Queen Of Hell & Paradise (Immortal gods: Book 1)

Chapter 10- Luke the Angel

Samantha

I tap my fingers on the steering wheel of my car, debating on whether or not to go inside my house. 

My dad is no doubt waiting for me with a lecture prepared, and after what I've been through today, I don't think I'm in the mood to fight. Sooner or later you'll have to go inside... my inner voice tells me, You can't stay in here forever.

 I frown, knowing I'm right. But maybe just a few more minutes of peaceful silence? I don't get these very often. 

My fingers reach for the keys in the ignition and I turn off the engine, leaning back into the driver's seat. Sighing, I look out my window to the ground and stare at the dark cement, finally allowing my thoughts to fill with images of the Underworld. Since I came back, I haven't really been able to process anything. Hades was still with me when I returned, and I find it hard to believe I woke up in his realm. 

The tall, imposing ceilings and elongated shadows of his palace seem like a distant dream, the rotten smell lingering the air of the Underworld and its lack of oxygen are a nightmare I can't shake off. It feels like everything from his place is a fuzzy memory I can't quite remember, but its illusiveness still haunts me even after I poke and prod at it. 

Who knows how long I sit there in my car, meditating on how quickly a life can change. One moment you're interested in leading a bunch of girls in chant, the next you're worried on whether or not your life in the overworld is fulfilling enough to not leave behind. I probably spend ten to fifteen minutes in my seat having an early mid-life crisis, until I finally decide to leave the safety of my car. 

Grabbing my bag, I let go of the steering wheel to wiggle the keys out their slot. I might as well get the discussion with my dad over with, I'll have time to think about Hades later. I open the door and step out, slamming it behind me. When I walk up the steps leading to the front door of my house, I see the light inside flip on. 

Shit. My dad's awake. 

I brace myself when I jam my keys into the door lock, jiggling it a little to unlock it. I can practically hear him telling me I shouldn't be going out with other guys because it looks wrong. What will people think?  and What will they say?  

I shake my head, taking out the key from the knob. Slowly, I open the door, expecting to see my dad sitting on the couch, surprised that I can see him approaching from the direction of the kitchen instead. A glass of wine is in his hand as he strides towards me with a solemn look on his face, lips pressed down in a grim line, eyes flat and hard like steel as he moves to sit down. 

"The school just called me," he says, "Why didn't you attend any of your classes?" 

I mask my face in indifference, trying to come up with a valid excuse. It's not like he'd believe me if I told him I was chosen as queen for a mythological god, and I was mysteriously brought to his realm last night-- he'll think I'm mocking him. I sort my mind for an alibi, but my dad beats me to speaking. 

"You can't continue this behavior," he adds, exhaling heavily, "Think about your future, about college, of your career! I better not find out you skipped class again, Samantha, because if I do, you can say goodbye to your little pastime."

I frown, nodding anyway. Cheer isn't a pastime, it's something I love and enjoy. But fine, if that's what he wants, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. Giving me one last stern look, he stands up and returns to the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and exhaling again as if I was hard to deal with. 

I head to my room upstairs after he's gone, setting my purse and keys down before walking over to my drawers to find a pair of PJ's. I'm in desperate need of a shower, and I need to tend to the bruise Hecate left on my arm. Grabbing clothes and a towel, I walk into the bathroom, turning on the faucet to wait for the water to warm up before I go back and search for my phone.