Hades Read online

  I studied Xavier’s face, only inches away from where my own would have been. I could already see his expression clouding as his body resumed normal temperature. The physical exertion had offered him a temporary reprieve; soon he would be agonizing again about what he could have done differently. I was running out of time. I backed up so that I was drifting several meters away from him. I shut my eyes tight and focused on channeling my energy into the spot where my heart would be had my physical form been present. I imagined concentrating this energy into one swirling, powerful ball. The ball held all of my love, all of my thoughts, all of my being. And then I ran. I ran straight toward Xavier, who was staring out at the ocean, his feet half buried in the sand. When I reached him I hit him like a trajectory, the ball of energy breaking over him like a cosmic tidal wave. It was as if his body became liquid and I was able to pass right through him. For a split second, I could feel his very being inside of me, my essence and his fused together. For that one brief moment we shared one heart, one body. Then the moment was gone. Xavier looked stunned as he tried to make sense of what had just happened and instinctively brought his hand up to his heart. I could almost track his thought processes on his face. I hoped I’d gotten it right and hadn’t alarmed him into thinking he’d had a heart attack. It took a few minutes for him to process what had happened, but then his expression shifted from confusion to one of pure bliss. When I saw him looking around for me, I knew I’d got it right. I was proud of myself to have broken through on the first attempt! I’d only taken baby steps, but I’d done it—I’d made contact.

  Xavier looked straight ahead where I hovered, physically invisible, but spiritually more present than ever. His clear, turquoise eyes seemed to meet mine and the beginning of a smile played around the corners of his mouth.

  “Beth,” he murmured. “What took you so long?”

  17

  Accomplice

  THINGS changed for me after my encounter with Xavier on the beach. What had happened between us was better than kissing him, better than having him sleep in my bed. I had wrapped myself around his beating heart, flowed in his bloodstream, felt the electrical impulses charging to his brain. I knew now what true connection was. And I knew I had to fight for it.

  Up until now I had been happy to sit around waiting patiently for my rescue party to arrive. I didn’t feel there was much else I could do. Now, like Xavier, I couldn’t just wait. I needed to take matters into my own hands. My determination to be reunited with him burned like a flame. I was through with playing the victim. I was through with feeling helpless. Jake scared me; there was no doubt about that, but there was one thing that scared me more and that was being separated from Xavier forever.

  A small part of me felt like I’d let Xavier down. Here I was idling in my penthouse suite for the better part of each day, communicating only with Hanna and Tuck and feigning illness to minimize contact with Jake while Xavier did all the work. He was frantically thinking, planning, and putting all else aside while I waited like a damsel in distress. I was better than that. I was capable of pulling my weight and that was just what I’d do. But I couldn’t do it alone.

  “Tuck, change of plans,” I said the moment he walked through my door. “I need your help.”

  Tucker shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “I don’t like the sound of this … ,” he said.

  I wasn’t entirely sure I should trust him so soon, but I didn’t have much choice. “I want to try and find a portal.”

  Tucker sighed. “I guess I knew this was comin’,” he said. “But, Beth, they’re near impossible to find. Only a few highrankin’ demons know where they are.”

  “I’m an angel, Tuck,” I pressed. “I might have a built-in detector or something that could help us. You never know.”

  “Gotta admire your confidence,” Tucker said and paused before adding, “but just so you know, I’ve been out lookin’ for portals a thousand times and I never found jack.”

  “We might get lucky this time,” I said with a smile.

  “I’d like to help you.” Tucker squirmed. “But if we get caught it ain’t you they’re gonna string up on the rack.”

  “So we won’t get caught.”

  “It ain’t that simple.”

  “Yeah, it is,” I pressed. “And if we get busted I’ll say it was all my idea, I forced you into it.”

  Tucker sighed. “I s’pose it could be worth a shot.”

  “Great. Now, where do these high-ranking demons hang out?”

  “I know I’m gonna get my butt kicked listenin’ to you,” Tuck said. “But all right, let’s do it. Only how are we gonna sneak out? Every inch of this hotel’s patroled and they’re watchin’ you like a hawk.”

  “I have an idea.” I flopped belly down on my bed and reached for the service phone on the bedside table. I’d never had occasion to use it before so the voice on the other end sounded mildly surprised.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” said the woman at reception. “How may I assist you?”

  “Could you put me through to Mr. Thorn’s room?” I asked politely. “I need to speak with him.”

  I heard a brief rustling of papers. “I’m afraid Mr. Thorn is in a meeting,” the woman said tonelessly. “He’s requested not to be disturbed.”

  “Could you tell him it’s Bethany Church calling,” I said.

  “Please hold.”

  Her tone changed dramatically once she returned. This time she addressed me like a VIP. “My apologies, Miss Church,” she said in a breathless, fawning voice. “I’ll connect you straightaway.”

  The phone rang twice before I heard Jake’s silky voice purring into the receiver. “Hello, sweetheart. Miss me already?”

  “Maybe,” I said playfully. “But that’s not the reason for my call. I’d like to ask your permission for something.” Jake wasn’t the only one who could turn on the charm.

