The silence was deafening as we stood watching the last of the red mist disappear and only the bravest creatures remained. Slowly I turned to look around at the mess I'd made, literally and a little metaphorically. The chair took souls, stored power, and had a mind of its own and that so-called primordial being as well as Hades, couldn't work out how to destroy it or had any idea on what to do with it.

Apparently, I didn't have an issue with destroying my things which kind of matched the theme of my life. Since I have been told so often that I lack any sense of self-preservation, now wasn't the time to prove them wrong. Moving towards the portal that seemed determined to haunt us behind heavily locked gates, the answer was clear as my powers barely even felt like pinpricks against whatever was blocking it. Since just walking out of there was not an option, and his offer sucked, there was only one other thing to do.

"I'm going to kill him." I decide.

Cain came to stand next to me and gave a tiny nod. "We will kill him."

"He's not having our baby." Rage flooded me, my body trembled and I put my hands together in an effort to stop them from shaking.

"No. He is not." He said calmly.

Calm Cain was exactly what I needed despite that meaning the exact opposite. I couldn't hide what I felt as easily as he did, but even so, as he held me I felt the anger inside him making his skin burn. None, have ever been as interesting as us. None, have ever succeeded in destroying him or taking over. To me, that sounded like a pretty big invitation to prove him wrong.

"Where's that book? There has to be a clue or an idea in there about defeating him or like a weakness or something-" I stopped as a loud humming started from the portal before the gates began to open with a groan. "What the hell?"

"What in hell would be more appropriate." Hades mused, stepping out. "Of all the places. Why am I not surprised to see you two here?"

"Hades?" I rubbed my eyes before turning back to Cain. "I'm hallucinating, right, so why couldn't it be someone random like Elvis?"

"You couldn't just be happy to see me." He groaned, cautiously looking at the volcano beside me.

Cain appeared to be even calmer now, possibly resigned that this was our life and crap like this was going to keep on happening while still plotting to have an explosive tantrum about it. His hand twitched slightly, the darkness in his eyes was enough to make even me pause as he clearly saw the same hallucination I did and assessed it. Hades froze, whatever smart-ass comment he was clearly about to blurt out dying in the process as his eyes shifted my way in a silent plea for help. He wasn't a hallucination and as if deciding this at the same time as I did, slowly Cain's jaw unclenched but the eruption was temporarily avoided.

The good news was I was not imagining any of this.

The bad news was it was all still happening.

"How did you know we were here?" Cain sounded exactly how I felt - confused on a fucking enormous level with a side of banished to another realm rage.

"I was at home, refusing to waste my time listening to Circe and Artemis argue over bloody Hermes when something felt wrong. It didn't take me long to find a long-forgotten passage to fucking Tartarus activated and call it a hunch, but with you two MIA, I had a feeling at least one of you would be involved." Hades glares at us, kind of how my Dad used to look at me whenever I'd steal his car. "And I realised I was going to need help from someone up to the task of being my backup".

"Backup?" I frown, realising the chance of him bringing our friends was low but then who else would it be?

It was then Hades' ally arrived, the timing perfect for making an entrance. Instantly I saw a distinct resemblance to Hades, especially once they stood side by side only instead of his vibe screaming Lord of the Underworld, his seaweed-esque dreadlocks, shimmering skin and triton accessories, gave me the distinct impression he'd be very much at home in Atlantis with his seven mermaid babies; including that mischievous red-headed singing one. Something moved by his feet, and looking down I half expected Sebastian to appear and announce his royal highness.

It was just one of the many black rabbits that seemed even more drawn to this space and the portal.

"Poseidon." Cain greeted, dipping his head slightly. "I do not believe you have met, Elise."

Oh fuck, no. As if this day could get any better, the long-lost brother who stayed out of everything chooses now to reappear. Sure it seemed that Hades had dragged him into this mess, but I already kind of hated both of them for it.

