Page 29 of Ignited Spirits (Haunted Magic #3)

As we walk through the door, Dad is the one to answer. “Your brothers were getting bored, so we decided to explore. We wandered for probably twenty minutes or so before finding directions to the practice room, and here we are. Did everything go okay with your mage friend?”

I glance around the sparsely decorated lobby. A handful of chairs and a lone sofa are spread throughout the space, all made of the same gleaming black rock of the castle itself. A few chandeliers hang down, casting soft purple light over the surprisingly crowded space.

I recognize the curae because they look a lot like normal humans. But I have no idea what the rest of the creatures here are. Some are only a foot or two tall, while others have to be over ten feet. They have an assortment of wings, horns, tails, hooves, and extra appendages of all kinds.

Remembering Levi’s warning not to stare, I try to keep my gaze bouncing around the room so I’m not looking at anyone for too long. I don’t particularly want to start any fights right now, which is weird. I usually love stirring up trouble.

Tearing my focus away from the cool assortment of species I’ve never seen before, I focus back on my dad. “Yeah, it went well. Turns out he’s related to someone important there, so I think he’ll be fine.”

Dad claps me on the shoulder and pulls me into a side hug. “That’s good to hear. Let’s go find your mother, and then we can all rest. You look like you need it, and I certainly feel like I do.”

“Gee, thanks, Dad,” I deadpan. “Just what every girl wants to hear.”

He snorts and shakes his head before looking at me expectantly. I stare back at him before realizing I’m the one who’s supposed to lead the way. The only problem with that is that I have the directional sense of a limp spaghetti noodle.

Staring up at Levi, I give him the same expectant look my dad gave me. It takes him a moment before his lips curve into a small smile. “You want me to lead the way?”

“Unless we want to get lost, you leading the way is definitely the smart choice.”

He laughs before grabbing one of my hands in his and tugging me along behind him. I’m not surprised when someone else captures my other free hand because my mates love touching me. And, to be honest, I love the comfort of their touch too.

What I am surprised by is that it’s Cain who snagged my hand. He’s usually so quiet and happy to fade into the background. I like him being a little more forward, though. Maybe it means that he’s getting more comfortable with me.

I beam at him. “How are you, quiet boy?”

He gives me a soft smile in return. “I’m doing pretty good right now. Nothing better than holding my beautiful mate.”

Heat creeps up my cheeks as I try my hardest not to melt into a puddle of goo at his sweet words. Anyone else, I would grumble about it. But with my quiet boy, I just mumble, “Thanks. I like holding your hand too.”

I can feel more than hear the laugh that rumbles in his chest. He tugs me closer to him with his hold on my hand, then plants a kiss on the top of my head.

We walk the rest of the way in companionable silence. Levi expertly guides us through the maze he calls home and leads us into a new area of the castle I haven’t seen before.

While the walls, floors, and ceiling are the same obsidian with a gentle purple glow, the space feels lighter for some reason. It’s probably the cream-colored furniture, flowing drapes decorating the walls and occasional window, and the bright rugs that add warmth to the cold floors.

After I finish inspecting the space, my gaze lands on Levi. “Where are we?”

“We’re in Hades’s personal quarters. As you can probably tell, Seph decorated this part of the castle.”

“Yeah, I don’t really think Hades is a cream chaise with light blue toss pillows type of guy. I feel like he’d be more likely to decorate in black and dark red to hide the bloodstains and other bodily fluids.”

“You’d be right about that, earthling.”

Speak of the devil. Think about Hades and he shall appear.

I raise a brow at him. “You know where my mom is?”

He claps his hand over his heart like I wounded him. “What, no hello, how are you, how’s your day for your favorite great-granddaddy?”

I shudder in revulsion. “Eww. I’m never calling you that. And if you keep that up, all you’re going to get is a knife to the gut.”

I probably shouldn’t threaten a billions of years old cura who has a decent chance of killing me in a fight. Then again, when do I ever do what I’m supposed to?

Hades barks out a laugh. “I like you more and more every time we meet.”

“The feeling isn’t mutual,” I grumble, even though I’ve developed a soft spot for the ruler of Infernus . He’s a dick most of the time, but he has his funny, caring, and understanding moments that make me like him more than I should.

“Who’s this?” Dad asks.

“That’s Hades. Ruler of Infernus , mate to Seph, and Mom’s non-biological grandfather.” I don’t bother to tack on that he’s Levi’s brother because I don’t want to confuse anyone.

“I love how you have to specify the ‘non-biological’ part, earthling.” Hades grins, and his eyes dance with laughter at me. “Can’t have anyone thinking you have a bit of Greek god in you, can we?”

I roll my eyes and don’t bother to dignify his statement with a response. “So, do you know where my mom is? Or should we just keep wandering around your quarters until we find her?”

He pouts at me, which looks strange on a six and a half foot tall dude who has an entire realm terrified of him. “You’re so demanding for an Earth creature.”

“Well, I am half cura . So are Rhys and Aiden, I assume.” I gesture vaguely in the direction of my brothers.

Hades’s gaze flicks behind me as he assesses my brothers. “Those are also Seph’s great-grandchildren?”

“Yep. The dark-brown-haired one is Rhys, the responsible brother, and the blond one is Aiden, who’s more like me.”

“Only funnier,” Aiden chimes in.

I twist to look at him and maturely stick my tongue out because I’m definitely the funnier one. Aiden cracks up, and I can’t help but grin in response. Even though everything I have to do feels so heavy, it’s nice to have the moments of laugher and joy that make it just a bit easier to handle.

When I face Hades again, he’s turned around and walking away. I have no idea what we’re supposed to do until he looks at me over his shoulder. “Are you coming, earthling? Your mother is this way.”