Demons of the Sun (40 page)

But she wasn’t going to get any of her wishes tonight. She lifted her chin and walked toward them. Jax’s widened eyes shouted at her to get back, but she continued moving closer.

She put a hand on his shoulder when she reached him. “I can’t let you die.”

Jax shook his head. “Don’t do it. We’ll never win if demons can walk in the sun again. There are too few members of the Order left.”

Afraid Hades might lose his temper if she gave Jax a real kiss like she wanted to, she settled for kissing his cheek. Moving her lips next to his ear, she whispered, “I love you. If you get the chance, you know what I want you to do.”

He reached out to her, but the demons holding his arms yanked him back.

Taking a deep breath, she turned to face Hades. “Let him go. You know I’ll keep my word, but I’m not sure you’ll keep yours.”

An anguished expression overtook his features. “I’m hurt you don’t trust me. But I’ll grant your request.”

The demons holding Jax released him.

“Go!” she yelled. But Jax didn’t go. He reached for her, but the demons who’d been holding him, blocked his way.

“Don’t worry,” Hades said. “I’ll keep my promise, no matter how much he tries to interfere.”

Somehow she knew he’d keep his word. As scared as she was, that thought comforted her. She pulled her gaze off Jax and took another step toward the person she used to think she was in love with. The closer she got to him, the stronger she felt the pull.

“Damn it, Persephone,” Jax yelled. “Don’t do it!”

Hades reached out and ran his fingers down her arm. Her knees trembled and her breath caught in her throat. His touch sent warmth into her, even now, when she was trying to hate him.

Continuing to rub his fingers up and down her arm, he said, “Place the dagger in my hand, and we’ll be ready to start the ceremony. Then we’ll rule the world together.”

Bracing herself, she reached through the folds of her skirt and wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the dagger. She tried to fight it, but heat seared up her arm. The heat spread, making her feel like her entire body was on fire, but pleasantly so. Power washed through her, taking away the last of her fear.

Hades smiled at her, sending her heart fluttering. “There you are, my love.” Wrapping one arm around her, he pulled her to him and kissed her.

Persephone got lightheaded as his kiss melted her to him. Everything felt right, the way it was always supposed to be. She reached up, put her hand behind his neck, and parted her lips, kissing him deeper.

The rest of the world faded away as she stood there, wrapped in the arms of the man she knew she was supposed to be with forever.

***

Jax was momentarily frozen as he watched the girl he loved get kissed by the God of the Underworld.

And then she was kissing him back!

A riotous mix of jealousy, rage, and horror burned through Jax.

When they broke the kiss, Hades took the dagger from Persephone and placed it in his belt. She turned and Jax’s jaw dropped. She looked so different: red glowing irises and a look of total confidence.

The thing she’d feared most had happened.

I failed her.

Looking over his demon army, Hades raised his voice. “Meet your new queen. Persephone, Queen of the Underworld.”

Cheers erupted from the demons.

A beautifully horrific smile hit the pouty lips Jax had admired so many times. Persephone nodded at her army, then leaned her head on Hades shoulder.

And all Jax could do was stare in paralyzing terror.

Hades wrapped his arm around her waist. “Time for your presents.”

The demons brought forward three boxes. Jax didn’t have to see what was inside to know it was going to be bad.

He couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Maybe if he could get to Persephone, he could bring her back. He
would
bring her back.

Movement caught his eye. He turned just in time to see the hilt of a sword coming at him. Blinding pain, and then he was falling, falling, until there was nothing but blackness.

Everything felt right. More than right. Persephone ran her eyes over the demon army. Her demon army. Excitement buzzed through the air and intoxicating power coursed through her veins.Anticipation filled her as the boxes were placed at her feet.

Hades smiled down at her. “After the ceremony, our powers will grow even stronger, and then nothing will be able to stop us.”

The demons opened the first box. Six necklaces sat inside. Something tugged at Persephone’s memory. Looking down, she saw her own necklace, her stone similar to the ones in the box.

The demons opened the next box, revealing six hearts. The last two were still red, and the one on the very end was bloody.

Persephone glanced at Hades.

“We have to right the wrongs that were done to us in the past,” he said. “And by taking out high-ranking members of the Order of Zeus, the organization is weakened. When we perform the ceremony, their powers transfer to us.”

She wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly felt like crying.

Hades grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “We’ll be unstoppable.”

Peering into his eyes, her sorrow faded and her sense of purpose renewed.

The last box opened with a creak. Sharp, cold fingers clutched Persephone’s heart as she stared at the six heads. The first few had only bits of skin and hair, black holes where eyes used to be. Like with the hearts, the last two showed little signs of deterioration. Dead eyes stared up at her. The last head, a woman with dark hair, stared up at Persephone with a pleading expression.

