Sirenz Back in Fashion Read Online Free Page B

promise you, no harm will come to her and she won’t be alone.” He held up a hand as if he were swearing a scout’s oath. My instincts told me that he was probably telling the truth; for now, Shar might be safe, but I knew she had to be terrified. And did he mean she wouldn’t be alone because he’d be with her, or someone—or something —else would?
    An aproned waiter brought us tall glasses of iced water with thin slices of lemon floating on top. Hades barely nodded at him and he scurried away. “I ordered you the hummus plate.”
    â€œI’m really not hungry at the moment.” I glared at him. “And I really don’t want to talk about this here.” The tables positioned closely around us were tightly packed; I could hear the woman next to me slurping up noodles.
    â€œSurely you know by now that all our conversations are private and unseen—at least by human ears and eyes.”
    I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. Shar was gone, to Tartarus if I took Hades’ word for it. But if that was true, why was I still here?
    â€œAnyway,” he continued, “as I stated before Sharisse left us, the two of you are again in my service. I have another mission for you.”
    â€œPffft! Of course you do!” I sneered.
    Hades sipped his mineral water, looking bored.
    â€œI’m going to take the fact that you haven’t seen me for a while as an excuse. You’ve forgotten to whom you are speaking,” he said slowly and evenly. “Unless you want your immediate future to be even more difficult, I suggest you moderate your tone. I am well within my rights to renew your services—”
    â€œBut Shar isn’t here.” I ignored his threatening tone.
    The waiter came and plunked a plate on the table; it was artistically arranged with hummus and vegetables in a swirling shape, like a whirlpool. I pushed it away, not wanting to be reminded that I was being sucked into something awful yet again.
    â€œThe contract was signed by both of us, Shar and me,” I added. “Like you said, I convinced her to put the ring on, so I should be down there with her.”
    He gave a humorless laugh. “I appreciate your facilitation of the whole process and your eagerness to join Sharisse in Tartarus, but with her there, I need you for an assignment up here. Divide et impera.”
    I raised my eyebrows at him, confused.
    â€œIt’s Latin for ‘divide and conquer.’ Those Romans did have a way with words, I’ll give them that.”
    â€œI can’t work alone,” I insisted, narrowing my eyes at him. “You know that. The Siren powers work better when we were together.”
    â€œThey’re stronger when you’re together, but very much usable individually,” Hades answered smoothly. “You still have the voice, Margaret. All you need to do is focus your intent. As a Siren, males will naturally be drawn to you.”
    â€œAnd I’ll sprout a few more feathers.” The acidic tone of my voice wasn’t lost on him. He gave me a weary look.
    â€œNot this time. Adding in that kind of motivation is only amusing once. And don’t think I’m such a Kracken—I sympathize that you’ll be doing this assignment on your own, so take your time. There’s no deadline.”
    â€œI guess that makes Shar’s time in Tartarus unlimited as well.” I leaned closer, scared but not showing it. “I know what your game is. I have until the end of the summer, when your wife comes back , right?”
    He eyed me coldly for an instant, but then his features quickly smoothed. “I’m sure you won’t need that long to finish, Margaret, but I don’t want you to feel any pressure. Of course, if you should fail”—he licked his lips—“Sharisse will have to stay in Tartarus and you’ll be joining her. You’ll be roommates for eternity. At my every beck