Page 322 of Trick or Stalk

His voice comes through the mask. “One minute.”

I laugh. “That's what you gave me last time.”

“You didn't make it very far.”

My mouth falls open. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“Cocky asshole.”

“Fifty-five seconds.”

My eyes widen. “You’re already counting?”

“Fifty-two.”

“Oh, you fucker.”

I turn.

“Presley.”

I look over my shoulder. The black eyeholes of the mask stare back at me.

“Yeah?”

His voice changes. It’s dark and raspy. “Run.”

I take off running.

His laughter follows me through the trees.

I laugh too, dodging around a trunk as my boots crunch through the snow.

“Forty!”

“Stop counting out loud!”

“Thirty-nine.”

“You're cheating!”

“Thirty-eight.”

I run faster.

Behind me, Hades keeps counting. And for one fleeting moment, I remember the woman who stood at her bedroom window staring into these woods. Afraid. Curious. Drawn to something she didn't understand.

She had no idea what waited for her between the trees.

No idea the monster she feared would become the man she loved.

I understand now.

Hades isn't safe. He'll never be safe.

Neither is loving him.