  “Is this a joke, Beth? Since when have you asked my permission for anything? Last time I checked you had quite a will of your own.”

  I tried to make my voice sound sweet and imploring. “I just figure there’s enough bad blood between us,” I said. “I don’t want to make things any worse.”

  “Uh-huh.” Jake sounded skeptical. “What do you need?”

  “I was wondering if I could maybe visit the clubs,” I said in my most unassuming tone. “You know, hang out with the club rats and get to know the place.”

  “You want to go clubbing?” Jake was taken aback. I knew I’d caught him completely off guard.

  “Well, not really,” I said. “I just feel like I haven’t been out of this hotel room for so long. I think I need to do something before I go stir-crazy.”

  Jake was quiet while he weighed up my proposal. “Fine. But you can’t go alone,” he said eventually. “And I’m in the middle of something important right now. Can I pick you up in a few hours?”

  “Actually,” I said, “Tucker offered to tag along.”

  “Tucker?” Jake laughed outright. “He won’t be much use to you on the dance floor.”

  “I know,” I said. “But he can play chaperone.” I lowered my voice, suddenly filling it with disarming familiarity. “I just want to know if you think I’ll be … you know … safe with him? I don’t know him all that well, it’s not like we’re friends or anything.” I shot Tuck a repentant look. “Do you think he’ll look after me? He won’t hurt me or anything?”

  Jake gave a low, threatening chuckle. “You’ll be perfectly safe with Tucker. He won’t let anything happen to you because he knows if he did, I’d skin him alive.”

  “Okay,” I said, trying to disguise my disgust. “If you trust him then so do I.”

  A new thought crossed Jake’s mind. “I trust you’re not planning to do anything stupid?”

  “If I was, would I ask for permission first?” I let out a long sigh of what I hoped sounded like disappointment. “Look, don’t worry about it, I’ll stay in. I don’t even feel like going anymore.”

  “No
, you should go,” Jake urged, anxious not to dampen my mood. “You need to get to know this place if you’re ever going to call it home. I’ll let security know you’re going out.”

  “Thanks. I won’t be back late.”

  “That’s probably best. You don’t know who you might run into.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I said breezily. “Everyone knows I’m yours by now.”

  “It’s nice to finally hear you say that.”

  “There’s not much point denying it.”

  “I’m glad you’re coming around. I knew you would in time.” His voice was low and he sounded so genuinely pleased. It was scary the way he’d built up our relationship in his head—he was completely delusional. I almost wished I could help him, but I knew it was too late for that.

  “I’m not promising anything, Jake,” I clarified. “Just going out for a while.”

  “I understand. You have fun.”

  “I’ll try. Oh, and by the way, I’d like somewhere a little more upscale than last time. Any suggestions?”

  “Bethany, you never cease to amaze me … go to Hex. I’ll send word that you’re coming.”

  I put the receiver down and flashed Tucker a satisfied smile. I couldn’t have been more pleased with my performance had I just climbed Everest.

  “He bought it?” Tucker looked amazed.

  “Hook, line, and sinker.”

  “I’ve gotta hand it you, you’re a better liar than I gave you credit for,” he said.

  “I was good, wasn’t I?” I jumped off the bed and headed straight for the door, eager to get out the stuffy hotel room.

  “Uh … Beth.” Tucker stopped me and appraised my outfit.

  “You’re not gettin’ into any club dressed like that.”

  I looked down at my floral dress and sighed. Tuck was right. I needed to look the part. I rummaged through the other items in my wardrobe. There was nothing that even came close to what I needed.

  I was beginning to get frustrated when someone rapped curtly at the door. When Tucker opened it, there stood Asia holding a garment bag in one hand and a designer cosmetics kit in the other. She stepped into the room flashing a savage grin and made no secret of the fact that she was there under duress. She was wearing a leather minidress with a lace-up bodice and red thigh-high boots. Her skin was like milky coffee and she had coated it with something that made it iridescent under the lights.

  “Jake sent me,” she said in her husky voice. “He thought you might need some help getting ready. Looks like he was right.” She threw the garment bag over the nearest chair. “This should be your size. Try it on, then we’ll deal with the rest.” She looked me over as though I were beyond help. Before I could say anything Asia had followed me into my bathroom. Turning away from her, I hurriedly pulled on the black-and-white bandage dress she handed me and slid my feet into the crystal-studded pumps with bows on the heel. I frowned as Asia resentfully lined up compacts and giant brushes on the marble counter. I knew she wouldn’t be wasting her time on me unless Jake had expressly asked her.

  “Oh, honey,” she drawled. “If you’re gonna hit the clubs you gotta look the part. You can’t go turning up like some Girl Scout.”

  “Let’s just get this over with,” I grumbled.

  “Fine by me.” Asia grinned and pointed an eyelash curler at me as if it were a deadly weapon.

