28. Harper

W e follow Hades's directions but we don't have to avoid Ares at all. He makes a beeline for her as if she is the only one waiting for him.

I am in the middle of my guys. It is cute how they think they need to protect me. As if I am not the one that saved their asses at Hermes's compound.

So far, in a sea of black leather, Hermes hasn't shown his face. That coward would most likely be hidden behind a wave or two of Ares's men. There is no way he could be on the front line. If that asshole does show.

Seemingly, Stone speaks up. "No eyes on Hermes yet."

How Ares controls his minions is beyond me, there is a tiny voice in the back of my head worried for Phoenix. Will he submit to Ares if it comes to pass? I shake my head, trying to rid those thoughts. We will have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

The first wave was almost upon us in a flash, but my reflexes are faster and the bolt around my neck is now an arcing sword in my hands. Mere seconds after, I notice that Nile has his trident and Stone is swinging his hammer around.

"Phoenix, you good?" I ask.

He nods and raises the sword that War handed him in the living room, as if it's proof that he is, indeed, ready.

Nile side steps towards me as the other two step forward, without taking their eyes off the army. "I know you can fight better than the three of us. But for my sanity, please stay behind us."

"What about a compromise? Side-by-side. If you think I can just stand behind you and watch you fight, you're crazy," I say back.

He huffs, "Fine, but I don't want you to see you running off to take on like fifty guys."

"Do I have ‘stupid' on my forehead?" I joke.

This gets a smile from him as he settles in next to me.

"This shit is about to go down," Stone comments.

My blade is sending little sparks of electricity in the air as the enemy advances. I call on the powers I received from my parents and the wind picks up a little at first. I will it to start swirling and whip harder around the foot soldiers. At first, none of them seem fazed by it until they are having trouble with their footing.

That's the moment we attack. Metal clangs on metal as swords clash with shields. I'll give Ares credit, he does know now to train his men.

In a blur of blue light, the first few waves fall, the souls have taken them down without any help from us. This same light seems to surround Hades and she does a little bow and it disappears as fast as it came.

"Fuck, I'm glad we are on Hades's side," Stone comments.

"That's no lie, but we can't expect that to happen with each wave of men. We have to keep our guards up and fight as we promised," I remind them.

"What does she need us for if the souls here can do that?" Nile asks.

"Well, I'm sure that she can't allow all the souls to fight, the dead will outnumber the living but only a select few can be trusted to return to their rightful places. There may be more but she'll save them for the end of the battle."

We prepare for the next wave when my vision darkens for a second and then the scene before is one out of my nightmares.

The sand is bleeding and there are bodies littering the shore everywhere. My legs are heavy and I glance down at my blood-covered body to my feet where my men lay. How did this happen already? In the blink of an eye, I lost everyone that I loved. Why are the fates so cruel? Ares and his men still approach me.

The tears spill down my cheeks as I fall to my knees and an animalistic scream leaves my lips. I'm no longer in control over my powers and I don't care. I pull at each of my men and haul them into my arms the best I can. My lightning arcs all over my skin, this is new even for me. I don't fight anymore, I give into the rawness of my loss and for the first time, I literally light from the ground up and send out my power to any of the standing enemy.

This time, my vision clears and the bodies that are strung across the sand are those of Ares's men.

I'm in Stone's arms, he is looking down at me, concern written in his expression.

"What happened?" I ask.

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

"Bodies, blood, everyone died and I couldn't cope. My powers lashed out and I didn't stop them. "

"If I had to guess, it was my brothers, Deimos and Phobos. Ares likes to think of them as a secret weapon. They personify terror and fear, they play on your weakness to blind you from the truth in hopes that you will kill your loved ones for them. But jokes on them, even with you in your own head, you targeted Ares's army and those two crispy critters are most likely the twins," Phoenix states.

"Oh, Ares is going to be pissed at me," I laugh.

"That is an understatement," a female voice confirms.

"Aunt Enyo, what a displeasure to see you again. Can't let dear old Dad make an idiot out of himself alone, I see," Phoenix says.

"I'll deal with you in a little while, this bitch is mine. The twins were my favorite of Ares's spawn, there is hell to pay."

"If you want Harper, you have to get through me," Phoenix states.

Nile steps up next to him as Stone helps me to my feet.

"You good?" Stone asks in a whisper.

I nod and his arms unwrap from around me and he takes his place on the other side of Phoenix.

"Aww, she can't fight me, woman-to-woman?" Enyo teases.

"The twins you are here to defend are still smoldering from her powers. You're stupid if you think she can't handle you," Stone spits.

"I meant for our steel to do all the talking. Or is she too much of a coward for that? Having to hide behind her powers from Daddy," she taunts.

"You aren't going to goad me into fighting you. If you want a fight, I'm right here, bitch." I say.

My men step aside and she advances on me, with her blade poised to attack .

"This isn't going to end well for you. Once I have your head, I will collect theirs, too," she smirks.

"That's gross, I bury what I kill. Trophies aren't needed," I respond.

"Less talking, more action."

"As you wish," I say.

I raise my sword but I wait for her to attack first. There is no rush on my part; unlike her, I'm not fueled by rage. I do my best to clear my mind and focus on her movements and calculate her weaknesses. Her blade isn't evenly balanced and this throws off the way she swings it. She protects her left side, leaving her right open for an attack.

Enyo steps closer, hoping that will help her land a blow, but I counter her with ease. I can see the frustration on her face grow with each failed attempt.

I think of gloating but I will not stoop to her level, I take a deep breath and wait for that right side to open up and I take my shot. I land the blow into her ribs and she gasps in surprise.

"How?" she questions as she drops her blade to hold the wound.

"Instead of taunting your opponent maybe use your eyes," I say.

She stumbles back towards her brother and my guys want to go after her. I motion for them to stay as the next wave has hit the shore.

Back to defending the gates as Hades wishes.