Attempt 159

Idon't even have to try on this lock. It barely puts up a fight as I stab a quill inside it and pry it open. I don't understand how this lock was supposed to be more difficult at first, not until I jerk the door open, and a shrill alarm starts to blare. I curse and search for the source of it. Finding none, I take off running, knowing this attempt will be a race rather than a slow sneaking.

I slide out of the hallway and turn right, pushing myself as hard as I can go, digging in my toes as I run. I've spent years outrunning demons back in the Enchanted Forest, and now I spend my days doing the same here. Here, they're not trying to kill me. They only dive at me and try to capture me. Most of them miss. A few get ahold of the edges of my cloak and tear pieces away. But I'm too fast for most of them. And despite the shrill alarm, I'm surprised I make it to the portal room at all. I don't even know which of the rooms will take me back home. I only hope to get out.

I throw the door open and find the portal, the air sparkling in front of me, glittering an invitation. I hesitate only a few seconds before I'm launching myself forward, trying my best to reach it in time. The shrill alarm is starting to give me a headache.

"Almost there," I grunt, hitting the middle of the room and launching myself toward the portal. I grit my teeth, preparing to slam into the portal. Hope blooms in my chest. . .

. . .before I'm jerked violently to a stop and slam into the ground with an oomph.

"You almost got it," Hades laughs. "You gotta be quicker than that."

I scream in outrage and claw at the ground as he starts dragging me backward away from the portal. My nails crack and start to bleed as I try to drag myself back forward, as I try to get away.

"Let me go, you bastard!" I scream, kicking back at him.

He only laughs and keeps his hand clamped around my ankle. The portal room disappears as he drags me kicking and screaming back to the city and throws me forward. I roll and cough as the dust fills my lungs. I launch myself to my feet and snarl at him, prepared for a fight.

"I despise you!" I spit, desperation filling me. I know this attempt is a failure, but it still pisses me off.

"Yes. You've told me that before," he nods. "Perhaps, you could try loving me instead?"

"You're so out of fucking touch, you don't even know how to make a woman fall in love with you," I spit and shake my head. "Idiot."

He straightens and narrows his eyes. "Well, if you're going to be rude, you can just go on back to your room." He snaps his fingers and a man I've never seen before appears.

I freeze at his appearance, at the red sparkle of his eyes and the wooden look of his skin. He's dressed in a suit and the prettiest but most brutal artwork is carved and etched into his skin along his neck and arms where I can see.

"Who is he?" I ask, staring at the newcomer.

"Ah, yes," Hades says with a wave toward him. "Meet Pinocchio. Another God of Under."

"Another?" I snap. "How many of you are there?"

But no one answers me. Instead, Hades turns to Pinocchio and gestures toward me. "Be a doll and escort her back to her room, would you?"

Pinocchio scowls. "Just because I'm new doesn't mean I'm a babysitter."

Hades' eyes light up. "Funny. I thought it was because I'm in charge."

They face off against each other before Pinocchio scowls deeper and turns toward me. "Let's go."

Out of curiosity, I follow after him. "What's up with your skin? And your eyes?"

"You always ask rude questions?" he sneers.

"Yeah, when I'd like to know the answer," I admit. "Are you some sort of tree spirit?"

He chuckles darkly. "No. No spirits here."

When he offers nothing else, I sigh. "Fine. Be an asshole. At least Midas is nice enough." I've seen the other God a handful of times and it's always a pleasant meeting. Somehow, I don't think it'll be the same with Pinocchio.

He doesn't say another word until we reach my room. "Get inside," he orders.

My eyes catch on the small holes drilled in his hands, almost like they were meant for a loop. "You got a spot for keychains?"

He slams the metal door in my face and stares at me. "Not keychains, Demon Hunter. Strings." He leans in closer and bares his teeth. "But there won't be any strings on me ever again."

And then he leaves me there to stare after him.

What the fuck?