Finding You Always

Labor of Love

Chapter 114: Labor of Love

Cora stood nervously in Hades' throne room, having been summoned there.

"You wanted to see me, My Lord?" she asked obediently, as the God turned to regard her. She may have taken up the position of Mayor of Underbrooke, but she was well aware how truly limited her power was. She was at the top, because Hades allowed her to be. And it was a far better position than the one she would be in if she failed him.

"Cora...please have a drink," Hades said, handing her a goblet of wine. Cora didn't really want it, but a person didn't refuse a request from Hades if they knew what was good for them. So she sipped at the burgundy liquid and ignored the sting, as it slid down her throat.

"You can probably surmise why I called you down here," Hades stated, as he swirled the wine in his goblet.

"Snow White has come from her prince," Cora replied.

"Yes...and while I can't cut hers or her Charming prince's lifelines, I'm not letting my sanctimonious sister win so easily. So...you're going to stop them from rescuing him," Hades stated.

"Snow White has no love for me. She and her brats won't hesitate to go through me to get to him," Cora replied.

"Yes..but your daughter is here too and her lifeline is not protected like theirs. Make them leave," Hades growled, as he came face to face with her.

"Make them leave or I promise you and your daughter will end up on one of my rivers," he hissed, as his hair ignited and she stepped back in fear.

"Yes...my Lord," she stammered, as she hurried out of his Throne room.

David ignored the pain in his limbs and poised his sword to strike, as the growling got closer. As the beast got closer, David could see it's glowing red eyes, until it finally came into view. David's eyes widened, as he stared down the ferocious creature that was more fearsome than any dragon he had ever encountered. It snapped its jaws on all three heads at him and he dodged, swiping his sword. A small cut appeared on the neck of the center head, but the creature didn't even seem to notice. He looked around for viable options. Outrunning it was likely his only option, which meant luring it out of that opening. Before he could further ponder that, he heard the cocking of a gun from behind him. And somehow, he knew it was James without turning.

The creature turned its head, as if it was being called away and retreated. David elbowed his brother in the gut and ducked, as the gun went off. He tackled James and put his sword to his brother's throat.

"What are you going to do, brother? I'm already dead," he hissed.

"You're going to lead me out of here," David growled.

"David...look out!" Henry cried. But it was too late, as Clayton jammed the plasma rod into David's back. He convulsed and screamed in pain, until he finally collapsed. James shoved him off and they dragged him back to shackle him.

"You won't assist him again if you know what's good for you," Clayton warned.

"He's done nothing to you," Henry protested.

"He exists...that's enough reason for me to want to make him suffer," James growled.

"And he and Snow are the reason I'm here," Clayton added.

"Help him again and Snow will be the one to pay," the former Collector added. But Henry didn't heed their warning. When they left, he went back to treating some of David's wounds.

"Henry...did you not hear him?" Leopold asked fearfully.

"I know what he threatened, but it was mostly to scare us," Henry replied.