Hades {BOOK 1}

XI

Maximilian

I awoke the next morning in my room, in bed. I felt well rested, but my head was aching. I looked at the clock and it was already 10am. Shit, I'm late. I quickly got out of bed and ran into my bathroom. I washed my face and quickly got ready, leaving my room and jumping into an elevator. As I stepped out of the elevator, I could make out two figures in Hayden's office. I am so going to get sent back to earth for this. I knocked and entered the room, only to be met by two concerned and shocked faces.

'Evelyn. What are you doing?' Penelope asked shocked and quickly came over to me and sat me down in a chair.

'I'm sorry, I overslept.' I replied. I always thought it was better to be honest. It was just an honest mistake. I could see Hayden rise from his seat and walk over to us. My heart was pounding.

'Miss Lockwood. Do you remember what happened yesterday?' He asked kneeling in front of me and I stared into his beautiful, deep purple eyes.

'Um...' I tried to make out how I got to my room, but I couldn't remember.

'You collapsed in the Tarus. The snake bite you failed to mention is deadly to mortals. If we wouldn't have brought you back up on time and began the healing process you could have died.' He grasped my hand in both of his and I could feel my mind wonder and remember most of what happened the night before.

'Why wouldn't you tell us you got bit? That's dangerous Evelyn.' Penelope asked and I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't make me look bad.

'I didn't think. It didn't seem like we had time to worry about something else. I just assumed we'd take care of it once we came back. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any inconvenience.' I replied bowing my head.

'Your well-being is at most important. It's not an inconvenience.' Hayden replied with a smile. 'Penelope, take Miss Lockwood back to her room please.'

'What? No, I'm fine.' I replied rising from my seat.

'You're on bed rest until I say otherwise.' Hayden said in his deep, dominant tone. All I could do was sigh, before Penelope walked me out of the office and back to my room. She assured me that she would come back and have lunch with me and went back to work. Insisting to do some work, I pulled up Hayden's email, hacking into it with a system we have had installed on earth. Thousands of emails piled up and I tried to go through some to see if I could help with anything. I came across an email from Dorian, asking how things were going and Hayden's vague reply of "well". I went through some more and noticed a case number as the subject of one of the emails. I opened the email and began to read the case file. Some of the names had seem familiar and I continued, wanting to find out more. As I scroll to the bottom of the statement, I notice a familiar name. Maximilian. What mischief has he got himself into this time. I read further and the email says he's held in the dungeons for questioning. I sat back trying to collect my thoughts, before getting my entrance card, phone and bag and leaving my room. I rush into an elevator and descend to the dungeons.

'Pass?' The guard at the entrance said and I quickly shuffled around grabbing my pass from my back pocket.

'I was sent by Hayden to question the suspect in cell 334.' I lied confidently. He looked me up and down and at my pass. I made it difficult for him to say no, I'm sure nobody wants to piss off the God of the Underworld.

'Straight. First turn on your right.' He replied guiding me with his hand and I thanked him, walking over to the cell. My legs and hands were shaking. I hadn't seen Max in years, and I wasn't ready to see him held in the Underworld cells. I approached his cell and he got up from his seat, running to the bars and holding onto them as hard as he could. He looked like he was ready to break through them, just to hug me.

'Evelyn!' I stared at him, my eyes getting teary.

'I'm Agent Lockwood. I'm here to interview you on behalf of Hades.' I replied and he stared at me confused.

'What are you talking about?' He asked. I placed my finger against my lips, pointing to the other side of the hall, where a guard was placed, listening to our conversation. He nodded understanding. We stayed quiet for a little while, waiting for the guards to switch stations, which would give us time to talk. I watched the guard slowly pace down to the entrance of the dungeon and finally it gave us a moment to speak.

'What the hell are you doing here Max?!' I asked frustrated.

'What are you doing here? You work for Hades?'

'Yes. Dorian sent me here to help him out with some paperwork. I can't believe you Max! I thought you were done with this shit. Going around with these Titans and stealing from the Gods. Zeus's children of all. Didn't you learn your lesson when we were attacked as children? When they murdered our parents and nearly both of us?!' I couldn't stop the tears from running down my cheeks. I was so angry and frustrated. If Hayden found out about this, I would lose my job.