A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone Saga Book 1)

Persephone and Lexa took a taxi to La Rose. It wasn’t her preferred method of travel—she felt like they were a game of chance. She never knew what she was going to get—a smelly cab, a talkative driver, or a creepy one.

Tonight, they’d gotten a creepy one. He kept taking long looks at them in the rearview mirror, and had become so distracted he had to swerve hard to miss oncoming traffic.

She glared at Lexa, who had insisted they couldn’t arrive at La Rose on a bus.

Better that than dead, she thought now.

“Five articles about the God of the Dead,” Lexa said dreamily. “What do you think you’ll write about next?”

She honestly didn’t know, and right now she didn’t care to think about Hades, but Lexa wasn’t going to let it go.

Before Persephone could muster a response, Lexa gasped—the sound she always made when she had an idea or something terrible was happening. Persephone was sure that whatever was about to come out of her mouth was probably both.

“You should write about his love life.”

“What?” Persephone sputtered. “No. Absolutely not.”

Lexa pouted. “Why not?”

“Uh, what makes you think Hades would share that information with me?”

“Persephone, you’re a journalist. Investigate!”

“I’m not really interested in Hades’ past lovers.” Persephone stared out the window.

“Past lovers? That makes it sound like he has a current lover…like you’re the current lover.”

“Uh, no,” Persephone said. “I’m pretty sure the Lord of the Underworld is sleeping with his assistant.”

“So, write about that!” Lexa encouraged.

“I’d rather not, Lexa. I work for New Athens News, not the Delphi Divine. I’m interested in truth.” Besides, she’d rather not learn whether that was true. Just thinking about it made her sick.

“You’re pretty sure Hades is banging his assistant—just get it confirmed, and it’s truth!”

She sighed, frustrated. “I don’t want to write about trivial things. I want to write about something that will change the world.”

“And bashing Hades’ godly antics will change the world?”

“It might,” Persephone argued, and Lexa shook her head. “What?”

Her friend sighed. “It’s just…all you did in publishing that article was confirm everyone’s thoughts and fears about the God of the Dead. I’m guessing there are other truths about Hades that weren’t in that article.”

“What’s your point?”

“If you want your writing to change the world, write about the side of Hades that makes you blush.”

Persephone’s face heated. “You’re such a romantic, Lexa.”

“There you go again,” she said. “Why can’t you just admit you find Hades attractive—”

“I have admitted—”

“And that you’re attracted to him?”

Persephone’s mouth snapped shut, and she crossed her arms over her chest, withdrawing her gaze from Lexa back to the window.

“I don’t want to talk about this.”

“What are you afraid of, Persephone?”

Persephone closed her eyes against that question. Lexa wouldn’t understand. It didn’t matter if she liked Hades or not, if she found him attractive or not, if she wanted him or not. He was not for her. He was forbidden. Maybe the contract was a blessing—it was a way to think of Hades as a temporary thing in her life.

“Persephone?”

“I told you I don’t want to talk about it, Lexa,” she said tightly, hating the direction this conversation had gone.

They didn’t speak again even after they arrived at La Rose. When Persephone left the cab, the distinct smell of rain hit her nose, and when she looked up, lightning illuminated the sky. She shivered, wishing she had chosen a different outfit. Her slippery, shimmery teal dress only reached mid-thigh, hugging the curve of her breasts and hips, and the deep V-neck left little to the imagination—and protection from the elements.

She had chosen it to spite Hades—it was silly. She’d wanted to look like power, like temptation, like sin—all for him. She wanted to dangle herself in front of him, and then draw back at the last moment when he was close enough to taste her.

She wanted him to want her.

It was all pointless, of course. La Rose was another god’s territory. It was unlikely Hades would see her tonight. This dress was a stupid idea.

La Rose was a beautiful building that looked like several crystals jutting from the earth. They were made of mirrored glass so that at night, they reflected the light of the city. Like Nevernight, there was a huge line to get inside.

A sudden chill of unease spread over Persephone and she glanced around, unsure of where it was coming from—until her eyes landed on Adonis.

He was grinning ear to ear, striding toward her and Lexa dressed in a black shirt and jeans. He looked comfortable, confident, and smug. She was about to ask what he was doing here when Lexa called out to him. “Adonis!”

