13. Hades

R eaping that soul and the makeout session with Pyro and Drevi was just what I needed to relax my nerves about this Halloween party and showing the mortals my blue skin.

"Drevi, do you mind if I bring my scythe as a part of my costume? Or do you think my blue hair and skin will be enough to convey my costume?"

"If you want to bring it, I don't mind, but I don't know how many people will guess you are Hades. When they think of Hades, they think he is a man, but you look amazing."

"I think I'll save the scythe for later. Blue skin, here I come." I wink. I run my hands down my hair and then my body; it's like magic as my natural blue skin returns. I love the color and hate having to hide it when I'm topside.

Drevi whistles. "Hot damn, woman. You're on fire. All the women at the party are sure to be jealous of your beauty."

"Don't let Aphrodite hear you say that," I remark with a smile. "Is everyone ready for the party?"

At my question, the other three emerge from where they were hiding and join Drevi and me in the living room.

"This party won't start until we arrive," Frank promises.

Surrounded by my men, we head to the elevator and down to the party.

When we arrive at the entrance of the courtyard, fog and eerie music greet us. The lights are pulsing, giving a horror-movie vibe to the whole place. There is already a large crowd of people slow dancing and mingling around the food tables.

Until they notice us. Then the whispers start. My hearing is better than the average mortal's.

Wow, look at that dress.

Which brother is she with?

Damn, I thought Pyro would come shirtless with his chest painted.

I put on a fake smile and grab Drevi's and War's hand as we continue into the party.

War leans in after he nods to a guest. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just the normal drama that comes with mortals. They are wondering which brother I'm with, and you don't want to know what they were saying when I took yours and Drevi's hand," I reply, trying to let the hurtful words roll off my back. I am the Goddess of the Underworld; why do I care what these people think? My men love me and I love them.

"Relax and let's have some fun. They are going to talk about you because you are the most beautiful woman here, so let them do it." War smirks as he wraps his hand around my waist.

"You know what, you're right. Drevi, will you be a dear and have the DJ play another slow song? War and I are going to cut a rug."

He chuckles as he walks off towards the DJ's space .

"What, did I say something funny?" I ask with my brow furrowed.

"Not many people say ‘cut a rug' anymore, but it's cute when you say it." War smiles, trying to reassure me.

"Well, I just can't keep up with all the current lingo, I mean my place is with the dead." I huff.

"Stop overthinking it and dance with me."

He steps in front of me, placing both of his hands on my hips as I wrap mine around his shoulders. War holds me close as we sway to the melancholy tune.

At this moment, this day is perfect. Then, I hear two voices that have annoyed me my whole life. I don't even acknowledge them; I simply snuggle into War's arms with my head on his bare chest. The thumping of his heartbeat is all I need.

"Do you mind if I cut in?"

"Actually, I do." War's reply vibrates through me. The authority in his voice doesn't waver.

There is a temperature fluctuation and electricity filling the air around us. Lifting my head, I roll my eyes when I notice that my brother is dressed as himself, white toga and laurel crown.

"Brother, there are plenty of mortal women to pick from, can't you just let me be?" I sigh.

"With all the makeup on their faces and weird dresses, I can't distinguish if they are, in fact, pretty or not." He huffs.

"That is not my problem, you will have to take your chances," I say, standing my ground. I came to party with my men, not dance with my brother.

"Fine, but save a dance for me, unless I get lucky." He winks as he strolls back into the crowd.

I pretend to gag as I return my head to War's chest. "They just can't leave me alone to enjoy this night here with you four, can they? "

"Don't look now, but I think I see Poseidon heading this direction."

"Gah, come on," I say, unwrapping myself from him and taking his hand. "Let's get some punch or alcohol. Yes, alcohol may be needed for me to survive this night with my brothers lurking."

On the way to the makeshift bar, there is a crowd of women fighting to get my brothers' attention.

"Yes, I need a big drink. Those two asshats can't let me enjoy anything on my own," I complain as War hands me my drink. It's a light-blue color with red sugar around the rim.

"Any good? Frank picked out all the cocktails himself. Honestly, I'm surprised he isn't back there tending the bar himself," War remarks with a laugh.

"I'd have to punish him later if he was." I wink. "This drink is amazing. What's it called?"

Hot breath fans my neck. "Elixir of Fortune."

"Frank, it's a great drink."

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in close. "Once you finish your drink, it's my turn for a dance."

"Why wait?"

I hand my drink to War without hesitation as I spin in Frank's arms.

"Let's go now."

"As my lady wishes."

He takes my hand, leading me into the middle of the crowd.

I lean in and whisper, "Everyone's staring."

"That's because they are jealous of how amazing you look."

"Or maybe it's you, you are gorgeous." I run a hand down his chest.

"You're going to make me blush."

I reach up to place my lips on his when a scream pierces the air. Frank and I break apart, and I call for my scythe. It glistens in the pulsing lights as we make our way to two women fighting over Poseidon.

"I saw him first, back off, you slut."

"No, he said that he'd save me a dance. Didn't you, sweetie?"

I can't help but roll my eyes at his costume—a male mermaid. He went all-out but not with a beard like Zeus. His tight pants are scales, and he has a golden crown and a matching trident. I'm glad I didn't eat anything before we came to the party.

Stepping up between the ladies, I ask, "Do we have a problem here?"

"Not at all, I was just trying to get the dance I was promised from King Triton here," a woman dressed as a vampire replies.

A fairy with rainbow hair and matching wings doesn't let me get a word in when she says, "No, sweetie, it's my turn for a dance."

