The Trouble with Hades

Chapter 24

Beatrice gave me a list of things to collect from the shops when I decided that I wanted to see James about the schedule. He needed to know that life was going to alter for me, and it wasn't a little hiccup. She was going to be a screaming poop machine that would demand my attention constantly.

With most of the items in the cart, I wandered down the candy aisle, searching for something to make me feel better. It wasn't the right answer to the problems, but I didn't care. Something deliciously chocolate would be perfect.

Anzide wasn't much better. He'd found out how amazing this aisle was not that long ago and often put too many naughty things into the cart. I looked at the contents and grinned, shaking my head. He'd already stashed a stack of cookie packets as if he wasn't going to be back here in a couple of days.

"Don't they have these things in your hometown?"

He turned, giving me a vague shrug.

"Probably not. They're not big on the whole food thing. That's why the food court sucks."

"And what about groceries?"

"There are places to purchase various items within each of the areas."

I nodded, quietly thinking about the portal.

"Do you think that it would get boring?"

"As in how and why?"

"Like if there was an apocalypse and it was our only choice. What would we do to stave off boredom?"

"Well, as I am a new resident of the town and my bosses have kept me busy since my working life began, I haven't had time to be bored. I get the feeling that it's not a problem. Everyone in the town is used to the situation and what is expected of them. You, however, I can see you finding it as dreary as this place."

"Yeah, I can see that too."

Done with filling the cart with too much chocolate, Anzide pushed the cart to the register. The girl began bagging it, giving us a questioning look but remaining silent.

Back at the car, I looked up at the sunny sky and sighed.

"Hopefully, there will be a shady park available at the school. Otherwise, the chocolate is going to melt."

Closing the lid, Anzide smirked like something incredibly feral was going through his mind.

"Let me guess, something about melted chocolate and me naked?"

He nodded, and I chuckled. Yep, feral but fun.

Returning to school was not my idea of a good time. At least, at the moment, it wasn't. Once this ridiculous situation was over, I would be okay with coming here. The lessons were becoming a bit boring, but there were perks, like hanging out with Karina and having a moment of freedom from the constricting walls of the coven property.

Glancing around the car park, I searched with a fear that we were being watched. Well, me and maybe Anzide. I don't know if he made himself appear in times like this. Usually, he didn't.

Entering the office, I found James leaning on the hutch of Jane's desk, reading through a file full of papers. His gaze lifted, and the file was closed and tucked under one arm. Like he knew what was on my mind, James offered a sympathetic smile as he opened the door to the back corridor of the office area. When we were safely sealed in the privacy of his office, James sat at his desk and leaned back like he always does.

"I know,"

I was a little shocked at first. There was a lot he could say, but that wasn't something that I thought it would be.