"She goes by Empress these days," Hades whispered loud and sarcastically to his ocean-ruling brother.

I decided right then I'd kill Hades first, then Tartarus.

"Yes, I have heard. One day Cain, I hope we can cross paths when your life is not in danger." Poseidon nodded at each of us, and despite looking similar to Hades, being as big as the Hulk and sounding like he woke up on the wrong side of his seashell - Poseidon brought a sense of calm with him.

We looked at each other with the same kind of quiet assessment, and I found hints of Zeus that I wasn't sure I was simply projecting onto him since there were a lot of traits he shared with that asshole. Hades had them too and often carried himself with that same kind of arrogance that only came with being completely confident in yourself and your place in the world. Poseidon winked at me, and I felt myself smile.

"What a match you have found yourself, Cain. I was pleased to hear things were improving for you since your legendary return to the land of the living. Until I find you here." Poseidon spoke with a hint of fondness, and looking between them, there was no hostility or signs of a dark and shady past.

Twice in a day - what a record though Eirene had ended up leading us into a trap and was the whole reason we were even in this mess so maybe I was crazy for preferring it when he didn't get along with every new face we came across.

"We should not waste time, let us leave this world." He decided, and I agreed with the ocean guy. We had a way out - time to go.

"Wait, why is it cold?" Hades disappeared, before reappearing a second later. "What has been going on?"

"I got hot and it was uncomfortable." I shrug. Hades stopped, his eyes widening as he just stared at me blankly. I didn't like it. "Quit being weird."

"What do you mean, you got hot? Elise, it's fucking snowing out there!"

"Poseidon is right. We need to go." Cain took my hand, glaring at Hades as he did so. "Later, Hades. Now's not the time."

Poseidon went back through the portal without another word while Hades just stood there, staring back at the world outside the tent. Cain shook his head, grabbing Hades by the shoulders to turn him around and just as he went to push him through, Tartarus reappeared between us. For a second we all froze, and I saw the exact second he realised what was happening. I caught a glimpse of Poseidon's arm coming back through, and looking at Cain he abandoned Hades and reached for me.

Tartarus moved faster than I expected him to; his fist suddenly raised as his bulk blocked Cain from view. It felt like hours yet it all only happened in seconds as Cain had been too focused on me to notice what was coming until it was there. We all moved in slow motion, a nightmare chain of events where each step played out like dominoes falling in a line.

Cain fell into Hades as Tartarus swung his fist up and into his stomach. I heard the oof, as the wind was knocked from Cain, and felt the rib crack and Hades' grunt of surprise. Despite how much I tried or willed myself to do so, I couldn't move. All I could do was watch as Poseidon managed to grab both men, stopping them from hitting the ground yet as Hades was tossed behind him and through the portal to safety, Cain fought himself free as he recovered quicker than I thought possible, squaring off against Tartarus with Poseidon at his back.

"You," Tartarus sneered at Poseidon.

The King of the Oceans narrowed his eyes, the rusted triton in his hand suddenly golden and alive. My palm began to itch, eager for my sword to reappear but just like how I couldn't move, I couldn't summon it either. These two clearly had a history though, and it wasn't as friendly as the one Poseidon appeared to share with Cain.

"Let them leave, Tartarus," Poseidon commanded.

Cain didn't let him answer.

His attack was as swift and direct as Tartarus's fist had been seconds before. A blur of motion and a wave of power left me feeling dizzy. Tartarus roared as Cain returned the gesture, his hands glowing in a way I'd never seen before as punch after punch was given to the creature. Poseidon raised his triton, ready to strike as Cain slammed the hellish leader to the ground yet he only laughed. As Cain moved in for another hit, with the triton poised to kill, I fought free of whatever hold he'd had over me and with a subtle nod from Cain, I ran to the portal, to safety, only I never quite made it.

