Emblazed Read Online Free Page B

souls in and out, but the others are there regularly,”
     Zane explained.
    “Why would it matter that it’s summer?” Kiera asked.
    “According to myth, Persephone spends half of the year with Hades, and half of the
     year with her mother, Demeter. When she is in the Underworld with Hades, Demeter,
     who is the Goddess of the Harvest, mourns for her daughter, causing plant life to
     die. That is why we have fall and winter. Once Demeter is reunited with Persephone,
     she allows plant life to grow again, giving us spring and summer,” Zane answered.
    “You are so smart, baby,” Kimber praised lovingly.
    “I learned everything about our mythology from my parents. I never thought that it
     would come in handy, but I’m glad I’m able to help in some way,” Zane replied.
    “We’d be lost without you, bro. You don’t understand how much your help means to me,”
     I commented sincerely as I placed my hand on Zane’s shoulder.
    “No problem. Like I said, I’m glad that I can help,” he smiled.
    I redirected the topic back to the task at hand, “Many of the Gods can’t be trusted.
     They are only concerned with what benefits them, and I don’t think they would return
     us without some sort of favor in exchange. We won’t have time to waste bargaining
     with them if Hades is after us, so the Acheron looks like our best option.”
    “We also won’t have time to fight Cerberus if Hades is chasing us either,” Kiera pointed
     out.
    “That’s true,” I said, blowing out a breath. “What do you think we should do?” I asked,
     directing my question at Zane.
    “It’s up to you, bro. We’ll do whatever you decide,” he responded.
    The dull pain resounding through me intensified, causing me to tense my body. I clenched
     my eyes shut and grabbed my head as the pain pummeled my skull. I despised the fact
     that Brielle was experiencing the pain of our separation on top of the torture Hades
     inflicted on her.
    “You alright, bro?” Zane asked, breaking through my thoughts.
    “I’m fine. It’s the withdrawals. Let’s just go, and we will plan on escaping back
     through the Acheron. We might not have to deal with Cerberus, since we won’t technically
     be shades trying to escape. Plus, we don’t have any idea where the Gods of the Underworld
     may be while we are down there. Searching for them will be wasting more time. Everyone
     ready?”
    Replies of assent answered me from everyone. The others grabbed bottles of water and
     some food before forming a circle with me around the Oracle. As she placed her hand
     on my shoulder, I sent a thought to Brielle. I’m coming, mi amante. I’m coming.

 
     
     
    Mi amante . The words whispered into my subconscious, rousing me from my sleep. I was alone once
     again; the body of the Cyclops was gone, along with the stew that I had spilled all
     over the floor. A cup of water had been left in their place, just out of my reach.
    I strained to hear anything else in my mind, hoping to hear Jace again. Jace? Jace, can you hear me, baby?
    Silence answered me, causing tears to drip down my cheeks. I missed him more than
     I ever thought possible. Since we had completed our bond, a sense of wholeness I never
     imagined had been bestowed upon me. Undoubtedly becoming one of the greatest blessings
     I had ever received, one that I could never be thankful enough for. Once he was gone,
     his absence left a gaping chasm within me, leaving me feeling broken and incomplete.
    The burning pain from being suspended and my withdrawal from Jace returned in full
     force once I was awake. I thought my arms might separate from their sockets from what
     they were being forced to endure. My knees were raw and pulsed with pain from rubbing
     against the floor as I dangled. Dry heaves racked my body, which had nothing left
     to expel. Every inch of me ached tremendously from the torture I was being subjected
     to.
    I needed to figure out something to alleviate the pain because it was