Dread roots me to the spot. My mouth dries. How did Kronos know I was there?

"Come now, don't be shy." Poseidon smiles sinisterly, beckoning me forward. My body jerks forward in space as I skid into the cavern, my feet dragging on the ground as I struggle to break free. Poseidon smirks, and the force dragging me forward tightens around me. My eyes flicker towards Hades as I fly past him. His expression is still emotionless as he watches me, but I don't miss the way his shoulders slump in defeat.

No, Hades. Don't give up now.

My shoulders square. I look back to Poseidon and readily meet his gaze. My eyes narrow.

"Oh I'm sorry, were you talking to me? I don't exactly associate with people who call me a wench."

"She's a feisty one, isn't she? I like her a lot more than your last one." Poseidon chuckles, glancing over at Hades. "Such a shame, too. She really could have been a good influence on you."

"Well excuse you, I like to think I've already been a good influence on him. Have you heard how much he uses contractions now?" I retort, crossing my arms over my chest. Poseidon smirks again, clicking his fingers. My entire body stiffens, and I feel my throat lock.

"You really should have listened to Hades, Evie." Poseidon grabs my throat, his deep blue eyes glittering vindictively. He turns back to Hades, dragging my face with him. Tightness blooms in my lungs, spreading through my chest like wildfire the more Poseidon squeezes my throat. "Now brother, I think you'll find yourself a little more willing to tell me how to open Tartarus now that I have some leverage."

Hades stares at him with cool regard. "Then you think wrong."

Poseidon chuckles, tightening his grip on my throat. An involuntary cough splutters through my lips. "Do you really think that will work on me, Hades? Pretending that you don't care about your darling queen? You must know that I'm not that idiotic."

Hades doesn't reply. His eyes glaze over as he draws further into himself; but not before he makes eye contact with me for a brief, waver of a second.

Evie?

Hades? What's wrong?

Evie, what I'm about to say... Hades hesitates, and his gaze lowers, almost like he's ashamed of what he's about to say. Do not take it to heart. I do not mean it.

What? My brow furrows slightly. Hades, what does that mean?

Hades closes his eyes, cutting off his mind with the same movement.

Poseidon tuts, completely unaware of our telepathic conversation. "Dear brother, are you really willing to sacrifice the life of your queen for humanity? That's cold, even for you."

"Yes, Poseidon. I am." Hades replies detachedly. "Evie does not mean enough to me to jeopardise all of humanity."

I stare at him, my heart dropping through the floor. Then it hits me. Oh. That's what he meant.

"Oh, be careful Hades, you'll break the poor girl's heart if you throw those words around so nonchalantly." Poseidon chuckles, mistaking the drop in my expression as genuine hurt. He pinches my cheeks. "Look at this sweet, little upset face. How can you not care about this face?"

"I don't."

I stare at Hades and resist the urge to scowl at him, instead twisting my face up into what I hope is a mask of heartbreak. I throw him a bitter remark over our telepathic link.

I understand the plan, Hades, but next time can I get a bit more warning? For a second I almost believed you.

Hades doesn't respond, but the corner of his cheek twitches ever-so-slightly.

"I'm not sure I believe you, Hades, and I'm not sure Evie does either." Poseidon looks down at me, and wipes a tear off my cheek. "Look at her. Are you sure she doesn't mean anything to you? Because I think she's got a completely different side of the coin."

"No. She does not." Hades glances over at me, his expression unchanging. "She is just one person, compared to seven billion people. She is not worth releasing my father and allowing you to destroy the world."

I look away and whimper, squeezing out another tear. My voice shakes as I whisper, "Please stop."

"Oh, look at that." Poseidon simpers, clicking his tongue in mock sympathy. "You're making her cry. Come now Hades, it looks like you really are breaking her heart. I'd stop now if I were you, or you'll completely break her feisty spirit."

"Poseidon, just stop." Axel spits, his usually cheery face furious. Blood trickles down his wrists as he strains forward on his chains. "She didn't do anything to you. Evie was never a part of this!"

"I'm not doing anything, Apollo. I'm just trying to have a conversation here." Poseidon shrugs, before turning his attention back to Hades. "Well, I guess if Evie doesn't mean anything to you, you won't mind me killing her then, will you? It gets you out of a relationship that you obviously don't want, and we can get this whining brat out of our hair."