I was upright and running, only to find myself lying on the floor staring at the bloody dirt and fragments of the chair with Cain's presence all around me. It all happened in the blink of an eye, but what happened I had no idea. My ears were ringing, mixed with a pounding ache that went through my whole body; I was fairly certain something had hit me from behind and vaguely remembered the sensation of falling.

Forcing myself to move, everything was bright with pure white light flooding the tent or at least what was left of it as Cain and Tartarus kept fighting. Poseidon was on the floor - closer to the portal than I was, and holding my stomach I closed my eyes.

What the fuck just happened?

You okay, Blueberry?

"Get her out of here, now!" Cain sounded far away, the words muffled and yet I could sense how desperate he was.

"Come on, Trouble." The ringing eased as Hades picked me up. His voice was gentle and calm yet as I managed to look up at him, the ground trembled making him stumble.

Whatever was happening, he couldn't carry me with it going on, plus I was not being carried out of here like a damsel in fucking distress.

"Put me down," He did without argument, and we held each other for a second to regain our balance as the first cracks began to appear around us. "What is happening?"

Hades didn't get to answer, suddenly diving towards Poseidon as the earth cracked alongside him to save the ocean god from falling. Together we managed to make him stand, only to notice a rather large wound at his temple that was bleeding dark red. Instantly I heaved, not helping Hades as he struggled to keep his oversized sibling upright, and a hand on me. More cracks began to appear on the ground below us with flashes of light above and turning away from Poseidon, I searched for Cain.

Instead, all I saw were the giant cyclops coming back, their clubs and weapons being thumped in their hands as they approached which explained the noise and it wasn't like they were attempting to sneak up on us either. Beyond that, a very literal angry mob was heading our way, torches and pitchforks at the ready.

"Elise, get your ass through that fucking portal. Right now!" Hades ordered behind me.

"Close it. Don't. Let. In." Poseidon mumbled, using his triton like a walking stick as he caught sight of the creatures coming.

Then he passed out.

Super helpful.

Cain was giving it his all and stood his ground against Tartarus. It wouldn't be enough; not alone and not when there were even more of them coming. The whole realm was against us now, the cracks appearing wherever Cain put his feet, and more time was spent defending rather than attacking as his attention had to be everywhere. One mistake could prove fatal, and Tartarus was clearly waiting for it.

Not today, Tartarus.

"Get him out of here, come back and help us." I snapped at Hades, my sword appearing.

Together.

We'd been able to do it before and we could do it again. We had to. Not only would it remove this giant idiot's threat against Blueberry but if we can take down one primordial being, Uranus would be next, and then Fate and the Furies would be a fucking daydream in comparison. I had the urge to add Gaia to my fastly growing hit list too.

Tartarus finally managed to hit Cain, the ground falling away so he was left on an island barely big enough for him to stand on. The God had his moment that he'd been waiting for but he wasn't just going up against Cain. I felt my powers bury into the dirt, racing deep down within the earth and demanded its return - which it did. Thunder echoed from behind me as the red sky darkened and raising my sword towards Tartarus' army, lightning rained from the sky with the clouds low and grey. A flurry of snow blurred them from view yet their shadows appeared with each spark of light like a bad puppet show as they fought blindly with each other.

I walked over to Cain, keeping my eyes on Tartarus who eased his attack and simply stood there smirking as he watched me right back.

"Your offer sucks, no deal," I told him.

He looked thoughtful for a second as if nothing else had just happened and we were still all being friendly with one another. "I thought it was most generous."

"Generous is us leaving, peacefully, and still willing to send you the Furies once we defeat them," Cain answered.

"They are not who I want." He spat.

"Then you choose to die with them." I shrug.

Tartarus spun around just as Hades crept up behind him, about to strike. His hand crushed the Lord of the Underworld's throat as if it had been a small stick; the crack was unmissable as Hades lost the ability to struggle free. Throwing his body between us, Tartarus smirked and I saw red as the sounds that came from my friend only came with the possibility of death. The gold-tipped blade Tartarus suddenly held hovered above Hades' chest.

