Chapter Thirty

Nope.

Not gonna happen. Lucifer could do that pathetic puppy eye look all he wanted, but there was no way I was going back there until I was positive he would stop chasing after me. I was in no way interested in having a relationship with him. He just happened to be the best one I'd had, even better than Atros. I wasn't even sure why it was better since it was mostly the same thing over and over again, but it just was and that made it even worse.

I'd played around too long with Lucifer. I didn't have time to let him drag me into a personal mess. I was already scatter-brained about what happened with Atros. The last thing I needed was a romantic distraction.

Instead, I went sight-seeing.

Duat was honestly rather beautiful. The suns lit up every corner of the realm, making things shine and sparkle. Groups of women laughed as they carried shopping bags or baskets of laundry, men joking and drinking, couples holding hands as they nuzzled close, children laughing and racing each other up and down the streets. Music filled the air with an exotic feel, a few people were dancing and singing along near a family restaurant. I found myself wandering into a small restaurant just across the street from the music that was serving small portions, which was really all my stomach could ever handle.

I ordered a small bowl of lentil soup and something called dukkah. I sat at a small table just outside the restaurant, glancing across the street to enjoy the dancers and the children who'd run to join them. For some reason, the city reminded me of a larger version of Styx, only cleaner and with less rude people. And despite all of Styx's foul qualities, I found myself homesick.

I dragged a piece of bread through olive oil before bathing it in the hazelnut mixture before taking a bite, sighing aloud in frustration.

"Your negativity is poisoning the air, love." I blinked and turned to see Nemesis making her way over to me. She wore a pair of black harem pants and a cropped black vest with a popped collar, showing off her tattooed slender body. Her black hair was up in a usual spiky ponytail, bangs swept across a pair of insidious green eyes. She flashed me a smile before taking a seat across from me, reaching out to steal a piece of bread, sticking it in her mouth without really chewing on it, her eyes watching the dancers. We sat in silence as she nibbled on the bread before I finally spoke.

"I was kind of hoping you'd be the one to save me from the Titans." I said. Nemesis smirked, licking olive oil off her lips before sitting back in her seat throwing an arm over the back of her seat.

"Liar," She sang, then shook her head, "I wasn't allowed entry. Your mother's a real bat."

"That's the nicest thing someone's said about her."

"Darn. Need to work on the whole dissing thing," Nemesis sighed, waving her hand idly in her face before leaning on the table with a smile, "Also. Philotes and Nyx are here. They're on their way over. They're just grabbing some new clothes." I frowned at that.

"Are they staying at Seth's temple?" I asked. Nemesis shook her head.

"I figured it might be safer to have them come stay with me at a hotel in town. Nyx and Seth don't get along, and not to mention, I know you want to keep Nyx away from Charon after she left him behind." She explained. I nodded, grateful for her consideration. I wasn't quite sure how Charon would react to Nyx's presence just yet, so I wasn't going to just spring her on him without checking with him first.

"That sounds all right... Well, but, a hotel?" I asked with a grimace. Nemesis smiled.

"You know I don't do the luxerious home space. I like travel and fancy hotels," She said, then winked, "And our bellhop's rather adorable. What about you? Shacking it up with Seth of all people?" I grimaced, remembering the incident in the hallway. I had no idea what had possessed me to do that to Seth. No doubt he hated me more than he did before. I wouldn't be surprised if I woke up in bed with snakes.

"Lucifer convinced him." I said at last. Nemesis's eyes flickered. I frowned.

"You've spoken to Lucifer." I stated. Nemesis nodded, then shook her head, making me scowl as she rested her elbow on the table, tapping her fingernail against it.

"Yes, and no. Yes, I've spoken to him. And no, it wasn't something he said. It was something I felt." She admitted, making me frown further.

"And that would be?"

"I'm the goddess of vengeance, Hades. A goddess of betrayal. I sense when someone has been betrayed, and I sense when they want vengeance." Nemesis explained. I stared at her for a while before the urge to laugh overcame me, and Nemesis gave me an odd stare as I laughed, taking a drink of coconut juice and set it aside.

"What? Is he pissy that I'm not there to fullfill his sexual appetite?" I asked sarcastically, then shook my head. Nemesis smiled, resting her chin in her hand.

