Chapter Ten:

I spread some butter and syrup over the top of my pancake pile, spearing a piece of maple sausage as Sam watched me, hands wrapped tightly around his third cup of coffee.

"You see dead people."

"I see whatever is left of their spirit right before they cross over to the other side."

"And tonight, you were talking to that woman's spirit?"

"I didn't know her in life, and I don't know her husband now. Can you come up with a better explanation for how I was able to find that note?"

"Beyond simply getting lucky in your grave-robbing side job?"

I stared at him over the rim of my cup as he did the same, eyes locked with mine. There wasn't much I could tell him without explaining everything, including all the Greek gods stuff, and that wasn't an option. I blinked, choosing another path forward.

"Hi, my name is Emma. I'm a Pisces with a moon in Sagittarius, I like long walks on the beach and in my free time I enjoy reading, writing, and talking to dead people. Did I forget anything?"

"I'm not sure whether I should report you to the police, or order another cup of coffee."

"I recommend the latter. The coffee is exceptionally good here."

"Look, it's not every day that your prospective girlfriend tells you that she's a psychic," he said.

"I can't read minds, Sam."

"Medium?"

"Sure, with one sugar, please," I bit back, realizing the lameness of the joke as it slipped past my lips. "I didn't tell you about the spirits to freak you out. That little favor Margaret asked for ended up taking longer than expected, and I understand that you have serious doubts about it, and, wait, girlfriend?"

"Prospective. I haven't decided if I want to ask you out on another date, or run screaming in the opposite direction."

Even with a smile, that stings.

"When you decide, let me know. I'm not going to pretend that tonight is the last time that I'll help a soul, because it happens every single day. If you're not okay with that, you might not want to ask."

He drummed his fingers on the table, eyeing me. "It's not that I don't want to believe you, Emma, but it's asking a lot - suspension of belief and all - and I'm an engineer. Our first instinct is to find a logical explanation for things that seem unexplainable."

"Have you found one for tonight?"

"Not yet, but give me time."

"The explanation doesn't exist, Sam, and even if you found one, I'd shoot it down and probably end up resenting you for even trying. I'm not going to apologize for who I am, or how I live my life, and you shouldn't expect that of me. I need to go home." I tossed my napkin on the table, gathering my things together as he reached out a hand to stop me.

"You're angry with me, aren't you?"

"No." I shook him off, slapping some cash to the tab before shrugging my coat on.

"You are, just admit it."

I felt a migraine forming, just like it did when...oh, no. I glanced across the restaurant towards the front door in time to see a skeletal figure headed my direction, and I clenched my keys until I felt the bite of metal in my palm.

I'd been careful, I'd sent everyone onward except...Mrs. Marsh.

Well, shit.

And when I didn't show up after my rendezvous with Margaret, she became...double shit!

"Sam, I can't talk about this right now, okay? I'll call you tomorrow."

If I'm still alive, in one piece.

I ducked out the side exit, walking to my car as calmly as I could as my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest, and heard the bone-chilling rattle of death behind me a split second before a hand shot out, wrapping around my upper arm.

I screeched, pivoting as my palm smacked into a rock-solid jaw. The man stumbled back, righting himself.

"What the devil was that for?" Hades asked as I massaged my bruised fist, meeting his pissed-off glare.

"You should've known better than to surprise me like that. What are you doing here?"

"Saving you."

He grabbed me again, positioning himself in front of me as the Fury stopped mid-stride, long blonde hair rippling around her face.

"Hades. This isn't your place to interfere." Her voice was like nails on a chalkboard.

"Actually it is. She's under my protection and because I wasn't here to help her, she slipped up and created you. Don't punish her for my mistake."

"You're too soft on the women in your life," she sneered, drifting closer. "It's never their fault, they didn't know what they were doing, well, you want to know what I think? I think you're weak. You allow them to hoodwink you with their feminine charms and because of it, you shoulder their blame. You can't do that forever, so step aside."

"No."

"I didn't ignore you on purpose," I said, trying to step around Hades, who held his ground, arm out to stop me. "There were two of you to help and I made a choice. I'm sorry that I can't be in two places at once, but that's just the way it is."

"You had ample time to help her and then help me, but you walked away when it would've taken you minutes to send me onwards. You forgot your place, and there's always a price."

Hades stepped forward. "She'll die."

"That's not my problem."