Hades doesn't respond, his jaw clenching.

"Is that indecision I see?" Poseidon mocks. He laughs away the scowl Hades throws him. "Tell you what Hades, I'll offer you a deal. I am your brother after all; I don't want to hurt you. The key to Tartarus, for your queen's life. Nice and simple."

"No. Evie's life is not worth opening Tartarus."

"Your choice." Poseidon smirks. Before I even have a second to react, he's lifting me up in the air and wrapping both of his hands around my neck. The force holding me in place dissipates, and I suddenly regain control of my body. My hands immediately try to pry his hand away from my neck, my fingers scrabbling as they frantically try to secure a hold. Desperation rises in me like bubbling lava. All the air rushes from me at once as a ball of power slams into my stomach, making me crumble in half and gasp for breath. All the blood rushes to my head, my breath spluttering out in choking gasps. My feet wriggle around in the air as my fingers continue to tug at Poseidon's vice-like grip, but all he does is tighten it with a smirk.

Hades sighs, giving Poseidon an exasperated look. Even though I know he's pretending not to care, the indifference in his gaze still hurts more than the hand squeezing the life out of me.

"Is this really necessary?"

"I don't know." Poseidon raises an eyebrow. "Will you tell me how to unlock Tartarus?"

Silence. Dark spots start to clutter the edges of my vision, and I feel the life in my limbs slowly leeching away. My hands fall away from my neck.

"Brother, stop this." Zeus speaks up for the first time. "This is not you."

"No, Zeus. This is exactly who I am." Poseidon sneers, squeezing even tighter. All the remaining air in my lungs explodes out of me in a loud, choking cough. All the fight remaining in my muscles leaves me all at once, my vision fading in total darkness as my entire body simultaneously gives up. My head drops as I dangle from Poseidon's grip like a ragdoll.

"Stop!" The word is quiet, but I hear it clear as day. "Brother, stop. I will tell you."

"That's what I thought." Poseidon immediately releases his grip. I drop to the ground, my body convulsing with loud, spine-shaking coughs. I hastily gulp in as much air as my lungs can possibly handle, my ears ringing so loudly I can't hear anything for several, long seconds. Poseidon kicks me away, and I bounce lifelessly off the side of the cavern, too weak to move. Faintly, I hear Poseidon tut. "You're too weak, Hades. You always were. Now, I trust you won't try anything heroic if I let you out of the chains?"

"No." Hades' response is subdued, almost indistinctive. I brush my hair out of my face and glance over at him. The blood freezes in my veins when I see the defeated look on his face.

Oh god. What have I done?

"Good decision." Poseidon smiles viciously at Hades and beckons him forward. This time, Hades doesn't fight it when he's yanked forward by Poseidon to land heavily in front of his smirking, younger brother. Poseidon clicks his fingers, and Hades drops like a stone, only just managing to land on his feet. Hades barely glances my way, his shoulders hunched as he stares blankly at the ground in front of him. "Now, are you ready?"

"As long as you ensure the safety of Evie and the others."

Poseidon sighs, clicking his tongue in mock disappointment. "Come now Hades, you know I can't promise that. We both know that our father isn't the most forgiving type, and he isn't exactly pleased with the way our dear siblings have treated him. But, because I'm feeling sentimental, I will spare Evie." Poseidon looks down at me, and the sadistic smile that spreads across his face sends icy shivers skittering down my spine. "I do like them feisty, after all."

I narrow my eyes. "Oh, you haven't seen feisty yet."

"Poseidon." Hades growls, his tone deadly. "If you lay a hand on her, I'll—"

"You'll what? Strongly reprimand me for doing this?" Poseidon raises an eyebrow, and, with the flick of his wrist, sends me slamming back into the cavern wall again. A loud cry rips through me as I feel my head crack against the rock. My entire head explodes with red-hot agony, and I immediately know that, had I not been immortal, I would have died instantly. I grit my teeth, my hand going to the throbbing wound at the base of my skull.

"God, would you stop that?" I hiss, my vision dotted with pain. Poseidon ignores me.

