Blood of Retribution (17 page)

Chapter 20

The dog head, or heads, that want to tear me apart assures me that I’m in the right place.  I take a step back ready to fight but Cerberus is on a tether this time.  That’s a relief.  I still jump out of my skin though when something pulls on my leg.

Thank god it’s Kallen.  “I guess we made it,” he says weakly.  I have to help him to his feet since his limbs are as weak as his voice.

“Yeah, with a little help from Rashnu.”  I’ve explained who she is in the past so he just nods.

“I have to say, that was not one of the more pleasant moments in my life,” Kallen says, shaking his head as if to remove cobwebs clinging to him.

“It was probably the stop in Angel time that disoriented you.  Rashnu kept you unconscious so her presence wouldn’t kill you.”

“You will have to give her my thanks the next time you see her,” he says dryly.

“Careful, she could be watching.  She doesn’t like the fact that I wanted to come here.”

Kallen’s face is instantly blank as he looks around.  “How do we get in?”

“I’m pretty sure there’s only one way.  That way.”  I point towards the black hole behind Cerberus.

“Great.  Just great.”  My thoughts exactly.

“Get back you mangy dog,” an ancient voice says in the darkness.  “Let me do my job.”  Instantly, Cerberus calms and sits on its haunches.  Huh.  This guy must be the three-headed dog whisperer.

Around the massive dog, a man makes his way towards us.  He is old and bent with gray hair and a long beard but his years definitely have not affected his mental faculties.  His eyes are crystal clear and sharp, and I bet he doesn’t miss a single thing when it comes to assessing someone.  Like us, which he is doing now.

“Come on,” he says and turns to go back into the hole.  Does he mean us or the dog?

“I mean you, idget,” he growls without looking back.  I’m already not a fan of his.  “Don’t care,” he says. 

“We’re here to speak with Hades,” I say as both Kallen and I stay put.  I try to keep my mind blank since the guy can obviously read minds.

A laugh that sounds more like a bark bursts out of him.  “Ain’t you all.  I can tell ya, Hades isn’t gonna make a deal with you.  Your soul is here and here it’s going to stay here.”

I don’t think so.  “We will wait here for him.”

That bark is emitted again.  “No one stays at the entrance.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, “We’ll be the exception to that rule.”  Kallen puts a hand on my shoulder and starts to speak but is instantly cut off.

“Cerberus, do your job, you mangy mutt,” the old man says still not turning around.

We’re about to be eaten by a three headed dog.  I desperately try to find magic anywhere from above or below us, but there’s none to be found to draw into me.  Which is why Kallen and I are both practically catapulted into the cave by one the dog’s giant snouts.  My back is now dripping with saliva and what may just be dog snot.  Some things can never be washed off the body or out of the mind.  This is one of those things.

“Back off, dog,” I order, glaring hard at him.  Cerberus just growls at me.  I guess at this point, it’s go into the cave willingly or go in after Cerberus has treated us as chew toys for a while.

Relaxing as much as I can, I let Cerberus nudge us to our destination, my back getting wetter and wetter as he uses me as a walking Kleenex.  We walk for quite a ways in the dark and I have stopped counting the number of bruises I’m going to have from the dog’s snouts.   

Finally, we come to a dimly lit cavern with a river running through it.  Sitting in the river rocking to and fro with the waves is the ferry that Tana had with her earlier.  It’s made of wood and flat, with enough room for six or seven to stand on without fear of bumping someone into the water.

“Just put them on the ferry,” the old man says.  “I’m not going to wait for more.  I’ll make a special trip to get these two out of our hair.”

I swear, dog or not, Cerberus looks disappointed.  I think what he really wants to do is find a dark corner so he can lay down and chew on us like rawhide.  It’s a good thing he’s trained as well as he is.

As the old man takes his place next to the large pole that will help guide us down the river it hits me who he is.  He’s Charon, the ferryman.  Who knew all the Greek mythology I enjoyed reading would turn out to have practical application in my life. 

“Where are you taking us?” I ask trying to keep the nervous tremor out of my voice.  I’m trying to remember the different parts of the Underworld.  I can only remember two.  There’s the worst part, the Fields of Punishment, and a good part called the Elysian Fields.  I really hope we’re going to the latter.

“None will know until we’re there,” Charon grumbles.  “The truth will guide the ferry.”

“How profound,” I mutter.  Kallen frowns on me.  What?  It’s apparently not Charon who decides where we go so it shouldn’t matter if I piss him off.  Then again, that’s kind of like believing a magician isn’t in charge of his tricks.  I had better keep my mouth shut.

As we flow along, I feel my blood grow colder.  Not from the temperature of the cave, but from the fear that we may never meet the person we have come to meet.  Charon is bringing us deeper and deeper and it doesn’t seem like that could be a good thing.