"Please-" he stopped, eyes on the ground and she smiled, ever so slightly. It was an awful thing to see.

"You're so pathetic when you beg. She must be special for you to defend her this way."

"What do you want?" His voice, low and menacing, split the silence in the air and she paused, head quirked to one side in thought.

"Elysium. I want you to send me to Elysium."

"Hades, don't. That's not the right place for someone like-"

"Done. What else?"

"A promise. That for as long as she lives, she will never help another soul."

"Now, wait just a damn second," I said, wrestling myself out of Hades' grip. "This deal is between the two of you, not me, so don't involve me, alright?"

"Done."

She smiled, fading from sight and I stomped away from him, clenching and unclenching my fists as murderous thoughts crossed my mind, most of them aimed at the man standing next to me, running a fingertip over his bottom lip as he stealthily avoided eye contact.

"Why, Hades? Why would you do that? Just when I was beginning to get the hang of things?"

"Emma, stop talking."

"No! You're going to tell me right now why you just agreed to casually extinguish a piece of who I am like it meant nothing, all for that disgusting, spineless little bit-"

He whirled around, hauling me up to his chest as his lips covered mine, hands twisting themselves through my hair as he deepened the kiss, tongue claiming my mouth as heat pooled low in my belly, eyes fluttering shut on a sigh. This was the kiss I'd wanted since the moment I first realized I had feelings for him - the kiss I didn't think I'd get, even after I learned who he was to me, and it was perfect.

"I can't lose you," he said, pulling away slightly as our ragged breaths intermingled in the space between us. "I was willing to do whatever it took to make sure that never happened, even if it cost me everything."

"But, why?"

I licked my lips, tasting him on me, like cinnamon sugar wine with notes of clove and nutmeg, as my brain scrambled over the fact that he just kissed me, refusing to let it wander down the related path of what now?

He traced the contours of my face with a fingertip. "When I thought about that Fury hurting you, I saw my life without you in it, and it was nearly unbearable. What she asked for in return was worth it."

"Hades, you took away half of my gifts, the things that made me unique and useful to you, for the rest of my life."

"For as long as you live, Emma, and believe me, there's a difference. You can still help me keep Persephone's gardens alive, as you've been doing, and the houseplants in particular love you, but," he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "To keep you alive, I had to sacrifice something, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

I loosened my breath on an exhale, shaking my head as I gazed down at the asphalt, and he pulled me up against his side again. "Let's go home; people are staring."

***

The Underworld, one week later.

I scanned the contract in front of me, pen poised above it as Hades paced back and forth across the length of the room, sipping absentmindedly at a glass of deep red port. We hadn't talked about what happened outside of the restaurant and in many ways, I was actually grateful for it. His relief of having the Fury leave me alive and whole could've ended the moment we returned to the Underworld, despite the affection he'd shown me, and I realized that I was too scared to find out if that was the case.

"I, Emma Bradley, swear my life and fealty to Hades, Lord of the Underworld this day, December the twenty-second, two thousand and sixteen. In signing, I recognize that should I do anything to endanger myself, or my lord," I paused, giggling at the ridiculous term, and saw Hades glare in my direction. I cleared my throat and continued. "Should I do anything to endanger myself or my lord, this contract becomes null and void, and my godhood revoked."

My head snapped up in surprise, hands trembling. "Godhood? You never said anything about me having to become a goddess. Not even when I asked you, directly, how you were going to find a loophole. You said, and I quote: 'just trust me'. Swearing fealty to you, well, it's a little archaic, to be honest, but I'm already tied to the Underworld itself, so that's just an added level of entrapment. But taking away my mortality? That's too much, even for you."

He placed his goblet down, splaying his fingers apart on the dining table. "I'm trying to keep you safe, Emma. Gods exist between life and death, which nullifies my agreement with the Furies. If you were to create more of them which, let's be honest here, is a very real possibility, given your track record, they wouldn't be able to kill you. Please just sign it and let's be done with this."

He pushed the paper towards me again and I hesitated, torn.

"My whole family is in Portland. I don't know that I can watch all of them grow old and die while I stayed young and forever. I'd be all alone."

I dropped my eyes to the hand-scooped wooden table and heard the tap, tap, tap of boot heels as Hades joined me, gathering me in his arms. "You'll never be alone, not while I exist."