"You are all the same," Tartarus growled yet the sword never made it to his target.

I glanced at Cain, no words were needed. The earth rolled, delivering Hades to Cain's feet and instantly he began to heal him. The shield I put around us wouldn't be strong enough to hold Tartarus for long, and I didn't dare use any of their power as I had before against Uranus.

Hades needed to be saved.

"It's funny you say that because I feel the same way about all of you."

We had to get back to the portal, but even if we got away, would he follow or leave us be?

I put my focus into the shield, pulling back my energy from how far and wide it had spread. The weather eased, the earth was still, and like flicking a switch, the heat returned. Tartarus looked around, more amused than anything else.

"My offer benefits you, not only me. Do you really think you will be left in peace once you defeat his Erinyes?"

To be fair, that hadn't yet crossed my mind. Nieve and Co were enough of a bother right now and as he gave a wiggle, Blueberry only helped me realise I hadn't thought much more beyond removing them as a threat to focus on him. He would be entering the world soon and it was not happening in Hell or near some creepy dead tree in the Crossroads either. Plus there was the whole not dying thing I needed to avoid and right now I felt like I was already walking towards my own funeral.

"Claiming that one was merely me ensuring you had the right motivations." He played it off easily.

"Oh, you are definitely motivating me," I assured him.

To show him just how much, I smiled and let my power act on its own accord now as Hades began to cough. Meeting Tartarus' gaze, I held it. The first two strikes at him, he easily reflected.

"You do realise that this world is of my creation. It and I are one in the same." Tartarus explained, slowly beginning to circle around me.

Another strike stopped.

"I am aware." Kind of, but I was glad I sounded like I knew what I was talking about.

Fake it until you make it.

"And that whatever you may be planning, I am already conscious of."

Attack. Stopped.

Attack again. Stopped.

Tartarus smirked, and as he moved around I kept him in sight. Our dance continued, and I got the strangest feeling he was enjoying himself. Seeing Cain help Hades up, was a big relief, and as my powers toyed with Tartarus, he did the same back. Until he faced his retreating minions, he stopped; his eyes narrowing as he focused on the distance.

"Gaia may have gone too far this time. Perhaps I nearly made the same mistake by underestimating you."

"If I only had a dollar." I shrug, and this time when he looks at me, I feel more power than he's flexed this entire time threatening to crush me.

He wasn't kidding when he said he was this world.

I closed my eyes and concentrated only on the energy of this world, the others that lived here and beyond. I'd let my powers free before and it hadn't reached this point. The more I tuned into it, the stranger the sensations. I felt divided, like a million pieces sharing one consciousness and as Tartarus' force willed me to bend, to break and submit, his power sought every fragment of my own being to capture and control.

This time when I looked at him, I knew we couldn't win.

We couldn't defeat Uranus either.

Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, the pressure intensified before a shadow of relief passed over me.

I'd seen the darkness in Cain before, felt it as if it had come from my own flesh and blood and not once had it scared me. His darkness was like mine, and I never realised how deep it ran through both of us until we collided now. Tartarus claimed that he was with this world and that nothing we did could defeat him but I knew what fear looked like and that's what I saw as I finally looked at him again.

Then the ground fell from under his feet, smothering him in the dirt as the cracks closed and only the whisper of his surprise lingered on the dust before it settled.

"Hades?" I asked Cain, turning to find him missing.

"Guarding the portal. Come on."

Tartarus exploded free, his roar terrifying enough to make it feel as if my heart actually stopped. Cain stumbled but kept moving and a second later we were back with Hades. Cain didn't hesitate, waving Hades through and shoving me forward only as I reached the portal, my body was pulled back and away. I barely managed to grab onto the gates, and this time when I fought back, I already knew it wasn't going to be enough. If everything had moved slowly last time, now it all happened so fast I couldn't even blink quick enough to process what was going on.

"Elise!" Cain screamed, his words drowning out as Tartarus roared again.

