Free Flame of the Phoenix: Hades' Carnival, Book 6 by N.J. Walters Page A

were something more.
    Tilly was at a loss at how to fight the intense feelings he stirred in her. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to any longer.
    Hades grabbed another demon by the throat and drained the creature’s life force from it. The power was pitiful compared to what he usually wielded, but it was better than nothing. Even weak, he was more powerful than all the demons in his domain. He had to be or they’d run rampant, spilling out into every other dimension.
    He reached for another one. It tried to fight him, but Hades simply sent a spike of power shooting through the pitiful creature and cut off its heartbeat. He tossed the body aside, disgusted that he hadn’t been able to gain any energy from the demon at all.
    Hades threw back his head and roared his displeasure. Every demon shuddered and the walls of Hell shook with his anger. Mordecai had escaped Hades’ vengeance. Not only was the immortal serpent beyond his reach, but now so was the woman he loved. Jessica Miller was now a part of Mordecai, the two of them one.
    It was sickening how these immortal warriors gave up part of their power to a mere human. And yet they keep doing it. “Why?” he muttered.
    “If you could understand that we might still be together.” He whirled around and scowled at his ex-wife.
    “I’m in no mood for you today, Persephone.” He would have blasted any other god or goddess who dared to enter his domain uninvited. Maybe not Zeus or Poseidon. His brothers were as powerful as him. Or as powerful as he’d been. He hated being weak. Would not stand for it.
    He grabbed another demon and killed the creature in front of her, draining its power. The buzz of energy flooded him. It was better than a shot of pure caffeine and made him horny. He ran his gaze over Persephone. There had never been and would never be a woman finer than she.
    “Want to go to my room and talk about it?” He sauntered toward her and noticed the slight inhalation of breath. The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly. She was as affected by him as he was by her. He was glad he wasn’t wearing one of his customary hand-tailored suits and was clad only in leather pants and boots, his chest bare. She’d always preferred the more barbaric side of him to the cultured businessman.
    Hades trailed his fingers over the slender column of her neck and smiled when she shivered.
    “Damn you, Hades.” She closed her eyes and momentarily leaned into his touch.
    He smiled at her. “Don’t you know? I’m already damned.”
    She took a step back and turned from him. “I can’t do this with you. Not again. You value vengeance and power more than you do me. I know that.” She glanced over her shoulder and her smile was filled with sadness. “Call me if you ever decide I’m worth more.” With that, she disappeared.
    The pain in his chest caught Hades off-guard. He frowned and leaned against the wall. He hated weakness. And Persephone was definitely a big one of his. He took a deep breath and crooked his finger at the closest demon. With a sense of its own doom, the creature trudged toward him.
    He needed to recharge. Now that Jessica was out of reach, it was time to look for Tilly Ledet.

Chapter Seven
    Tilly wandered around the overgrown yard the next morning, careful to watch for snakes and other critters. Phoenix was right beside her, a silent sentry. She couldn’t believe they’d been here a second night. Every hour they waited for news felt like an eternity. The only break they’d had was when they’d driven to a local store for a few groceries yesterday afternoon.
    Both of them were growing tenser as time passed. She’d lain awake for hours last night with Phoenix’s arms wrapped around her. Not even his lovemaking could drive away her fears for long. She’d already decided she was heading home this afternoon no matter what. Not knowing what was going on with Jessica was killing her.
    She just hadn’t told Phoenix her plans yet.
    She hated not being able