Chapter 18

HADES

I froze, not letting myself get my hopes up too soon. Khloe was on the ground, the sword at her feet. Could it be that in the same moment I had discovered the White Queen, I had also destroyed her. I held my human breath for a moment, waiting in anticipation.

Sadly, I was wrong. A moment later, assisted by Scotty and Wes, Khloe stopped up. Weak and worn, but unharmed. Disappointing.

I watched the scene before me, trying not to look too amused. The dogs were more than exceptional for their tasks. Hermes would be displeased that the hellhounds were dead, but I would create more for him later. The crowd around me began to applaud around me and I regretfully joined in.

“What are those things?” An officer asked beside me.

“Don’t know, but let’s find out. Begin gearing up. Leonna, Luis, process the scene for forensics and see what you can find out. Chris, lead the processing of the crime scene. Figure out the path the dogs took. Maybe we can figure out where they originated from.” Everyone was moving before I finished the command, and I was left to ponder my thoughts.

“I found you maggot.” The words were a whisper, too low for anyone to overhear as I suppressed a grin. It was almost a sin not to be able to mock the ignorant people for their stupidity.

A hand rested on my shoulder, coldness seeped through my body, and I caught a glimpse of blonde hair out of the corner of my vision. “So that is the white queen? Such a little girl for such a big job.”

“Yes my love, she wilds the sword of Athena. The blood of your sister runs through her veins.” I watched as Khloe climbed to her feet, unharmed. Healed by blood of the sword in a battle that should’ve killed her.

Persephone placed a light kiss to my ear. “Stronger than the King of hell himself?”

Grimacing, I eyed her in disbelief. “No. The white queen will die, no matter the cost. I’ll kill everyone. Everyone she loves and people she knows not yet to love. She fights for the innocent; therefore the innocent will suffer.”

“The death of the white queen ruins the nation,” She whispered in my ear. “The death of the white queen returns me to you.”

“And your sister’s people will fall and die away, broken just as she broke you.” I smiled. “And I will use her broken vessel to bring you back to me. We will rule together in this plane and in Olympus.”

Persephone’s hand ran through the thin blonde curls of hair at the back of my neck. “Than what are you waiting for my love? Kill the white queen.”

“That is the final straw, my love, but all in good time.” I laughed low.

“And what of Wes? The human son?” Persephone asked. “He has found love with the white queen, though I am not sure she returns it. He is also a witch, as was his mother. He is a child of my sisters.”

I snarled. “He joins my side. By choice or not. I have a blood oath and I will not be afraid to use it. He will be the one who destroys the White Queen and stands at his father’s side, and I will take his place. The people will see a son grieving his father and I will take lead once again with renewed strength in the proper vessel.” I smiled at the idea. I felt the gentle squeeze of my beloved as her hand held my shoulder, but then there was nothing.

Owen had returned and the vision of my love left once again. I was alone.

“All has been done according to your orders, sir.” He bowed.

I nodded. “Very well done. There is one more thing I wish for you to do.” I paced the ground watching the scene in front of me, watching as Khloe is ushered away.

“Whatever you ask, my King.”

“Return to my office. Retrieve the ledgers. We have names to add to the books for we have found more traitors among us.” I informed him, crossing my arms behind my back. “And tonight we will make martyrs out of them all. The world will know our power and strength.”

“Yes, my King. What names should I add to the list?” Owen asked without hesitation.

“Scotty Wells, Wes Evergreen and Samuel Giles.”

At this, Owen did pause. “Your own son? He asked, don’t you need him?”

I nodded. “It has come time for his path to join mine. He will know the truth before the next rising of the sun. He will join our fight and we will become one.”

KHLOE GILES

The creatures were dead at my feet. I felt like I’d just run a full mile for a fight that had only lasted seconds. My entire body felt depleted.

“You scared the crap out of me.” Scotty hurried over and swept me up in his arms.

“Sorry,” I mumbled weakly, leaning into his embrace.

“You scared the crap out of all of us,” Wes cut in from his side.

“Sorry.” I pulled away from Scotty, frowning slightly at my ex best friend.

“Great job you three.” Maxx hurried over interrupting the conversation, a big smile plastered on his face that faltered the closer he got. “Why don’t you four head over to Leonna and Luis, get processed and then head back to the Inquisition to shower and give your statements.”

“I don’t think a shower is going to cut it. My Edges are completely ruined.” Sara peeled off a once pair of bright yellow flats that were now covered in red goo. I couldn’t help myself or the giggle that bubbled in my chest and soon, I was overcome with them. It was not long before the others were joining in.

“You’re right, you two look like crap.” I pointed at Scotty and Sara.

“And you look like you’ve been body painted in creeper goo.” Scotty grinned. I didn’t know why that was even funnier.