"Evie dead, or Evie alive. It is your choice, brother." Poseidon shrugs, taking a couple of steps towards Hades. "But you know I can't guarantee the safety of our family. Would you be merciful if your children locked you away for aeons?" Then he laughs. "Well, I guess you wouldn't know now, would you?"

Hades glares at him, the air around him starting to pulse with black tendrils of raw power. "Are you really making me choose between our family and Evie?"

"If that's the way you want to see it, then yes." Poseidon exchanges a glance with Kronos. The smoky, ethereal figure nods once. "But time is ticking brother, and we are getting impatient. So choose now, before you force my hand."

Hades glances over at me, his expression torn. I shake my head slowly at him, my gaze fearful.

Don't do it, Hades. Don't pick me. You can't let them release Kronos.

I don't have a choice, Evie.

I swallow, dread lodging in my throat. Hades. Don't. You can't.

I have to, Evie. I cannot survive in a world you are not. Hades hesitates, and closes his eyes for a moment. Not before I notice the hurt glistening in his eyes. I am sorry.

Hades, no—

He cuts off our connection. My heart squeezes painfully.

No.

"Do you promise that her safety will be guaranteed?" Hades asks quietly. Poseidon nods, an amused look on his face.

"You know, for someone who claims not to care for her, you're awfully insistent that Evie remains unharmed." He drawls, not at all phased by the vicious look Hades sends his way. "But yes, that I will agree to. You have my word."

Hades' head lowers. "Very well. I will do what you ask."

"Wonderful." Poseidon steps back and gestures at Kronos. "Whenever you're ready, brother."

Hades' gaze flickers over to me. I shake my head slowly.

He can't be. He's not that stupid.

His shoulders tight, Hades slowly limps towards the bars, pressing his fingers into the gaping wound on his chest. My heart seizes.

"Hades no! Don't do it!"

"Quiet." Poseidon flicks his fingers at me, just the way one does when they're trying to get rid of an annoying fly. My throat locks, preventing any more noise from coming out. I narrow my eyes.

Oh, hell no. Nobody silences Evie that easily.

Hades please. You can't do this! I turn back to our telepathic connection and try to plead with him again. You can't choose me over your family, let alone humanity! You can't open Tartarus. I'm begging you.

I'm not. Is his quiet reply. I'm relying on you, Evie.

What? What do you mean?

Kronos cannot escape if you follow behind me and close the gate. Hades replies. A frightening realisation hits me as I click onto what he's insinuating. But you must ensure that you remain unseen.

But what if it doesn't work? Hades, I've never held up my invisibility for that long!

I know you can do it, Evie. Though Hades doesn't look at me, the rush of support that washes through our link warms me just like his midnight-blue gaze. I believe in you.

Hades closes off his mind before I can respond, drawing to a stop in front of the bars. His shoulders pull up and down as he takes a deep breath. Then he places his palm on the first bar.

The whole cavern immediately starts to shake, and I watch as the Kronos-fog begins to darken and roil even faster.

Okay Evie. It's now or never. Time to turn invisible.

Sucking in a deep breath, I clench my shaking fists and covertly glance over at the others. Most of the other deities have their eyes glued to Hades, but Zeus notices me watching and gives me a questioning look. I shake my head minutely and hold my finger to my lips. Zeus nods and balls his hands into fists, almost like he's gearing up for a fight. I swallow and close my eyes, breathing out.

You have to do this. The others are counting on you. Humanity is counting on you.

Releasing my clenched fists slowly, I open my eyes and look down.

Still visible.

I gulp and glance back over at Hades and Poseidon, but Poseidon is too distracted with the opening of Tartarus to notice what I'm doing. I let out another ragged breath and focus on slowing down my heart rate, closing my eyes once more.

Believe, Evie. You have to believe in yourself. You can't let Kronos escape; you have to help Hades. The others are counting on you too. You have to do this, for them. For Hades. You can't let Kronos escape. Fear worms its way into my muscles at that thought. You can't let Kronos escape.

Hesitantly, I peel open one eye and glance down again. All I see is the dark, gravelly floor of the cavern. My eyes widen. I've done it! Oh my god, have I actually done it?