I studied his face; anger and anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface, and shook my head. "I can't sign it, Hades. I won't."

"I wish you'd reconsider. As long as you're human, you'll always be in danger from the Furies and other unexpected threats."

"Like your family?"

He smiled, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You're the first human who's ever been here with any degree of permanence without being a freshly-made soul. They're...curious. And that could be deadly."

"You don't want me to go to the party, do you?"

"No. But, as you've pointed out several times, it shouldn't be my decision. I was wrong to try to interfere in that."

"Wow, an actual apology. I don't know if I should take this moment to bask in the feeling, or-"

"Forget I said anything," he mumbled, pulling me closer.

"No, no, this is a momentous occasion, and one I might never witness again. Hades, god of death, stoic and emotionally vacant to a fault, just apologized. He does care."

"He doesn't actually care about anyone except himself," Poseidon said, stepping into view, party-ready in a dark navy suit. "Though, it appears I may have been wrong this time," he added, glancing at Hades' arms around my body and I detached myself, cheeks red. "Awe, look brother, she's blushing. How cute. Have you warned her yet what Persephone would do to her if she found her beloved with someone else?"

"Enough, brother," Hades said, lip curling.

Reality hit me like an arctic breeze and I turned towards my room, kicking myself for the moment of weakness. Whatever just happened with Hades couldn't happen again, because it wasn't real, despite what Hera said about us being destined to be together. He was just relieved I was alive, and in one piece. It isn't real.

My dress lay on the duvet, deep red with capped sleeves, and I chucked it to the floor, walking towards the bathroom as Bailey glanced up from her dog bed, watching me.

I refused to be amusement for Hades or any of his diabolical family, and if his sudden attachment to me was out of fear of losing me to the Furies again, well, that wasn't good enough. I'd spent years wondering what a relationship with him might look like, but I wasn't going to fill a gap in his heart now just because Persephone didn't remember who she was. That wasn't fair to anyone.

"What did you do?"

I squealed and spun around, shielding my upper body from Hera, who entered the room, hands on her hips.

"The door was closed for a reason you know!"

"Hades just stormed into the throne room, looking like he wanted to murder the entire world, so please tell me that you didn't have anything to do with that."

"For once, no. You can thank Poseidon instead." I scooped some bubbles into my hand, letting them pop and fizzle through my fingers as Hera stood over me, tapping her foot irritably against the stone floor. "He may have seen Hades show me a little affection in the dining room, and teased him about it."

"Affection?" Her eyes widened, expression dangerously close to hope and I scowled, standing to wrap a bath towel around my body. "Did you tell him you know you're soulmates?"

"Of course not. He saved my life from a Fury last week and since then, he's been more attentive towards me. It can't happen again though, Hera," I said as she opened her mouth to speak. "I'm grateful that he thinks I'm worthy of saving, but I won't be his rebound. He and Persephone have this epic history together, and I refuse to get in the way of that."

"She may never come back," Hera said, tracking me to the closet. "The Fates banished her to Earth and only they can decide if and when she gets to return. Have you thought about that yet? Or what it's doing to him?"

"Every single damned day. Please don't chastise me for not wanting a permanent future with him when nothing is guaranteed. Oh, by the way, those gifts you gave me? Yeah, they're gone. Seems nothing is forever around here."

She stared at me like I'd grown two heads as I slipped into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, running a wide-toothed comb through my hair.

"What do you mean gone?" Her voice slithered across my skin and I shuddered, grabbing the edge of the sink.

"When Hades saved me, he bartered it away for my freedom. For as long as I live, I can't help another soul."

She cursed aloud, pacing back and forth across the width of the room. "He wouldn't agree to that, not unless he thinks-" She stopped. "Unless he thinks he could turn you into a death goddess." Her mouth popped open as pieces of the puzzle snapped into place. "It's the best of both worlds, really. You'd be able to help the spirits again, and no Fury could kill you. That's brilliant, actually."

"I said no."

"Why?"

"I like being human. Do I need another reason beyond that?"

"When your life is tied to this infernal place? Yes, yes you do."

"What happened to free choice, Hera? I didn't ask for your gifts. I didn't ask to come to the Underworld, and I didn't ask the Fates for a soulmate who was married before the birth of my twentieth great-grandparents. I don't like the gods toying with me, and I'm in no rush to change that anytime soon. I just want a normal life, got it? I want to grow old with someone normal, have a couple of normal kids and grandkids, and maybe travel the world."

