Page 10 of The Prince of Hidden Shadows (Runaway Prince Hotel #5)

Chapter Eight

DARK NECESSITIES

Théo

S wiveling my head to take in the area once again, I catch my breath at the insanity of it all. “Hidden Shadows…” I murmur. The painting. The place. The prince.

WTF?

The eerie glow of a massive beach—for lack of a better word—pulls me into a scene out of a dystopian movie.

I force down the lump in my throat, anticipating I’m about to be dragged to the villain’s lair.

Except the so-called villain is facing me, and Zagreus in his breezy summer suit doesn’t fit the part.

Rational or not, the same question loops through my head. But what’s the point?

Zagreus registers my renewed panic but doesn’t press. “Come on, let’s take a walk, shall we?” he suggests, voice low.

Idly strolling away from the ferryman and the embankment with Zagreus by my side, I stare at my feet. Ashen dust, onyx pebbles, and jagged, obsidian-like stones quietly crunch underfoot. When I got here, I’d been so wrapped up by this otherworldly experience that I discarded oppressive details.

The pools of stagnant, inky water absorbing instead of reflecting light, and the underlying note of something burnt and acrid.

The waves that slosh and lap in slow, unsettling rhythms, as though weighed down by unseen hands pulling at the current.

The thick metallic tang that lingers in the air, like rust and decay.

My chest should be filled with suffocating dread, but it isn’t.

Do I have Zagreus’s potent presence to thank or am I going crazy?

At this point, my goal is simple: get through this journey unscathed—memory intact, all body parts accounted for—and return to where I came from.

For the first time, I’m not sure who I’m more afraid of—him or myself—and whether anything I thought I knew matters.

Does this beautiful yet odd guy have the actual power to alter life as I know it, in the blink of an eye?

I can’t wrap my head around his Greek god explanation, and I’m sure I’m hallucinating as we speak, but he sounds so serious.

Rejecting my wayward feelings for him would be the coward’s way out, and that’s not me.

I’m eager to embrace everything that this stranger triggers in me.

The good. The bad. And the crazy. Most of all, right now, I hate how he shakes my confidence in my own game.

Never got busted before—so why’s it gotta be this guy?

“Théodore? Don’t overthink this.” Zagreus’s husky voice jolts me back to the now. He stops dead in his tracks, and I comply. “You okay?” With worry laced in his tone, his big hand settles on my left shoulder, somehow grounding me.

A shiver runs down my spine under his uncanny touch.

As if someone has just splashed me with ice-cold water, my shoulders tense—then gradually relax as heat begins to spread across my skin.

I can only hope the gloom of the Underworld masks the flush creeping up my cheeks until I get my bearings.

My reaction to Zagreus is baffling as everything I’m going through, but I welcome it rather than fight it.

The contradicting sensations heighten my senses, and I become hyperaware of his presence. His reality. His home.

I suck in a breath, absentmindedly glancing back at the souls of dead people embarking on their final trip.

“I am now... I think.” With that, I reevaluate my initial impression of the nearby river.

It’s a somewhat soft and comforting sound.

“Thank you.” Why am I even thanking him—for his mere touch that soothed me within seconds?

And yet, I finally stop overanalyzing everything and concentrate on his initial question.

“If you must know, Hidden Shadows can be admired at the Princedelphia Metropolitan Museum.”

His mouth gapes, and he tightens his hold on my shoulder before freeing me with an apologetic smile. Is he now realizing that he had his hand on me? Too late, though, another wave of heat courses through my skin and leaves goosebumps in its wake.

What is he doing to me?

“It has to be a fake, Théo.” Sighing, he closes his eyes for a split second. “I don’t believe in coincidences. This painting was painted ages ago and vanished from the face of the Earth for so long. I can’t believe that it would resurface at this exact moment.”

“Look, I have no idea where the painting was before I was introduced to it.”

In a flash, I reassess my previous goal.

Yes, I wish to go back ASAP and in one piece, but why should I care about the origin of the painting? I was hired to develop a well-thought-out plan, steal said painting for my client’s benefit and get paid a hefty sum. Period.

“Until I saw it with my own eyes, I thought it was… a myth… but what I do know is that sticking around your home won’t help me do my job or help you see it with your own eyes. Why are you so interested in it anyway?”

