~Take the Mask off when you speak to me ~

Follow me on Instagram! I post updates on the story there! @ emberia_

"You Hades?" A hysterical laugh burst through me. If this guy was the devil then I was the -

"SILENCE!" All lights went out, darkness enclosed on me and I knew that somewhere out there was this so called Hades ready to pounce.

"State your purpose for Gaia and I will think of not killing you. Slowly." I breathed deeply humour vanishing all in one go.

"I don't know I said -" A hand wrapped around my neck bringing off the ground. His face was merely inches from mine, eyes staring and calculating.

"Give. Me. Your. Parent names." He gritted nearing my face every so slightly. I choked my fingers holding onto the outstretched hand.

"No."

"No?" He brought me closer, a wicked smile plastered before he threw me onto the floor and I landed with a thud.

"I guess your ability to talk was restricted due to undesired ears, don't you worry, I will see to that." The black haired man offered before flinging his hand over to the door and it fell down revealing Ethan who stood with narrowed eyes.

"Stop demanding things of her!" Ethan yelled stepping towards the black haired guy with courage.

"Not only you have interrupted our conversation, you have also shown that you neglect your master." There was a lethal pause and then all lights were up again.

"What does he mean?" I called before my mind protested. Ethan was one of his 'servants'? Was that it?

"Not now Alexia." Ethan declined fists curling, breath puffing. I felt the hairs on my back raise, it was a warning of some sort.

The weird man took a sniff around, his eyes snapped to mine.

"Hide. Now."

He gestured the palm to the curtain on the left and I quickly rushed to it. Ethan fit right in with me as we waited, for God knows what.

The only sound was my own breathing. Ethan pressed closer to me, his chest touching to face, being way taller than me. I felt my hands shakes when I detected a familiar voice.

"Always so dim and dark, how are you today, son?" It was Gaia, I knew it was her. I don't know how or why but it was as if something or someone called out to me, telling me it was Gaia.
Wa-a-ait, hold up. Son?

My fingers wanted to look out from the curtain but Ethan stopped my curiosity by holding my hands away from the edges, as if he knew. How?

"What have I done to deserve your company this fine morning?" I frowned at that, it was dark as a night, there is no way it was morning.
Unless we were truly in hell and this person actually was Hades.

By the looks of it, it was him.

I hope he doesn't kill me.

"You see with the Moon swaying sideways we cannot afford to lose control over the Underworld too. After what has happened, I want to take measures to finding a new lunar Goddess." I heard closely, she was just outside the curtain. My heart hitched as clicking shoes went around the room.

"Why should that concern me?" Hades responded, there was a hint of amusement and curiosity hidden in the tone. I think Gaia anchored his attention for good.

"In one month I am hosting an event for the candidacy of the next Moon Goddess, I  would like you to attend and you may bring your servants." Gaia tattled from what seemed another point of the room.

"I am honoured Gaia, without doubting lateness I will be there."
Hades replied and frankly I found that my fingers were curled around Ethan's arms squeezing for dear life.
New Moon Goddess? How dare she wants to find a replacement for my mum?! But what if Hades doesn't even know Gaia had Selene captured?

"Come out, she's gone." Hades snapped and we both stepped out my eyes finding black ones automatically.

"Where will they be hosting it?" I questioned feeling tension seep into my bones. Hades smiled stepping forward.

"The Olympus tower off course." He bittered studying me specifically. Ethan narrowed his eyes in my direction but I effectively ignored his judging looks.

"Do tell what has stricken your interest." Hades said from behind me. The only thing that saved me at that moment was the white skeleton that walked in and politely informed Hades of 'some complications' that suddenly came. Just like that, Hades was here, then he wasn't.

"Do you think what I am thinking?" I asked Ethan, strolling closer to that we can talk in private whilst the Lord of the Dead has a chat with ones of his servants. The brown-head gave me a look as if trying to read my mind but then blew out an annoyed breath.

"Yeah, you are right. We have to get out of here!" Ethan exclaimed and made a move for it, my hand reached out and gripped his bicep causing him to freeze in steps. I narrowed my eyes to slits bring myself close enough so that we are not overheard. We were alone that's granted, I just wasn't willing to take chances.

"The competition is held at the Olympus tower, right?" Ethan nodded silently, I don't think he quite caught on the hint I was trying to portray as secretly as humanly possible.

"So?" Ethan dead-panned making me groan.

"Think about this. She might be there. We could find her." I whispered so low i barely heard myself say anything. Ethan stared back his green eyes shining with something I could not place. Wait.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I cackled, maybe there was something on my face? Instinctively, i brought a palm to my face trailed the skin just to make sure.

"We are not going there." Ethan commanded stalking for me about to grab my arm.

"She might be there!" I said no longer whispering, my eyes caught in disbelief. He couldn't just give up. He knows how much she means to me.

"No she won't!" He disagreed and had me enclosed in a tight grasp. Before I knew I was being dragged through the double doors.