"What if I cut him down the middle and then he can dance with both of you?" I pipe in.

"Sister, I don't like this idea at all," my brother complains.

"Well, if you weren't here doling out promises to women with no intention of keeping them, we wouldn't have a problem," I scold him, using my godly tone.

"We aren't in the Underworld, don't judge me," he orders.

"It's what I do." I shrug. "Now, ladies, I have another brother. Zeus, stop hiding and come here."

"You are not one to order me around," he says from behind. "But I could never turn down a dance with a beautiful woman." He extends his hand to the vampire.

"See, ladies, all settled. Let's get back to partying," I say, smiling at Frank .

He takes my hand and we walk back to War. "Where are Drevi and Pyro hiding?" I ask, scouring the crowd for them.

"Don't fret, they are here somewhere, maybe behind the scenes," War says, trying to reassure me.

The crowd parts a little as a black cat sashays across the floor and up my skirt. It takes its little paw across my face with a padded slap. "Have I just been blessed by the Halloween gods?"

War and Frank are both smiling when Frank speaks up. "No, that's one of Pyro's exes. If you look there, she has changed forms but in a black cat costume."

"Oh," is all I can muster when Pyro comes out of the crowd in a black suit and an old doctor's mask.

He doesn't say a word, just holds out a gloved hand to me. I take it, and he walks us to the other side of the dance floor.

"Why all the mystery?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

No reply, as he removes his mask, but I am surprised to see the face under it.

"What are you doing here, Hermes? And what happened to your face?"

"I have a message from Ares, and this"—he runs a hand down his face—"was a gift from your niece, Harper."

"So, errand boy, what does that asshole want me to know?"

"He's coming for you."

He disappears in a puff of smoke.

So, Ares didn't get his ass kicked enough the first time, he's coming back for more? I beat him once, I will do it again. This time, I have to make him come to me. If I succeed then I will have an army of the dead at my disposal. Their souls are already mine and I know that some of the soldiers in Elysian are itching for a fight. The quiet life isn't for them.

I realize that I am still standing in the middle of the dance floor and I need to get back to the Underworld. Ares may be marching on the gates as we speak. Lainie will defend till her last breath but Ares wants me and my throne. It's not for her to die for, she is not a fighter.

I make my way over to the bar, Pyro and Drevi are deep in conversation with some brunette with her tits hanging out.

"Hello, boys. Do you have a new friend to introduce me to?" I ask, motioning to the brunette.

"Oh, I was trying to talk them into taking me back to my room," she hiccups. "I may have had a little too much to drink."

She paws at me as if she's telling a joke.

"Pyro, will you have one of the bartenders escort her back to her room? We don't want her to get lost or have an accident on her way back."

"Marko, come help this lovely lady back to her room," Pyro calls the closest bartender.

He nods and heads over to collect her. Once they are out of earshot, Drevi and Pyro are eyeing me.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.

"Who was the mystery man that you danced with?" Pyro questions, raising an eyebrow.

"Another spawn of my brother, Zeus. It was Hermes. He delivered a message from that brat, Ares. He is waging war against me again. I hate to cut my visit here short but I have a throne to defend. If Ares lays a hand, nay a finger, on Lainie, he will wish that he was never born."

War whistles, "Those are fighting words, count me in." He walks up behind me, wrapping me in his arms. "And who, my beloved, are we maiming now?"

"My idiot nephew. I was telling your brothers that I have to return to the Underworld. I need a quick word with my brother and then I'll be off. I would love you at my side, but I know you have a business here. Collect Frank, and fill him in please. There is that asshat, Zeus, I'll be right back."

I don't wait for them to object as I traipse through the dancing couples and pull my brother from sucking face in a dark corner.

"Hades, how'd you spot me?" he asks.

"The little bolts of lightning arcing around you was a dead give away," I snark, before I grab his ear and drag him from his new mortal conquest.

"Your ass of a son is challenging me again. This time, I will reap his soul. The first time, I let him leave with his life. He has decided to come for me and my throne."

Zeus's eyes grow wide, "I always knew he was trouble. I don't wish him dead, but it's as if he has a death wish. You kicked his ass in the last battle, he came back to me licking his wounds. I told him he was a fool to try to dethrone you, but he won't listen to me."

"Fair, but I will not relent this time. He will get what is coming to him. I have another question for you, dear brother," I say.

His attention is starting to drift back to where we left his mortal.

I slap his cheek and his eyes return to me, sparks of lightning arcing.

"What was that for?" he demands.

"You are losing your focus. I have a question, then you can skamper back to your new friend," I say.

"What would that be?" he asks, the annoyance rising with each word.

"Who's Harper and where can I find her?"

For the first time in centuries, my brother pales before me.

"What do you want with her?" he demands the sparks lighting again.

"Hermes mentioned her when he brought me the message from Ares. Half his face is nothing but a huge scar, I want a demi-god that is powerful on my side. It's been thousands of years since someone got the upperhand on Hermes."

"No, you can't have her. I've only just gotten her back," he stammers.

"Hermes will seek revenge for his face, you know this. She will be safer with me."

"No, she has her protectors, she will be fine."

I'm not sure if he is trying to convince me or himself.

"I am Hades, my soulmates are the four horsemen, what are her protectors? Demi-gods? If you think I mean to harm her, that is not my intention. I will give her the choice of coming with me. I promise you, brother, for protection only. If she chooses to fight, I will do my best to sway her from it. Bring her to me." My last statement is a command.

Zeus snaps his fingers and standing before us is a beautiful blonde surrounded by three men, their arms up in a fighting position.

"Harper, I want you to meet my sister, Hades."