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

Chapter 15- The Surface

Hades

"Perfect!" I exclaim, holding the necklace up and admiring my work.

"Very nice indeed, my lord," Thanatos agrees, inspecting the black owl and snake pendant hanging delicately off the thin, silver chain.

The diamond functioning as the owl's eye gleams under the dim light of the sunrise in my realm. Wrapped around it is a snake- like tube filled with an ounce of pure, concentrated power. The other stone encrusted into the necklace rests on the snake's face, serving as its eye as well. It too, glimmers under the luminosity of my skies.

I set it down carefully on the counter in front of me. Pulling the table lamp closer, I eye the chain and pendant for any flaw I may have missed. I run my thumb over the small, spiraling flask whirling with my essence.

I fashioned it for Samantha out of the ruby on my bident in hopes it would help manage her gifts. I noticed that she was stabilized after my power mingled with hers, resulting in a standstill.

If she wears the amulet, it may prevent her from falling unconscious. It's a part of me she can have with her at all times in the case she can not reach me. While my essence will not be running beneath her veins, its concentration is intense enough to aid her in preserving her balance. 

I take a seat at the counter and materialize my glasses to examine my work more closely. 

"It is good, but it needs one more touch," I mumble under my breath, running my index finger along the snake wrapped around the owl. It stains black as my finger hovers above it, hiding the moving dark vapor. I do not think it wise for my power to be on display, especially in front of young mortals. 

Thanatos nods his approval. 

"That is quite a piece," he compliments, looking up from the necklace to my face. 

The sound of something falling and smashing on the floor catches our attention and we both look in the direction of Hecate's quarters. The crash sounded a lot like shattering glass and the spilling of a liquid. 

Only Hecate's quarters have bottles of glass lining the shelves of her walls. She's the Underworld's botanist, potions and tonics litter the entire place. 

A shriek followed by a child's cry startles me into walking in the direction of my palace's west wing. I drop the necklace on the table and run towards Hecate's main potion room. I quickly resort to floating when I realize I'll get there much faster that way than on legs.  

The sound of crying guides me to the room until I find the open door of the potion chamber. I catch a glimpse of Daniel's scared features on the mirror sitting opposite him. Hecate's cloaked figure is looming over him and I can hear her irate voice intimidating him. 

"You little brat!" she scolds angrily, grabbing Daniel by the arm a little too roughly for my comfort. He squeaks in terror at the goddess's display of ill temper. 

Laying on the floor beside the boy is the broken chalice. Purple liquid bubbles its way through the ruptured glass, devouring anything in its path as if it were poison. Severe displeasure consumes me as I eye the boy scooting away from the acidic fluid while the witch does nothing to stop it from running towards him.

"Hecate!" I roar, unintentionally startling Daniel. I open my arms, and Hecate is forced to let go of the arm she was clutching. Daniel gasps and starts running to me as soon as he sees me. 

"Hades!" he calls, his cherub- like features lighting up the dark, damp room. 

"Oomf!" I grunt when the boy crashes into me, clinging onto me for dear life. I place a hand on his head and lightly rub soothing circles in his hair. I feel Thanatos' aura near the doorway I'm standing in.