Free Sirenz Back in Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo Page B

d-d-don’t c-c-care about the c-c-contract! I wanna see Meg!” I could barely catch my breath. My head began to swim and my sight grew fuzzy.
    â€œDon’t faint! Breathe!”
    Not wanting to be vulnerable to Hades-knew-what, I gulped in air as fast as I could.
    â€œSlow down, easy!” he whispered. It almost sounded like he cared.
    He has a motive for everything he does. Don’t make him out to be compassionate! Even so, I followed his soft instructions and got my breathing, heart rate, and pulse to gradually calm down a bit, even though my emotions were as turbulent as a hurricane.
    â€œRest just a moment.”
    I nodded weakly and closed my eyes. As I was wondering what would happen next, I heard a whistling sound. Opening one eye, I saw dark, looming cliffs. The imported marble floor was gone, and I stood on crumbling black rock. Swiveling my head around, I thought I could make out white furniture … a little round table and three chairs.
    Made of bones.
    We were back across the River Styx, and a black missile was heading for me.
    It smacked me right in the face.
    Stumbling, I managed to catch it, and myself. It was a garment bag.
    â€œWhat the—”
    That’s when I saw Meg standing there.

Meg
    To Hell and Back
    We screamed in unison.
    â€œShar!”
    â€œMeg!”
    Shar was holding the fleece, but dropped it on the ground and ran into my waiting arms. I hugged her tightly.
    â€œAre you okay?” I whispered into her shoulder.
    She nodded vigorously and swiped at her face. She had been crying hard; her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were streaked with tears. “Yes. Are you?”
    I tried to find my voice but couldn’t speak. Breathing took a great effort, and my chest heaved like it was filled with rocks. The whisper of a shriek came out and I choked.
    â€œHe … he … took you away!” I babbled, the tears starting to flow. “He took all your stuff … n-n-no one remembers you! It’s like you don’t exist!”
    â€œI’m here, I’m here!” Shar stroked my hair, trying to calm me down, but I could see what I’d said disturbed her. She led me a few paces away, toward a small table and chairs that stood nearby. Together we staggered over the uneven, gravelly ground.
    â€œHe’s such a creep!” she continued in a whisper. “Even though I’m glad I have it, my underwear is here! He touched them! Now I’ll have to buy all new ones!”
    I knew she was trying to make light of all this, and I felt my sobs lessen just a bit. I wasn’t insane. Shar hadn’t been erased—we were here, together. I ran a finger over the surface of the table; it was weird, ridgey. I stared at it and the matching chairs, trying to focus and calm myself. The legs were slender, elegant, and white, like … bones!
    I jerked my hand back, and through my tears, I saw Hades off to the side. His eyes crinkled. This whole situation amuses him , I thought. We’re just his puppets . That made me start bawling again, even harder this time.
    â€œMeg, Meg,” Shar soothed gently, but I heard her voice cracking. She grabbed both my hands in hers and bowed her head over our intertwined fingers. Then she cried too.
    â€œMargaret! Sharisse! Stop!” Hades said sternly after a few minutes.
    I didn’t want to hear his voice; it only made everything worse. I laid my head on the table next to Shar’s and together we howled.
    â€œSharisse! Mon amour , come now, don’t start crying again,” he pleaded, stepping up to her and putting a hand on her bare arm.
    Violently she shook him off, shot him an evil albeit wet glance, then turned back to me and cried some more.
    Hades paced around us, his expression quickly morphing from annoyed to alarmed. He had to know there was no end in sight; once started, the hysterics had to run their course.
    Finally he threw up his hands, pulled over one of the bony chairs,