She glanced over me from head to toe. "Why aren't you in a dress?"

"Were you listening to anything I just said?"

She sighed, grabbing my arm to steer me towards the bedroom. "Your arguments are pointless, Emma. We could make you a goddess without your permission if we thought the circumstances warranted it. Get changed, I'll wait for you here."

"I'm not going to the party," I said, feeling a tad bit disgruntled as she picked the dress up off the floor, holding it out for me.

"Yes, you are, because you're Hades' guest of honor and because everyone in that ballroom has been waiting to meet you for ages now."

"Great," I muttered sarcastically as I took it from her, stepping behind the partition. "I'd rather not be the gods' little sideshow freak."

"Too bad. Awe, Emma, you look radiant."

I rolled my eyes at her as I lifted both sides of the gown, stepping into view. It felt like I was a kid playing adult dress-up, and fidgeted as she circled me once, twice, lips pursed in thought.

"It needs a little extra something," she said, poofing a diamond-studded necklace into existence with matching pearl-drop earrings, and I slid them into place, eyeing myself in the full-length mirror. "Now you're perfect."

"I highly doubt that, but I'm as good as I'm going to get."

She winked at me, reaching out to cup my chin in her hand. "I'll see you downstairs. Don't you dare put those sweatpants back on."

I descended the marble staircase slowly, taking my time, feeling an anxious knot lodging itself in my throat as I fought to calm my erratic heartbeat. It wasn't like anyone was going to hurt me here, and if I were being honest with myself, it was a little thrilling to think that they wanted me there in the first place. Wanted to meet me.

Hades' token mortal.

Well, that sobered me up.

A hush fell over the ballroom as I paused on the last step, clutching Hades' present against my chest. He detached himself from a small cluster of gods when he noticed me, walking towards me like a panther stalking prey, and not a single person in the room made a sound. He was resplendent in a pitch-black suit with matching shoes, hair slicked back, and I adjusted my dress as his gaze raked over my body.

"This is for you," I said, holding out the small box and he took it, turning it over and over in his hands.

"You didn't have to do that, Emma."

"I know, but it's a human tradition around Yule to exchange gifts, and you've already given me so much so, now it's your turn. Don't open it now!" I said hurriedly as he slid a finger under the wrapping paper. "Save it for later."

"You look beautiful, by the way," he said, pocketing the gift as he handed me a glass of wine and I blushed, dropping my eyes to the marble floor.

"You're just not used to seeing me in a dress."

He laughed, offering me his arm. "It's...different."

"Don't worry, as soon as the party's over, I'll be right back in sweatpants."

"Well, then, I guess I'd better enjoy it while it lasts," he said, spinning me around, eyes dancing in the dim light.

"It's from Persephone's wardrobe; I've never personally owned anything this fancy. You don't mind, do you?"

"Why would I? Someone should enjoy her sense of fashion when she's not here."

"So," I said, depositing my glass on a nearby table, propping my hands on my hip. "This is your infamous Yule party. I have to admit, Hades, it's a bit depressing."

Quirked eyebrow in response. "Oh, yeah? How would a mortal party look?"

"Well, for one, there'd be music."

He snapped his fingers and a string quartet appeared, gold chairs and black outfits perfectly matching the rest of the room's decor.

Close enough.

"Anything else?"

"Dancing."

He held out a hand for me and I took it as we swayed back and forth in time to the music, others soon joining us on the floor.

"I almost didn't come tonight," I said after a minute, and he frowned.

"Because of what Poseidon said? He was just trying to get a rise out of me, Emma, and embarrass you. It's his signature move."

"Well, it worked really well," I mumbled as he spun me closer to him. "Hades, what happened at the restaurant can't happen again."

"Why not?" He laser-focused his attention on me and I gulped down the panic I felt at his fire-tinged gaze.

"Because you don't actually want this. Just her."

He blinked in surprise. "That's ridiculous."

"No, it's not. You showed affection for me for the first time since you met me, but it was prompted by the thought of a Fury ending my life, not a conscious decision on your part to tell me. You bound me forever to this place, and now you're offering to make me immortal, something you know I don't want."

Understanding flashed across his face as I slid out of his arms. "You're not a replacement for her, Emma, but I'm tired of denying the feelings I have for you."

