCK!" I'm spinning as Ericka shoves me aside rushing for the stairs. We race after the bloodthirsty Viking. She will kill them all, and I still need at least one of them. She is reaching for her favorite guy when we pound into the cavern. Grabbing her hand, I stare at her, daring her to shove me again. I let my rage show in my face. "If you ever do anything like that again, I will use my power in horrible unimaginable ways. You will spend eternity doing things for people, and I will make sure you remember every second." She stumbles away, shrinking. I don't regret reminding her of how I found her. She hadn't always been a fierce warrior.

I open the door and whisper to him, although I forgot his name long ago. He can't help but come to me, and we turn, walking over in front of Mimi's cell door. She has the most power and is the strongest willed. Whatever is going on is her doing. He stands slightly in front of me.

"Stop whatever you did or he dies."

"I don't understand what you mean." I wave Powaqu over and nod. She closes her eyes and opens them, raising them to meet Mimi's, the glow golden. A gasp echoes out of the cell. "You have until I count to three. One. Two..."

"Wait. Wait..." her hand comes through the bars and resignation fills them. "They didn't do it. It was me. Don't hurt him." She begins to weave her spell. I keep my eyes on Powaqu until she nods. "I had to try Arias. You would have tried."

"You're right, but I also would have information on my little fox here." I glance at Powaqu, but her face tells me nothing. A small cry from the cell makes me smile, her face comes into view. Powaqu’s body tenses as identical golden eyes stare out at her. They are filled with rage and betrayal. The man still stands in front of me, unable to move or speak. I smile at Mimi as I reach for him. Her eyes widen and then fill with tears as I take his head in my hand and break his neck, letting him drop to the floor.

"There are always consequences." I spin on my heel and walk to the stairs. "Let's go; we need to prepare now that they are aware we are here. I'll be back for you, my dear. I have something I need you to do."

I listen to her sobs and I smile. The others follow, one slower than the others and I glance at her. Daring her. She will need to be taken care of.

I continue straight to the office, and they file in. Waiting. Lifting the phone , I open my drawer and pull out a number that I found and saved for years. I dial it and sit down, putting my feet up. This might go better than planned.

"Nestor. My name is Arias. Call your friend and tell him I have Emma, but I'm willing to trade her for him. Call me back after, and I will tell you where." Hanging up, I spin my chair and level them all with a look.

"I'm going to go grab Mimi. Hondo, go upstairs and get Emma. Then we are going to the temple of Hades, where it all started. I had wards put on it long ago, and Mimi is going to strengthen them. She's going to make them strong enough to hold a hellhound."

"Once we lure him there and bind him, then what? Torture him until he opens a portal and takes us through?" Erika sounds excited by the idea.

Hondo stands. He never needed any encouragement. "Don't hurt her." My voice is quiet and lethal. After the taste of her I had, I want more. I crave her. She is mine. His head jerks before he leaves the room.

"Yes, we will force him to take us through. We won't let him change until he does."

"You're going to lock him in his hellhound form?" Powaqu asks.

"Mimi is, yes. The creature was created to hunt and kill, so he will go mad locked in the temple." Erika grins at me delighted, but Powaqu is thoughtful. When she realizes we are watching her, she nods before rising to her feet.

"I will ready the van."

My eyes stay on her, "You keep an eye on her." Erika nods.

Standing, I grab the phone and forward the calls to my cell before I head back down stairs. I step over the body, unlocking the cell door. She is huddled in the back corner of the room. Her rage filled eyes raise to mine. I move in the cell, unafraid of her, and crouch. My knees bump into hers, causing her to flinch.

"I need you to do a few more things for me."

"And if I refuse?"

"Well, two other cells contain occupants. Do you care less for them than you did for him?" My hand waves carelessly at the body, and her eyes follow the movement involuntarily. Drawing a deep breath, she stands and moves toward the door, the others calling out to her. They tell her not to give me what I want, but she shakes her head. Stepping around his body, her tears streak down her face.

"You won't need any restraints. I will do what you ask." Her voice is stoic. The other two cry out, arms reaching for her through their bars. It has always been Mimi who had the power, the others were to keep her in line. After today, I won't need them anymore. I waggle my fingers at them, grinning as they cringe back; they see their death in my eyes.

We reach the van, and I help her in the back, sitting her across from Emma, who glares at me with hatred.

"My love, there is a lifetime to work out this little problem." I'm aware she wants to respond but she clamps her mouth shut before glancing at Mimi. "Where are my manners? Emma, this is Mimi. She is going to take care of Jason for me. Mimi, this is Emma, and she's the reason Jason is coming. He is going to trade himself for his friend Aislin's BFF. Of course, don't worry, my love, you aren't going anywhere." The sudden flare of hope on her face sputters out. I close the doors, leaving Powaqu in with them. Hondo is already in the driver's seat. Erika and I climb in my car. In moments, we are all on the road, leaving the house, most likely forever.

We are almost to the ruins when my phone rings. "Hello, Nestor. I assume Jason is ready to sacrifice himself for Emma."

"He said yes. Against everyone's wishes. Do not think we are fooled. We comprehend you will not give her back. He will not listen to reason though, so where do you wish him to come to?"

"I don't think so. Give me his number, and I will call him myself. No need for you or the others to show up and ruin our time together." I listen, waiting. After a long pause, he tells me the number. I hang up. Glancing over at Erika, I smile. Sometimes it is too easy. Unlike last time, he won't escape.

I don't call right away. We get everything ready for him."When he gets here and we get him inside, you must work quickly to force his change. I want him locked in his beast until we break him. He will be locked in this chamber for a long time." She narrows her eyes before nodding her head.

Mimi completes her spell, turning the chamber below the public ruins into a cage. She sets the wards, without the alarm. I take her to the center of the room to the stone altar, where humans used to kill to please the god. Shoving her back on it, I hold her down. "If you did or do anything to come between me and my revenge, I will slit your throat on this very stone and leave you here to die, forgotten. Then, I will go and keep your little friends, letting them pay for your betrayal. I will whisper in their ears that all their pain, all their humiliation, is because of you."

She shivers in fear, flinching as I run my tongue down her neck before I push off and stalk away. Hondo stands at the door. "Watch her." I murmur as I pass him. I need to go to Emma.