"I can't tell if you're modest or your self-esteem is really that low. You're a very complex person, Hades. It's why I love you so much." She said, sitting back in her seat. I frowned.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Which part?"

"Something about modesty. I'm not being modest. I have no idea what that has to do with Lucifer being pissed that I'm not his sex doll anymore."

"What would you do if Lucifer really did like you?"

"Even more reason for me to stay away from him," I muttered dryly, picking up the small glass bowl to scoop the last of the lentils out, "There's something darker about Lucifer. I know it. I know his type." Nemesis shrugged.

"Everyone has a dark side, Hades. Even I do. I may be friendly with you, but when it comes to people like, say, Hermes, I just want to rip his teeth out one by one and make a necklace from them."

"I forgot how scary you are when you're angry."

"Heh," Nemesis smiled, "You know I'm right. Lucifer may have a darker side, but the fact that he hasn't shown it to you yet means there's a reason. Maybe he's afraid of what you'll think when you see the darker part of him. The part of him that resulted in his exile from Heaven." I stared at Nemesis as she reached across the table and took the rest of my food, popping it into her mouth as she watched the dancers.

Why would Lucifer be afraid to show me his darker half? Or tell me the real reason behind his exile from Heaven. Oh sure, I could open the Bible and find it there, but the Bible was just another Slam Book. It was just a book of rumors. The only way I was going to get the truth was by asking Lucifer, but I'd asked him once and he'd said nothing.

Why did I give a shit? I shouldn't. It didn't matter if Lucifer was "like everyone else". Because that made him worse. Because just like everyone else, he was going to take what he gave me, chew it up, and spit it in my face just like everyone else.

Then again, I don't think anyone could be as creative as Atros had been. Though, Lucifer might just try and find a way to kill me.

Especially if he got a hold of my notes. Those notes were the key to draining a god of their Source power and killing them without rupturing the balance. If someone got a hold of those, they would use them for something other than destroying the Titans and that was the last thing we needed.

"And here comes the family now." Nemesis said, making me blink and frown, turning around in my seat. Sure enough, Philotes and Nyx were making their way toward us.

Philotes was beautiful in a very surreal way. Her hair was platinum blonde and long, brushed over her slender pale shoulders. Her pale blue eyes glowed and matched the loose flowing tank top she wore that matched her ruffled white skirt that fell longer on one side than the other.

Nyx was a stark contrast, aside from the pale skin. Nyx's jet black hair was cut short in an exotic pixie cut, brushing over her face and deep dark eyes that were outlined with thick eyeliner. She was incredibly tall, near my height, leanly muscled with long legs that she proudly showed off in a pair of loose flowing black capris. She wore a cropped black shirt with slits down the back, showing off the tattoo of smoke climbing up along her spine.

"Well, it's been a while, Hades," Nyx greeted me, stopping to stand in front of me, and I hated her height so much that I had to stand up to be equal with her, "You're looking good." I said nothing to her, then glanced at Philotes, who appeared a bit uneasy at my stare.

"Hi." She offered. I gave her a sour glare.

"Of all the Titans that escaped Tartarus, it was you."

"Hey, now," Nyx told me, touching her finger to my nose, making me grimace and back away from her, "That's my baby girl you're badmouthing. Let's sit and have some lunch." I avoided her dark, enchanting eyes to look over at Seth's temple that towered off in the distance.

"I just ate. I should be--"

"Sit down." Nyx commanded. I glared at her, tempted to argue, but I really was in no mood, so I forced myself to sit down. Nyx smiled brightly at that and took a seat beside me and Philotes on the other. Nemesis offered Philotes a bite of my food, but she politely declined. I sat in silence as they ordered their meals; big, extravagant meals that smelled heavenly, but I didn't go near them. I just watched the women chat about the nearby shops and new food.

"It's been way too long since I traveled," Nyx sighed wistfully, studying her food before taking a hearty bite and moaning in delight, "Ah, and so long since I had a decent bite of food. Don't get me wrong. The hubby makes great pilaf and chicken, but nothing beats trying something new once in a while. Take a bite, Hades." She turned to me, holding out her fork. I grimaced, but knew better than to argue with her while I was powerless, so I took a bite and just shrugged, despite the fireworks going off in my mouth because that food was damn good. Nyx gave me a knowing smile before taking her bite.