"I'm nothing to you right now except your friend, house guest and former employee. I was so much more useful and interesting when I could help the spirits, but now, thanks to you, I'm basically a houseplant. I helped Magda fold laundry yesterday. Laundry, Hades! I have no idea why I'm still here, and I feel like I'm in the way all the time."

His jaw clenched. "If I hadn't made that deal with the Fury, you'd be dead right now."

"I know."

"I can't stand the thought of you gone from this world forever."

"I know that, too."

"So, why are you being so difficult about everything? Accept my offer, and be done with this silliness."

"You're monopolizing the guest of honor," Poseidon said, sidling up to us.

I rolled my eyes, walking away to pour myself another glass of wine and Poseidon followed, assessing the selection.

"You're the only one who's managed to repeatedly infuriate him and still be left in one piece, so I think congratulations are in order."

"Piss off, Poseidon."

"Well, that was salty. I approve."

"He doesn't like being told what he can and can't do, alright? And even less how he should feel, but I don't care right now," I said, twirling the stem of my wine glass between my fingers. "I'm not here to be best friends forever as we braid each other's hair and divulge our deepest, darkest secrets."

"Oh, I think he wants more than a casual friendship with you, Emma. And if you're bored, you can always braid mine."

I snorted into my drink as he winged an eyebrow in question.

"Why do you do that? Make everything seem like a joke? Don't you get tired of it?"

He shrugged. "Not really. You need a healthy dose of humor to survive the Underworld, or you risk becoming like him." He jerked his head towards Hades, who watched us with dark, hooded eyes.

"He's not that bad, you know."

"That's something only a soulmate would say."

I almost dropped my glass as I avoided his amused smile, carefully composing myself. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, come on. Did you really think that would work? You're forgetting what I walked in on tonight."

I felt my cheeks turn a bright cherry red. "He doesn't know that I know, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Why? So you can watch him swoon and fawn over someone he's not meant to be with?"

"Stop." This time, my migraine had nothing to do with an approaching Fury.

"The Fates never make a mistake, and that's evident in the gifts you possess. They're almost identical to his, aren't they? What do you think is going to happen when he finally learns that you knew this whole time and didn't tell him, all because you were afraid to rock the boat?"

"I said stop!"

"Is there a problem here?" Hades joined us, straightening the lapels of his jacket as the two men sized each other up.

Poseidon shrugged, unaffected as he snatched a chocolate pudding from a passing waiter. "We were just discussing the intricacies of fate. Heavy-handed stuff, really, and not at all related to two people in this room who are meant to be together. Excuse me."

He ducked out of sight as I ground my teeth together against the torrent of words I wanted to hurl at his back.

You little bastard. You might as well have shouted my secret to the whole damn ballroom!

Hades frowned. "What is he talking about?"

"No idea. So, I remember Hermes say that this was a Yuletide party and dinner - emphasis on the last part - because I'm starving. I hope it's not meatloaf or fish; I've had both in the past few days. Maybe a fishloaf? No, wait, bleh, that sounds awful."

"Emma." His voice crackled in the air between us and I sneezed, glaring at him as his eyes burned like hot coals. "You've never been particularly good at hiding things, and now is no exception, so I'll ask again. What did he mean?"

Ah, to hell with it, right? It's absolutely exhausting trying to keep this hidden from him anyway.

"We're soulmates. I think I see Hera over by the dessert table, and I actually needed to speak with her again, so if you'll excuse me-"

He spun me around as I brushed past him, marching us out of the ballroom. "What did you just say?"

"Hades, your grip is a little tight." I twisted in pain, but he held on, jaw clenched.

"Answer me right now, Emma, if you know what's good for you."

"Hera told me that we're soulmates, alright? That's why you wanted to keep me here in the Underworld. Let go."

He released me and I stumbled away, massaging my wrists as he shook his head. "She shouldn't have told you. It wasn't her place to say anything about it."

"Does it matter? You were never planning to act on it anyway. And, for the record, the only reason I'm here at all is because she saw the connection and gave me gifts in the hopes that you would notice me. If I was just some random girl from Oregon, you wouldn't give me a second glance."

"That's not true."

"Really? Do you remember the day we met? If grandma hadn't goaded me into saying something, you would've taken her away and never said a single word to me."

"Because I should've been invisible to you."

I picked at my fingernails absentmindedly and after a minute, he sighed heavily.

