The Underworld Ball (Book 2 in the Aphrodite's daughter series)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

                Once I was back in my room, the exhaustion that had threatened to take me earlier had vanished. Again my mind was racing with the hope that I would be able to get Andreas back. I didn’t trust Ares at all, but if he really were trying to get back in my good graces, this would be the way to do it.

A scratching on my door made me jump, but I relaxed when I heard the whimpering that followed. I opened the door and Vulcan ran in finding his way to my bed. He jumped, easily gliding his little puppy body directly onto my pillow. It had been a while since I had spent any quality time with him. Heph had kept him while I was in morning. Vulcan needed love and affection. Something I couldn’t give to him at the time.

Now seeing him rolled into a little ball, I knew that it was I who needed him tonight. I blew out the candles and crawled into bed. The bed jostled and Vulcan cuddled closer. The rhythm of his breathing lulled me to sleep.

The place was unfamiliar and dark. Tall black walls lined the hallway and torches were the only light available. It looked like I was inside a medieval castle. A black marble door stood at the end of the hallway and a metal snake slithered up and down the door, watching me carefully. It had been a while since anyone had called out to me in a dream, but the signs were there. I knew I was dreaming and I could feel the presence of another person somewhere beyond the door.

I turned away from the doors forcing myself to wake up. Before I could even get two steps forward a hooded figure appeared in from of me. I smirked and reached into his mind compelling him to move. When he didn’t, my eyebrows furrowed. I dug deeper, but still nothing happened.

Suddenly a voice appeared in my head, “One must have a soul to be able to be compelled.”

“I could still kick your ass.” My voice was strong and confident, but inside I felt myself falter.

“Queen’s should not use such crass language your majesty. Now if you will please follow me.” I rolled my eyes, but turned back to the door.

As we approached the snake hissed loudly, and I waved my hand silencing it. Over the past few months, I had perfected my powers and even realized I could control animals. They were easier than most humans to control, once I got past their basic survival instincts.

“Impressive.” I smiled to myself and lifted my chin higher in confidence.

The door swung open without being touched and I was herded into the room by the hooded figure. When the door slammed shut, I heard an audible click. Like a locked door could keep me here if I really wanted to leave; at the moment, my curiosity was overriding my fear. The room we entered could only be described in one word… sex.

A bear-skin rug was lying on the floor in front of a roaring fire on the right side of the room. There was a bed on the left side of the room with black, wrought-iron metal framing the bed and creating four spiraling posts that ran all the way to the ceiling. The sheets were blood red and even looked like blood as the fire light reflected off its silky fibers. Two black leather chairs sat in front of the fire and I saw a pair of knees in one. The figure put down a glass of what looked like brandy and stood from the chair.

“Hello, my love.” The red eyes bore into me with both hatred and love. I smirked and the rage flared dimming the love slightly.

“Cronos, I thought you had run away.” He frowned slightly at my lack of fear.

“It seems royalty’s been treating you well, Isabella.” He stepped forward till he was standing right in front of me. His eyes roamed my body and the T-shirt and sweats I had been wearing transformed into a short, black, silky nightdress. He might have thought he was intimidating me, but really he was only giving me ammunition if things turned sour.