Could a spirit have possessed her niece?
The thought came out of the blue, but as soon as it occurred, Arisa had a feeling it was exactly the problem. Thank heavens the pastor was coming over! She would tell the good pastor of her suspicions, and she was sure the pastor would know what to do.
“May I leave now, Aunt?”
Even with her looking so gaunt, Ever also had never looked lovelier, and the thought so incensed her that Arisa couldn’t keep her jealous anger from spilling over. Grabbing the Bible from the bedside table, she threw it at her niece, snarling, “Stop acting like you’re my prisoner!”
A cry escaped Ever as the thick Bible came flying at her, and she quickly lifted her arms to shield her face. She was only able to partially block it, one corner of the book still managing to hit her left eye.
When Ever lowered her arms, Arisa was privately aghast at the way her niece’s eye had started to turn red. “It’s your fault,” Arisa charged defensively.
And of course it was, Ever thought numbly. It always was, and she really had to get used to that.
Her life with Hades had been a dream.
This was her reality, and Arisa would end up killing her one day if she didn’t get herself back to her emotionally distant self.
Without looking at her aunt, she hurried out of the bedroom and shakily pulled the door close.
Pain seized her chest, and she suddenly had a hard time breathing. A part of her wanted to burst into tears, the same part that wanted to fly to the heavens just to ask God...why?
Ever blinked furiously and squared her shoulders.
Crying is a waste of time, Ever Carlisle, so repeat after me.
Your life with Hades is a dream, and this is your reality.
She repeated the words over and over in her mind as she ran down the stairs, hoping that one day by doing so she would even manage to completely forget that once upon a time, she had thought she could be the queen of the Underworld.
Entering the kitchen, she began to wash this afternoon’s pile of dirty dishes.
Your life with Hades is a dream, and this is your reality.
She scrubbed and scrubbed, and when it was time to rinse the soap off the dishes, she turned the tap on.
Your life with Hades is a dream, and this is your reality.
Tears started to fall, mingling with the tap water, but she bit her lip hard and forced herself to concentrate on what she had to do to survive.
Your life with Hades is a dream, and this is your reality.
Behind her, she heard Hades say, “It’s time to come back.”
She bit her lip harder until she drew blood, trying to use the metallic-tasting liquid, hoping it could cure her from her seemingly growing insanity.
Your life with Hades is a dream, and this is your reality.
Hands settled on her shoulders.
Ever froze.
And then she was being turned around—-
She started to sway, or maybe it was vision.
She wasn’t really sure. The only thing she did know was that someone – something – who looked very much like Hades was standing in front of her.
Impossible.
So repeat after me—-
The imaginary Hades started pulling her towards him.
From above, they both heard her aunt demand, “Ever? Who are you talking to?”
Ever immediately tried pulling away, but Hades’ arms had turned into chains that kept her imprisoned in his embrace.
Wiping her tears away, he said quietly, “You no longer have anything to fear, my queen.”
Ever jerked. “I’m not your—-”
From the upstairs hallway, Arisa cut her off with a screech, “Who are you talking to, Ever?” The sound of her heavy footsteps followed as she came barreling down the stairs. “Answer me! Did you let a man come into my house?”