Death Series Book 2
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Queen Vega
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Chapter 1
Book 2: The Phoenix Fate
ISABEL
A scream tore from my throat as Thor and Erebus pinned me down. Why was this happening to me? Oh, right. Because Hades canât keep his pants zipped.
âKeep pushing, just a few more,â Hades urged, standing between my legs. Heâd decided to play doctor and deliver our baby himself.
His reasons? He didnât trust anyone else with me, and he believed a human doctor wouldnât know how to handle our baby. That second reason still baffled me. Was he suggesting our baby would be different? Alien-like?
âI donât want to push anymore! Just cut the baby out!â I was in agony, feeling like I was being torn in half. Who knew childbirth was this painful? Oh, right. Everyone did.
âPush now!â Hades commanded.
I shot him a glare.
It had been a month since the accident, and Iâd ballooned up like a whale. Hades had become fiercely protective and aggressive toward others. At one point, he was the only one allowed near me.
The only reason he was letting anyone else in now was because heâd never delivered a baby before. Plus, he hadnât anticipated the fight I was putting up, hence why two gods were holding me down.
Iâd grown stronger since meeting the Phoenix. My mind drifted back to our encounter.
âI am the Phoenix.â Her voice was a melody, compelling me to worship her.
âWhat do you want? Where am I? Why am I here?â I asked, shielding my eyes from her blinding light.
âI came to warn you.â Her voice was urgent, making me shiver.
âWarn me about what?â
âSoon, we will be one. You will need my strength,â she said, her light dimming as if she was fading away.
âWait!â I called out.
âProtect him, Isabel,â were her last words before she disappeared.
âProtect who?â I screamed, but she was already gone.
I woke up in the hospital bed. Hades was looking at me with concern. It was the strangest encounter Iâd ever had. She was so vague. Protect who?
Another contraction hit me, and I pushed with all my might.
âYes, thatâs it! I see the head!â Hades exclaimed.
With one final push, the lights went out, and I heard a babyâs cry.
âI canât see anything!â
I heard a snap, and the lights came back on. I gasped when I saw Thanatos and me alone in the room.
âWhat are you doing? Where is everyone?â
Thanatos stood at the foot of my bed, cradling my baby in a blue blanket. A boy?
âJust as I suspected,â he murmured, cooing at my son.
During my pregnancy, Thanatos and I had grown close, as close as Hades would allow. I craved his presence, not food. I wasnât sure if it was hormones or something else, but I might have developed feelings for him.
âWhat are you talking about? And give me my baby!â I was drained. All I wanted was to hold my son and sleep.
âThis isnât Hadesâs baby,â Thanatos said.
I frowned at him. âIâm pretty sure it is, unless youâre implying Iâm promiscuous.â
âIsabel, what do you remember about your night with Hades?â Thanatos asked, making me blush. Why was he asking this?
âThatâs private,â I replied.
âDid heâŠfinish inside you?â
My blush deepened. This was so awkward. But I thought about his question. Did he? I couldnât remember. But I must have been pregnant for a reason, right?
âIâm not sure,â I admitted.
Thanatos nodded and snapped his fingers. Hades appeared. How did he do that?
âWhat the hell are you doing, Thanatos? Give me my son,â Hades demanded, his eyes blazing with fury.
âItâs time you told the truth, brother. Tell her why youâve been so protective,â Thanatos snarled.
Hades paused, his eyes meeting mine. I saw a flicker of regret before he lunged at Thanatos.
I screamed. Thanatos was still holding my son.
In a flash, I was between them, snatching my son from Thanatos just as Hades tackled him. Iâd just teleported! That was a first.
âDid you forget Persephone and I used to hang out? I know the truth!â Thanatos punched Hades.
âYou know nothing!â Hades roared, smoke practically billowing from his ears.
Thanatos kicked Hades off him, sending him crashing into a wall. I watched as Hades dusted himself off and advanced on Thanatos again.
I knew I should intervene, but I was scared. I knew what Hades was capable of, and it seemed Thanatos was just as dangerous.
Just as Thanatos was about to throw another punch, Thor burst through the door. âWhatâs going on here?â he asked.
âTheyâre crazy!â I exclaimed.
Thor sighed, grabbed Thanatos by the throat, and they both vanished. Now it was just Hades and me. He was panting, still seething. I stayed silent, hoping he wouldnât notice me.
I took a step back, wincing when I bumped into the bed. Hadesâ head snapped toward me. His eyes were pitch black. He started walking toward me.
âStay back!â I wasnât certain if he was in control of his actions, and I wasnât eager to discover the truth the hard way.
Summoning my abilities, I conjured a protective barrier around myself. A chilling laugh echoed from the other side; his laughter was maniacal. What was happening to him?
I glanced at the small bundle cradled in my arms, his eyes wide and staring up at me. He hadnât made a sound since his arrival. We needed to escape. I racked my brain for a safe haven, somewhere off the radar where we could hide.
Once the perfect location came to mind, I concentrated on it with all my might. Hades began pounding on my protective shield.
âIsabel, donât! Donât leave!â
A rush of air swept past me, and I cautiously opened my eyes. Iâd done it. Iâd actually done it! Iâd never physically been to this place before; I wasnât even sure it was real. I exhaled a sigh of relief, taking a tentative step forward. Suddenly, a spear was thrust in my direction.
âDeclare your intentions.â A man clad in golden armor towered over me, his gaze stern.
âPlease,â I pleaded. âI need help.â