She hugged him around the middle the moment he reached them, and he returned the embrace. “Hey, babe.”

“Babe?” Persephone echoed flatly. “Lexa, what is he doing here?”

Her best friend pulled away from Adonis. “Adonis wanted to celebrate you, so he reached out to me. We thought it would be fun to surprise you!”

“Oh, I am surprised.” Persephone glared at Adonis.

“Come on, I have a suite.” Adonis took Lexa’s hand and looped it through his arm, but when he offered the same to Persephone, she declined.

Adonis’s smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, grinning down at Lexa as if nothing was amiss.

Persephone considered leaving, but she had come with Lexa, and she really didn’t feel comfortable leaving her with Adonis. At some point tonight, she was going to have to tell her best friend about what her crush had done.

Adonis led them past the line and inside the club; music vibrated through Persephone’s body as they entered under the misty, pink hue of the laser lights. The ground floor had room for dancing, and places to sit that were curtained in crystals. Suites dominated the upper tiers of the club, overlooking a stage and the dance floor.

Adonis led them up a set of stairs to a suite on the second floor, and through a crystal curtain that created a barrier from the outside world. The interior was luxurious, with soft pink couches on either side of a fire pit, which offered warmth and an ambiance Persephone found annoying.

“This is my personal suite,” Adonis said.

“This is amazing.” Lexa went straight to the balcony overlooking the dance floor.

“You like?” Adonis asked, hovering near the entrance.

“Of course! You’d have to be crazy not to.”

“What about you, Persephone?” Adonis looked at her expectantly. Why was he seeking praise from her?

“You must be very lucky,” she said curtly. “You’re on the VIP list at two clubs owned by gods.”

Adonis’s eyes dulled, but he didn’t miss a beat. “You should know I’m lucky, Persephone. I set your career in motion.”

She glared at him and he smirked, then crossed the room to stand beside Lexa, who seemed oblivious to their exchange over the pounding music. She leaned into him and Adonis placed his hand on the small of her back.

Persephone stared at them for a moment, conflict splitting her chest, caught between her anger with Adonis and love for her friend. Lexa was clearly infatuation with the man. Did Adonis make Lexa’s heart feel like it wanted to leave her chest? Did her whole body turn electric when he touched her? Did her thoughts scatter when he entered the room?

A waitress came to take their order, interrupting Persephone’s thoughts. She was mortal, having no aura of magic around her, and dressed in a tight, iridescent dress; its shimmering surface reminded Persephone of the inside of a shell.

Once she took Lexa and Adonis’ orders, the waitress turned to Persephone.

“A cab, please,” Persephone said, glancing at her friend. “Make it two.”

Shortly after she returned with their drinks, Sybil, Aro, and Xeres arrived—Sybil in a short, black leather skirt and a lacy top, and the twins matching in their dark jeans, black shirts, and leather jackets. They took a seat opposite Persephone and placed their orders with the waitress. After she left, Sybil looked around the suite.

“My, my, my, Adonis. Looks like Favor has its perks.”

The air in the room grew heavy, like there was some kind of history behind Sybil’s comment. Persephone sought Lexa’s gaze, but she wasn’t looking at her—or anyone; she had turned her attention back to the dance floor.

This was what Persephone had feared; if Adonis did have a god’s favor, it meant that any mortal he set his sights on was possibly in danger. Lexa knew that, and she wasn’t going to risk the wrath of a god—was she?

“Don’t believe everything you hear, Sybil,” Adonis said.

“You expect us to believe you get all these passes because you work for New Athens News?” asked Xeres.

Adonis sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Persephone,” Aro said. “You work for the News, do you get passes to popular clubs?”

She hesitated, “No—”

“Persephone here was invited to Nevernight by Hades himself.”

She glared at Adonis; she knew what he was doing, trying to take the attention off himself. Luckily, no one took the bait.

“Keep denying it. I know a charmed one when I see one,” said Sybil.

“And we all know you’re fucking Apollo, but we don’t say anything,” said Adonis.

“Whoa, that was out of line, man,” said Aro, but Sybil raised her hand to silence her friend’s defense.