I glance back over at the others to see Zeus staring at me — or rather, the spot he last saw me in — in disbelief, and that's all the confirmation I need.

I push myself up to my feet and steady myself against the wall, my head still a little dizzy from the knock I took earlier. Taking care not to disturb anything, I sneak along the edges of the cavern, making a beeline for Tartarus. Several of the black bars, which had previously glittered with the imbuement of binding power, now stand dull, and the more bars that Hades opens, the more the black, swirling fog seeps out into the cavern, reducing everything it touches to dust.

Oh, that definitely isn't good.

Checking once more that I'm still invisible, I edge closer to Tartarus and reach out. The moment my fingers graze against the bars, I brace myself and whisper "carcerum".

Nothing happens.

I freeze, staring at the bars in horror. Despair starts to claw its way up my throat as I frantically sift through my memories, trying to remember what Hades had told me all those months ago.

"Two specific factors are required to open, or close, the gate. You must utter the word 'carcerum,' while touching the cage's bar with your blood. Or my own, of course."

Of course. Blood. I need to bleed! Pulling back from the bars, I flatten myself back up against the wall and search the cave floor for something sharp. It doesn't take me long to spot a pile of jagged rocks that look like debris from one of Poseidon's outbursts, lying just a few metres in front of me. I dash over as quietly as I can and pick one of the rocks up, slashing it across my palm as hard as I can. But again, nothing happens; the rock just glances off my palm like it's made of hard plastic. I refrain from smacking myself.

Right. Duh. Immortal skin. You can't cut yourself with a rock.

My mind racing, I place the rock back down and desperately look around for my next course of action. Another earth-rolling shudder suddenly quakes through the cavern, knocking me clean off my feet. A gasp is torn from me as I crash back against the wall, hitting my head for the second time against the rock-face. My vision instantly blackens for several, long seconds, and when the light filters back in I'm horrified to see my arms flickering back into view. I suck in a sharp breath, fear stiffening my limbs.

Concentrate, Evie. You can't let anything phase you, or you'll lose your invisibility. Concentrate.

After several, long seconds, I manage to clear my mind once again, and my arms disappear once more. I breathe a sigh of relief, and push myself back up to my feet again. As I steady myself against the rock wall, I glance over at Tartarus again, only to be greeted by the heart-stopping sight of Hades, halfway through opening the gate. The thick, choking black fog spills into the cavern like a river that's burst its banks, the air around me growing heavier the closer the fog creeps. A tendril of fog snakes through the air towards me, and I watch, helplessly, almost like I'm frozen in place, as it slithers over my foot. My head squeezes painfully, like someone is crushing my brain between their fingers, and suddenly I'm hurtling back in space. A gasp is torn from me as I crash back against the wall, hitting my head against the rockface. I groan, my hand going to the side of the head. Confusion interweaves the throbs of agony.

What the hell? Didn't that just...

My gaze snaps back to Tartarus. Even though my vision still wavers, I'm almost positive that I can make out the ghost of a smirk on Kronos' blurry face. My gaze narrows, though the effect is slightly ruined by the fact that I still can't see properly. Then an idea strikes me. My hand reaches around to gingerly touch the back of my head, and I shudder as that one, simple touch sends pain ricocheting through my entire body. Wincing, I draw my hand away, a ghoulish smile gracing my lips when it pulls away coated in blood. For the first time in my life, I'm not sickened by the sight of blood.

Okay. Second time's the charm.

Slinking back along the wall to Tartarus, I stop in front of the first bar, take a deep breath, and place my bloodied palm on the bar.

"Carcerum."

The bar warms under my palm and vibrates for a moment, tiny sparks of power dancing along the edges. I pause, glancing over at Poseidon, but he keeps his attention fixed on Hades. He hasn't noticed.

I'm actually doing it.

I quickly move onto the second bar, my heart pumping so loudly that I'm sure everyone can hear it, and my body shaking from the adrenaline pumping through my veins. And then the third. And then the fourth. The further I move along, the more my confidence grows, and the less the swirling black fog seeps into the cavern. The air begins to grow lighter, easier to move around in, and I belatedly realise it's because Kronos is slowly losing his hold over the atmosphere around us.