Hades' Cursed Luna novel Chapter 69

Hades~

The red dot on the GPS continued to blink. Every muscle in my body was wound like a spring ready to snap. I drummed my fingers on my thigh, blood boiling hotter with each passing second.

"We’re almost there," Kael informed me.

But I already knew we were exactly fifteen minutes from her location. Embedding a tracking chip in her scalp had proven useful, just as I had expected.

As we neared the mansion, its grandeur loomed ahead, casting long shadows against the fading light. The façade was imposing, a blend of elegance and intimidation, with manicured gardens flanking the entrance. But it was the men in suits that caught my attention, watching our approach like hawks.

I could feel Kael’s anticipation beside me, a silent agreement that the time for subtlety had passed. As we pulled up to the entrance, the men immediately straightened, their eyes narrowing as they recognized who had arrived.

"Your Majesty," they murmured in unison, stepping aside to create a path for me. The need to reclaim what was mine overpowered all other thoughts.

I stepped out of the vehicle, the gravel crunching beneath my boots as I scanned the area.

"Let’s go," I instructed Kael, my voice low and steady.

He nodded, a muscle in his jaw tightening as we approached the grand entrance. I reached for the door, and it swung open automatically, revealing a lavish interior that stood in stark contrast to the tension in the air.

Inside, chandeliers hung from the ceiling like jewels, casting a soft glow over the opulent furnishings.

"Where is she?" I demanded, my voice echoing against the marble floors.

The guards exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of fear and compliance. "Follow us, Your Majesty," one of them replied, his tone trembling slightly as he gestured for us to enter deeper into the mansion.

The guard led us down opulent corridors. As we approached a set of double doors, he paused, casting a wary glance my way before pushing them open to reveal an elegant sitting room bathed in soft, golden light.

In the center of the room sat a woman, her posture straight and refined, her every move calculated. The fragrance of her perfume—a blend of vanilla and dark amber—hung heavily in the air, mingling with the scent of polished mahogany and leather. She had an undeniable allure, a timeless elegance that only sharpened with age, yet her beauty was like fine crystal, delicate but dangerously sharp.

She looked up, her painted lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Your Majesty," she greeted, her voice smooth as silk but laced with an edge. She gestured toward a nearby chair, her manicured fingers poised as if she were conducting a symphony. "Please, take a seat."

I didn’t move. My gaze hardened as I took in her demeanor, every part of me railing against the charade of civility. This woman thought she held some kind of power over me, over this situation, and the very idea made my blood simmer hotter because it was true in a way.

"Lucinda," I murmured. "You do know I am not one to be trifled with."

Her smile flickered for a brief moment, a hint of tension surfacing in her perfectly maintained expression. "All in due time," she replied, gesturing to the empty seat once more. "But first, let’s discuss… terms."

My eyes narrowed, but she didn’t flinch; if anything, she seemed amused, as if toying with a predator who thought it was the hunter.

Her eyes lingered on me, assessing, calculating. She wanted a game, wanted me to play along. I didn’t sit at anyone’s table—not for games, and certainly not for negotiations. Yet, I sat down.

"It’s been a while, hasn’t it?" she asked.

"Sure," I replied smoothly. "What do you want to discuss?"

"First, let’s have a drink," she gestured to her servant. "You must be parched."

I said nothing as a bottle of wine and a glass were placed on the table for me. It was served, but my eyes didn’t leave Lucinda’s. The sweetly sanguineous scent of blood wine filled the space, heady, strong, and seductive.