Before answering, he retraces his steps towards Charon, and I have no choice but to follow. I have so many questions. This is all too much for me to process. I brace myself for his reply, far from ready for his bluntness.

“That’s none of your business, young man.

” He smirks at me as if we weren’t around the same age.

Granted, if he is who he says he is, he’s way older than me, and I should discard any of the emotions he elicits in me because he’s way out of my league.

“But I think I need you to navigate your world. To get me closer to that painting. To restore some balance. It’s been a while since I walked the Earth, and things have changed.

I’m not exactly equipped to deal with everything going on up there. We should join forces.”

“What?” I can’t help but chuckle, and stammer, “You need me? You need me ? You need me? You , Zagreus with no last name, Greek god and son of Hades no less, need me , Théodore Cassel, a con artist and mere human.”

“Right.” His hand is back on my shoulder.

My body is back to quivering. Our connection is back on with a simple touch.

How crazy is that? He doesn’t seem affected as he continues, staring me square in the eye.

“Your job requires you to be observant, patient, and precise… essential qualities to snatch this painting.” Why does he smile so big?

Why does he care so much about it? Why does he almost look relieved?

“True. That’s why I was hired to do so,” I confirm, stating the obvious.

“You’re right, I should bring us back.”

It’s not this world I’m scared of—it’s his enthusiasm. Gnawing at my lower lip, I take a step back, his words heavier than I can process. He closes the distance, fingers digging into my shoulder as the surrounding cacophony swells—deafening, inescapable.

I press my hands on my ears to muffle it, yanking myself from his grip. Bewildered, his eyes widen and his lips part. That’s all I see before I close my eyes to get my bearings and stop my heart from hammering inside my chest.

When I pop them open, Zagreus’s grin has faded. His hoarse voice sounds pained. “I wasn’t joking earlier. Before we go back, I’ll need to erase you.” My heart stops and my brows spike up. What the fuck? “I mean, your memory. But don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing.”

I blink at him, half expecting something to go down right then and there. Nothing does, but the way he stares at me, unblinking, sends me a step back before I realize it. “That’s ridiculous,” I say, though my voice wavers. “That’s… not how memory works. You can’t just?—”

“Can’t I?” he interrupts again, tilting his head like a predator sizing up its prey. “You’re the one switching between accepting and doubting reality, Théo. I know where I belong. This is my realm, my reality. You need to make up your mind, and fast!”

I feel a cold sweat breaking out, but I force myself to hold my ground. “What do you want?” I ask, doing my best to keep my tone calm and collected. “Why not prevent me from coming here right off the bat? You are a god after all,” I taunt.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” He swallows, and I watch him purse his plump lips like the creeper I’ve become. I blow out a breath, trying to control my traitorous dick. Without looking at me, he murmurs, “I couldn’t have stopped it, even if I wanted to…”

“But you still haven’t sent me back, have you? You still haven’t erased my memory, have you? You still haven’t performed any magic tricks on me, have you?”

A cocky smile takes residence on his poker face. “Maybe I’m stalling because I like the way your mind works. Or maybe I like how it doesn’t when you’re out of your element. Either way…” He looks down at his feet. “…you’re more fun to watch when you’re questioning everything.” He snickers at that.

“Mock me all you want, but I have a life, and you’re not part of it!”

“I am now.” He leans towards me, moving to touch my shoulder again, but halts mid-way.

Instead, he slides his hands in his pants pockets.

“Listen, Théo, you should trust me on this. I have a feeling we’ll work well together.

” His excitement is palpable, but I still don’t follow his train of thought.

“Like I said, you’re thinking too much. I mean, I can understand that’s why you might be good at your job, but I’ve got this… We’ve got this.”

Before I can reply, the sting I felt at the back of my neck earlier itches, and I scratch the tender skin. He does the same. “This isn’t funny,” I growl.

“You feel it, too, don’t you?”

“Of course, I feel it.” What’s going on now?

Upon my confirmation, Zagreus’s brows knit, annoyance written all over his gorgeous face.

He looks around, as if trying to locate the culprit responsible for our current state.

I’m dazed, but it feels more like Cloud Nine than I’ve ever experienced.

What the hell happened? Is that why I loosened my tongue and spilled my guts so freely?

