Read Online Sirenz Back in Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo - Free Book Online Page B

gaily dancing flames but somehow the temperature was perfect—no hot or cold spots. At the far end was a huge white marble throne, just like you’d see in a Hollywood movie version of a Greek god’s temple. Hades was a god, so I guess a throne wasn’t out of character. But it wasn’t solid gold, or the black marble he seemed to favor for everything else; it was so typical . I thought he’d be more original.
    Then my eye caught sight of a young man lounging on the throne. He sat crossways, as if he couldn’t be bothered to sit up straight in this seat of power. I cautiously moved closer.
    â€œHades isn’t here right now.” He barely glanced at me.
    â€œI can see that.” The words almost stuck in my throat. This guy was a breath-stealer. Whoever he was, he could be the poster boy for sex and sin with that bod. Low-slung jeans, bare chest, messy blond hair. He looked up and I almost expired. His gray eyes were magical. I stepped closer.
    Ooooh.
    With a raised eyebrow, he gave my outfit a critical look. If there were curtains or drapes, I would have torn them down and wrapped them around myself. Feeling uncomfortable reminded me of another pressing problem.
    â€œUm, I’ll be right back.” I scuttled off to the left of the throne, as Ben had instructed, and through the doors. I couldn’t have skidded to a stop any harder if I’d been wearing Goodyears on my feet: a sumptuous suite in a rainbow of pink—yeah, yeah—and all my stuff artfully arranged around the room. The photo of Meg and me when we’d gotten out of the apartment Hades set us up in. The crystal dragon my dad bought for me when I was ten. Everything.
    First things first. I flung off the heels and ran to a door. Bathroom. Good.
    Business taken care of— where did he get towels that thick and fluffy?— I yanked open another door. Closet. Filled with all my shoes, purses, scarves, and belts, but no clothes . At least, none that were mine. Instead there were bikinis, Grecian gowns with one naked shoulder, and other filmy, flimsy things I doubted I’d ever have the courage—or, when it came to Hades, the desire—to wear.
    The pig!
    I pulled out the most discreet gown I could find—white with gold trim, just above the knee, one-shouldered—and donned it. I looked like a virginal sacrifice. Huh. I guess if Persephone was always in black, he’d want to look at something different. I slid open a drawer.
    My underwear??? Now I was going to hurt him. NO ONE touched my underwear. It was sacrosanct, it was personal, it was MINE ! I threw on the most conservative pair, plain white bikinis, and stormed into the throne room where Mr. Yummy was eating grapes, à la a mythology scene from a Renaissance painting.
    â€œLike your little love nest?” he asked sardonically.
    â€œExcuse me?” I fisted my hands. “Where is that soul-sucking, sleazy, conniving snake?” Whipping my head around, I hollered, “Oh, just you wait, Hades! No one touches my underwear! And where are my clothes?!” I stomped and growled at the empty room. Mr. Yummy sat up straight.
    â€œYou’re not Hades’ new girlfriend?” he asked, both eyebrows raised.
    â€œDoes it sound like I’m his girlfriend?”
    He shrugged. “Down here, anything’s possible.”
    I narrowed my eyes. “Never.”
    His smile was stunning. “Great! Hi, I’m Cas—”
    â€œHi Caz. I’m Shar. When does the despot return? It’s time for a take-down.”
    Caz laughed. “I think maybe you could do it, too.” His face sobered. “I don’t know when he’s coming—”
    â€œI’m already back,” purred Hades, gliding into the room. “Oh, mon amour , my love slave. I see you found your room. Do you like it?”
    I took a deep breath to tell him exactly what I thought about the situation, but he held up a finger and I