Hades Read Online Free

every word. “Your girlfriends are just
    as important. “It’s like we don’t even matter to you anymore.
    Al the girls feel the same, even Mol y.”
    I stopped short. Final y the fog lifted and the purpose of
    this discussion became clear to me. The girls were feeling
    neglected. It was true that I always seemed to be declining
    their invitations to go out in favor of spending time with
    Xavier. I’d always thought I just preferred spending
    downtime with my family, but maybe I had been insensitive
    without realizing it. I valued their friendship and on the spot
    vowed to be more attentive.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. “Thanks for being honest with me. I
    promise I’l do better.”
    “Great.” Hal ie beamed. “Wel , you can start by joining in
    the girls-only event we’ve got planned for the Hal oween
    party.”
    “Of course,” I agreed, eager to make amends. “I’d love
    to. What is it?” I had the sense even before I’d finished the
    question that I was on the brink of fal ing into a trap.
    “We’re going to commune with the dead, remember?”
    Savannah said. “No boys al owed.”
    “A seance,” Hal ie said brightly. “How awesome is that?”
    “Awesome,” I reiterated flatly. I could think of plenty of
    words to describe what they had in mind, but awesome just
    wasn’t one of them.

    3
    Unholy Night
    FRIDAY came around faster than I expected. I wasn’t
    especial y looking forward to the Hal oween party. I’d much
    rather have spent a night at home with Xavier, but I didn’t
    think it fair to impose my reclusiveness on him.
    Gabriel shook his head in surprise when he saw my
    costume, which consisted of a white satin sheath dress,
    gladiator sandals borrowed from Mol y, and a pair of short,
    fluffy synthetic wings I’d rented from the local costume shop.
    I was a parody of myself, and Gabriel, as I’d guessed, was
    unimpressed. It must have seemed like some kind of
    sacrilege to him.
    “It’s a little obvious, don’t you think?” he asked wryly.
    “Not at al ,” I replied. “If anyone suspected us of being
    superhuman, this should throw them off the scent.”
    “Bethany, you are a messenger of the Lord, not a
    detective in a B-grade spy movie,” Gabriel said. “Try to
    remember that.”
    “Would you like me to change?” I sighed.
    “No, he wouldn’t,” Ivy said, patting my hand. “The
    costume is lovely. After al , it’s just a high school party.” She
    gave Gabriel a pointed look designed to bring the
    discussion to a close. Gabriel shrugged. Even though he
    spent his days disguised as a music teacher at Bryce
    Hamilton, it seemed the machinations of the teenage world
    were beyond him.
    When Xavier arrived he was dressed as a cowboy in
    faded jeans, tan boots, and a checkered shirt. He even
    wore a leather cowboy hat.
    “Trick or treat?” he said with a grin.
    “No offense, but you don’t look anything like Batman.”
    “Ain’t no need to be nasty now, ma’am,” Xavier said,
    adopting a heavy Texan accent. “Are you ready to go? Our
    ride’s awaitin’.”
    I laughed. “You’re going to keep this up al night, aren’t
    you?
    “Probably,” Xavier said. “I’m driving you wild with desire,
    aren’t I?” My brother coughed to remind us of his presence.
    He was always uncomfortable with outward displays of
    affection.
    “Don’t stay out too late,” Ivy said. “We’re leaving for Black
    Ridge early tomorrow morning.”
    “Don’t worry,” Xavier promised. “I’l have her home by the
    time the clock strikes midnight.”
    Gabriel shook his head. “Must the two of you embody
    every cliche in the book?”
    Xavier and I looked at each other and grinned. “Yes,” we
    replied.
    It was a half-hour drive to the old abandoned homestead.
    The black stretch of highway was dotted with the headlights
    of other partygoers, and nothing but open fields surrounded
    us. We were strangely elated that night. It was an odd
    feeling, like the whole world belonged to the