"How do you know?!" Exclamation on the how. Ethan had no clue about her whereabouts but that doesn't mean she wasn't there. While at hiding the only thing I had were the ancient books which I had no idea Ethan obtained. I remember reading that the Olympus Tower was the place of great powers, the prior Gods lived there and that means that she could be held there also. I don't think Gaia would let her out of the sight, my mother was powerful without doubt, she could pull up a havoc with ease.

"It is a dead end, Alexia, we are going back to our hiding phase, we are not going to look for her, come on we are leaving." Ethan ordered forcefully dragging me through the corridors. The only question was, how did he know his way around hell? Has he been here before? For what purpose?

We have reached the front door, the gates and then were about to step out into the porch. Little did we know the Satan himself was expecting us approach.

"Leaving without a single good-bye? How rude." Hades stood by the door frame, the doors instantly dropped down, trapping us in a cage with a hungry tiger.

"No one leaves the Underworld, not until I give permission to do so." Hades added, those charcoal eyes shaded with trouble as he took a meaningful step forward.

"Then give us permission to leave." I said, my voice brave and for the first time in forever not breaking apart.

"Make me an offer and I will grant you the permission." Hades speculated narrowing his eyes at the corners. I stared back in horror, did he..did he want my soul?

"Let us out!" Ethan covered me and banged the metal door with locked fists. Off course the thing never moved or even made a noise. The effort was good but useless.

"You may go." Hades said to Ethan who froze on the spot, not even making eye contact with me. "The contract stands for another five hundred years though, I have you aware of that." Hades flicked his fingers and Ethan plunged backwards as if an invisible force was going trying to kick him out.

"I'm not going anywhere without Alexia!" The brunette shouted in pain, reaching for my hand but then vanished into thin air. It was Hades and I now. Alone.

"What offer exactly are you talking about?" I questioned feeling shakiness entering my system as the deadly eyes set on my figure. I didn't want to play his ruthless game, it was suicide in its pure blissful form.

"Who are you looking for Alexia?" Hades deadpanned, and I find myself swallowing harshly the lie that wanted to escape so freaking badly.

"What do you want in order for me to leave?" I questioned back completely discarding his demand. Hades snickered lowly clearly witnessing what I was trying to achieve.

"Become my servant."

"You're asking too much of me." I spit back trying to but distance between us that seemed to get narrower with each passing second that Hades stared on.

"Take your mask off when you speak to me, tell me who you are looking for and I will grant you  shorter terms." Hades smiled knowingly, he kew I was about to give in.

"My mother." I stated honestly. If he thought I was going to give him more than  that boy he was wrong.

"You believe she will be competing is that so?" Hades analysed my face for any emotions, good thing I had none at that moment.

"Yes." I lied. It appeared Hades ate the dirt after what he said next.

"You will accompany me to the competition, as my servant. Then your debt be paid for - that is if she is alive." Hades declared and I stood from one foot to another. My mind is racing, what about Ethan?

"And what if she isn't?" I pointed out gripping my knuckles so tight they turned white. Hades neared me, for a non-breather he most certainly looked healthy, maybe a bit too pale.

"You will remain my servant for the rest of your life." The answer knocked me in the guts like a fist into the blind spot. Did he really expect me to do that? Is that what making a deal with the devil was like?

But I knew Selene wasn't dead. I had a feeling she wasn't and that was enough for me to nod my head in agreement. Besides Ethan would have told me so already if she was.

"But..you will cover my identity both here and on Earth." I interjected staring back into the soul-less eyes that dig into the foundation of my mind. He was searching for something valuable but he wasn't going to get it. Not knowing how I did so, I pushed him out of my head with a single thought of doing it.

"We have a deal." Hades answered still looking through me. The longer it passed the more I began to realize I never should have made a deal with the him. Not with the devil himself.

Hades brought out a silver knife and in one single motion cut through his flesh, the wound stared to pour blood but he hasn't even blinked.
The devil extended his callous cold hand and gave me the dagger. Blood oath it is then. The nervous thoughts kept lurking into my head as I awfully slowly took time slicing my skin apart.

Hissing I watched the blood drop on the dirty ground, with watery eyes I pushed up hand towards him and he clasped it with his. Our interlinked hands released some sort of spark which momentarily blinded me.

Then it stopped and the devil released me from his hold. We both stared at each other before he stepped forward.

"One month on Earth, after I am collecting you myself." Then the surroundings began to dissipate and dissolve the black colors stared to waver and soon I realized I am on s busy street. A street I have recognized from my childhood.

"Mate I'm tellin' yah, that girl rang me up!" Two males passed me not even sparing a second glance. Their British accents detected by my ears had me more confused than ever before.
I got angry looking at the red buses and the giant golden brown clock in the middle of the street.

"Why the hell would you send me to London, Hades?"

Things are getting a bit more interesting...
What do you guys think of what Hades said? Do you think he knows who Alexia is? And who her parents are?

Vote and comment keeps me motivated!!!!!!!!

Follow me on Instagram! I post updates on the story there! @ emberia_
~Ria~