"And where would Erebus be?" I asked. Nyx nodded, patting her mouth dry before folding one leg over the other.

"He's actually in town, but he's meeting up with us at the hotel. He hates shopping. But that's all right, I bought him this." She said, taking out a black t-shirt and holding it up for me to see. I stared at the I'm With Stupid shirt and raised an eyebrow at her. She grinned, pressing it to her cheek adorably.

"I'm hoping he'll wear it when he hangs out with his friends." She said with a wink.

"I thought you liked Ted and Jason." Nemesis said, tilting her head and licking yogurt out of her bowl, getting a dab on her nose that Nyx wiped off for her before smiling.

"They're fine-- for mortals." She added. Nemesis grinned. Philotes just shook her head, but smiled anyway. I rolled my eyes at that.

"So, have you told Charon I was in town?" Nyx asked, taking a gulp of tea. I frowned at her, folding my arms over my chest and sitting back in my chair.

"No. I was trying to think of a way to break it to him. Tell me, how does, remember your abandoned mommy? Well, she's in town! sound?" I asked. Nyx frowned. Probably not a good thing. Philotes grimaced, rubbing at her arm.

"Hades, you know she didn't do it to hurt him. She--"

"Don't, baby," Nyx told her calmly, making her squirm uncomfortably, then Nyx turned her eyes to me, "I don't need to explain why I did that. I'll explain it to him personally." I narrowed my eyes on her, leaning forward on my arm on the table.

"If you say something to hurt him, I'm going to rip your throat open. Primordial or not." I said dangerously. Nyx's eyes glowed at that and for a moment, I thought she was going to castrate me, before a smile slid across her lips and she sat back in her seat.

"I knew you were the right person to take care of Charon," She said matter-of-factly, making me arch my brow, "No one's a better daddy than Hades... Except Erebus. Maybe."

"Try telling that to my sons." I said flatly. Nyx gave me a droll stare.

"Hades, we're gods. We don't have the luxery of being normal loving parents. Even worse, we're Greek gods. We have problems of our own. Compared to Hera, we're saints. You know what she did to Hesphastus. At least we didn't chuck our children off a mountain, praying for their deaths. Anyway, just tell Charon someone's coming to visit him. I want to speak to him alone."

"I don't trust you."

"You shouldn't," Nyx exclaimed brightly, making me wrinkle my nose in distaste, "But he's also my son. I won't hurt him. I just want to do a little catching up." I said nothing to that, even though I wanted to tell her she didn't deserve to do any catching up with Charon.

When I'd come upon Charon in the Underworld, he'd been heartbroken that his parents abandoned him. He had locked himself away in his home, only leaving for ferry runs, nothing more. He was very thin and small, barely reached my chest. He was fragile, both physically and mentally. He'd so easily agreed to my demands that I was glad no one left him in charge, otherwise, they'd be able to take over without being hostile. And, granted, Charon perked up a little more after I'd given him brothers, but I don't think that was what he was looking for to fill the void in his life. The only one who'd brightened his day was Kyros, the creature I'd hired to be his bodyguard. Kyros had become Charon's father figure and catered to everything he needed. It was why Kyros's death had struck Charon so harshly. Even now, mentioning Kyros was a bit of a taboo and the light in his eyes faded at the thought of the father he no longer had.

Because gods knew I was not a father figure in the least.

Nyx could say what she wanted, but I knew of better parents than myself. One of which would be Lucifer. He adored his children. He babied them to no end. He trained them.

"Am I missing out on the party?" I turned my head to see Erebus approaching us, making Nyx jump to her feet.

"Baby!" She greeted cheerfully. Although, "baby" would not be a word I'd apply to Erebus. The primordial beast towered high above anyone here with long sleek black hair that he had swept back from his face, his eyes dark like Nyx's. He was draped in very thin black sleeveless robes, black tattoos of smoke climbing his arms towards his throat. He caught Nyx against him and they shared a kiss before Nyx withdrew, smiling at him.

"I thought you said you were going back to the hotel." She said. Erebus shrugged, glancing around.

