EMMA

I come awake, like swimming up through a thick oil. I feel sick and everything hurts. My insides feel like they've been hit by a blow torch. I can't hold back a moan as my stomach cramps and my mouth begins to water. I throw myself over the edge of the bed right as the heaving starts. I feel someone move behind me and a warm hand runs over my back as I empty my stomach. On and on it goes. Oh Jesus, just kill me.

"Emma?" A warm honeyed voice flows over me. Chills run over my body and I'm ninety-nine percent sure it's not a fever. I heave one last time and I wipe my mouth on the sheet. I just don't care. I roll back to my back and I'm lost in liquid pools of dark chocolate. Jason. Oh shit, he is so much better in person. Fuck, I know I look like shit on a stick. I close my eyes and groan. "Are you okay. Does it hurt?"

"Yes and yes. I'm so glad you are okay. So did it work? Did he come?"

"Yes, it worked; it was crazy but it worked. Yes, he came and he brought us here."

I pry my eyes open and glance around. "To a hospital?"

"I wish. No the Underworld."

Looking around, I can't stop myself from taking him in. The pictures Aislin had snuck did not do him justice. God, he is amazing, and I feel stupid for even daydreaming about him. He is watching me, and my hand raises to smooth my unruly hair.

"You are beautiful."

"Ha, I'm sure I look like death warmed over but thanks." I push myself up.

"Careful, the poison is still working out of your system. Hades was concerned that you wouldn't survive if they forced it out."

Swinging my legs over, I gasp when I see my ankle. I lock eyes with him, grinning, and my heart stutters when he smiles back at me. So outta my league.

"Orpheus fixed it. He was surprised that it wasn't easy for him. His powers didn't work well on you."

"No, Arias didn't care for the fact that his didn't either. I'm pretty sure it is because of a fever I had when I was a kid messed up my hearing a little bit. I hear in double tones, which throws everything a tiny bit off." He is looking at me with curiosity.

"And still you dance so beautifully."

"Well, the beat is fine, just not the tone."

"Could you tell when Arias was trying to use his power?" He asks.

"Oh, yeah. It was like a huge pressure in my head."

"That explains it then. When I first woke, I tried to ease your pain and you fought me some, and you were speaking to Arias. I'm sorry if it brought you any additional discomfort." I love that he doesn't ask what Arias had tried to force me to do.

Shivering, I look away, not wanting to think about my betrayal. His hand grasps mine, but he doesn't ask. I don't want to tell him. I might not have a chance with him but I don't want to see pity in his eyes. I plan to hide it away with my other secrets, secrets I have hidden from everyone. Aislin knows all my secrets but one, and this will join it. Some secrets are meant to be kept in a deep dark cave until you are strong enough and meet the right person to share them with. Some are meant to be snuck out through the backwoods, spirited away, and hidden deep in the swamp for all time.

The sound of the door opening draws my gaze. Fucking hell, is every man here movie star quality? He is stunning as he glides through the door, black hair, blue eyes that shine even from across the room, and a killer smile. I feel Jason tense beside me just before he stands and moves to intercept the man. I glance between them, noticing something is off. I lean to the left, trying to see around Jason. Blue eyes lock on my green ones.

"I see you have woken. Your will to live was great enough, then. I have some questions to ask." His eyes never leave mine and I realize what is missing. Emotions.

I remember when I was younger, I went with daddy to a few meetings. The other veterans didn't mind me sitting in. I would listen to their stories and watch as they sometimes shut down, withdrawing deep within themselves. People call it the thousand yard stare, but I knew for them it was a shield, a protection from their nightmares. That's how daddy described his PTSD to me one time - being stuck in a waking nightmare, where somewhere deep inside you know it isn't real but you are trapped.

This man in front of me has that same distant stare, and there is nothing behind his eyes. I think his eyes are like that by choice.

"Maybe later. She just woke up." Jason's voice said it wasn't a suggestion. Those eyes turn to him and study him. I realize it is like when you hear some describe a scientist studying his subject. This is Hades, and I am his subject. My skin crawls as I remember Arias's story of his treatment here. His face turns back to me, and he noticed my shiver. He moves around Jason, and I'm frozen in place as he comes to me. I peer over his shoulder. Jason's hands are clenched and his body is coiled.

I smile up at Hades. "Thank you for coming and saving us. I had hoped I remembered my mythology correctly, hoped I was doing the right thing."

"Oh yes, you did the right thing. Your blood sacrifice broke through the wards." He looks at Jason, who lets a growl rumbled up his throat. "Very well, Son. I will wait until later to do my tests. I have to attend to Arias anyway. The woman was disappointing."

My eyes widen. "You have Arias here?" I involuntarily look around, pulling in on myself, before I straighten my back.

"Yes, he was such a disappointment so long ago. Maybe this time he will prove to be more useful in my work." He glides back to the door before looking at us one last time.

"We need to leave. Now." Jason paces the room, looking for any weakness. I move over to the door, reaching out, Jason’s hand slaps against my wrist. "You don't want to do that."

Nodding, I lower my hand. As I'm about to turn, a blood curdling scream fills the air, and I jump.

"What the fuck is that?" I whisper.

"That would be Arias being useful. The poor bastard."

"Oh my god. We have to do something."

"We can't. Hades holds him, will experiment on him for eternity, and if we get in the way, we will face the same fate."

We both move away from the door, but there is no escaping the sounds. I hate Arias for everything he did, but as the hours drag on, I begin to weep for the boy he was and the man he is now.

No wonder he is the way he is. No one could survive this place intact. I still have tears in my eyes when a figure shimmers in front of me. This might be the final straw, the one that sends me into the abyss of insanity. I, at last, understand Aislin's reactions.