I couldn't see him, and as I fought my own invisible foe, I barely managed to catch sight of Cain as he was thrown past me and into the light. Our fingers barely touched as he reached for me, and my weakened grip saw me lose hold of the gates. Flying backwards, I saved myself just in time, fumbling forwards back towards the gates as they slammed shut and the portal vanished.

Tartarus began to laugh and spun around to face him, my sword was raised to strike. Its pulse matched my own and in two steps, I had it embedded in his gut.

"Still think this is funny?"

Tartarus disappeared, coming back barely a metre away completely healed. His blood still coated my sword and I almost wished for death as the bile rose up in the back of my throat.

"That had the potential to hurt." He dusted off the space I'd just cut with a frown.

"Good." I covered my mouth, groaning as I had no choice other than hunching over and dry heaving nothing more than bile and water.

As soon as I stopped, everything changed. Gone was the desert and oasis. The rocks and cliffs we'd tortured ourselves wandering across hours ago were nowhere to be seen. If Tartarus didn't sit on the throne of bones that seemed to be where Hades got his decorating inspiration from, I'd almost think he'd taken me back home. It was bright, airy and warm; gold and marble created the space and if Kara and the gang were sitting behind me at the meeting table well I'd be happy to see them.

They weren't there, but Tartarus motioned to the less extravagant chair beside him clearly expecting me to sit. My legs ached, hips too and still high with adrenaline, I knew when I crashed it would be bad. Reluctantly I did as he wanted, and with each step, something altered. My feet stayed bare, and my clothes were changed to a deep red gown, the style lose and comfortable as my messy bun came free and clean hair now fell over my shoulders.

Food came next, the zombie demon eagerly followed by more black, fluffy rabbits that I prayed wasn't on the table put in front of us. When the water appeared, I only licked my lips.

"I think we should start again." Tartarus declared. "Welcome to Tartarus, Empress."

"Is this the perfect spot of hell you prepared for us? Because this decor, well just know I suffer enough with it back home so you're not being very creative." The zombie offers me a cup of water and I can't refuse it.

"I have been trying to work out why Gaia would bring you here. At first, I thought it must be for punishment, yet neither of you bears that mark on your soul."

"What mark?"

"Eternal damnation." He says easily. "Then I wondered if it was by mistake, but she doesn't make those. The two of you, here, were never going to end well. Too much of Chaos has gone into your creation. Gaia either doesn't know or wanted me to see that for myself."

I drink the water, unable to resist. "Sounds like you two have some communication issues."

"Communication is the least of our issues." Tartarus laughs at what is clearly his or possibly their private joke.

"Why am I here?" I ask once he stops.

"I have my suspicions. Those aside, you will bring me Ouranos." He didn't make it sound as funny as Uranus and kept my mouth shut as he looked at me now as if daring me to protest. "While I may appear to be an all-knowing, powerful force, I rarely involve myself in the affairs of others beyond the ones sent to me. I do not need to know more than I do."

Wow, great job not answering my question.

"So, can I go then? Leave you uninvolved with the affairs of others?" I ask hopefully.

In seconds we've left the hall and Tartarus grabs my arm as I instantly lose my balance. The floating raft we're on bobs side to side across a river of lava and my stomach dropped at the sight of the various cages that lined the shores. Some are empty, others have ancient-looking beings throwing themselves against the bars, silently screaming as they reach for us. I'm not sure where this may be going, but the stench of sulphur is nearly as dominant as the sense of pure power that's down here.

"You know these beings as the Titans, the ones Zeus and his followers united as one to defeat and end the war that was to have no end. You can sense the power they possess, yes?"

"And the smell." I nodded while mumbling.

"Yet here they are. I don't even give them a second thought. As I said, very few have earned my interest, and the ones that have attempted to overthrow me never came close. Yet here you are, a gift from Gaia threatening all that has always been."

