Page 17 of Ignited Spirits (Haunted Magic #3)

I hold back the tears that burn my eyes at Bishop saying everything isn’t up to me. It feels like it is most of the time. Like I have to come up with answers to problems no one’s ever solved all by myself. Like I have to save the entire world on my own.

But I don’t have to.

I have mates, family, and even a whole underground city of jaguars on my side. It’s not weak or failing to ask for help. I’m stronger when I work with other people instead of trying to do it all on my own.

Rhys walks over and opens his arms for a hug.

When I step into them, he squeezes me like he did when I was a little kid and too terrified of my own magic to sleep. “I didn’t mean to put it all on you, Iz. As much as I hate the idea of us having to break Dad out, you’re right that it’s our only option.”

“I’m sorry for getting Dad into this. I really didn’t mean to kill Doyle,” I mumble as Rhys lets his arms fall away.

He snorts. “It’s not your fault. Doyle had it coming to him, and I know there are quite a few people glad the old man’s gone.”

“I one hundred percent believe that. I don’t know a single person who actually liked Doyle.” I glance over at my mom. “Are you ready to go?”

Untying her apron, Mom throws her shoulders back and lifts her chin, like she’s daring the world to mess with her. I’ve always been proud of how strong my mom is through everything, and this is no exception.

“Yes. Let me just grab mine and your dad’s go bags first.”

It only takes her a few minutes before she’s back with one light blue and one black backpack.

When I get a nod from my mom, I close my eyes and funnel my magic into a rift, hopefully to Hades’s throne room. I really hope portaling there wasn’t a fluke because I so don’t want to walk five hours right now.

When I open my eyes, a swirling, pitch-black rift hovers in front of me, giving no indication of where it leads. I don’t know how cura deal with the leap of faith anytime they need to get anywhere.

“Who’s coming with us? It’ll be a quick stop, so pretty much everyone else can stay here.”

Bishop rolls his eyes at me. “The five of us go anywhere you go.”

I guess I should’ve expected that. I’m not going to waste my time arguing with him.

“I’ve never been to another dimension, so I’ll tag along.” Aiden grins like he’s excited for this whole adventure. That makes exactly one of us, my dude.

“Guess I’ll hold down the fort here. Try not to get into too much trouble.

” Rhys wanders over to the island and leans his hip against it.

He pulls out his phone and begins typing something, probably work related, on it.

Rhys is a tad bit of a workaholic, but his work helps so many people, so I can’t really judge him.

Blowing out a breath, I walk through the portal, trusting everyone else to follow me. When I step through, I’m surprised not to have an angsty welcoming committee pointing their magic and weapons at me.

Instead, Hades is standing only a few feet away, looking very put out.

“Can you stop portaling here, earthling? You’re starting to make me look bad.” He stomps his foot for dramatic effect, and it makes him look more like a tantruming toddler than the feared ruler of Infernus .

“I had another emergency, so it’s not really my fault.” I shrug and put up my hands in a what-can-you-do gesture.

“So this is Hell?” Aiden asks once he’s fully through the portal. He looks at the assortment of other species in Hades’s guard with awe.

“Yep. It’s surprisingly a lot like home, other than the neon spirit-realm colors, strange species I’ve never heard of, and ultra powerful creatures who would give me a run for my money in a power fight.

” Aside from Lua, I hope not to get into a fight with anyone from Infernus, though.

I’d rather not have my ass handed to me.

Aiden grins at me, his gray eyes so similar to mine lighting up with pure joy. “That’s so cool!”

I snort but don’t say anything. I’m happy at least someone can find something to enjoy about this situation.

When my mom steps through, she looks around at the grand throne room with its shiny black floors, towering thrones, and plethora of guards. Her gaze finally lands on the man standing right in front of us. “Who is that?”

“Hades, royal pain in the ass extraordinaire. He’s also one of your grandpas. Not biological, though, because that’d be weird.”

I’ve wondered how they know that Hades isn’t Melinoe’s bio dad, but that seems like a super awkward question to ask. I may not have much social grace, but I at least know better than to ask that.

My mom’s nose scrunches in confusion. “Why would it be weird?”

“Because he’s Levi’s brother, and Levi is my mate.” My cheeks turn bright red as I realize that I basically told my mom I plan to bang Levi and that would be weird if he were my great-uncle.

Luckily, my mom is used to my awkwardness. The only reaction she has is her eyes widening slightly. “Ah, yes, that would be unfortunate.”

Hades watches our exchange with a genuine smile on his face. Every time I see him, the more I get to see the real person behind his mask. And, annoyingly, the more I like him. “Is this your mother?”

“Yep, this is Maggie, Melinoe’s only daughter. So be nice to her, okay? I’ve gotta jailbreak my dad and don’t have anywhere else to stash Mom.”

Hades clutches his hand over his heart like I wounded him. “Of course I’ll be nice. I’m the nicest person in this realm. How dare you imply otherwise, earthling. And why am I not surprised that your father is a trouble magnet like you?”

I snort because we all know Hades is the opposite of nice. He has to be to stay king of the realm. “Dad’s not a trouble magnet. I’m the reason he’s in jail. Can you just give me your word that you’ll keep Mom safe?”

Sobering, he gives me a solemn nod. “I swear to you that I will keep your mother safe. You can focus on freeing your father. Plus, Seph’s around here somewhere. I know how excited she’ll be to meet her granddaughter.”

“Thanks. You good here, Mom?” I look at her nervously, feeling awful for abandoning her in a strange place.

But hurting or capturing my mom is an excellent way to get back at me and Dad. We can’t leave her where the council can get to her while we’re trying to rescue Dad, and this is the only place I could think of that’s completely safe from them.

Mom pats my arm reassuringly. “I’m fine, Isabel. I can take care of myself.”

“I know, but Infernus isn’t like home.” I pause as I try to think of how to describe the differences. “Everyone here is crazier, more powerful, and much deadlier. Don’t drink from the River Styx unless you wanna wake up with wacky-ass new magic tomorrow.”

That reminds me that I need to ask Hades if he figured out what Archer is, but that’s not the most pressing issue right now.

Mom sighs at me. “Language.”

My lips tip up in a small smile at my mom being a little bit more like her usual self, but I don’t say anything. Instead, I walk back through the rift to go free my dad.