“At least I’m honest about my favor,” she said.

The longer this went on, the more Persephone knew she had to get her friend out of this suite. Lexa was going to need air and some time to get over the disappointment of getting her hopes up about Adonis.

Persephone stood and crossed the room. “Lexa, let’s dance.” She took her hand and led her out of the suite. Once they were downstairs, she turned to Lexa.

“I’m okay, Persephone,” Lexa aid quickly.

“I’m sorry, Lex.”

She was quiet a moment, nibbling on her lip. “Do you think Sybil is right?”

The girl was an oracle, which meant she was probably more in tune with the truth than anyone in the party, but still, all Persephone could say was, “Maybe?”

“Who do you think it is?”

It could be anyone, but there were a few goddesses and gods who were notorious for taking mortal lovers—Aphrodite, Hera, and Apollo, just to name a few. “Don’t think about it. We came here to have fun, remember?”

A waitress approached them and handed them two drinks.

“Oh, we didn’t order—” Persephone started to say, but the waitress interrupted.

“On the house,” she smiled.

Persephone and Lexa each took a glass. The liquid inside was pink and sweet, and they drank fast—Lexa to drown her sadness, and Persephone for courage to dance. Once they finished, she grabbed Lexa’s hand and dragged her into the throng.

They danced together and with strangers, the tempo of the music, the flash of the laser lights, and the alcohol in their system left them feeling happily disconnected from the events of the day. There was just the here and now.

The crowd moved around them, rocking them back and forth. Persephone panted, her mouth was dry and sweat trickling off her forehead. She felt flushed and dizzy. She came to a stop on the dance floor, the crowd pulsed around her, but the world still spun, sending her stomach turning.

It was then she noticed she’d become separated from Lexa. The faces blurred around her as she pushed through the crowd, growing dizzier with each jolt to her body. She thought she caught sight of her friend’s electric blue dress and followed its shimmer, but when she came to the edge of the dance floor, Lexa wasn’t there.

Maybe she’d gone back up to the suite.

Persephone started back up the steps. Each move made her head feel like it was full of water. At one point the dizziness was too much, and she paused to close her eyes.

“Persephone?”

She peeled her eyes open to find Sybil standing in front of her.

“Are you okay?”

“Have you seen Lexa?” she asked. Her tongue felt thick and swollen.

“No. Have you—”

“I have to find Lexa.” She turned away from Sybil, heading back downstairs. At this point, she knew something was wrong with her. She needed to find her friend and go home.

“Whoa, whoa—wait,” Sybil stepped in front of her. “Persephone, how much have you had to drink?”

“One glass,” she said.

The girl shook her head, brows pinched together. “There’s no way you’ve just had one glass.”

Persephone pushed past her. She wasn’t going to argue about how much alcohol she had tonight. Maybe Lexa was in the bathroom.

She tried to keep to the wall as she searched for her friend, but found herself pulled into the sea of moving bodies. Just when she felt the crowd would swallow her completely someone grabbed her wrist and drew her toward them. She put her hands out, and they landed on a hard chest. She looked up into Adonis’s face.

“Whoa, where you going, babe?”

“Let me go, Adonis.” She tried to pull away, but he held her fast.

“Shh, it’s alright. I’m your friend.”

“If you were my friend—”

“You’re going to have to get over that little article thing, babe.”

“Don’t call me babe, and don’t tell me what to do.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re a handful?” he asked, and then his hold on her tightened, forcing their hips together.

She thought she just might vomit.

“I just want to talk,” he said.

“No.”

Adonis’s face changed in that moment. His playful smirk turned down, and his bright eyes darkened. “Fine. We don’t have to talk.”

His hand snaked behind her head, fisting in her hair, and he pressed his lips hard against hers. She clamped her mouth shut and wrenched against him, but he held tight, tongue prying at her closed mouth, and tears sprang to her eyes.

Rough hands clamped down on Adonis’s arms, and a pair of ogres yanking him off and dragging him away from Persephone. She wiped her hands across her mouth to remove the feel of Adonis’ lips on hers when she saw the God of the Dead moving toward her.

“Hades,” she breathed.

She closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his waist, welding herself to him. One of Hades’ hands pressed into her back, the other one twisted into her hair. He held her close for a moment before drawing her away. He reached for her chin and tilted her head up so their eyes met.

“Are you well?” he asked.

She shook her head, swallowing thickly. There were so many things wrong with this day and night. “Let’s go.”

He guided her toward him, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder and led her through the crowd. It parted for him easily, and she was vaguely aware that Hades’ presence in the club had caused a type of silent chaos. The music still blared in the background, but no one was dancing. They’d all stopped to watch as he steered her off the dance floor.

“Hades—” she started to warn him, but he seemed to know what she was thinking and answered before she could form the words.

“They will not remember this.”

That satisfied her enough to follow him toward the exit, until she remembered that she needed to find her best friend.

“Lexa!” She turned back too fast, and her vision swam. When she swayed, Hades caught her, scooping her into his arms.

“I will ensure she gets home safe,” Hades said.

Any other time she would have protested or argued, but the world was still spinning, even with her eyes closed.

“Persephone?” Hades’ voice was low, and his breath brushed her lips.

“Hmm?” she asked, her brows knitted together, and she squeezed her eyes shut tight.

“What’s wrong?”

“Dizzy,” she whispered.

He didn’t speak again. She could tell when they’d stepped outside because the cool air touched every inch of her exposed skin, and the rain pattered on the awning over La Rose’s entrance. She shivered, snuggling nearer to Hades’ warmth, and inhaled his now-familiar scent of ash and spice.

“You smell good.” She fisted his jacket, pressing as close to him as possible. His body was like a rock. He’d had centuries to chisel this physique.

Hades chuckled, and she opened her eyes to find him looking at her. Before she could ask what he was laughing at, he shifted, holding her tight as he folded into the backseat of a black limo. She caught a glimpse of Antoni as he shut their car door.

The cabin was cozy and private, and Hades slid her off his lap and into the leather seat beside him. She watched his lithe fingers adjust the controls so that the vents were pointed at her and the heater was on full blast.

As they pulled out on the road, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

“You don’t listen to orders.”

She laughed. “I don’t take orders from you, Hades.”

He raised a brow. “Trust me, darling. I’m aware.”

“I’m not yours and I’m not your darling.”

“We’ve been through this, haven’t we? You are mine. I think you know that just as well as I do.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “Have you ever thought that maybe you’re mine, instead?”

His lips twitched and his eyes fell to her wrist. “It is my mark upon your skin.”

Maybe the alcohol made her brave. She shifted, sliding her leg across Hades’ lap so that she straddled him. Her dress rose, and she could feel him against her, hard and aroused. She smiled and his gaze returned to hers instantly; this time it was like fire scorching her skin.

“Should I leave a mark?” she asked.

“Careful, Goddess.” His words were a growl.

She rolled her eyes. “Another order.”

“A warning,” Hades said through gritted teeth, and then his hands clasped her bare thighs and she inhaled sharply at the feel of his skin against hers. “But we both know you don’t listen, even when it’s good for you.”

“You think you know what’s good for me?” she asked, dangerously close to his lips. “You think you know what I need?”

His hands moved up, pushing her dress higher, and she gasped as his fingers neared the apex of her thighs. Hades laughed. “I don’t think, Goddess, I know. I could make you worship me.”

Persephone bit her lip, and his eyes fell there and remained. So she closed the distance between them, sealing her lips to his.

He opened to her immediately, and she tasted him deep, taking what was hers to claim. Her fingers tangled into his hair, tilting his head back to kiss him deeper. In this position, she felt powerful.

When she finally pulled away, it was to nibble at his ear. “You will worship me,” she said, and rolled her hips against him. His hands dug into her skin, and she moved in, her cheek brushing his as she whispered. “And I won’t even have to order you.”

She didn’t think his hands could grasp her any tighter, and then he lifted her up effortlessly and maneuvered her so that she was cradled tight against him. He fixed her dress, then covered her with his own jacket. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Goddess.”

She blinked, confused by the sudden change in him. He had rejected her. “You’re just afraid.”

Hades didn’t speak, but when she glanced at him, he was glaring out the window, jaw locked tight, hands fisted, and she got the sense she might be right.

It wasn’t long after that she fell asleep in his embrace.