“What did you do?” Athena repeated. Red embers sparked within her silver stare, which glowed in the dimmed space. “A simple conversation, niece. Nothing more.” He rapped the glass of beer he had ordered. Condensation dribbled onto the table. He was feigning nonchalance, or genuinely unbothered. Sensing her powers intensify, the sparse number of patrons ...

“Do it,” Lucian said. He lounged back into his black, ornate throne. His dark eyes glinted with anticipated pleasure.  “No,” Marina answered. “I’m too tired. You’ve worn me out.” She stood, chained at her ankles, in front of him.   Lucian let out an inhuman growl. “You will. I own you. You are mine.”  “What if I refuse this time?” she asked.   He tugged on ...

Pandora struggled to connect Alerion with Hades, even though he sat across the table from her. He didn’t look like Hades, but those mannerisms belonged to him. The slight quirk of his brow when confusion crept in. The perpetual scowl carved into his features. Even the way he steepled his fingers whenever he was deciding how to deliver terrible news.    It ...

For the first time in her life, Lacey was alone. No comfort of familiarity in her parents’ home, no June, no Brooke. She was forced to reckon with the reality that she was fully responsible for her entire life now. She sat up in bed trying to make sense of the utility bills she left ...

“Open the sails. Catch the breeze and keep her easy, boys.” Captain Aquilla said as they approached the charcoal-colored isle. A huge, inky cloud hung over the land like an ill omen that blotted out the stars. The sea, too, kept to a whisper as gentle, land-bound waves pushed at the ship’s hull.   Darius stood next to the Captain, ...

Hades waited in his office after the hearing had concluded. Hypnos tried to stay, but Hades dismissed him. This was their conversation to have, and he would not shy away from Persephone’s anger. The door burst open, and she stepped in as if summoned. The flowers in her tresses had shifted from what they had ...

Can we trust him? Cassian tracked the black dot on the horizon.  He’s turned on his master once. If the asshole’s word is to be trusted. Could these miserable three months form some nefarious snare? A man might say anything to save his life. Especially with my sword dancing at his throat.  He gripped the helm tighter. Boundless ocean surrounded them, waves heaving between ...

Demeter stood in the center of the massive courtroom, surrounded by tiered seating and a duo from every pantheon. She cast her fiery gaze to the ceiling, and defiant tears streamed down her cheeks. Heavy manacles that were secured to the ground covered her wrists. Demeter faced punishment for attempting to kill Hades and endangering Hypnos.    Persephone ...

“Hello, my darling pixie,” Hades said, but the man before Pandora wasn’t him. At least not in appearance.       Black and white hair had turned rain cloud purple, falling into unfamiliar heterochromia irises. One glowed electric blue, and the other sparkled emerald green. There were pupils in the irises, too. His sharply angled features reminded her of someone she’d forgotten. Leather ...

Upperworld, Twenty Years Later   Pandora had forgotten Hades’s visage. The fine details of his face were a blur. Two decades without him did that. Thoughts of him brought immeasurable pain, but she knew this path was inevitable. His fingers ghosted across the markings, reminding her that he was always with her. Then bitterness tainted the ache when the uncomfortable tingling traveled along ...