Standing in front of the massive, metal doors carved in scrollwork that makes me think of thorny vines, Hades takes a deep breath, then slips the container into a hidden lock of the same shape and size that only the seven gods and goddesses who created the gates of Tartarus can see. Just before he pushes it all the way in, he pauses, then turns his head to meet my gaze.
He searches my face, and like he’s laying his soul bare, I can suddenly see our future—secure, strong, trusting, loving—right there for the taking. When I smile, utter satisfaction burns in the molten silver of his eyes.
Then he faces the door and presses Pandora’s Box into place with a click that sets off a series of clanks as each of the magical wards is altered.
I don’t know what I expected to happen.
I think I pictured her just appearing before us. That or for the Titans to burst free and start a murderous rampage. Which is why the others are here, too. Backup should this go sideways.
What I didn’t expect was for the door to open at all, but it does. Just a crack.
I’m not sure what he sees from where he stands, but Boone suddenly shouts, “No!” and grabs my arm. In that instant, we all go dead still. Not scared still. I mean frozen, as if time itself has stopped.
Then, together with Boone, I am sucked past Hades inside, and the door to the prison closes behind us with an ominous clang followed by a series of clicks—the wards locking back down. The finality of the last click jars me out of my shock.
Or maybe time resumes?
Because I’m standing on the wrong side of the prison door of Tartarus, staring into the face of a man who looks so much like a slightly older version of Hades that I gasp. There is only one Titan this could possibly be. The worst conceivable option.
Cronos.
“Lyra!” The shout is so faint, I can barely make it out.
I spin around, my hands flat on the doors. Oh gods. Hades.
My chest squeezes tight as the pounding on the door gets louder and louder, the shouts more frantic as he tries to get to me. And he will. I know he will.
Hades will stop at nothing to save me.
A sob breaks free as two thoughts strike in rapid succession. First…he’ll blame himself for this. I know it in my bones, in my soul.
And second…I should have paid more attention to Rima’s prophecy during the Crucible—one I honestly thought we’d stopped from happening.
A vision of Hades burning down the world.
We are so fucked.
The love doesn’t end here…
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Acknowledgments
Dear Reader,
I hope you loved the first book in Lyra and Hades’ story! What a ride it’s been. The second those two appeared on the page together, the words just flew out of me. I love writing these characters and this world so much and can’t wait to bring you more!
I thank God every single day for a life where I get to live my dream of being a writer, and I try to soak up every single step of this journey with gratitude and joy. Writing and publishing a book don’t happen without the support and help from a host of incredible people.
To my wonderful readers… Thank you from the bottom of my heart for going on these journeys with me, for your kindness, your support, and generally being awesome. I love to connect, so I hope you’ll drop a line and say “Howdy” on any of my social media! Also, if you have a free moment, please think about leaving a review.
To my agent, Evan Marshall…thank you for your faith in me from the very beginning!
To my editor and publisher, Liz Pelletier…your brilliance knows no bounds. I am so grateful for your friendship, for hours-long chats, and getting the opportunity to work together with you. Thank you so much for everything!
To my editing team, Mary, Hannah, and Rae, as well as all the internal readers, copy editors, proofreaders, and my mom…thank you for helping make this book the best it could be.
To my publishing family at Red Tower / Entangled…you are a dream to work with, and your support and friendship (and patience) make a world of difference and a very fun journey.
To my publishers all over the world who are bringing this book to even more readers…thank you. Seeing your responses to it has been a dream come true.
To my cover and interior art team…Bree Archer, LJ Anderson, and Elizabeth Turner Stokes, you all make me gasp with your artwork every single time.
To my endpaper artist, Kateryna Vitkovska…thank you for bringing Olympus to such exquisite life.
To Tracy Wolff, Alyssa Day, and Devney Perry, for reading an early copy at the drop of a hat and saying such lovely words.
To Heather Howland…this journey started with you, and I learned a thousand ways to be a better writer working with you.
To my assistants, Izzy, Pam, and Amy…thank you for keeping me together and even more for keeping me company.
To all my author friends and writing community…you are my found family.
To Michelle, Nicole, Kait, Avery, Chrissy, Cate, Tracy, and Steph…thank you for listening to me talk about this book ad nauseum for a while now, for your advice, and especially for your friendship.