"I was on my way back when I felt you guys over here... and Hades." He added, glancing at me. I just frowned at him. The air around him was thick with power. It was almost suffocating. There was no way I could stay in his presence for very long without my powers to help me prevent being overwhelmed.

"Sorry to cut this meeting short, but I have to be getting back," I said, getting to my feet, watching Erebus raise an eyebrow and Nyx pout, "You should show up at Seth's temple around midnight, though, so we can discuss the whole retaliating against the Titans thing." Erebus grimaced, but Nyx seemed pleased with the idea as she gave her husband an elbow in the ribs before smiling at me.

"We'll see you there." She said with a confident nod. Erebus looked at her as if she were insane. Nemesis gave me a salute and Philotes just smiled before I took my leave, heading back to the temple the long way.

I had come out here with the intention to get drunk and find a whore, but I ended up having lunch with very distant family and the only people who didn't sneer at me. I suppose that was somewhat of a get away from the incident with Lucifer. I didn't want to get involved with him anymore, no matter what Nemesis had said.

Getting involved with Lucifer would lead to tragedy and I'd had enough of that.

We were at war.

That was all that mattered right now.

I entered the temple and climbed the stairs to the floor my room was on. I went to my room and went to the balcony to stare out at the city that was beginning to light up as the suns in the distance began to set. Damn, how long was I gone? I only meant to take a walk before I came back. The sky was already painted in hues of blue, purples, and oranges. Bugs and frogs from the river began to chirp and sing, the music of the city becoming more relaxing. I sighed, stepping away from the balcony and closing the glass doors, pulling the dark curtains over it.

I left my room and headed to the kitchen, avoiding the group that had settled into the lounge room.

"You were gone all day," Raven said, approaching me and ignoring Dev's bitching to stay put, and I rolled my eyes as I prepared some yogurt, "And my dad's in a bad mood. What happened?" I gave him a droll stare as I grabbed a knife from the metal strip on the wall and Raven took a step back, making me smirk as I started chopping cucumbers.

"What are you? My mother? Nothing happened. I didn't hurt your precious father." I said, pausing to glare at my finger at the cut there. Raven arched a brow and reached out, taking my hand and sending a spark of magic through me that healed the cut. I yanked my hand away from him, avoiding his probing stare as I returned to cutting before returning the knife.

"I'm not worried about my father," Raven replied calmly after a moment, "Lucifer's a lot tougher than he looks. He can handle it. But you, on the other hand..."

"Gee, thanks. I love being placed below the fluffy bunny that is Lucifer." I scoffed, placing my snack on a tray. Raven frowned.

"Have you told him about Zeus?" He asked. I twitched, then turned to pin him with a glare, but he didn't step back. Julius must have given him brain damage for him to just stand there and glare back at me. Then again, he knew my powers were shot and the only thing I could do was beat him over the head.

"No," I said through clenched teeth, "Uh, not really. And I don't care to. I won't have my personal issues become your gossip material. You should know very well that I don't want to tell people." Raven's eyes flickered with pain.

"I never had the chance to keep my issues private. And the way they found out was unfair and cruel. Even now, they'll tell me everything's all right, they'll constantly check on me to make sure I'm not doing something stupid. It's annoying as all get out, but... It's nice to know that on the bad days, I have someone there for me." He explained quietly. I narrowed my eyes at that.

"I recall telling you that there is no one there for me."

"There are. You're just too afraid to trust them."

"I'm sorry, did your mother feed you to your father? Did your brother spit on your sacrifice? What about your sons? Oh, right. No. Your family is picture perfect. Mine was the scum at the bottom of Hell. So excuse me if I don't trust any of them. Or you. Get out of my way or I might just have to hurt you." I commanded. Raven frowned, studying me. For a moment, I thought I might actually have to hurt him to get him to move out of my way, but he reluctantly stepped aside. Much to my relief, he didn't say anything more on the matter. It was about time he shut up about it. Raven wasn't as obnoxious as the others, and he was probably the only one that really sided with me on the whole Lock-Hades-Up-In-A-Room therapy session.

But I still didn't want him on my back like everyone else.

I shook my head and returned to my room, closing the door when I felt a strange presence in the room. I jerked my head up and spun around, dropping the tray to the floor so everything splattered to the floor and across the room, sitting on the bed, Zeus leaned back on one hand, smirking at me.

