Page 49 of The Beyond
“She is under my protection,” Mia answered, and Selene felt a shiver race through her.
“She belongs here. Give her to us. We will protect her.”
“Tell us what we need to know,” Mia said. “Then we can talk.”
Selene frowned, but since her eyes were locked on the flame, she couldn’t look up to see if Mia was telling the truth. She doubted it, but still…
“What truth do you seek?”
“Moros. Does he still slumber?”
“Yes.”
“And Elpis?”
“Yes.”
It was quiet for a moment. “For how long?” Mia asked.
The shadow chuckled, the sound a mixture of hissing and cackling.
“You ask the right questions, Imp.”
“You haven’t answered my last question.”
“Years, days, hours, what do I know of those worldly things.”
“Hades?” The moment Mia said the name, everything around them seemed to stop. The sounds. The wind. The heat.
“Our master will know of your visit. He will hear of your keeping the girl from her place. Each time she is here, his power grows. He will come for you and make you pay, Imp.”
“Then I take it he still slumbers too,” Mia said casually.
The sounds started up again. “I have answered your questions. Release our child to us.”
“One last question,” Mia said, causing the creature to hiss so loudly behind her that Selene almost broke the connection.
“Asskk.”
“Three hellhounds it takes to hold the gate. Three hellhounds must be present to wake the Fates,” Mia chanted. “Are we the three that are called to be?”
There was silence and then laughter. “No, Imp. What I see before me are mere pups. Powerful, yes, especially the three that are bonded with blood. But to call upon the Fates, you will need a star.” There was a pause. “No, set the child free. She has much to do here, along with her sister.”
“I think we’ll hold onto her for a while longer,” Mia said and quickly broke the connection, sending them spiraling around so quickly that Selene felt her stomach lurch. Then, with a thud, the four of them landed back on the floor on the soft carpet.
All but one candle was extinguished. The three-flame candle was burned clear down to the last of the wicks.
“That was fun,” Lucas said, moving to stand up.
“Um, you might want to…” Mia started, but she wasn’t fast enough and ended up having to catch Lucas. “We’ve been gone for a while,” she said as Lucas sat on the edge of the coffee table and rubbed his legs.
“A while?” he asked.
Mia leaned over and took up her phone. “Two days,” she said with a wince.
“What?” Lucas barked. “We were gone for two days?”
“That would mean that the full moon is in two nights,” Selene said softly.
