The Sea Witch (Wicked Villains 5)

“There’s someone you need to see.” He stops at a door at the end of the hallway and looks up. I follow his gaze to a security camera tucked up in the shadows of the corner. The lock on the door flashes green and he pushes through, taking me with him.

I hadn’t been in this part of the Underworld when I was here before, but I saw behind the scenes enough to recognize an employee hallway. It’s plainer than the public hallways, with dark-gray walls and equally dark-gray tiled floors. Hercules turns us to the right, and I dig in my heels and say the one thing guaranteed to make him listen. “Hercules, you’re scaring me.”

He slows and huffs out a breath. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think I’d get a chance to get you alone and then there you were, so I had to hurry before someone saw us.”

He gives me another tug, but I refuse to budge. “That is not an explanation.”

Hercules moves closer and lowers his voice. “Your sisters are here.”

Of all the words I expected to come out of his mouth, those didn’t number among them. I blink. “What?”

“Zuri, Hades is going to kick my ass for this. Can we please talk while we move?”

I finally nod. If this were anyone else, I’d expect a trap of some sort, but Hercules has no more love for Olympus than I do. And he’s so good. Good enough that my father never worried about us spending time together when we were teenagers, back before Hercules was driven out of the city by Zeus. I shiver and try to keep pace with his longer strides.

He leads me to a set of stairs that go down to a floor I do recognize. The employee suites, which is where I stayed the night when I was here earlier this week. Sure enough, Hercules stops in front of the very door I was in before and opens it, all but shoving me in.

I narrow my eyes. “How much trouble are you going to get in because of this?”

He smiles so suddenly, I almost back up a step. “Oh, Hades will flog the shit out of me, or maybe have Meg do it. I can handle it.” If the look on his face is any indication, he’s anticipating it. A week ago, I’d be worried for him, but I’ve seen firsthand how pain can ignite into pleasure for some people. For me, even, though I’m still dipping my toes into that particular pool.

I’m stalling. I know I’m stalling.

I take a deep breath and turn to face the room. Not all my sisters have come, which is a relief of sorts. It’s only Aya and Jael, the two sisters closest in age to me. Looking at them, someone not familiar with our family might not think they were even related. Aya is like me in that she favors our mother. Short, petite, straight dark hair, and warm beige skin. Jael is very much our father’s daughter. She’s tall with an athletic build, wavy red hair, and the kind of pale skin that immediately burns on contact with sunlight. They wear identical expressions of worry, though.

Hercules releases my hand. “You don’t have long, but I’ll give you some privacy.” He steps out the door and closes it softly behind him.

Jael rushes forward. “Thank the gods you’re here.” She grabs my shoulders and eyes me. “You’re a mess.”

“Jael.” Aya smacks her hands. “Stop manhandling her.” She turns to me. “Zuri, we’re here to save you.”

I blink. “Save me?”

“I don’t know what the Sea Witch said to trick you, and it doesn’t matter.”

“Father is furious, but he’ll get over it once you’re home safely. He’s just worried about you.” Jael clears her throat. “He’s threatening to bring his people to Carver City and rescue you himself.”

“We thought this would be a better option.” Aya takes my hands. “Are you okay?”

Am I okay?

Such a simple question, with no simple answers. I look from Aya to Jael. “What are you doing here?”

Aya worries her bottom lip. “Hercules reached out. He knew we’d want to know you were safe.”

I’m going to throttle him when I get a chance. I had every intention of talking to my sisters. After. After the auction, after this week, after I figured out what I’m doing with my life. They want answers, and I have none for them. Not yet. “So you came for me.”

“You’re our sister. Of course we came for you.” Jael glances at the door. “He said we don’t have much time. Come home with us. Once you’re back in Olympus, there’s nothing the Sea Witch can do. Father won’t let her.”

I shake my head, trying to clear my circling thoughts. “You said Father is organizing his men?”

“Yes.” Aya’s watching me with dark eyes so much like my own. “Zuri, what’s going on here? We thought you were captive, but you don’t look like a captive.” She hesitates. “You look…happy.”