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“Mitchell,” Lord Hades said the moment the door closed on the consort and Enda. “You have said little since your arrival. Did you have something to say, in defense of your partner, or your own actions in this matter?”

“Sir, I find I’m torn.” Giorgio watched as Mitchell looked between him and Sarah, who was still refusing to look at anyone. “I have loved Sarah for more than half of my life. Our time together hasn’t always been easy – my work has always been difficult for Sarah to deal with, and I respect that. But now…I feel really bad, sir. Giorgio has been my close friend for years. I had been thinking of the number of times he’s pulled my ass out of the fire. Five times in the past six months. Sarah would’ve been a widow last summer if it hadn’t been for Giorgio – I literally owe him my life, five times over.

“But Sarah’s fears are real as well, sir, and I can’t discount them. The agency… Well, it’s nothing like the setup you have here, sir, but it is a powerful organization on Earth. I could see why Sarah would have concerns about them finding out we were alive, especially because of a lie I told her about Giorgio and I wearing trackers. I don’t think not wanting to be in trouble is a crime.”

“Hmm. Fair comment.” Lord Hades nodded. “Giorgio, I didn’t realize your job was so dangerous. For you to have saved your friend’s life so often – that doesn’t sound like a job with much long-term security. The risk of being exposed as paranormal is higher in high stress situations.”

“It hasn’t always been that way, Sire.” Giorgio indicated Mitchell. “We have talked about it often, as the level of danger and the lessening of support have become more apparent since we were given a new handler – someone who allocates the jobs to us and provides the support services we need – about six months ago. Mitchell doesn’t have the same senses my hound lends me, so he was more prone to getting into tough spots than I was.”

“You never considered that someone was actively targeting Mitchell, and therefore you, after so many incidents.”

Giorgio frowned. “I hadn’t considered it before last night, Sire. But with what happened there, it was clear that if we’d followed protocol, and Enda hadn’t warned us, we would have both been caught in a very large explosion. Mitchell would not have survived.”

Lord Hades got up, stepping down from the stage and quietly pacing the floor. “As I mentioned earlier, this is not a situation I’ve dealt with before. In normal circumstances, I would instruct you to take both Mitchell and his partner to the Paranormal Council. They are the ones who typically deal with threats to paranormal existence.

“However, there are two things that make me feel that is not the best way to handle this situation. For one thing, I prefer my hellhounds to stay away from the Paranormal Council as much as possible. Some stigmas against my hounds are still prevalent despite none of you causing problems since your arrival on Earth.”

Giorgio nodded. He’d come across that before in the past, and so had some of his other pack members.

“My other issue concerns you, Mitchell.” Lord Hades stopped in front of the man, who immediately stood to attention. “Are you familiar with the name Duncan Rodin?”

Giorgio stiffened, and Mitchell flicked him a quick look before focusing on Lord Hades.

“Duncan Rodin is our new handler, sir. The one who took over our team six months ago,” Mitchell said quickly.

“Is that the only connection he has with you and Sarah?”

“Yes, sir. Handlers don’t associate with team members outside of working hours due to the confidential nature of our assignments.”

“So, you weren’t aware that Duncan Rodin has been having an affair with Sarah since before he was made your handler.”

The words fell like a copper pan being dropped on the black marble floor. Giorgio noticed a couple of the demons raising their eyebrows at each other. Sarah moaned and wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes squeezed shut.

If Giorgio hadn’t known Mitchell as well as he did, he would’ve missed the flinch before the man’s face became expressionless again. “I was not aware, sir, no.”

“I do not tell you this to cause you any pain. However, gods see the bigger picture in most matters, and this was significant and pertinent information relevant to this issue. While Sarah was not complicit in the threats to your life, Duncan Rodin was determined that you would die in the field. Sarah would gain your pension, and she would be well provided for. It is likely that Duncan Rodin felt his relationship with Sarah could only improve once you were dead. However, that is only speculation on my part, as she wasn’t his only dalliance. What is factual is that those attempts on your life were not coincidental or bad luck. They were planned. If it hadn’t been for my hellhound, you and I would never have met.”

“No disrespect, sir, but I wish that had been the case.” Mitchell’s spine straightened even farther. “May I be so bold to ask what happens to Sarah and me now?”

“If it had been in my power, I would’ve rewound the clock twenty-four hours for you, and none of this mess would’ve happened. You would’ve gone into that warehouse with another member of your team and likely would be dead. However, gods are strongly bound by a non-interference law. In this case, though, the need to protect the numerous paranormals that live and work in peaceful co-existence with their non-para neighbors does give me some latitude here.”

