Son of Hades (Redo)

Pride, Lust & Secrets

     That evening, Harley is taken away from her room kicking and struggling and screaming. But they don't. They simply carry her out of the palace, and I follow them with Samson by my side.

     It's a relief to be out of the palace, but remembering where I am and where I really belong, that relief fades. They've taken Harley away, and I'm the only one to blame. They take her past the gates of Elysium, where she's crazily shouting that she belongs there, 'take me back to the palace', 'tell me where we're going', but the servants don't listen to her anymore.

     I know where we're going, and I'm sorry.

     I watch from a hidden spot in the mountains, and Samson crouches down silently beside me. "Ah, here's our little thief." Persephone is smiling. "What were those judges thinking? Elysium? Elysium residents don't steal."

     "Is that what this is about?" Harley demanded. Her eyes were ravage wide. "I didn't steal anything. Castiel put me up to that."

     "Although this fault rests on my son's shoulders, he's going to learn the hard way about giving orders. You're going to be my first example. You'll be spending your first six months in the fields of punishment with the thief's. After that, you'll go to Elysium." Persephone tucks two coins into Harley's hands, and absently pushes her towards Charon's waiting boat.

      "What about Ariel?" Harley asks innocently.

     "Who do you think it was that told all your secrets, darling girl?"

     Harley looked betrayed, and I felt a little guilty. She boarded Charon's boat after giving him the golden coin. She looked at the mountains and the palace, as if this was the last time she would be seeing them. I swear that she almost saw me.

     "Permission to speak?" Samson whispers.

     "Yes."

      "Don't you feel guilty about any of this?"

     I didn't answer. In reply, I took one last look as Charon's boat began to sail away, and I turned on my heel to go back to the palace. I did the right thing.

     *****************************

     There was a harsh knock on my door. Three slams that made me flinch. I knew who it would be. He barged in moments later very red-faced with puffy eyes. "My mother took her," Castiel demands. "She was watching you and Xavier on the cameras, and she saw Harley try to take the watch."

     Relief floods through me. So Persephone hasn't told Castiel the entire truth.

     "What happened?" I ask stupidly.

     "My mother wanted to teach me a lesson on giving orders. Harley had to pay for it." His eyes watered, and for a second, I thought that he would punch the wall, again. "Harley is done with the competition. There are five of you left."

     "I'm sorry, Cas."

     "She wasn't even taken to Elysium. And it's all my fault." Harsh tears form in his eyes. "It's my fault because I told her to do it. And what would have happened if you would have done it? You would have gone, too." He came closer to me, and touches my face; putting a strand of hair behind my ear, putting my face up slightly so that my eyes meet his. "I'm sorry, too, Ariel."

     I felt so guilty that I had to close my eyes.

     "What's wrong?"

     My voice cracked. "I just can't believe she's gone." I gave him a selfish embrace, and cried those fake tears. But they weren't fake. I cried because I am a selfish person, and I cried because I caused this domino effect and I Castiel's pain. I also cried because I finally had this power, and I wanted to use it again. I wanted to ruin another competitor and get them eliminated faster than they can say 'field of punishment'.

     I played the sobbing girlfriend act until I couldn't do it anymore. Eventually, I fell asleep and Castiel left me alone.

     When I awoke, Jasmine was at the foot of my bed. "Congratulations," she says. "That was much easier than I thought it would have been." I didn't speak. "Tomorrow, Xavier will be sure to eliminate Serafina. He's merited her husband an invitation. So I hope you're going to be in an eventful mood."

     I narrow my eyes at her as I sit up. "You've used Xavier against me, Jasmine. You're a smart woman. But do you honestly think this scheme of yours will last forever?"

     Jasmine lifts her shoulders in a small shrug. "Not forever. Long enough to get five other gals eliminated. Stay hot on your toes, Cinderella. I'm the best competition you've got."

     I laugh a little. "We're not even in the same league." I narrow my eyes. "How did you even get in here?"

     "How do you think? Servants don't ask. They don't tell, either." She begins in the direction of the door. "I hope you enjoyed your little rest, Ariel. Because tomorrow at noon, I expect to see you at the secret hideout. And I have a feeling you know exactly what I am talking about."

     "I'll be there." I hissed. "Now get the fuck out of my room."

     "With pleasure." And I watch her as she goes.

      I collapse back onto the bed; thinking about Xavier waiting for her just outside my door. He is her prisoner now - nothing but a chess piece waiting to be moved.

     I couldn't fall back asleep. Instead, I thought about Harley and Castiel. I thought about what was happening to Harley right now, and I couldn't even bear to think about it. I shivered when I thought about what the fields of punishment would be like, and if I didn't shape up, that's where I'd be headed next. Pride.

     Lust.

     I imagined the four letter tattoo scathed into my other wrist; but it didn't appear on my wrist. Instead, as a I watched those poor souls burning in the fire, my waist began to burn and I lift my shirt a little. That four letter word, curvy and sharp and glowing pink-and red. Just above the bone; a small crown glowing just above it. It faded to a deep, ugly red and I stare, unable to look away.

     Oh my Gods.

     I touch the crown above the four-letter word; tracing it's sharp edges and wanting it to disappear again. But it doesn't. It stays on my bones. Forever. Forever bound together.

     Lust and pride. Neither tattoo I am proud of.

     Another one appeared before the night ended. A third one that was just above my ankle. It hurt the most, and I think I screamed silently for an hour before it healed. Secrets. It was in capital letters, in purely glowing white ink and curved only slightly.

     Secrets.

     Pride.

     Lust.

     I am a different person in the underworld, and this sudden change doesn't seem to scare me.

     Eventually, I move away from the window and my fingers trace the hole in the wall. It's the only proof that this room actually does belong to me, and it's because of Castiel. Castiel - not Xavier - gave me a place in this ugly world, and this world took me firmly in it's grasp.

     And it's not letting go.