Death Series Book 2

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 can’t keep his pants zipped.

“Keep pushing, just a few more,” Hades urged, standing between my legs. He’d decided to play doctor and deliver our baby himself.

His reasons? He didn’t trust anyone else with me, and he believed a human doctor wouldn’t know how to handle our baby. That second reason still baffled me. Was he suggesting our baby would be different? Alien-like?

“I don’t want to push anymore! Just cut the baby out!” I was in agony, feeling like I was being torn in half. Who knew childbirth was this painful? Oh, right. Everyone did.

“Push now!” Hades commanded.

I shot him a glare.

It had been a month since the accident, and I’d 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 he’d never delivered a baby before. Plus, he hadn’t anticipated the fight I was putting up, hence why two gods were holding me down.

I’d grown stronger since meeting the Phoenix. My mind drifted back to our encounter.

“I am the Phoenix.” Her voice was a melody, compelling me to worship her.

“What do you want? Where am I? Why am I here?” I asked, shielding my eyes from her blinding light.

“I came to warn you.” Her voice was urgent, making me shiver.

“Warn me about what?”

“Soon, we will be one. You will need my strength,” she said, her light dimming as if she was fading away.

“Wait!” I called out.

“Protect him, Isabel,” were her last words before she disappeared.

“Protect who?” 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 I’d ever had. She was so vague. Protect who?

Another contraction hit me, and I pushed with all my might.

“Yes, that’s it! I see the head!” Hades exclaimed.

With one final push, the lights went out, and I heard a baby’s cry.

“I can’t see anything!”

I heard a snap, and the lights came back on. I gasped when I saw Thanatos and me alone in the room.

“What are you doing? Where is everyone?”

Thanatos stood at the foot of my bed, cradling my baby in a blue blanket. A boy?

“Just as I suspected,” 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 wasn’t sure if it was hormones or something else, but I might have developed feelings for him.

“What are you talking about? And give me my baby!” I was drained. All I wanted was to hold my son and sleep.

“This isn’t Hades’s baby,” Thanatos said.

I frowned at him. “I’m pretty sure it is, unless you’re implying I’m promiscuous.”

“Isabel, what do you remember about your night with Hades?” Thanatos asked, making me blush. Why was he asking this?

“That’s private,” I replied.

“Did he…finish inside you?”

My blush deepened. This was so awkward. But I thought about his question. Did he? I couldn’t remember. But I must have been pregnant for a reason, right?

“I’m not sure,” I admitted.

Thanatos nodded and snapped his fingers. Hades appeared. How did he do that?

“What the hell are you doing, Thanatos? Give me my son,” Hades demanded, his eyes blazing with fury.

“It’s time you told the truth, brother. Tell her why you’ve been so protective,” 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. I’d just teleported! That was a first.

“Did you forget Persephone and I used to hang out? I know the truth!” Thanatos punched Hades.

“You know nothing!” 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. “What’s going on here?” he asked.

“They’re crazy!” 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 wouldn’t notice me.

I took a step back, wincing when I bumped into the bed. Hades’ head snapped toward me. His eyes were pitch black. He started walking toward me.

“Stay back!” I wasn’t certain if he was in control of his actions, and I wasn’t 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 hadn’t 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.

“Isabel, don’t! Don’t leave!”

A rush of air swept past me, and I cautiously opened my eyes. I’d done it. I’d actually done it! I’d never physically been to this place before; I wasn’t even sure it was real. I exhaled a sigh of relief, taking a tentative step forward. Suddenly, a spear was thrust in my direction.

“Declare your intentions.” A man clad in golden armor towered over me, his gaze stern.

“Please,” I pleaded. “I need help.”