“Regardless of what Sarah might have said in her panicked state, sir, I would never divulge Giorgio and Enda’s secret. That is not who I am.”

“I believe you, which is why you are being given a choice.” Lord Hades’ power filled the room. “When you wake up, you will have no memory of this place, the team, the agency, Giorgio, or anything else related to your life on Earth thus far. Your memories will be replaced, you will have new identities, new jobs, and a different home in a different state including new memories, friends, and past experiences. Consider it a form of paranormal witness protection scheme. Your choice is simply whether you spend that new life with Sarah, or if you prefer that I relocate you both separately.”

“Can you make her love me again?” For the first time, Giorgio heard a break in Mitchell’s voice.

“There’s not a god in existence who can force a love that isn’t there,” Lord Hades said softly. “That power is bigger than all of us.”

Mitchell nodded. “I always fancied being a plumber – you know, being knee-deep in poop for positive reasons this time. If that has any bearing on your decision, sir. I would prefer to relocate alone, if that is acceptable. Somehow, even with my memories erased, I believe I would still know I’d been betrayed on a cellular or soul level and I do not believe that would be healthy for me and Sarah to be together with that possibility.”

Lord Hades nodded. “Sarah, do you have anything to say?”

“You do not exist. This is just a horrible nightmare. You. Do. Not. Exist.”

“That makes things easier.” Lord Hades raised his arms, but Mitchell’s voice stopped him.

“Just one moment more, please, sir. I just have one more thing to say.” He turned, and Giorgio saw the pain in his eyes. They had been through a lot together. “Giorgio, I’m sorry, man. You were the best friend a bloke could hope for. Take care of that little bird and have a good life. There will be a part of my soul I know will miss you. And thanks for keeping me alive.”

“Anytime.” Giorgio nodded, a lump forming in his throat as Sarah and Mitchell disappeared.

“Phew.” Lord Hades let out a long breath. “That was a mess I didn’t need today. Giorgio, remain here. Demons, you are dismissed. Your service is appreciated. Remember to let Folsom know when you want to take your bonus days on Earth.”

“Thank you, sire.” Six demons bowed and left, and Giorgio knew his slip up would be all over the Underworld in a matter of hours, not that he could blame his friends – many a beer could be bought with gossip.

“You did right to come to me,” Lord Hades said. “I wish you hadn’t had to, but finding your mate is a celebration, one I fully support. You may have wondered why I did this .” He waved his hand at the empty space where Mitchell and Sarah had been. “The Paranormal Council would’ve been the most effective way of dealing with their mess, for future reference.”

“However” - Giorgio found himself the focus of Lord Hades’ eyes - “the shadows surrounding your sweet mate are complex and many layered. That’s why it was better that I handle your paranormal revelation swiftly and completely. Your focus needs to be on your very special mate and the situation he finds himself in through no fault of his own. You must take care going forward.”

“Is there a connection between someone at the agency and Enda’s killer?”

Tilting his head to one side Lord Hades thought for a moment. “Yes. The way the situation stands at the moment, you still work for the agency, and you are currently listed as missing, presumed dead. You had no next of kin for them to notify, and all speculation on the team group chat about you still being alive has been removed.”

“What about my partner, sir?” Giorgio frowned. “I would never have been assigned that job alone.”

“And yet this time you were. Your concerns about Duncan Rodin are well-founded, although his lack of concentration on the job has more to do with his extracurricular activities than any malice toward you. As I said, Sarah was not his only fancy. In this instance, your teammate called in sick, and Duncan Rodin said there was no time to assign anyone else. So, you would’ve gone in alone. And no, I can’t tell you anymore,” Lord Hades added when Giorgio went to ask another question. “I have already said more than some might think I should’ve done. For you and Enda to have the happy future you both so richly deserve, he needs to trace and find his truths if he is to have any resolution going forward. You will be the strength he needs to do this.”

“Yes, sir.” Giorgio bowed. “I still haven’t had the chance to tell Enda about the collar business.”

Lord Hades smiled. “I think you’ll find my mate has already done that. My beloved Ali has far too much fascination with those collars. I’d suggest taking your mate to dinner somewhere that isn’t in London, treat yourselves to a decent hotel and a fancy meal – take some time to pamper your mate as I believe it’s something he deserves and would appreciate. Once your claim is made, and you’ve had a chance to connect with each other properly, I also have no doubt Enda will tell you all that he knows about those who want him dead, and you can handle those issues together.”

“That’s not ominous at all, sir,” Giorgio said as he followed his Master out of the throne room.