"You're looking pretty good for having been tortured by our parents." He said. I clenched my teeth until my jaw ticked before curling my lip at him in repungence.

"No thanks to you." I returned seethingly. Zeus wasn't amused, and patted the spot on the bed beside him.

"I prefer standing, thanks." I said.

"It wasn't a suggestion, Hades. And considering your oh so fun abilities are locked up, I'd do what I say before this gets ugly." Zeus warned. I clenched my fists so tight, my nails bit into my palms. I forced myself to walk across the room, sitting beside Zeus. I waited for him to grab me or shove me back on the bed, but much to my relief, he just sat there and stared across the room, expression grim.

"The Titan plague is spreading. I've heard they've taken over three realms already." He said. I frowned, folding my arms over my chest.

"Unfortunately," I replied, "But that's three out of how many? We still have time. Well, before they take over all the realms. Not before they find out we're staying in Duat. Once they discover that, they'll come after us full throttle. And while our army is currently bigger than theirs, they have some hardcore players. You remember how hard Hyperion was to fight." Zeus grimaced at the thought, reaching up to rake his nails through his hair before sighing.

"I was hoping to stay out of this whole ordeal. This really isn't my mess to clean up, Hades."

"Remind me to get that tattooed on my ass so I don't forget." I said through clenched teeth. Zeus smirked at that, tilting his head as he leaned back on his hand and reached up with the other to brush hair from my face and I slapped his hand away, pinning him with a glare. He smirked, taking my wrist and forcing it down so he could lean in to my ear.

"Don't damage that physical form of yours, Hades. I might actually get pissed."

"If I thought that was rooted in actually giving a shit about me, I might care." I sneered at him. Something flickered deep in Zeus's eyes before he gave me that same twisted smirk of his.

"I didn't come here to fuck you," Zeus said, getting to his feet and making me look at him curiously, "I came to tell you that this war requires the assistance of all gods. I'm gathering up my armies. Since you're the one who launched this whole attack and even gave your ass up to me to protect those brats you call sons, you'll be calling the shots upfront, but I want to hear about them before you do so. Do I make myself clear, brother?" I frowned. This was very uncharacteristic of Zeus. He wasn't a team player. He called the shots. He was planning something other than the war.

"What's this about," I asked, and Zeus opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, "Really. Don't give me bullshit excuses. We both know you're not a good guy that just suddenly up and agrees to saving the universe because someone slapped his brother on the wrist." Zeus narrowed his eyes and I got to my feet as he took a step toward me. He got so close, I could feel his breath on my face as we glared at each other before Zeus spoke.

"You're not the only one who loathes the Titans to the core of their soul, Hades. Those were my parents that betrayed me as well. Rhea was the one who saved my life. She told me she loved me, and she was the one who tried to slit my throat during the battle. She's a manipulative traitor and I want to see the ground soaked with her blood. Be it by your hand or mine, either way, she will suffer for what she's done. All those millenia in Tartarus were not enough agony for what she's done to me, done to us. I may not give a shit about the universe, but I do give a shit about my family."

"You have a shitty way of showing it." I muttered. Zeus smirked.

"Your version of caring and my version of caring are two completely different versions of caring. Now stopping glaring at me like that. It's turning me on." He whispered against my lips. I cringed and stepped away from him, but he caught me around the waist and pulled me up against him. I pressed my hands to his chest, glaring at him as he smiled down at me. One of those disgusting teasing smiles that made my stomach shrivel up.

"Remember," He said, "Tell me your plans before you put them into action. I want to know where I'm standing on the battlefield so I can get a good view of you in that armor of yours. That suit was made to cup that ass of yours. I look forward to it, brother. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a wife at home to please." I rolled my eyes, then hissed as Zeus kissed me hard on the mouth before shoving me back on the bed. He vanished just seconds before the bedroom door opened to admit Lucifer, who pulled up short at the mess on the floor in front of the door, his eyes wide before he looked up and I shot to my feet, trying not to show how startled I'd been by Zeus's visit.

"What was that?" Lucifer asked, coming into the room and shutting the door. I noticed him click the lock and I tensed, glaring at him menacingly.

"Nothing."

"I felt a foreign power in here."

