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“I don't know. How old a body are we talkin' here? How fully grown?”

“Not too grown.” He shrugged. “How about 21? I believe that's the age most humans like the most.”

I rolled my eyes. “Only cause you can legally drink. But that's just in America and it would mean that I'd lose 21 years.”

“If I make your body, it will never age.”

I sat back and stared at him, my spidey senses tingling. “Why would you give me immortality? Isn't that against the rules? I know it's not the usual deal for a blessed soul. They—I mean we—become witches, not immortals.”

“I am the Lord of the Dead. They are my rules to break.”

I wasn't sure that was exactly correct, but I wasn't about to argue with him. Nor would I accept his offer until he spelled it out, including the fine print. “What's the catch? Will I be your servant forever?”

“No, you will have free will. I wouldn't bind you to me with a mark, as I do my Cerberuses. But that also means you wouldn't have magic, Agnes. Not from me or as a reward for being a good soul. Your reward would be immortality in the body of your choosing. That's it. It is an either-or-deal.”

“I can handle no magic. I've never had it, so I won't know what I'm missing. But why would you offer me this?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You know I escaped the Underworld for another shot at life on my terms. But I had to possess Wren to stay, and that wouldn't have been a permanent deal.

Eventually, she would have died, and I would have had to find a new host. I mean, if she hadn't mated a Cerberus.

Whatever. My point is, you know I want to go back as a free agent.

And here you are, offering me everything I want, out of the blue, and I'm supposed to believe it's out of the goodness of your heart?”

“You helped Wren when I couldn't. And that means you helped to save the life of a Cerberus.”

“Oh, you're good.” I leaned back and stared at the god.

“But this is my reward for doing all that.” I held out my arms to indicate my house.

“You don't have to offer me anything else.

So, why are you? What do you want from me, Hades?

Just be straight with me. What will I have to do in exchange for this special treatment? What's the divine Greek catch?”

Hades leaned back in his chair, looking as if he couldn't care less what my decision was, but he held my stare in a way that made the rest of it a lie. “I want you to mate one of my Cerberuses.”

I blinked. Could he read my mind? Did a soul have a mind?

I suppose I was all mind. Wholly mind. Nothing but mind.

So, could he read me ? The only thing that would have made his original offer sweeter to me was a Cerberus.

You mate a Cerberus and it was a done deal.

You get three—count 'em, three —men dedicated to you forever.

For. Ever. Only you. No cheating, no wandering eyes, and definitely no wandering hands.

They loved you and only you. Period. The end.

That's all folks. Oh, and there is no such thing as an ugly Hound of Hades.

Hades made them, with some of his Hades-ness, if the rumors were true, and so they all looked a little like him.

Just a little, but a little was more than enough when Daddy Hades had a mug like that.

Yum-meee! An underworld bad boy. Hell, yeah.

Again, it was an obvious yes for me. But I didn't like the way Hades had tacked on a Cerberus team as if it was a hardship.

As if that were the catch. Three hot-as-Hades men in love with me and only me forever?

That was not the catch. That was a bonus that he thought to trick me into believing was the catch.

“That's all? I mate one of your packs, and I get to be immortal with all my memories intact?”

“All the Cerberus mates become immortal.” Hades shrugged.

“Yeah, but I'll be starting that way.”

“It doesn't matter. The destined mating will give me an excuse to make you immortal.

I can argue it's for your protection since I'll be sending you back fully grown. I just need you to decide to reincarnate, then request that your reward be to return as a fully matured woman. You have to state it to me.”

“Nope. I still don't buy it.” I crossed my arms. “What do you get out of this?”

Hades clenched his jaw and stared at me. I stared back.

At last, he said, “Fine. I will level with you.”

“Great. I'd appreciate that.”

“You are destined to help me discover the identity of an enemy—an enemy who has been plaguing me recently.”

I blinked. “An enemy? You don't know who it is? Why don't you know who it is?”

