CHAPTER

EMMA

I can't take my eyes off of him. Arias is silent in his rage. He stares at me. I see the madness of his love tangled with all the abuse he suffered and is suffering right at this moment. It is awful to see and my heart aches. Yes, he is a monster but monsters are created sometimes and this is one of those times. Doctor Frankenstein is standing right beside me. I glance away from Arias and look at Perséphone, tense with worry. I wonder if it is for me or for Arias, as her eyes are on me but they keep flicking over to him. Her fists keep opening and closing. I look at Hades and then back at her, and a memory breaks free in my mind. Married. I look back at her and I just don't see it. Either she hides her crazy or there must to be more to Hades.

"You feel bad for him. Why? He did horrible things to you. Didn't he?" Hades voice comes from right behind me whispering over my neck. I shiver, clenching my teeth. I hate when people stand right behind me but I have a feeling I shouldn't give him anything else to use against me.

"One doesn't change the other." My eyes are back on Arias. I refuse to look back at Hades.

"Well, you need not worry about him hurting you again; he'll be here with me forever. He earned his place in the Underworld. Of course he isn't useful for actual experiments, but I will find other things to do to him."

Walking over closer to Arias, I place myself in a better position before turning to look at Hades. His face is confused as he studies me. I am a conundrum, I suppose. On one hand, I would like to rip Arias apart for the things he did, not only to me but Jason also. On the other, I can understand his madness. I've seen good people do horrible things when their mind betrays them. Arias isn't good though. He never will be, but I don't think he deserves more of the things that made him bad.

"You're right, of course, he did earn his place here. He did horrible things for years, but you made that possible." Arias and Perséphone's eyes widen in fear at my words. Arias fights his restraints and Hades smiles. Perséphone moves toward me, a shift of her weight only. Hades stares at her, and for the first time, I see something in the depth of his eyes. He truly loves her and if he can love, he can feel other things; at least, I hope so.

"How so, my dear?" His voice is quiet and calm, and suddenly, I'm worried.

Daddy always warns me not to let my mouth write a check my ass couldn't cash. How many times has Aislin had to pull me away when we are out after I've said something? Rationally, I know I should shut up but I don't. "You... Turned him loose on the world. You... Gave him to a horrible person. You... Gave him powers. You... Taught a baby that he wasn't worthy. He is YOUR creation."

I'm proud I'm not yelling, keeping my voice level and calm. I'm pissed and I'm fighting the tears that want to flow. I wish I could see the other's faces but I refuse to look away. A bark of laughter causes me to jump. I smile; I made Hades laugh. I look over at Perséphone, and my smile dies she looks terrified. ‘What?’ I mouth, but she shakes her head.

"My love, maybe I should take her back to Jason. I'm sure she is tired." She moves to his side and rubs her hand along his arm. He looks down at her his love and desire flares to life in his eyes. We are forgotten in that moment, and I look to Arias. He also looks extremely worried. I turn my palms up and and glare at him. I get it, laughing is bad but I have no idea why.

"You amuse me." I look back when his deep voice breaks the silence.

"Great." That one words drips with sarcasm.

He raises an eyebrow at my tone and then his face smooths and he is back to studying my like bug under his microscope. "Yes, take her back to Jason. I'm interested in that reaction he had."

Arias makes a noise. "NO! She is mine!" He screams lunging against the restraints trying to break free. Perséphone's taken hold of my hand and is pulling me from the room. Hades has a more sinister smile on his face as he stands watching his subject's reaction.

We walk down the hall. I study her profile with my peripheral vision. "So..." I begin.

"You" She starts.

We both stop.

"You go ahead," she says.

"You're married to him, right?"

"Yes, for a long time. It is a long story but the shortened version is I did it to save Jason and the others that came after. It was his price for their freedom." My mouth falls open before forming an O.

"You sacrificed yourself."

"Don't be too in awe. He loves me. People think he has no emotions but he does. He turns them off when they are of no use. I've grown to love him. The children are our one issue. Although he hasn't made any in quite some time. He also knows that Jason brings those he track down to the Elysian Fields to live."

"Oh well, that's good then... Wait, what? Jason doesn't kill them?"

"No, he brings them to a place I made for them."

"Never to be seen again," I say as Powaqu's words echo through my mind.

"Yes, I suppose that's true." She appears a tiny bit offended.

"No. No, sorry. Someone told me that he hunts and destroys the others. He is their greatest fear. Their boogeyman because they think he kills all he hunts."

"Some he had to kill, some the hellhound will kill, but Jason always tries to save them first." Her voice is sad. I reach out for her hand and she grips mine tight as she starts to pull me down the hall. "Now, I wonder how do you feel about Jason?"

"Umm, well, I mean, I don't really know him." I don't want to say that I've dreamt of him since I saw him that first night. I can't say that I consider the beast mine. How do I explain that I'm drawn to the broken ones, the damaged ones? Aislin long ago pointed out my weakness for men that are so like my daddy. How many times has she held me after I realized that one couldn't or wouldn't let me love him? It is that part of me that can have sympathy for Arias. It looks at Jason and wants to be the place he falls, the person that holds his secrets. I look up and she is smiling at me. I realize that the goddess and I aren't that different.

"He will not be easy. He built a wall to protect himself. He thinks it is to protect others but my Jason, he guards his heart. Your friend penetrated that wall." I grin. That sounds like Aislin. She has a light in her, hidden behind her own wall. When she lets you see it, lets you in, well, you feel like the most special person in the world. I saw hers the moment I met her in fifth grade and I swore to protect that part of her.

"If she chooses you, it is for life. He has no idea. Soon he will realize what he has in her." I grin again, picturing her protecting him.

"I believe he will soon realize what he has in you." My eyes fly to her face at her words.

"What does that mean?"

"You'll see." She opens the door I didn't realize we had stopped in front of and gently pushes me through. I stumble and stop, turning to look at her, but the door is already closed. I turn back and see Jason standing tensely across the room. An instant later, he is right in front of me, and I jump, startled.

"Jesus, don't do that. Are you trying to give a heart attack?" My voice sounds like a harpy, and I sigh. "Sorry. Listen, it's been a very trying couple of weeks."

His eyes are scanning over my body, and I'm surprised at the hint of heat in them. I mean, I know I look like shit. Really couldn't I meet him looking my best. I want to cry suddenly. I tromp over to the bed and throw myself over it, sulking like a child.

"Are you alright?"

"ALRIGHT! Alright. AM I ALRIGHT?!" I'm screaming and I can feel a breakdown coming. "NO! I'm not fucking alright. I've been kidnapped. Watched someone get eaten by rats. Saw someone get their throat slit right in front of me... Twice. Had my brains scrambled by a goddess. Had all my memories of love stolen. Was made to believe I loved the man who kidnapped me. Had sex with that man. Broke my ankle. Was locked in a temple with a giant hellhound. Had to slit my wrist to save him and now I'm stuck in HELL. NO, I’M NOT ALRIGHT!" My body is shaking with my sobs and anger. "And I need a goddamn shower and some clean clothes." I let go. I know somewhere deep down I'm safe with him. Well, as save as a girl can be in hell. I let it all break free and vomit it all out. Every emotion I have shoved down, every fear and every terror bubbles to the surface.