A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone 2)

“Even if it means saving your friend?”

Silence followed his question, and Persephone swallowed. “What do you know about that?”

Kal smiled, and it made the words that came out of his mouth next more callous. “I know she will die unless you can find a way to heal her.”

“She isn’t dying,” Persephone said through her teeth. It wasn’t true—it couldn’t be. Neither Hades or Sybil had said so…and wouldn’t they say so?

“That is not what I see.”

Persephone shifted slightly on her feet. She was uncomfortable in this dark room, closed up with a man who had already bargained with her—an exclusive in exchange for her job.

“Why should I trust you?”

“Because deep down, you know I’m right. If you thought Lexa was going to live, would you have come?”

She hated him.

“What do you want?”

He showed his teeth when he smiled this time.

“I have a deal for you. I’ll give you the spell you need to heal your friend if you give me everything.”

“Everything?”

“I want every detail of your relationship with Hades. I want to know how you met him, when he first kissed you, and all the scandalous details from the first time he fucked you.”

“You’re sick.”

“I’m a businessman, Persephone. Sex sells,” he sat back in the chair. “Sex with gods sells better, and you, my sweet—you’re a goldmine.”

“I’m not the only one who’s slept with Hades.” She hated that she said the words at all, but it was true.

“But you’re the first he’s committed to and that’s worth more than the words of a fuck buddy. He’s invested in you which means he’ll do anything to protect you and the details of your private life.”

Persephone suddenly understood. “You want to blackmail Hades?”

“Well, he is the Rich One.”

“But you’re rich,” Persephone argued.

“Not like him,” Kal said. “But that’s what you’re going to help me with, and in exchange, you get to save your friend from certain death.”

As Kal was speaking, Persephone noticed something black glimmering at the man’s feet—snakes. They wound their way around his feet and his wrists. Kal only noticed when the serpents scaly body curled over his neck. He screamed, but froze when the creatures tightened their hold, hissing near his ear.

Hades materialized out of the darkness, surprising Persephone. She hadn’t felt him at all.

His voice sounded calm and collected, but she felt his rage.

“Are you threatening me, Kal?” he asked.

“No…never!” The pitch of Kal’s voice changed, rising with his fear.

Persephone turned to look at Hades. He was angry—it was present in his eyes and the press of his lips against hers as he bent to kiss her. His tongue demanded entrance, twining with her own. One of his hands cupped her neck and chin, the other knotting into her hair, tightening around the strands. He forced her mouth open wider, lapping at the back of her throat. When he pulled away, it was with her bottom lip between his teeth.

“Are you well?” His voice was rough.

She nodded, dazed.