Retribution

“Just answer me one thing, if you don’t mind my Lord? Why would you bring Troy into any of this? You already had me aligned to you through my own stupidity, why would you even need him?”

“I guess I can give you your answer. You see, Unya has turned out to be quite vicious and I know Troy will only bring it out more and more. You on the other hand have grown too soft and will only try to extinguish the darkness that is barrelling its way through her. Of course if you were to win, however slight that chance, maybe there might be hope for you yet. You could only win if you were to become worse than the creature you are destined to face. It will be entertaining.”

With that said, he ordered me to leave his presence, little did I know I was about to make two very unlikely allies.

I returned to my room rather quickly, my eyes nearly popping out of my skull when they fell onto Persephone and Semias.

Why the hell they would be in my quarters I had no idea, but either they were here to ensure Troy would be the victor no matter what, or some other revelation deemed it a necessary risk to approach me in such a manner.

I closed my door, and without even acknowledging their overwhelming presence, preceded to pour myself a strong drink, knowing only alcohol could get me through whatever they had brought to my door.

“You do not acknowledge your queen Malachi; do you think yourself to be above me?”

There was no malice or condescension in her tone, only mild curiosity.

“Forgive me your Majesty but being in the presence of your husband would leave a sour taste in any one’s mouth.”

“Try being married to him, then you’d soon learn there isn’t a drink strong enough to help you escape his ever-looming presence.”

“My grace, could we please hurry this along. Hades will grow suspicious if I am gone too long,” stated Semias, not approving of the regard in which we spoke of Hades.

She shot a withering glance at Semias, before shaking her head as if to rid herself of an annoying fly, and then explained why she chose to grace me with her presence.

“Unya needs to be awakened, I could beat around the bush and ease you into this, but what would be the point? You are a clever boy Malachi, naïve for sure, but that does not diminish the intelligence shining free from your eyes.”

“Forgive me my queen, but I would never be foolish enough to speak out against my Lord’s wishes, especially in front of his loyal servant,” I said derisively, shooting glares straight at Semias.

“Do not fret my dear incubi, Semias has seen the error of his ways. He st

ill holds loyalty towards Hades, but it is no longer unwavering. Hades did something his creation did not appreciate and if he garners me his true loyalty then, well let’s just say I will reward it with some information he desperately needs.”

“My queen, what information are you offering? You never mentioned that to me when I approached you with my concerns,” he stated, refusing to remove his gaze from hers.

“Let’s just call it an incentive, but unlike my husband I do not offer frivolities. The information I have will answer questions that have never even crossed your mind. But enough of that, I need to know if our dear incubi will help us in ensuring Unya will return to who she needs to be. Instead of the dark creature that is feeding Hades macabre delights.”

The to and fro was screwing with my head, what the hell did they expect me to do. I did not possess a cure to the powerful river Lethe that was poured down her throat, removing her memories in an instant. I could not remind her of how things used to be, without enduring such physical pain it would make me wish for death until it claimed me. My hands were well and truly tied, all I could do was try and keep her safe and not get killed by Troy.

I voiced my inner ramblings to Persephone, and all she did in response, was tut.

“Do not worry about how her memories will be returned, that is not of your concern. All we need you to ensure, is that she will not fall into Troy’s hands. You cannot let that beast become her husband.”

“I vowed to protect her with my life, he will not get her without a fight,” I replied, presuming that would be enough to assuage her concerns, it just confirmed her comments on my naivety.

“Troy feeds daily, be it human or supernatural. You haven’t fed since Unya stole your attention; you haven’t killed since you indebted yourself to that little wolf. How could you ever believe you will ever prevail in a fight against Troy. Even you cannot be naïve enough to think you will walk away alive once you lose the battle. Hades has ensured it will be to the death, so either you feed and grow your strength, or I will take the freedom of choice out of the equation. I am still your queen and just because our wishes have aligned, does not mean I am on your side. I will do whatever Is needed to ensure Unya kills all of my kind even if it includes myself.”

With the last word spoken, she strode out of my room leaving Semias my only companion. It angered me when he hadn’t followed her out, but I knew better than to antagonise a creature of his calibre. Instead I sat down and tried to pretend he was no longer there.

“Before I leave, you should know our Lord has no intentions of allowing Unya to survive once she has eviscerated the Gods of Olympus, he will end her life as soon as the deed is done.”

“Do not pretend you care Semias, we all know you are incapable of feeling anything.”

“I do not know why I felt the need to go to Persephone, but his lies to Unya about my death made my loyalties seem misplaced. For some peculiar reason I do not wish to see her die, I doubt you are the answer to this problem, but our queen has faith in you, do not make it unwarranted.”

With that said, he too left my sight. Leaving me even more bewildered than I was before.

17

Marcus