“Either way, I still look better then you.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“I’ll tell you something. Neither of you are riding back in Mertha. Hell, I’m not even riding back in Mertha. It would probably take years to clean the smell out,” Scotty groaned dramatically.

Sara rolled her eyes. “That truck is old as dirt anyhow. I doubt it would make much difference.”

“Don’t tease Mertha. She’s a good ol’ girl!””

“You name your truck?” Sara snorted with giggles.

Scotty shrugged. “She’s almost as old as me, she deserves a name.”

“C’mon, there’s an SUV waiting to take you back to HQ.” Wes cut in, breaking up the banter. I noticed the way Scotty rolled his eyes, but he didn’t say anything, and I decided not to push it. While the other dozen or so officers worked on bagging the creature, we headed over to Leonna and Luis. They processed us in a couple of minutes and then we were led to an SUV.

Back at HQ, I took my time showering, letting the warm water wash over me. I stepped out of the shower, changed into fresh clothing, and breathed in the shower’s left-over steam. It was better than any of those spa’s my sister liked to go to.

I stepped out of the officer’s shower and was surprised to find Leonna waiting for me in front of my new desk beside Scotty’s. She stared at the desk, a thin frown pressed upon her lips.

“What’s up?” I asked, breaking her concentration. Any relaxed state I’d been in before is now gone.

“Luis and I are beginning the autopsies for the beasts. I thought you’d want to see these right away. I photographed them at the crime scene and had the lab print them off.” She handed me a plain manila file. Taking it, I slid it open and stare down at the photograph inside, confused.

“What is it?”

“It’s the creature’s paw. Note the location and the colorization.” Leonna traced the shape of the staff tattoo with her finger.

“It’s the same location as John’s, but the shape and colorization are different.” The staff had one snake wrapped around it and the handles were shaped like wings. “I also saw a green one on its chest.”

“Precisely. We haven’t been able to determine the origin of the tattoo.”

“Do you think that it’s poisoned like Baulder’s?” I asked, leaning against the desk.

“Not yet. Inquisition officers and sector police are still processing the scene and the bodies are being transported here now.”

“It’ll take them at least a day, if not two, to sweep that entire forest,” I sighed, “Anything else.”

“Not now.” Leonna shook her head, but her brow was creased with a look of worry.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, peering down at her.

She struggled with an answer before finally saying, “Luis and I are worried for you.”

“Worried for me?” I was surprised at the woman’s concern.

“Luis believes there is dark magick lurking in the shadows. He has seen visions of it. I fear that the more we learn about these creatures, the more we will know about this dark magick.”

“You may be right Leonna. I know about the darkness. I know many things, but I’ve no idea what they mean or what I’m supposed to do with them.” I laid the paper on the desk, shaking my head. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

“Turn to the ones you trust most Doche, let them guide you. They will be the ones who see you through whatever battles lay ahead. Luis and I will light a candle for you tonight and every night that follows until the battle is over.” Leonna gave me a tight hug that I return.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Take care and be safe.” She patted my back and pulled away. I walked with her to office door and said goodbye. As I was closing the door, Scotty stepped out of the second bathroom, towel drying his hair.

“What’d I miss?” He asked, making his way to his desk.

“Apparently the invention of a hairdryer and information from Leonna.” I tossed him the photos, which he caught with one hand.

“They work fast.” He chuckled, taking the photo and sitting behind his desk.

“They’re just processing the scene. Leonna thought these were important. Ever seen them before?”

“Yeah, it’s the Greek symbol of for the River Styx. Why?”

“Because Baulder had a tattoo of a green dragon on his wrist in the same location.”

“So a dragon and a symbol of Hades. What does one have to do with the other?”

“I don’t know, you’re the brains here.” I rolled my eyes.

“So helpful you are!” He snorted. “You’re supposed to be the hero.”

“What the heck am I supposed to do Scotty? I don’t know this stuff like you do.”

Scotty sighed, “Khloe, that’s not what I mean. We have a whole lot of tiny bits of information with no big picture and no evidence. We have a tattoo that might represent Hades, but no idea who Hades is or what he wants. We have three ugly dead dogs with no idea who sent them or why and a dead girl, who may or may not be dead.”

“Thanks for the summary. Now can you stop whining and help me figure this out?”

“And how do you suppose we do that?” He asked, tossing the photo onto his desk. He leaned back in his seat, waiting for me to answer.

I shrugged, throwing my hands in the air and falling into the seat across from him, exhausted. “There has to be something that connects all of this. Something that at least explains everything.”

Scotty’s brow narrowed. “There is.”

“Feel like sharing with the class?”

“You, Khloe. You’re the connection.”