“He hides under magic—a mask that he calls Silas. So far, all I know about him is that he can bring back the dead, and he has an Olympian protecting him. Silas is raising armies of humans all over America to destroy my hounds. I need to stop him before—”

“Hold on,” I interrupted. “He's after the Cerberuses? Why? Don't the Gods approve of the hounds?”

“I don't know. My hounds do indispensable work. I had thought every god was glad for them.”

“And this enemy isn't a soul? I mean, he's not just possessing this Silas guy?”

“No, he's a minor god. I just don't know which one.”

“Why America? Are you sure he hasn't been to other continents or countries?”

“I've kept a close watch on my boys since this began. I'm sure he's targeting the United States. I assume it's to establish an anti-Hounds organization there before spreading out.”

“And when you say that he's trying to destroy your hounds, you mean he's trying to kill them?”

“Yes.”

“ Can they be killed?” Then I grimaced as I remembered why Wren had come to the Underworld. “Scratch that question. I know they can.”

“Yes, you do know, don't you, Agnes?” Hades drawled. “You've been involved in this from the start. The very beginning. One could almost say that it began with you.” He made a huffing sound as his gaze shifted to the side. “Damn, they're good.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Never mind. I believe you need to be a part of this again. Perhaps you are the one to finish it. So, I want you back up there, on my side this time. You've proven to be resourceful, intelligent, and tenacious—all things I need in an agent. How about it?”

“An agent of Hades.” I liked the sound of that.

“Yes. A secret agent.” He grinned as if he knew that would hook me.

“My girl Wren is mated to a Cerberus.”

“Yes, she is. And you don't want her to get hurt, do you, Agnes?”

“No. You should have led with that, Lord Hades. I don't care what it costs me. If I'm helping Wren, I'm in. Send me back.”

Hades's smile turned into a smirk, but I got the feeling that he wasn't directing it at me. “Very well. I will start the spell today.”

“Just one more thing,” I said.

“Yes?”

“You said that I can pick my body, right?”

“Yes. Whatever you wish to look like, I can accommodate you.”

“Good. I've got some ideas on that front, but I also want to be rich. Filthy, stinking rich.”

He rolled his eyes. “You will share the wealth of the Cerberus you mate. All my hounds have done well on Earth. I made sure of it.”

“Nope!” I pointed at him. “I'm not that girl. I stand on my own two feet and the shoes I wear on those feet? I bought 'em, ” I sang the last bit.

Hades stared at me.

“It's a song. After your earlier vernacular display, I thought you'd know it.” I waved it away. “Never mind. I want money. Lots of it. My own cash. And I want to choose a new name. Agnes is so last century.”

“Very well. I'll make sure you're wealthy and you can choose your new name before I send you back. Honestly, it saves me the trouble. Now, do we have an agreement?”

“Yes, Your Godliness, we do.” I held out my hand.

When the Lord of the Underworld shook my hand, I knew I should have asked for more.

He was way too happy with our deal. There would be shit I wasn't prepared for.

Probably a lot of shit. But I didn't care.

I'd get to go back as an adult with all of my memories intact.

I'd remember Wren and I wouldn't have to wait years to see her, as I would have if I'd gone back the normal route and been born anew.

Who doesn't love some instant gratification?

I smiled back at Hades as I thought of my reunion with Wren. I'd be like, “Hey, girl! Guess who's back from the Underworld? Again! Nope, I'm not undead. I'm so fabulous that Hades himself begged to send me back here to help you. You can relax now. I'm here.”

And Wren would be like, “Oh, my God, Aggie! I've missed you so much! Thank you for sacrificing yourself for me. You're my best friend in the entire world! I was lost without you. I'm so relieved you're here.”

And I'd be like, “Yeah, I know. I love you too.”

We'd be besties forever. Literally forever since she's immortal now thanks to her men. And everyone else could fuck off. It would be glorious.