"Are we bonding right now?" Rubbing my nose, I was glad to be back in the hall as the smell slowly faded. "So, if you're so powerful and eternal or whatever, why don't you go get Uranus for yourself."

I caught the tension in his neck as he clenched his jaw. The bones that formed his armrest cracked as his hand seemed instinctively reached to grab onto something and crush it. Clearly, I just found an even more sensitive subject than whatever relationship he had with Gaia.

"Ouranos is the only one who has ever evaded me. I have a place intended for him," he paused, smirking as he looked my way. "Right next to yours."

"Funny," I answered dryly. "So why do you think we can do what you can't? To be honest, I don't even like my chances against the Furies, or Erinyes. Nieve, well I have a lot of pent-up frustration to take out on her, but there is a Seer who saw me die. Twice. What chance do I have against this asshole? I've felt his power, it's like yours and-"

"Did you not destroy a realm?"

"Oh so now you are involved in other people's affairs." I sigh. "That was different."

"Did you not attempt to take over mine?"

"I got lucky?" I frown.

"Do you really now know who, more so, what you are?" Tartarus inched closer, looking at me as if he just spotted spinach in my teeth and was too awkward to tell me about it.

"Um, how do you mean? I was a mortal, well, a Hunter. Then the God Killer, which was interesting, and then I got to be the Third for like three days or something, and then I got powers and immortality of my own. Am I getting warm yet?" I rambled.

"You truly have no idea."

"I never do until it's too late." This made him even more thoughtful, and I started to get nervous. "What am I then?"

The room trembles right before something similar to a crowd screaming echoes through what has to be the whole realm. Covering my ears, Tartarus stops, looking towards a window and smiles. The screeching sounds like a hundred lions mid-catfight, and none of them are winning. Looking at him for answers, he just shrugs.

"Your twin flame has returned."

"My what?" I shouted back at him, pretty sure even Blueberry would be deaf after this.

We end up out on a balcony, and in the distance, I'm not sure what I'm seeing but I am also fairly certain I have seen something like it before. "Didn't Hercules kill that?"

The monster was like a giraffe that had mutant babies with a snake, producing an endless supply of screaming heads that bobbed along around its sluggish body. Tartarus gasped, apparently offended by that. Once again, I found myself somewhere completely new and forgetting the multiheaded monster behind us, we were clearly at the gates of hell now. Every rattle of the ancient metal sent the monster into a fury, yet glancing back over at it, the beast inspected us curiously between hissing and spitting at the gate. Thankfully it shut up.

What didn't go quiet was the internal screaming as I found myself yet again able to deal with something impossible that I was now faced with. Hades and his Underworld seemed like a distant country these days, not the popular holiday destination kind but the one where no one even plotted a flight path nearby. I'd visited it enough times now to earn a certain sense of familiarity to be associated with it and this, well, I wondered what could tip Richard over the edge and make him need therapy for himself. This might be it.

The metal was brassy, rusted in patches and stretched as high up as I could see and just as far on either side which was odd because I hadn't even noticed them when we went to look at the screeching monster. Speaking of, one brave head was suddenly beside me and as I turned to face it properly, it shot back as if I were the one to be afraid of. Impatient feet stomped around us, yet not an inch of its mass came near us. I had so many questions, I instead found myself speechless.

That was possibly a first.

"Bring me Ouranos, Empress." I waited for a please that was never going to come as Tartarus stood before me..

"I still don't understand why you can't do it yourself?"

"I can not leave." He admitted. "It is how he has escaped me time and time again."

So much for being super powerful then.

The gate trembled again and despite not being able to sense him, I knew Cain was on the other side. Blueberry did too, a short burst of movements that felt like he must have hiccups reminding me he was still there. Gates of Hell really made it hard to focus.

"So, why would I even try it? You just told me you can't leave here, so if I do, what are you going to be able to do? I can't see a downside to any of this." Well, there were actually a few but that could be worked out later.