After an excruciating fifteen minutes, we see a dock ahead.  I don’t hear any screams from souls being unmercifully tortured so maybe Charon has brought us to where we need to go.  Or the ferry did.  I don’t care which.

There is someone waiting for us on the dock and she does not look happy.  Tapping her foot impatiently, she waits for Charon to guide the ferry to her.  As we approach, she studies Kallen and me and I get the feeling we’re being sized up.  “You are fools,” she says sharply.  I guess we didn’t pass inspection.

Having spoken her mind, this woman who I suspect is Persephone turns her shapely body and walks to shore on the wooden planks of the dock.  Her blonde hair is flouncing with each step and the back of her gown made of a soft, lilac colored silk flows behind her. 

“Go,” Charon orders.  He has tied the ferry in place so we can get off.  I give him a hard look as we go to step from the ferry onto the dock.  I wouldn’t put it past him to push the ferry out so we fall into the river.  He doesn’t, thank goodness.

Following the irritated Persephone, we approach a brightly lit cavern.  Its mouth is gaping, tall enough for Kallen to pass through without the slightest trace of a bending at the waist.  Inside, we find relief from the cold, moist air.  It’s nice and toasty in here. 

Across the room, we see Hades.  At least, that’s who I assume it is.  His demanding presence and cold eyes seem to embody the stories told of him.  There is further proof when he silently orders Persephone to reclaim her spot at his side.

The powerfully built, dark haired Hades sizes us up as his wife did.  “Sit,” he says.  “I know why you have come.”

I bet he does.  I also bet he knows exactly who we are.  I’m sure Tana made sure he knows every detail about us. 

Not knowing what else to do, Kallen and I sit.  As soon as our butts hit the chairs in front of Hades, a table is brought in by creatures who can only be described as lifeless souls.  Their eyes are dead as if their consciousness’s were taken when they lost their bodies.  Their eyes are pale and they walk like what I imagine a zombie would.  They seem to know their jobs, though.

The table is brought forth and on it is a feast built for a, well, for a god.  There is more food on the table than I could eat in a year and it all smells delicious.  My stomach growls loudly.

“Please,” Hades drawls, “partake.”  I give him an ‘are you kidding me?’ look. 

“He believes he is being funny,” Persephone says flatly.  “If you eat you will be trapped here as I am half of the year.” 

I remember the story well.  Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and while in the Underworld made the mistake of eating pomegranate seeds.  That trapped her soul here for some reason.  I have no idea what the connection between food and Hades is, but it’s never safe to eat in his presence.

“We’ll pass, thanks,” I say.

Hades chuckles.  “Beautiful and wise.”  Persephone gives him a dirty look.

“Why are you here?” Persephone asks.  “Why would you volunteer your soul for this awful place?”

“I don’t plan to stay,” I assure her. 

This makes Hades break out in a loud laugh.  “You will find that easier to say than to do.”

I roll my eyes.  “Look, we’re only here to get information.  We know you’ve been helping Tana even though her soul isn’t stuck here.  We want to know why and what her end game is.” 

Persephone’s face darkens and I find myself considering a dip in the river before she blows.  “You have given aid without payment?” she demands to know.

Hades cocks his head to the side, unperturbed by her mood.  “How little you think of me.  The payment for my actions is sitting in front of you, my dear.”

“Let me get this straight,” Persephone says through gritted teeth.  “You have accepted as payment souls that have not given themselves freely and allowed the one you aide to remain free of this place?”  I’m guessing that’s breaking one of the many laws that abound here.

A flicker of something like guilt flashes on Hades’ face before he schools it.  “The soul that I have received in its stead is well worth the sacrifice of the soul that still roams the earth.”

“You do not have the right to make such deals,” Persephone argues.  “None may dwell here if they have not come of their own accord.  Other than myself,” she adds.  I bet she has every rule memorized.  Going by the stories I’ve read, she hates it here and I would imagine she is always looking for a way out.

“Have they not come of their own free will?” Hades says sweeping his hands towards us.  “Do they not sit at my table with hunger in their eyes?  I have not dragged them here against their wishes.”

“Technically, you did,” I grumble.

Hades’ eyes are angry when he flips them to me.  “I am not a puppet master holding your strings.  You have sought me, not the other way around.”

“We simply seek an audience.  We have sought you for information, not to relinquish our souls into your capable care,” Kallen says carefully.  I disagree with the ‘capable care’ part of that sentence but that’s why Kallen’s here, to say things I never would. 

“A hen does not go to the wolf to ask questions,” Hades says, “without expecting to be dinner.”

“Nice, very graphic,” I mutter rolling my eyes.  Kallen kicks my ankle under the table and I glare up at him.