Chapter 64: All Because Of You
Azazel straightened, a slow smirk forming on his face as he stared at Hades’ darkened expression, then shifted his gaze to the bloodied head lying near his feet. "Well... looks like someone’s in a mood."
His Moggly immediately scurried off the table, crawling to hide beside the throne. The tension in the room was thick and the creature knew better than to get caught in the middle.
"You should choose your pawns more wisely," Hades said coldly, his burning gaze locked on his father. "That bastard was pathetic."
Azazel rose from his seat with deliberate calm, rolling his neck until it cracked, once to the left, once to the right. "I don’t think I’ll need pawns anymore. I have a better plan... one that doesn’t involve failures."
Hades stepped forward, slow and silent, until only a few feet separated them. Though Azazel stood taller and broader, layered in thick, intimidating muscle, Hades’s presence held its own weight—a cold, deadly presence lurking beneath the surface.
"Whatever schemes you’re brewing," Hades said, voice low and edged with steel, "stay the hell away from her. Keep your twisted games and your monsters far from the witch. If anyone touches her, I will kill them without hesitation and that includes you."
Azazel’s laughter echoed through the room, rich with mockery. "Do you really think you can kill me? I am immortal, boy. Has the stupidity of these humans dulled your mind so badly? You are slipping."
But Hades didn’t flinch, didn’t blink. His eyes remained locked on Azazel’s. He took one more step forward, and the temperature seemed to drop.
"Touch her," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "and I’ll show you just how far gone I really am."
Azazel’s grin widened, fangs glinting. "You were meant to be my heir. My blood. My legacy. You could rule as a god among ants, but you chose this cursed realm. Chose to chain yourself to humanity. All you have to do is let the demon within loose. Embrace what you are, Hades. Let it consume you."
"You don’t care about me. All you care about is getting back to Hell. You don’t give a damn what happens to me after that—and you sure as hell don’t care about my mother as much as you claim to."
Hades’ words struck a nerve. Azazel’s eyes flared with light, his jaw tightening, a muscle twitching violently beneath his cheek.
"You know nothing about your mother and me," Azazel growled, his voice low and trembling with fury. "She was the most precious thing I ever had—and you took her from me! Now I’m trapped in this forsaken realm, stripped of my power! All because of YOU. But I will return to Hell, no matter what it takes."
His voice rose. "And when that day comes, I’ll strip everything from you... just like you did to me."
Hades stared at the man who was supposed to be his father. What radiated from Azazel was nothing but raw hatred and rage. Yet deep inside, something twisted in Hades’s chest—a small, sharp ache. A part of him still wondered why his father hated him so much... why he was willing to destroy his own blood.
Swallowing, Hades took a slow step back, never breaking eye contact. His voice was cold, clear, and final.
"You’ve been warned, Azazel. You are no god—and you are not untouchable."
He turned on his heel and walked out, the sound of his boots echoing through the hall.
Azazel watched him go, his burning eyes fixed on Hades’ retreating figure. Flames sparked at his fingertips, fire licking up the edges of his hair. The room crackled with heat and the weight of his fury.
~~~
Hades felt pure exhaustion settle deep into his bones as he made his way to his chamber, desperate for a bath to wash away the blood and grime clinging to his skin. He ordered Grim to inform his uncle that he wanted a bath prepared. Lucian, in turn, instructed a maid to see to it, and she did so promptly.
Once the maid had left, Hades began to undress, his movements slow and heavy. He stepped into the cold water and sank into the tub. Despite the freezing air, the chill didn’t bother him in the slightest. He rested his head on the edge of the tub and closed his eyes.
The dark veins that usually marred his skin had nearly faded—he had fed the demon within him well with pain, blood, and chaos. Hades couldn’t help but wonder what his father was planning this time. Whatever it was, he needed to find out and stay one step ahead.
His thoughts drifted to the night before, when he had brought the little witch to his chamber. She was fortunate to possess healing powers and the ability to protect herself. He couldn’t begin to imagine what those sick bastards would have done to her had he arrived a moment later.