I can’t do anything for you. You’re already gone.

Ice ran down her arms and legs and her heart stuttered. “I can’t…” She shook her head. “This isn’t right.”

Hades leaned down and placed a kiss on the base of her neck. He trailed kisses up her jaw. She closed her eyes, reveling in the heat his touch sent through her. “Soon your fears will be erased forever. You must trust me.”

“I do trust you,” she whispered. Her fears a distant memory, she turned, pressing her body to his. She craved his heat.

“It’s ready, my lord,” a gruff voice said.

Hades pulled a dagger from his belt.

Persephone stared at the translucent blade. There was something she needed to do with the dagger, but she couldn’t remember what.

“Now all we need is the blood from the heart of a Warrior.” Hades placed the dagger in her hands. “You get to do the honors.”

Power—the dagger held so much of it. With it in her hands, she knew she could handle whatever she needed to do.

“After the ceremony, we will need to find humans. Strong humans who will make us a strong army that can walk in the sunlight and not be burned.

Persephone nodded. “The demons of the sun. Yes. We’ll need to get started right away.”

In her mind, she could see it. Standing at Hades side, ruling over Earth and Hell. All-powerful. Unstoppable.

She wanted it. Wanted it so badly her body quivered with it. She tipped her head up to the full moon. It was time.

The demons had arranged the six necklaces, hearts, and heads in a pile. Torches lit a circle around it.

“Bring the human.” Hades put his hand on her back. “Thrust the dagger into his heart, and we’ll use the blood for our first daywalker demon. We’ll add the body to the pyre and burn the offering to Ares, forming our alliance with the God of War. After that, we’ll be invincible.”

Drunk with the promise of that kind of power, Persephone gripped the handle of the dagger. “Bring me the Warrior!”

Two demons dragged the human toward her. The Warrior struggled against them. He swung, knocking one demon to the ground. Fists raised, he spun, stumbling over his own feet. His punches were sloppy, but still, he took down another demon.

“Somebody stop him!” she yelled, frustrated the Warrior was trying to ruin her plans.

Three more demons dove on top of him, and the Warrior disappeared under their massive bodies. Grunts filled the air. Finally, the demons pulled the Warrior to his feet. Her men clamped onto his arms and dragged him forward.

Persephone
could hear his rapid breath, his pounding heart. It fueled her, increasing the anticipation she felt over what she was about to do. She lifted the dagger and took a giant step toward the weakened Warrior.

His head jerked up, his blue eyes met hers, and everything flew off balance.

The image of him kissing her popped into her head. Her heart quickened and all the air shot out of her lungs.

More images came. Walking hand in hand. The Warrior curled up on a couch petting a cat. Sleeping with his arms around her. She focused on those blue eyes, looking into them like they could answer her questions.

“I know you’re in there somewhere, Persephone,” he said. “You can fight it. You want to be part of an army who burns kids? Think about all of our people, how the demons killed your entire family. Your mom and dad. The human side of you is just as—”

“Shut him up!” Hades bellowed.

A hand clamped over the Warrior’s mouth.

Persephone’s chest ached and her heart felt like stone. Burning kids? Her family? She didn’t remember anything like that, yet his words tugged at something deep within her. Nothing felt as sure as it had a moment ago. Her arm trembled as she tried to lift it.

In the distance she thought she heard yelling, human shouts.
This isn’t right. I can’t do this.

Hades ran his hand down her back.

His touch brought that sense of calm she needed. She had to do this. It would be unpleasant, but it was a sacrifice she had to make.

She pointed the dagger at the Warrior’s chest. She sliced through the fabric, giving her a better view of the target. The heart, where the purest blood was stored—the blood she needed to make her army.

Hades’s lips neared her ear, and his breath hit her neck as he spoke. “Tonight we feast and celebrate, tomorrow we rule the world.”

It’s ours. The world is ours.

Fire filled her once again.

Persephone brought the tip of the blade back up to the Warrior’s muscular chest and aimed it at his rapidly beating heart. His eyes recaptured hers.

His lips didn’t move, but she heard his voice:
You’re stronger than he is. Do the right thing.

Images of her parents, grandfather—all of her family came to her. Screams from the night demons had killed them. Running with Gran. Losing Gran.  

Her hand trembled. She took a deep breath.

Then whirled around and plunged the dagger into Hades’s heart.

His eyes widened with disbelief. His mouth fell open and he struggled to form words. “You…” Sorrow flooded his features, so much pain it made her heart ache. “We belonged together. You were supposed to be my queen.”

The warmth filling Persephone slowly drained, and tears filled her eyes.

Hades dropped to his knees, struggling for air.

Persephone fell to the ground in front of him, wanting to take it back. Wanting him to put his arm around her; wanting him to kiss her again.