not going to leave Arand out there alone if there is something I can do to help him.”
Araminta nodded. “Then we’re all in.”
Aimee dragged her fingers through her short dark hair, saying aloud what the rest of them were thinking. “We’ll need every advantage we can get if Hades unleashes his demons on the world. We might be safe from him, but no one else is.”
Chapter Eleven
Reclining in his enormous mahogany chair, Hades was the picture of relaxation as he entertained his unexpected guests. Inside, he was a seething cauldron of barely restrained fury. The wolf was on the move, the hour of his brilliant plan was at hand, and he was stuck having to chat with his brothers.
“So, Hades, there have been some troubling disturbances in your realm over the past few months.” Zeus sat on the sumptuous leather couch, which Hades reserved for the few guests he did receive. The legs of the couch had been shortened, so whoever was seated on it was close to the floor. Hades preferred to tower above everyone else. Not that Zeus seemed bothered by the obvious power ploy. If anything, his brother seemed amused, which only pissed him off even more.
“Surges of power,” Poseidon pointed out as he wandered around the room examining the various treasures on display. Hades wanted to rip his brother’s hand off and beat him with it. He didn’t like anyone touching his things.
Shrugging, Hades took a sip of the very fine merlot that filled the gold goblet in his hand. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I slipped into the human realm a few times to have some fun. And I sometimes let some of my demons run free for a spell as a reward for tasks they’ve done for me.”
And that was a bald-faced lie. Anyone who knew him at all knew he never gave rewards for anything. He expected his demons to do what he demanded of them simply because he demanded it. Their reward was in serving him.
Hades wanted to look at his magic mirror, wanted to know what was happening with the wolf and Sabrina, but he didn’t dare. Neither Zeus nor Poseidon knew the mirror was special, that it was more than simply a looking glass. That was his secret.
He’d planned on taking Agmar and several more demons and attacking the warrior and his woman as soon as they were out of the city. But the unexpected visit from his siblings put the kibosh on that idea. Now he was forced to play congenial host for who knew how long.
And Mordecai wasn’t around to send in his stead, and he had only himself to blame for that. For once, he wouldn’t mind the serpent hovering in the shadows.
Philosophical about the whole thing, he gave an internal shrug and relaxed. Arand and his woman weren’t going far, and he knew where to find them. He’d deal with them as soon as his brothers returned to their own realms. There were quite a few hours left between now and midnight.
And just the thought of finally having sufficient power to strip his brothers of theirs was enough to give Hades the patience he needed. Soon, Zeus wouldn’t be able to lord anything over him again. Soon, it was Hades they would all bow to.
“More wine, brother?” He waved to the female demon standing in the corner, and the creature hurried toward Zeus, her head lowered as she offered the wine to his guests.
“Don’t mind if I do.” Zeus waited until his goblet was full before continuing. “So there was nothing more to the surge of energy than a few trips to the human realm?”
Hades shook his head, knowing his expression was one of total innocence. It should be. He’d practiced it enough over the years. “If it’s any more than that, I don’t know what it could be.” He rubbed his jaw and gave his brother a thoughtful gaze. “Maybe one of the other gods or goddesses decided to have some fun.”
“No.” Poseidon’s deep voice filled the room. “The energy bears your distinct mark.” He tapped the side of his nose. “I could smell it.”
Hades wanted to grab one of his jeweled mahogany walking sticks and beat his brother until he could no longer smell anything. Poseidon was always the smarter of his brothers. Zeus was more laidback, relying solely on his powers, confident he could defeat any threat.
But that was before. A new order was dawning, one in which Hades would be king. He’d have to lock his brothers away, of course, but that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t like them that much anyway so it wasn’t as though he would miss them. And there were plenty other gods and goddesses to fawn over him once he became their leader.
Hades set his goblet on the thickly carved arm of his chair and spread his arms wide. “I don’t know what to tell you, my brothers. I’ve made a few trips to the human realm and had some fun.” He wiggled his eyebrows, knowing how his brothers, especially Zeus, would interpret the action.
Sure enough, the randy old goat chuckled and grabbed his cock through his silk pants. “Nothing like a good workout with some prime human female.”
Hades would never lower himself to such a thing. It was an abomination to deplete the bloodlines in such a way. Not that Zeus ever cared about such things. All he cared about was having his dick serviced.
Zeus and Poseidon began to chat and Hades relaxed slightly. A few hours at most and his brothers would be gone. The next time he met them would be on the field of battle. He needed Arand on his side. With the wolf and the serpent, he would have a much better chance of reaching his goal of world domination. Once all the humans worshipped him, he would be all-powerful. Then he would turn his attention to his family.
His left eye twitched, the only outward sign of his anger. How he wanted to peer into his mirror and find out what was going on. He also wanted to know where Mordecai was.
Was the serpent on his way to New Orleans? Would he get there in time?
The immortal warrior had tricks up his sleeve. Hades was sure of it. As long as those powers were used to further his goals, Hades had no problem with Mordecai wielding them, at least until the war was won. Once Hades was king—no, supreme ruler—of the world, he would crush the serpent.
He picked up his wine and took another sip of the rich beverage. Maybe he should imprison Mordecai instead of killing him. Yes, that was a better plan. That way he could torture the serpent whenever the mood struck him. He would keep the warrior in the same cell he’d kept the Lady of the Beasts in for all those years.
The irony was lovely. He almost rubbed his hands together with glee until he remembered he had an audience.
Hades rose from his chair and smiled. “Brothers, let us go and tour my realm and I’ll show you the improvements I’ve made since you were last here.”
He knew they were both uncomfortable around his demons and the damned human souls who resided here. It was his small way of retaliating against them for invading his home, his privacy, without invitation.
Zeus rose easily from the low sofa and glanced at Poseidon before motioning to the door. “Lead on. I’m looking forward to it.”
Arand breathed in the fresh air. It was a combination of water, fresh and rotting vegetation and the light perfume of some of the wild flowers that blossomed in spite of the harsh conditions.
In the distance, a gator gave a rumbling bellow to let everyone know he considered the area his territory. Several ducks flew overhead and an owl gave a cry as it flew from one tree to another, disturbed by his presence.
The world was full of life and so was he. Raising his arms in the air, he stretched every muscle in his body. The urge to run was sharp. His blood hummed with a fever to race through the woods and into the swamp. His wolf prowled impatiently within him.
“Soon,” he promised the wolf. “Very soon.” Still, he could take a moment for himself. He was very aware, his senses even keener when he was in his wolf form. He would know if anyone approached or threatened.
He willed his pants and leather boots away, letting the wind caress his naked skin. He felt wild and elemental, exactly the way he should, the way he was created to be.
Arand threw back his head and howled, the primal sound echoing through the trees. He fully embraced his wolf and the change, the ripple of his muscles as they readied themselves for the metamorphosis to come. It was