It had been a mistake—he admitted that now—to have taken things so lightly. He would make sure to be far more vigilant when it came to anything concerning the witch.
His mind flicked to the image of her in the tub. He hadn’t mentioned it, but he’d seen them—faint scars scattered across her body down her back, across her thighs, and beneath her breasts.
She must have gotten them long before her healing powers manifested. Given what he knew about her family’s betrayal, how they’d tried to burn her alive, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots. Her own family had likely inflicted those wounds.
He would have to ask her about the scars—eventually. And perhaps, he thought darkly, he would pay a visit to Eryndor... to deliver a little gift to her dear family.
Just then, the door to his chamber creaked open, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Hades didn’t need to look up to know who it was—only one person had the audacity to enter his room unannounced.
"I came by a few minutes ago and you weren’t here. When did you get back?" Viktor asked, leaning casually against the bathroom doorway, arms crossed over his chest.
"I’ve been back for a while," Hades replied, eyes still closed. "I went to give the King a... special gift."
Viktor didn’t ask for details—he knew better than to pry into Hades’ dealings with his father. The tension between them ran deep and asking questions would only make things more complicated and tensed. Instead, he shifted the conversation.
"I didn’t get the chance to ask Lilith what happened," Viktor said. "But I’d like to know—what exactly went down out there? Did you find whoever kidnapped her?"
"I did," Hades answered. "That fool she ran away with somehow got himself summoned by the King, who granted him shapeshifting powers in exchange for his allegiance. His task was to take her away from me."
Viktor’s brows furrowed, his arms tightening slightly across his chest.
"Whoever he paid to escort her must’ve been just as foolish. She killed them."
Viktor’s eyes widened. "Wait... Lilith killed them?"
"Yes," Hades confirmed. "I think they pushed her too far, and it forced her magic out. I don’t believe she realized how or when it happened, but when I got there, their bodies were scattered like broken sticks.".
"Oh... that’s quite surprising," Viktor admitted. "So, did you find the man who orchestrated it all?"
"I did," Hades replied. "We had a little entertaining playtime. He couldn’t keep his mouth shut."
Viktor nodded slowly, pressing his lips into a thin line. He understood perfectly what Hades meant.
He studied Hades for a moment longer. "Are you alright? You look exhausted."
"I’m fine," Hades said, finally opening his eyes to glance at him. "Actually, I feel much better now that fool is dead. Though I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, so I’ll need a few hours to recover."
"I completely agree," Viktor said. "Just don’t tell me you plan to do that in the tub. I still don’t understand how you can relax in water that cold."
Hades allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. "I don’t plan on sleeping here... but even if I did, it’s not like I could drown in it." His voice dropped as he muttered, "Would be great if that was possible."
The last part was quiet, but Viktor heard it nonetheless.
"You should stop thinking about dying, Hades. You have people who care about you... who love you," Viktor said, placing a hand over his chest with mock sincerity. "For instance, I love you deeply. I wish I could express my heartfelt feelings."
Hades arched a brow as he reached for his robe and rose from the tub. "Don’t make me throw up, Vik. Your heartfelt feelings and love are the last things I need."
"Or maybe, they’re exactly what you need," Viktor smirked, turning around to give him privacy as Hades dried off and slipped into the robe.
"I’m sure your sister is missing your constant bickering and endless disturbance," Hades replied flatly, tying the robe around his waist.
"Again, she’s not my sister," Viktor groaned, following Hades back into the bedroom. "Now that you’ve dealt with the shapeshifter, what happens with the ball?"
"Nothing changes," Hades replied. "It’ll go on as planned. A simple masquerade ball. You, on the other hand, should use the opportunity to have a drink, enjoy yourself, and maybe find someone to warm your bed."
Hades clapped a hand on Viktor’s shoulder and guided him toward the door.
"That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, it would be—" Viktor turned mid-sentence, only to find himself facing a closed door. Hades had shut it in his face.
Viktor let out a chuckle and sighed. "Classic," he muttered before walking away.