Hunter

Chapter Thirty Nine - Contracts

My head lolled back and forth. My neck didn't possess the necessary strength at that particular moment to support me. I wasn't sure if my eyes were covered or if the suffocating darkness was used to keep me blind. My hands were bound at the wrists and spread apart like the wings of an eagle. I rested on my knees, my back hunched and my head low. I couldn't move, and I didn't really want to. My body would not fight for me anymore: I had no control over my strength or lack thereof.

"Grant her sight." That voice...

That voice was so full of authority and power that I couldn't help but bow my head lower in submission. I immediately felt inferior, felt like an intruder. That deep, smooth tone carried so much potency behind it. Enough to make me question my worth and my being. The veil of darkness was lifted, and I had fight not to cower away from the two monsters that stood before me.

Glowering red eyes and metallic incisors held my vision, only now I could see a whole lot more of the creatures that had dragged me to my current spot. The two beings had sickly grey skin, similar to the color of concrete that had been rained on, only to have mold settle in the wet spots and turn the grey toxic. They stood over eight feet tall, with strong hindquarters that had thick, roped muscles, with misshapen bulges and knots under the skin. The front legs of the beasts were long and gnarled, with tall fingers that ended in fine pointed nails that looked like they could shred a diamond in one swipe. The same sharp structures made up the end of the creatures' ropey tails as well as their toenails.

Their heads reminded me of black grapes that had been left out too long, resulting in them losing their shape and crinkling in upon themselves. The red eyes sat on either side of the heads, with small bat-like ears resting behind them. The parts that would give me sleepless nights, however, were the enormous maws that should not have been mouths, the gaping holes filled with more teeth than any mouth had any business possessing. Thousands of arrow-shaped, sharp, yellow shards stuck out of the huge void that made up more than three-quarters of the creature's faces. Every so often, a tongue as black as night and as thick as an eel would pop out of that cavern like a viper and lick the teeth like it was testing their strength.

Turning away from that writhing monstrosity, I chose instead to examine the room that I was in. I was perched on a levitating disk that floated above a deep bowl of flames. The ground was embellished with jewels of all shapes and colors. A single path of gold was directly in front of me, as I was tied to the very center of the plate. The path descended into a flight of stairs and extended to the throne of Hades. His throne was made from gold obsidian, the shining yellow color swirling around in the black pool of ink. The ceilings were high and rounded. Despite how large the room was, I felt as though I was trapped. The large doors looked too heavy to move, and I saw no window or opening through which I could escape. I tugged on the ropes, but they didn't budge.

And then there was Hades. He was sitting, but I could still tell that he was tall and built. He was muscular and wide, a lengthy, impenetrable cloak covering his body. He had an air of confidence that made me tremble. His large hands gripped the armrests of his throne. He stood out from his room of gold and red, as he was plated in black armor. He stood and rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, making him appear more menacing than he already did.

"Who dare interrupt the Lord of the Underworld?" I was starting to think that maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all.

"Hayley Hunter. Descendant of Zeus and Poseidon. "

"You have that which does not belong to you." One of the minions reached into my robe and pulled out the rose, still pristine and fresh. I shook my head, confused as to how it got there. The creature bound over to its master, handing over the flower.