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“My queen has retired to her bedroom. You just missed her, actually.”
Anger twists in my chest. “She’s not your queen. Mercy belongs to me.”
“You belong to me.” His eyes flash blue. “All murderers have their place with me in the underworld.”
“I’m not dead, I’m alive. I’m here through the rift in the worlds, and I’m taking Mercy back.”
“A murderer walks into the castle of Hades. He demands his bride and a pardon.” A mocking grin is on his lips. “It’s not so funny, is it?”
“Mercy belongs to me. Our blood has bonded. She’s my mate.”
“Too bad for you. The High C
ouncil says she belongs to me.”
“No one can give her to you if we’re bonded. You’ve been using an old grudge to punish her family for generations. You don’t even care anymore about your lost mate. It’s a game of spite for you.”
He folds his arms and walks to the fireplace. I watch his elegant moves. He’s dressed in black slacks and a black tailored shirt with a blood-red jacket on top. It’s belted like a smoking jacket.
“Only one part of what you say is true. I don’t miss my lost mate as much as in the beginning. Mercy’s aunt Cora eased that initial pain.” I start to speak, but he continues. “However, she’s gone, and I will have a wife. Mercy pleases me.”
“Mercy is MINE!” I shout, hoping she’ll hear me.
Rushing forward, I reach for Hayden’s throat, but his hands rise at the same time, meeting mine.
We hit each other with a CRASH! like granite meeting limestone. He’s immortally strong, but my strength is equally impressive. Our hands are clasped, and I’m pushing against him. Eyes flash, green striking blue. We both growl, hot breath rising between us in this battle of wills.
I push against his arms, and desperation fleets across his face. In that moment, I realize my advantage. I’m grasping his wrists. He can’t conjure or even signal his minions. I could defeat him this way.
ROAR! From the depths of my soul, I shout as I rip his arms down, hoping to pull them from his body. A yell of pain tears from his throat, and satisfaction rises in my chest. Suffer, motherfucker. I want to see you bleed. I want to be the panther who sees you die.
Just then, a noise changes everything.
“Koa?” It’s Mercy’s voice — muffled, but coming from above.
I’m distracted, but with all my strength I throw Hayden hard against the wall. His head hits the stone with a sickening CRACK! and I’m sure he’s down for the count.
“Mercy?” Looking up, I start for the staircase. I don’t know where in this castle she might be, but I plan to find her and carry her out of this hell.
I’m running for her voice when WHAM! I’m hit with a flash of energy so hard it knocks me to my knees at the foot of the stairs.
“Mercy…” I gasp. Reaching forward, I hold the railing, trying to catch my breath and find my footing. WHAM! I’m hit again, and I fall all the way to my chest. It feels like a bolt of lightning struck me, but without the burn. I’m paralyzed.
“Koa?” I hear her voice calling louder now, and I struggle to answer.
Strong hands jerk me under each arm. Guards I never saw coming drag me from the staircase and down the large room. I try to fight, try to kick, but my arms and legs are useless.
The last thing I see is Hayden smirking in front of the fireplace. He looks up quickly, and just before the door slams shut, I see her.
In the blink of an eye, my beautiful Mercy appears at his side in a flowing, champagne gown with her dark hair rippling around her shoulders. She’s so gorgeous, and instantly she disappears behind the closed door.
She never even saw me.
* * *
Mercy
I’m not going crazy. I’m sure Koa was here. Running down the stairs, I’m back with Hayden where we left each other earlier. Looking all around, I see nothing but him standing there, rubbing one shoulder. The rug is disturbed, and I see signs of a struggle. Anger burns in his eyes, and it quickly turns to lust as he watches me standing in the same stupid gown. I might as well be naked.
