Hades by Alexandra Adornetto

angel, and
    now you’re my angel.”
    “You honestly don’t think you can keep me here without
    some consequences? Some divine retribution?”
    “I’m not doing too badly so far,” Jake chuckled. “Besides,
    it was high time you got away from that hick town. It was
    clearly holding you back.”
    “You make me sick!”
    “Now, now, let’s not squabble on your very first day.
    Please, do sit down.” Jake’s voice became suddenly
    inviting as if we were two friends reuniting after a long
    separation. “We have so much to talk about.”

    8
    No Exit
    “I’M not discussing anything with you until I get my
    memories back,” I said through gritted teeth. “They weren’t
    yours to take and there are things I need to remember.”
    “I didn’t take away your memories, Beth,” Jake scoffed.
    “Though it’s flattering you think I’m powerful enough to do
    so. I may have buried them temporarily but dig deep and
    you’l find them. Personal y, I’d let it go, make a fresh start.”
    “Wil you show me how? I can’t do it by myself.”
    “Give me one good reason why I should.” Jake rocked
    back in his chair and pouted. “I’m sure you’l only twist
    things to make me look bad.”
    “I’m serious, enough with the games!”
    “Bethany, has it occurred to you that maybe I’m doing this
    for your own good? Maybe you’re better off this way.”
    “Jake, please,” I said softly. “I’m not the same person
    “Jake, please,” I said softly. “I’m not the same person
    anymore. I don’t recognize myself. What’s the point of
    having me here if I don’t even know who I am?”
    Jake gave an exaggerated sigh as if my request were a
    huge imposition.
    “Oh, very wel .” In a single fluid movement he crossed the
    room to where I was standing. “Let me see what I can do.”
    Jake pressed two cool fingers lightly against my right
    temple. And that was it. The repressed memories
    cascaded like an avalanche. I had to reach out and steady
    myself by holding on to the edge of the table. I stil
    remembered my peaceful life at Byron, but now the missing
    pieces of the puzzle were back. I remembered the core and
    center from which everything else stemmed. I saw the night
    of the Hal oween party, only this time I wasn’t alone.
    Someone with dazzling blue eyes, honeystreaked hair, and
    a smile so disarming it made me weak at the knees was by
    my side. Remembering Xavier’s face caused an
    indescribable rush of happiness to surge through me.
    But it was short lived. Seconds later another memory
    savagely blotted out the first. I saw Xavier’s crumpled figure
    lying on the dusty road while a motorbike sped away into
    the darkness. The memory made me so heartsick I wished I
    could give it back and force it out of my mind. My whole
    body now ached with the pain of our separation and the
    sight of his lifeless form. I couldn’t live with the knowledge
    that he might be gone. If I knew that Xavier was alive and
    wel , I could even bear my exile to this God-forsaken
    wasteland. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to muster the wil
    to survive. I realized at that moment that, wise or foolhardy,
    to survive. I realized at that moment that, wise or foolhardy,
    al of my happiness came from one single source. If that
    source was cut off, I wouldn’t be able to function; I wouldn’t
    want to.
    “Xavier,” I breathed. I felt as if al the air had been sucked
    out of the room. Why was it so stifling in here? The image
    couldn’t be dislodged. “Please tel me he’s al right.”
    Jake rol ed his eyes. “Typical. I should have known your
    thoughts would go straight to him.”
    I was choking back tears. “Wasn’t it enough to abduct
    me? How dare you hurt him! You’re a vicious, heartless
    coward.” Rage suddenly replaced my distress. My hands
    curled into fists and began beating at Jake’s chest. He
    didn’t try to stop me but simply waited for the anger to
    subside.
    “Feel better now?” he asked. I didn’t feel