Night of the Tiger(83)

No more.

He would take his destiny into his own hands. He would fight, and he would protect Aimee to his dying breath. He would never give Hades what he wanted. Roric prized his honor above all things, and if he abandoned that, then he was nothing. Better to die or spend eternity rotting in Hell than to give in to the devil.

A sizzle rent the air. Sparks flew, igniting into flames. Roric grabbed Aimee’s arm and shoved her behind him. He manifested two swords and handed one of them to Aimee, wanting her to have something to protect herself with. He only wished there had been more time to train her with the weapon.

The acrid odor of sulfur filled the room as menacing laughter echoed off the walls. “Still fighting, warrior?” The smoke cleared to reveal a tall, dark-haired man with a commanding presence. Power radiated around him. Roric had seen him many times during the war.

Hades himself sauntered forward, wearing a black Armani suit and a tailored shirt, obviously designer. His shoes were black leather and his tie was red. He looked more like the CEO of one of those Fortune 500 companies he’d heard about than Lord of the Underworld. Hades paused and examined several antique dishes in the hutch next to the table.

“I will always fight.”

Hades shook his head, as one might do to a recalcitrant child. “Such surety.” He traced a finger over the edge of the table, leaving a scorch mark on the wood. “The Lady’s time is done. She is free of her prison but not from my domain.” His dark eyes glowed with the fires of the damned. “She will never be free.”

“Perhaps.”

The devil threw back his head and laughed. His amusement with the situation pissed Roric off, but he kept his calm. Hades’ intent was to anger him so he’d do something stupid. And he couldn’t afford any mistakes, not with Aimee’s life hanging in the balance.

He could feel her behind him, her palm resting gently against his lower back. She was afraid, but she was standing strong. Damn, but he was proud of her. Brave men throughout the ages had disintegrated into sobbing heaps in the presence of this particular god, but not his Aimee.

“Because I’m such a generous soul, I’ll give you one last chance.”

Roric snorted. Hades frowned, his brow crinkling with annoyance before he smoothed his features out again.

“It’s true,” Hades continued. “I am generous. It’s not my fault people get themselves tangled in my web.”

“You trapped us with your power games. We were no threat to you.”

“But games are so much fun,” he taunted. “And I play to win.” He leaned against the table, crossing his arms over his chest. “What would it take for you to join me, I wonder?”

“I will not lead your legions. I will not allow you to bring your realm into this one.” On that point, Roric would not give an inch.

“No?” Hades seemed unconcerned by his refusal. “Everyone has a price. I just need to find yours.” He tapped one long, tapered finger against his chin. “Hmm…let me think. Ah, yes. How about the freedom of your precious Lady?”

Roric’s heart leapt. He could feel Aimee’s tension mounting.

Hades smiled, and it wasn’t a pleasant sight. “My, I’m sure she’ll be disappointed when I tell her how ungallant you were.”

“She would not want her freedom at such a price.”

“You think not?” Hades waved his hand in the air in front of him. “No matter. How about the freedom of your fellow warriors?”

“You cannot do that or you would already have done so.” Roric ignored the ache in his heart. His friends were trapped until the curse was broken. There was no shortcut to be had.

Hades’ features tightened, and smoke began to seep from beneath the cuffs and lapels of his tailored jacket. “What about the woman? If you join me, I will spare her life. If you refuse, I will have her tortured in the vilest manner you can imagine for all eternity.”

Roric wanted to howl with anger. Instead, he forced himself to smile. “How about I kick your ass and send you back to Hell where you belong?”



Aimee held her breath as Roric taunted Hades. She didn’t think it was a good thing to anger a god, but she understood the need to fight back. It was hard to stay strong and resolved when the devil presented such a pleasing and reasonable mien. He was like a lawyer, arguing the pros and cons of a case, letting them think that they could change the outcome, when in reality, they couldn’t. There was only one choice.

It would almost be amusing if the stakes weren’t so high.

Roric tensed, his shoulder muscles rippling beneath the leather vest he wore. She knew he wanted her to stay behind him, but she could not. Stepping to the side, she let Hades see her. There was no way she’d let her fear show. It didn’t matter that she was sweating so badly her top was clinging to her body. It didn’t matter that her heart was pounding so loudly it threatened to block out all sound. All that mattered was that Roric knew she stood with him.