"Oh yeah, that one you felt." I seethed, then caught myself before I almost mentioned Zeus's violent visit back at his palace. He couldn't have felt that one. Zeus barred it... So why didn't Zeus bar this visit? I swallowed as Lucifer waved his hand over the mess and instantly cleared it all up, playing the silverware on the nightstand before he turned to face me.

"It was Zeus, wasn't it?" He asked. I glared at him. He took a step toward me and I took one back, only to bump into the bed. Lucifer didn't stop to let me fix my footing as he approached me a few more steps and I glared at him furiously.

"You're invading my space. Get away." I commanded. Much to my surprise, Lucifer complied, but he kept his eyes on me, and the concern there made my stomach churn. I punched him and told him to fuck off and he was still chasing after me. What did I need to do to get him away from me? He was getting close, more than just physically. It was getting dangerous.

"Hades, we need to talk about this. Earlier you mentioned Zeus in the same context as Julius's men. And before, when you asked Zeus for that favor and he required something of you. Was that what I think it was?" He asked. I glared at him.

"You know the answer to that. Stop fucking around." I sneered at him. Lucifer gritted his teeth, his fists balling up for a moment, and I was surprised when he bashed the nightstand over and glared at me.

"Why did you agree to what he wanted when you knew what he was asking?" He demanded. I stiffened at the way his blue eyes went from celestial blue to blood red, then back again. Well, that was both freaky and oddly arousing. Damn this angel and everything about him.

"I don't have to tell you anything," I told him icily, making him tense as if I'd struck him, "Besides, I'm not spilling anything to you because you haven't told me shit about you. Like, here's a question. Why are you the only angel I know of with eyes that turn red? Generally the eyes of an angel turn white or gold, not red." Lucifer pursed his lips. I smirked, folding my arms over my chest.

"See? You don't like nosy people either." I replied with a shrug, moving to the bathroom.

"Because I'm cursed." Lucifer blurted. I froze, then turned to look at him, confused.

"I didn't mean you had to tell me." I said slowly. Lucifer clenched his fists, his expression twisted in pain.

"And if I didn't tell you, you would continue to distrust me. I want you to trust me, Hades, and if that means telling you things that no one else knows, then so be it." He said quietly. I frowned, turning to face him, moving closer until I was leaning against the post on the bed, studying him. Lucifer watched me warily in return.

"Why were you cursed?" I asked after a moment of silence. Lucifer gave me an irritated stare.

"I betrayed God. He wasn't going to send me from Heaven without proper punishment. He gave Michael permission to curse me before he stabbed me through the stomach and cast me to Hell, one of the few empty realms at the time."

"And just what exactly is this curse?"

"To drink the blood of my lover." He stated. I frowned, confused for a split second before it all made sense. All the times we had sex, Lucifer had bitten into my throat, or my wrist even, and drank my blood. I looked at him now.

"How is that a curse? Abel's forced to do the same thing to Cain."

"I don't like it," Lucifer snarled, surprising me by his change in tone, "I don't like hurting the people I care about. I hate it. I hate having to rely on their blood. I hate watching them cry because I'm forced to hurt them. I hate it! And Michael knows that. That's why he did it in the first place. And if, once I find a lover, I don't drink their blood during the relationship, I go mad with hunger and am forced to kill them. That's why none of my relationships last more than a night. It's why I was forced to throw Akin's mother out of my palace. The real reason why Dania's mother is dead. Why Thorn's mother fled from me. Why Bethany abandoned me. No one wants to be the Devil's blood bank, Hades."

"But you chase after me, not them. Why?" I demanded. Lucifer frowned.

"Hades, you're a god. Taking your blood won't kill you. Your stamina--"

"I'm just convenient." I stated. Lucifer stiffened.

"Absolutely not. Hades--"

"If a blood bank is what you need, Lucifer, next time just say it. Don't sugar coat it with bullshit like love."

"Hades, that's not true, I--"

"If you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to discuss taking down the Titans. You should be getting ready for that too." I said, heading for the door. I could feel Lucifer's urge to run after me, but he knew better after last time, so he stayed put and I slammed the door shut behind me, heading down the hallway to the staircase, my heart pounding hard in my chest.

I knew there was a reason behind it. I was right. I was always right.

And for some reason, it still hurt.

I'm pathetic.