Fated To Roman: The Almighty Alpha
Forty

Cleo's POV

The flames burned for all but a second before they became more of an annoyance. That scared me. Fire, heat anything that extreme should have hurt me. Should have left me scarred, breathless and begging for release but it hadn't. Flames created my own hand didn't hurt me, but this was hell fire. Engulfed in flames of hell I felt relaxed a sense of calm and the feeling of home that even Roman couldn't provide me.

As the flames disbursed Freya rose from her knees. In the legend's hell, the underworld was pictured as an underground cave. Lava rivers flowing throughout waiting to snuff the life from anyone that dare touch and every soul damned to this place.

That picture however was very, very wrong. This place looked nothing like the underworld pictured in Hercules as I grew up. No, I wasn't standing in a cave but what looked to be a desert. The skies were a blood orange which seemed to be home to giant flying beasts as they circled above me.

'What are those things?'

'Guards. They are the protectors of the underworld.'

'The underworld needs protection?' I couldn't help the sarcasm that laced my words. Who in their right mind would want to be here, let alone risk their lives. Well, besides me that is.

'They aren't to stop souls entering, they are to prevent them leaving.' The seriousness in her voice made me realise that leaving this place may not be as easy as I'd at first thought. 'We have to do this next part in human form. I need to regain my strength for when the time comes. Be careful Cleo, being here will change us, we need to leave as soon as possible.' Heeding her warning I took control and shifted back. I don't think I would ever get used to shifting without losing my clothes, I guess there was something good to come out of being half demon after all.

Taking a deep breath, I began to walk in the direction that felt right. I couldn't explain how I knew where to go but my feet moved as if I or at least a part of me had been here before. It wasn't long before I came across a large castle. The building was old, some bricks beginning to crumble, however the structure remained.

What caught my attention was the lack of guards and lack of people in general. Someone as powerful as Hades wouldn't need them granted, but would it not be a precaution? I was quick to push the thoughts away as the wooden doors began to creak. Slowly but surely, they opened.

"Guess that's my way in." I mumbled to myself as I thought about how this could play out.

Best case scenario, I kill him and manage to get past those flying things and go home. Worst case, he wins. That was something I couldn't allow to happen.

Looking past the open doors seemed to be a small courtyard, a river that wasn't lava flowing underneath it. Though the moment I walked through everything changed. There was no longer any courtyard. The outdoor scenery replaced with a dark creepy corridor. Small flame lit candles lined the walls illuminating the spider webs that cast shadows over the walls and ceiling.

"Get out!"

"Leave!"

"Save us!"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Set us free!"

My heart began to beat frantically in my chest as whispered voices tickled my ears. I spun around yet found myself standing alone. Ignoring them best I could I pushed forward using my hands to rub the goosebumps from my skin. This place seriously gave me the creeps and now all I wanted was to be in the warm embrace of my mate.

"What took you so long?" A deep voice echoed around me causing the hair on my arms to stand on end.

At the end of the corridor stood a floor to ceiling door. The door sat ajar, a bright light slithering beneath it. Everything inside me told me not to go any further, to just turn around and leave. But I couldn't. I had to do what I came here for. The closer I got to the door my entire being began to shake. Nervous didn't even come close to how I felt. One thing I was sure of though was that I couldn't let him know how I felt. If he had even an inkling to the emotions that plagued me, he could use them. Manipulation, threats anything that would make this sway in his favour.

As I walked into the brightly lit room it took a few seconds for my sight to focus. Every other part of this place had been dull, yet here was brighter than a sunny day. As my eyes came into focus, there he was. His skin deathly pale, his head hosting a full head of dark scraggy hair. His eyes, they were the same shape as my own only a piercing blue.

His white shirt buttons stopped above his navel leaving his entire chest on display. His trousers were leather or something else shiny as the light reflected from them. His fingernails long and pointy yet painted black. If I had passed him in the street, I would have thought him to be some kind of rock star or even a groupie. Had it not been for his suffocating aura you wouldn't know you had crossed paths with the King of Hell.

"How brave of you to come alone." I watched silently as he tapped his nails on the throne in which he sat. It was only then I realised it was made entirely of bone. "Do you not know it's rude to ignore someone when you've been spoken to?"

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Me rude? Wasn't it you that told my sister to kill my mate's mother?" I hadn't expected my voice to hold the strength it did let alone the spiteful tone. I didn't come here to make pleasantries. "If you wish to get technical, no it wasn't. That pleasure belonged to your sister." The smirk that played on his lips made his face look terrifying. It was the smile a madman would have. "Daphne made a deal with herself, did she? I somehow doubt that."

Within seconds Hades was in front of me his nails digging into my skin as he gripped my chin. His flesh was ice cold which made no sense being as it felt like one hundred degrees down here. "You would do well to watch your tone with me. You think that me being your father means I won't harm you then you are very wrong."

"You're not my father. That title belongs to someone else, and he was a good man. You and I share blood that's it." Pulling my face from his grip I held in a whimper as his nails sliced the side of my face. Clenching my fists at my side I watched as he walked to the fireplace running his hands over the mantle.

"I wasn't lying when I said your sister had Daphne murder that goddess blooded whelp. No matter what opinions you and your furry friends have of me believe me when I tell you I am not a liar. A killer yes, pure blooded evil yes, but a liar? That I am not." Who would have thought the devil himself would care what anyone thought of him, I certainly wouldn't have.

"Then tell me?" With my eyes fixed to Hades back I crossed my arms over my chest. My eyes darted towards my stomach having felt something hard. "What the..." The words barely a whisper as I place my hands on my very round very swollen bump.