3rd POVRoxanne stood up with great difficulty. When she was just about to fall, Hades scooped her up. Where Hades was sweating under the coat because of how warm the house was kept A light shiver encapsulated her body. She did not utter a single word. They never had a typical aunt-nephew relationship. They were like friends. Hades climbed the stairs and took her to her room. The walls of the room were bare, providing no peek into the personal life. No pictures were hung which could give the sign that maybe she had made an effort to personalize it. Sickness hung in the air. An oxygen mask lay on the bedside table with several medicines with a glass full of water. Hades sat her on the bed and picked one of the blister packets of pills. It read Xanax. He turned around and found that she hasn’t moved an inch. She stared into nothingness. Hades took a seat on the nearby couch.“Aren’t you going to congratulate me Anne?” he asked. The use of the nickname after five years did not startle

In a tight grip, he took the boy’s arm and without wasting a second pressed it on the inside of it. The scream ripped from the boy’s face as his eyes flew open. The smell of burning flesh assaulted his nose. When Hades was satisfied with the burn, he took it off.The boy’s blurry eyes leaked tears as he tried his best to take in the captor. Words could barely escape his parched throat and he couldn’t help but wail against the torture.Hades fisted his hair again. “Open your eyes and remember your captor”..The boy lost consciousness after the second burn and no matter what they tried he didn’t open his eyes. Hades had wanted him to remain conscious while he afflicted the pain. Despite dumping a barrel of cold water, the boy did not open his eyes.Hades left giving the order that he is to be messaged when the prisoner awakes.He took the seat in his office. The next few hours were spent giving new orders. His first order had been to close all sex trafficking attached to their busines

Seph’s POV:“Believe me seph I understand. My unborn child died a few years back. I know what it feels like... Your loss is greater than mine. Because I never got to meet him or her. But your daughter…” He trailed off looking at a distance. “But we have to move forward seph. You will get to experience everything again. Even if you don’t believe it now. So, keep the memories close but bury the past in the past”I looked at his sympathizing eyes which shine with hope now. Is it as simple to forget everything? The past.The deaths. Everything.“say goodbye to them ómorfos ángelos. Let them go.” (Beautiful angel)His black eyes had given me a ray of hope. Will I fall into a pit if I accept what he had said or will there be a new day behind the black cloak waiting for me?Even if I forget the past can I forgive Hades’ sins? Will I not look at the faces of my dead ones every time I will look him in the eyes to find love?“So, we can be friends right ómorfos ángelos?” He extended his hand w

Seph’s Pov”Two days have passed since Hades left me here. My foot was a little bit better and now I could get up and walk without needing anyone’s arm to steady me or feeling nauseous. I limped around the house, it hurt but it was better than having anyone so close to my personal space. This reminded me of what the doctor told me in the morning. He had said that I would have felt if I take medicines.I had refused to take them after the first morning. I welcomed the pain that had become my akin. The medicines made me drowsy and I wanted to explore the place so I could get a way out not waste my time sleeping it off and miss the opportunity that Hades is not here.Jace did not come back. I had hoped that he would be back soon and I could get to know more about everything. Maybe I could find a way out of all this. He could become my connection to the outer world. I do not know what is happening beyond these walls. There is no electronic device here. If there were any now there remains

The morning greeted her with the sound of birds singing outside. Last night's moments came rushing back. She quickly tensed. Why had she initiated the kiss? Her mind had no answer for that. It was all the fever and helplessness she had felt before her arrival.Her injured foot was trapped under the foot of Hades. She could feel a weird irritation in that foot so she slowly took it from under him. She stilled when it reminded her of the last night. The doctor. He shot at his foot because of her. He had been sweet to her. But then revealed her monstrous side.She couldn’t bear being close so she slowly dragged her out from the uncomfortable covers. The floor felt cold under her foot and she relished the coolness but it didn’t last long as an arm snaked around her and pulled her back to her previous position.“Where are you going?” There was no anger in his voice. The musky sleep-fueled voice had a pure question in it. Can she use it all in her favor? The previous night's actions. Everyt