"I don't know why you're insisting on picking this fight now, because the Fates clearly had another plan in mind for you, but for what it's worth, the fact that you could see the spirit world wasn't the only reason I was drawn to you. It just would've taken us longer to find each other without the interference on Hera's part."

"Except that you're married to Persephone, not me."

"What do you want me to do? Tell me, Emma, because honestly, right now, I'm at a loss for words. You've wanted me to reciprocate your affections for, what, years now? And the second I actually do, you turn me away. You didn't want me to give up on Persephone, and then you switch direction and tell me she's happier in Portland. I'm beginning to see a frustrating pattern in my choice of women."

You're such an asshole.

I squared my shoulders, meeting him gaze for gaze as anger stirred to life in me. "Screw you, Hades. Persephone never wanted to be with you in the first place, and you had to literally abduct her from everything she ever knew to fulfill this selfish desire to have someone in your life, but my feelings about you were genuine, and earned. I accepted the fact that we couldn't be together long before Persephone was cursed, and once she was, it took a while to realize she was better off not being here. Enjoy the party; I'm going to Portland in the morning."

He stayed where he was, motionless, as I bit back a sob of frustration. What did I expect was going to happen? I had more honor than he seemed to think I did, but he had a point - I led him on - and that was my fault, not his, for acting on the window I opened but dang it if I wasn't still conflicted, even now. I should be deliriously happy, but every time I pictured us together, there Persephone was, right in the middle, even if the curse never ended. And it wasn't her fault - I knew that - but I wasn't going after someone else's husband while she stayed oblivious to the life they had for the past two centuries. That wasn't fair.

There was no future for me anymore in the Underworld, and the truth of that statement roiled and pitched its way through my gut. I didn't belong here, and the longer I remained his useless guest, pent up for my protection against Furies I could no longer create, with feelings for Hades I couldn't act on, the more I felt my old life slipping away. I wanted adventure - to see more of the world outside of Portland and the realm of the dead. It was now or never.

I snigged the bedroom door shut, leaning my head against the cool wood. I got myself into this mess when I agreed to come here and now, I was getting myself out of it again.

"Your intentions are honorable, but you ate a pomegranate, correct? You're tied to this place, and the lord who presides over it, until he releases you and really, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Poseidon lay, sprawled across a chaise lounge, a ball of crystal-clear water suspended between his outstretched hands and I paused, dropping the sides of my dress.

"It's funny how you pretend to care about what happens to me, but we both know it's all for show, so what do you want?"

"I have a vested interest in making that git's life as difficult as possible and, well, seeing how miserable you are now gives me an idea."

"What are you talking abo-"

He chucked the ball of water straight at my head and I gasped and sputtered as it enveloped my body like a second skin. I clawed at my face, trying to strip the water away from my mouth, but it was no use. It was like I was trapped inside an airless, soundproof cocoon and my lungs struggled to draw enough breath as desperation quickly grew to terror.

Poseidon smiled, standing. "That's perfect. Let's go. Care for a little swim?" He asked as he grabbed me around the waist, transporting us to a gigantic glass-encased room. In the middle, stretching nearly the length of two football fields, sat a blue-green lake, as wide as it was long and teeming with marine life. I balked and tried to run away, but his grip tightened, lips pressed to my hair.

"I would say 'hold your breath', but I already did that part for you."

He dove us headfirst into the bitterly cold water and I squeezed my eyes shut, pressure like a ton of bricks smacking into my chest as he torpedoed us downwards, much further than the stupid indoor lake should've allowed. Even with my eyes closed, I could tell it was pitch black like someone pulled a blanket over my head, and I tried to kick myself free again, to no avail.

"Be still; we're almost there."

My ears were plugging and popping in rapid-fire succession, the pain and relief combination almost too much to bear. My head throbbed from lack of oxygen, and I could feel consciousness slipping. It reached a pinnacle seconds before my feet slammed onto a hard surface, body crumpling to the ground and he held onto me, guiding me gently into a flat position. The water bubble dissipated and I greedily gulped in the fresh air, taking in my surroundings.

The ceiling above us was all light blue mosaic tile, reflecting occasional flashes of light outside the floor to roof picture windows and I frowned, pressing a hand to my head as the dizziness slowly subsided.

"Where are we?" My voice sounded like I'd been screaming for hours.

"Welcome to Atlantia. My home."