JASON

"Uncle." Orpheus is one that I actually like, regardless of his part in the things that happened here. He reminds me a little of Perséphone, someone caught in a situation and making the best of it. Still, I watch him as he approaches Emma. She moans and draws my attention.

He eyes flutter and I lean closer, forgetting Orpheus. "Emma?" I whisper, knowing the God of sound will hear everything I wish to hide.

"Jason?" My names whispers out on a sigh, and I can stop the slight smile that turns up the corner of my lips. "Did it work, did he come?"

"Yes, you crazy, brave woman. Hades came." My thumb rubs over her delicate fingers that are still wrapped around my wrist. "You are still sick, so rest."

"Poison. I didn't know." Her eyes flutter close. I look up at Orpheus as covers her with the fur. "So pretty." She murmurs and I glance back at her, ignoring the grin on Orpheus' face.

"Isn't there anything you can do? At least fix her damaged ankle." My irritation at the situation beats at me.

He pulls the cover back and studies at her ankle and clucks his tongue, unhappy. "I don't know why he didn’t fix this. I understand the poison. Pushing it through her body could do more harm than good but this. Well, this is easy."

"Thank you. She is a dancer, and it would kill her to not be able to. Not to mention it is our fault she was ever in the situation of needing to jump out of a second story window. Arias is his fault." Anger swirls just below the surface, and my beast is pacing. ‘Protect her.’

I pause pondering the statement. 'Even against Hades?' I question.

'Yes, even against the God of the Underworld.' Interesting.

Orpheus’ angelic voice rings out in the room and his head tilts in consternation. He gazes at Emma's face, and I feel his power ramping up more and more pouring into her. Much slower than it should, her ankle heals, the bones sliding back into alignment and the skin returning to its ivory tone. She sighs in her sleep, and I'm glad that some of her pain must be gone.

"She is interesting." That one statement raises my hackles and it worries the beast.

"How so?" I force a nonchalance I don't feel into my voice, knowing I won't really fool the God of Sound.

Instead of an answer, I get a question. "Does your power work on her?"

"I'm not sure. I tried to use it earlier, but she seemed to know that I was and fought it, even though she was unconscious. Why?"

"My own power didn't work on her as it should. I had to really force it." His eyes narrow in interest and once again I feel desperate. I have to get her out of here. I glance at the wall; I know it is where they watch from. "Hades is busy with the one that hurt you both."

My eyes fly to his face. "Arias is here?"

"Oh yes, your father was very angry that you were almost killed. It is not going to go well for that one." There is no emotion in his voice as he hinted to the torture that will befall Arias. Another shrill scream fills the air. "That must be the woman brought in with him."

"Can you get us out of here?" I'm ready to beg him, but he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, Jason. He locked you in using your DNA. He even barred Perséphone from this room. Unfortunately, she drew his interest." His eyes show a hint of sadness as the gazes at Emma.

Looking at the wall, I know my mother watches. Orpheus turns and crosses the room, glancing back at us one last time before he goes. "I will do what I can."

I stand looking at the closed door for a long while before I cross to the wall, knowing she is on the other side.

"Mother, please. You have to help me get out of here. I will gladly stay, but this is no place for her light. You know this. Help her." I lean my head on the wall, closing my eyes, desperation coursing through my body.

Her voice whispers through my mind. "Hold on, my son. I will figure something out. In the meantime, I will tell your friends what is happening. They will want to know that you both live."

I look up, mouthing ‘thank you’ before returning to Emma's side. Crawling back on the bed with her, I wrap my arms around her and smile as she snuggles in, sighing. What does it say about me that I fell asleep to the sounds of the screams? Nothing good, I'm sure.