My throat constricts as my confusion grows.

He grumbles about something I don’t get.

Unfortunately, once again, he doesn’t give me time to intervene.

Next thing I know, he gestures towards a tall woman with long, wavy black hair and a regal posture—someone I’d missed near Charon’s boat.

With a swift and commanding move of his hand, he ushers her our way and introduces her as his friend, Hecate.

Strangely enough, she hardly acknowledges me, visibly unfazed by the presence of a human around here.

“Charon told me you were back.” She hugs Zagreus, who doesn’t lean into her embrace.

Releasing him, she shoots him a quizzical look.

“What’s wrong? I came to say hi and warn you that your father was starting to get antsy.

” She juts her chin my way. “How many men do you plan on bringing here to brag about your human conquests?”

“Don’t be silly!” He shakes his head, and I can’t help but admire how his silky curls are effortlessly back in place.

My fingers twitch in a weird impulse to run through them.

WTF? “Nathan found his way here without my help, and as for Théo here, my initial issue with him—” He pauses, shooting me a sideways glance and a timid grin.

“Never mind, I’ll deal with him. Don’t worry.

” Their exchange is oddly compelling, so much so that I keep my mouth shut, although they’re talking as if I weren’t here. “But I think we have a bigger problem.”

Both his friend and I capture his eyes.

“A bigger problem than getting on your father’s nerves?” she challenges the prince.

He shrugs, nodding. “Look, I know I shouldn’t ask you this,” he tells her, “but can you undo a spell?”

Her piercing blue eyes zoom in on him, disappointment evident in her features. “You know that’s not how it works, Zag. I don’t care what you did to him, but I’m not getting in the middle of this. As a loyal friend, I’ve done too much already.”

Narrowing his gaze, Zagreus frowns. “Look, I’m not at fault here. Wasn’t with Nathan either. I’m trying to clean up the messes others made. Sue me!” he snarls.

I know better than to ask questions.

“Like I said, I’ll deal with Théo in a minute. By the way, you’re welcome to tag along to the Renversé Hotel if you want. My suite has plenty of space.” He draws a deep breath. “Hear me out, will you?” She nods. “My biggest problem is Eros.”

“What about him? What could he have done now? I don’t see him anywhere.”

“Eros should mind his own business, not mine or any other god’s. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

“Care to explain?”

“Didn’t you tell me that he confessed I had nothing to worry about after my break—” His head tilts my way so fast that a squeak escapes my mouth.

He looks back at his friend. “He did say that, didn’t he?

” Hecate confirms. He saunters closer to her, cocking his head to the left.

“Doesn’t this look like his handiwork?” My distress prevented me to put two and two together on the spot.

“Sure does!” She bursts into a hearty laugh.

His eyes shoot daggers when he reaches my side again.

She shrugs. “Eros wants you happy, not wallowing in your misery. What’s wrong with that?

” I store that piece of information for later, although I doubt that I’ll ever be in a situation to ask Zagreus to share his love life.

Rubbing her chin, she eventually says, “So, you felt the sting?” Her question has me rubbing my skin where I also felt it. “That’s strange…”

“He broke the rules, Hecate.” She rolls her eyes at his statement, obviously not believing him. “I should have realized sooner what this sting I felt was… but it took place here. Eros isn’t supposed to work here. He isn’t supposed to?—”

“Come on, Zag.” She cuts him off, not bothering to hide her annoyance. “Eros is a professional, like the rest of us. I meant what I said: he wants you happy, but he’s no fool. He knows his job. Maybe he thought Charon deserved a second chance.”

What? Zagreus and Charon? Maybe I should research Greek mythology as soon as I’m back where I belong because I’m pretty sure I never heard about this. This is getting juicier by the second; the corner of my mouth quirks up, waiting for shit to hit the fan in a world I’m not part of.

“Hold your horses, Hecate… and leave Charon out of this,” Zagreus mutters between gritted teeth. “I’m telling you, Eros fucked up. He aimed at the wrong person.” His jaw clenches so tight I hear his godly teeth grinding—inhuman efforts to stay collected.

“How do you know? Who else got bitten?”

Unsure of what’s going on, I rack my brain. Then realization sinks in. Her face goes cold at my words.

“I did.”