3. Midas

CHAPTER 3

MIDAS

" I just don't understand how she can be so fucking ungrateful!" Hades shouts in front of me as he stalks back and forth, repeatedly. "She should have been kneeling at my feet!"

Pin and I stand before Hades, watching him rant for at least the thousandth time about Jill Morris. The woman finally escaped this place, though not without help from her beau and his. . . dog. Still, I'm glad she finally got out of here. She was slowly wasting away in Under, and though she'd somehow kept her spirit, I didn't have hope that it would last forever. I like Jill. She reminds me so much of my daughter that I couldn't bear her to stay another moment down here. So when Robin Hood showed up, I didn't alert anyone. I knew he was here. It's my job to know. And Hades probably understands I knew and assumes I just wasn't paying attention which is why I wasn't skinned alive. Though I hadn't been punished, we haven't been spared hearing about the whole ordeal over and over again. Because Hades has one fatal flaw.

His ego.

He assumes no one would ever go against him. He'd rather think me incompetent and drunk than accept that I did it on purpose. I think Pin knows, but we hardly share heart-to-hearts between us. We may be the Gods of Under, but we are not brothers.

We're barely coworkers.

"That woman didn't deserve what you did to her," I interrupt when Hades seems as if he's going to continue into another rant. I'm tired of it. I've heard at least a hundred of these rants since Jill escaped. For my sanity, I don't need to hear anymore of this ridiculous bullshit.

Hades whirls and snarls at me, but I don't even flinch. I've been here longer than Pin. I've seen Hades' mood swings and all his desperate attempts at love. One day, maybe he'll realize the way to a woman's heart isn't through kidnapping. I doubt he will, but let's all be optimistic. I don't know how many more of these fucking rants I can take.

Hades storms up to me when my comment reaches his ears. He puts his face in mine. "I could throw you in the River Styx," he snarls.

Ah yes. The River Styx. I've been told I'll be thrown into it so many times I've lost count. In the beginning, it might have worked. I was younger then, desperate, mourning. Now, I'm just so fucking numb.

"Do it then," I tell him, emotionless. "Kill me. I'd enjoy it at this point."

Hades bares his teeth at me like an animal. "Do your job, Midas. And makes sure it's actually fucking done." He straightens. "As a reminder, that doesn't include giving me relationship advice."

"Then don't talk to me about your non-relationship," I grunt. "I could be doing my job instead of standing here listening to you rant about being bested by a human woman."

Pin scoffs. "Is it even relationship advice when there was never a relationship?"

Hades' flames dance dangerously along his shoulders, reminding us that he's the one in charge here even if the two of us also have powers and roles.

"It doesn't matter," Hades says, shaking his head. "I have something much more valuable now."

Which is so very unlike him. I've never seen a man more desperate for love than Hades. For him to dismiss Jill in his mind now, that means something bigger and better has landed in his lap.

"Which is?" I ask.

"None of your business," he mocks, his eyes bright with his flame. "Worry about your own burdens."

I scowl. "Last I checked, we're all Gods here. And by your doing, Hades. If you've discovered something important to Under, then we have a right to know."

Hades tilts his head. "Last I checked, I'm still the god and you're only playing dress up at my whim." He takes a step closer, invading my personal space. "By the way, have you shined your statue today?"

My blood boils, but I don't let him see my emotions. I keep my face blank, keep my anger under check. "Of course," I say. "As often as you look at the wilted flowers on your mantle."

Hades scowls. "Get out."

"Fucking finally," I growl, turning to leave.

Pin follows after me and once we're out of the throne room, the doors slam shut behind us. I can hear the sounds of furniture being destroyed but I hardly care. I'm only glad we don't have to suffer any more of his rant.

"One of these days, he'll make good on his threat, Midas," Pin warns me, his eyes flickering even in the low light. I've never seen a man with more intimidating eyes than Pinocchio.

"Good," I grumble. "I look forward to it."

And then I storm off toward The Stolen Soul. I need a fucking drink.