  When I emerged from the bathroom, I was unrecognizable. Every loop and natural kink in my hair had been ironed out, my mouth was a sticky berry-colored pout and silver-blue eye shadow glittered on my lids. Bronzing powder covered my face, giving my naturally pale skin a sun-kissed look. Earrings in the shape of giant fans hung from my ears and the false lashes Asia had glued above my own tickled when I closed my eyes. She had even sprayed my legs with fake tan from a golden bottle and I smelled like a giant coconut.

  My transformation appeared to render Tucker speechless. “Beth, is that you under there?” he said. “You look … um … very …”

  “Quit your drooling, farm boy,” Asia snapped. “Now let’s make tracks.”

  “You’re coming?” he asked.

  “Sure. Why not? You got a problem with that?” Asia’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  “No problem at all,” Tucker said. He looked at me meaningfully, concluding that this must be Jake’s idea of an insurance policy.

  When the three of us left the penthouse suite and came down to the lobby, everybody stopped to watch us in unison.

  My new attire may not have felt right for an angel, but it did make me feel better equipped to cope with the dangers that might be waiting in the murky tunnels of Hades. I was keen to get going and start my search for the elusive portals. I knew it was dangerous, but for once I wasn’t intimidated. I felt as if I’d been kept in the dark, both literally and metaphorically, for weeks.

  I purposely ignored the appreciative smiles from the hotel staff as we sailed out of the revolving doors. I was fast learning that manners and friendliness weren’t the way to go if I wanted to gain any respect in Hades. Outside a uniformed doorman tipped his hat and signaled to a long black limousine that crawled silently up to collect us.

  “Mr. Thorn ordered a car for you,” the doorman announced.

  “How thoughtful of him,” I said grudgingly as I slid into the backseat with Tucker. Even when he wasn’t there Jake liked to keep a tight hold of the reins.

  Asia sat up front. The driver appeared to know her and they chatted briefly about mutual contacts. From behind the partition of tinted glass, Tucker and I caught muffled fragments of their conversation.

  “Stay close at Hex,” Tucker advised. “I’m told it draws an interesting crowd.” I didn’t ask for his definition of interesting. I would soon find out for myself.

  The club district of Hades was very different from where Hotel Ambrosia was located. The hotel appeared to be in a more remote area while the club district was a maze of tunnels with metal doors set in concrete walls. The bouncers guarding the entrances looked like clones with their crew cuts and expressionless faces. The way the music spilled out with its rhythmic beat made you feel like the place had a heartbeat of its own. The effect was claustrophobic.

  Club Hex was located at some distance from the others, accessible via a separate tunnel. When Asia flashed her pass I realized entry here was by invitation only. Once inside I understood why. The first thing I noticed was the scent of expensive cigars in the air. Hex wasn’t so much a nightclub as a gaming room for the Hades’ elite to wile away their time. Its main patrons were high-ranking demons of both sexes. They all moved with the agility of panthers and shared a preoccupation with vanity, which was evidenced by their glamorous attire. Not all of them were demons. Some I could see were human—not souls, but flesh and blood, like Hanna and Tuck. I understood without having to ask that they were there for the express purpose of pleasuring their masters.

  The club’s decor with its baroque flavor was dramatic and suggested the opulence of a long-gone era. There were classical statues, marble pillars, chairs richly upholstered in black velvet, swags of silk curtains and ornate, carved mirrors on every wall. I recognized the song that filtered through the speakers in the ceiling. I’d heard it before in Xavier’s car although it seemed much more fitting here: “I see the bad moon arising. I see trouble on the way. I see earthquakes and lightnin’. I see bad times today.”

  Some guests sat at small tables with fringed lampshades, sipping cocktails and watching pole dancers wearing what looked like beaded lingerie. At the central tables the high rollers were engrossed in various games. I recognized the more established games, like poker and roulette, but one called the Lucky Wheel puzzled me at first. Some half a dozen players sat around a table watching small computer screens. The screens showed a mass of people on a dance floor. Each dancer appeared to be represented by a different icon on the wheel. The dealer spun the wheel and the player won if it finished on the icon they’d chosen. It would have struck me as mindless had I not seen for myse
lf the torture that lay in store for the dancers in the pit.

  There was nothing secret or clandestine about the patrons of Club Hex. Behavior that might have been deemed objectionable on earth was openly flaunted here. Couples engaged publicly in what could only be described as foreplay as well as unashamedly snorting lines of white powder from countertops and popping pastel-colored pills like candy. Some of the demons were rough in handling their human counterparts and the alarming thing was that the recipients seemed to enjoy being mistreated. The total absence of moral parameters was sickening.

  I started having doubts about being there at all let alone seeking out information about portals. The confidence I’d started out with was fast evaporating.

  “I’m not sure this is such a good idea, after all,” I said, wavering. Tuck said something in response that I couldn’t hear above the din of the music. All eyes turned toward me when I entered, despite my attempt to blend in and appear inconspicuous. Some of the demons even sniffed the air as though they could smell that I didn’t belong. The ones nearest to us sidled closer, their shark eyes glinting. Tuck wrapped an arm around my shoulder and steered me toward the bar, where I hopped onto a stool, thankful for his protective presence.