The gates began to open as he turned away and went towards the beast. A couple of heads went down to greet him, while the rest reached towards the start of the opening.

"Because I will leave these open and believe me when I say there is nothing as powerful as I am in all the realms and the voids in between to stop whatever may escape from this realm." He paused, looking a little too smug for my liking. "And you will wish you had accepted my earlier offer."

"Great reason." I agreed, suddenly very motivated to give Uranus a taste of eternal damnation. "So I can just, go?"

"You may." Looking at the small opening between the gates, I don't hesitate in running towards it to shove myself through. "Oh and don't forget this."

I pause, holding onto the metal like a lifeline yet as he threw something small and golden towards me, I caught it.

"Instinct tells me that is why Gaia brought you here. Fight well, Empress."

Cain's hand is on my arm, pulling me through before the gates of hell slammed shut. Hades and Poseidon hold large torches on either side of him and I barely get to even see them before I'm crushed against Cain.

"You're okay?" He demanded a second later.

"I'm fine." Physically. Mentally, still processing it. "Are you-"

I don't get a chance to finish as his mouth crashed into mine. Cain's hands held my face as I grabbed onto his shirt, feeling him with me once again until we had to part in order to breathe. My lips burned, my cheeks were damp with tears and next his kiss was softer, gentler; a reassurance rather than a claim as his hand drifted to where Blueberry pushed.

"They're always like this. You'll get used to it. Kind of." Hades murmured. "Can we get out of here now?"

"Great idea," Cain whispered, taking my hand in his I revealed the coin thing that was so similar to the one Hecate had left. "He just let you go?"

"He's pretty set on getting Uranus. Not sure why we couldn't have just discussed it like rational beings in the first place, but also if we don't, he'll reopen the gates and let the monsters out."

I looked around the cave, not sure if the sulphur smell was me or where we were but the gates began to fade as walked away. Sounds of a hyena echoed around us and all three of the men with me seemed nervous with even Cain grabbing a torch as he kept me close to his side.

"Do I want to know?" I ask, not sure I want to at all.

"No."

We cross through another portal and end up in more familiar territory as Hades' home surrounds us. Poseidon looks awkward as he stands by Hades, the pair whispering something before he just opens a portal and disappears.

"No goodbye?"

"It's complicated." Hades sighs. "So, how was your first trip to hell? I assume it was your first?"

"Hades," Cain warns.

Something moves out of the corner of my eye and turning to look, I follow a tiny white something above us and as it swoops down into view, my mouth drops open. Hades is up and beside Cain in seconds - the pair of them in full attack mode which actually makes me laugh as the small white dove floats in front of them. Then she panics and before she can flee, Cain is no longer holding a wing, but an arm as Eirene transforms and throws a million apologies our way.

"This is for her, the Empress." She hands over a silver envelope that Hades snatches. "Gaia requests your presence."

Because of course, she does. "Tell Gaia I can't, I'm washing my hair. Let her go, Cain. She's just a messenger."

Cain hesitates but obeys, and Eirene flies away. The shadows chase the tiny white bird above us and away, as Hades hands the paper to Cain.

"She put it in writing. It's not a request, it's a formal invitation." Hades sighed, sitting on his throne. "You can't ignore this."

"Why not? What's she gonna do, send me to Tartarus?" I froze. "Is there somewhere worse than that?"

"Maybe oblivion? The Aether. Push her and find out, Elise."

"Hades," Cain warns again.

"Sorry. It's been a day." He groans. "Artemis and Circe don't seem so bad now."

"Oh crap. How long have we been gone?" I frown. "Kara is going to kill me if Apollo's nagging doesn't do the job first."

Cain snorted, coughing quickly to hide it.

"About, five minutes. Time is a whole thing there." Hades doesn't bother to explain. "You got lucky this time."

I just stare at him, unsure how to even respond to that but I guess he was right. I did get lucky, but it wasn't the first time. I also had no idea when that luck would decide to run out.