Gods and Demons

PROLOGUE She screamed, and the flames flickered violently. Tearing at the tongues of fire gnawing at her scorched body, Lilith roared, her dark eyes glistening dangerously. She glanced around her, taking in the darkness which developed her surroundings, taunting her. With another tremendous cry, she broke free of the thick chains that bound her. The man in the shadows stood, eyes blazing with triumph. He had done it.  Another bloodcurdling shriek arose from Lilith's throat, sending petrifying vibrations throughout the cells. She gripped the metal bars caging her, snapping her teeth furiously. She sensed him, and he knew. He made his way over to her, hands behind his back and a wicked grin plastered across her face. His black orbs shone with the light of the flames clawing at Lilith's heaving form. She narrowed her eyes as he approached her. He bent down on his haunches before the cage, eyes mocking the girl inside. She growled. "Lilith," he breathed, sending an eerie chill running through her. She froze, not sure what to expect. "I am glad to see all is well for you." "Let me out, you wrench," she spat, snarling. The man leaned away, unamused at her reaction. "Tell me, old friend, what has changed you?" He asked, taking her chin between his thin fingers. Lilith shuddered at the touch of the calloused pad of his thumb.  "Nothing, you monster." She was frustrated, eyebrows pulling together. "I do not think I am the monster here, Lilith." He pushed himself away, rocking back onto his feet. Her eyes followed him as he paced about in front of the gates of her cage. He stole a glance at her a few times. "What do you want from me, Hades?" Lilith scowled, fingers tightening about the metal poles. "I want you to kill someone," he responded simply. Lilith allowed herself a momentary gasp of surprise. He had never been this straightforward about anything. "I don't kill, Hades," Lilith replied calmly. "I torture." "Then t*****e her!" He raged, throwing his arms in the air. He had lost his patience. "Her?" Lilith's voice softened slightly. She knew who he meant. The man hesitated, deliberating with himself. Lilith watched as his face contorted in pain before his eyes flickered to hers, searching desperately for something she couldn't give to him. "Her," he whispered, drawing a hand down his the length of his neck. "But she is already dead," Lilith pointed out, bewildered. "Not any more. Her father gave her another chance at life on Earth." The man paused, pursing his lips. "I need to kill her." There was a moment of silence before Lilith answered, "I'll do it." The man looked down at her, shocked she would agree immediately. "She hurt you, I know that, and she will pay." Lilith's voice was full of determination, knowing the years of suffering the girl had caused Hades. She inclined her head. "Is that why you resurrected me?" "Yes." "And into the form of a worthless demon?" "I had no other choice." Hades was devastated, and he couldn't control his emotions. "Tell me where she is, and I will make sure she suffers." Lilith lifted herself up from her crouch within her cage. Hades drew in a sharp breath. "She is a girl named Devon Winters," he mumbled gruffly.  As if on cue, a piece of shimmering glass emerged from inside the blackness, reflecting Lilith. She exhaled angrily through her nose at her disgraceful appearance. But soon her image vanished and a girl in an oversized hoodie came into view. She was scanning a sheet of paper hastily. Several seconds later, her blonde hair blew behind her as she darted off to her next class, her pale blue eyes wide. "Does she know you?" Lilith's eyebrow rose. Even though Devon Winters was a human, she resembled a goddess. Lilith clenched her jaw. "No, she doesn't." Lilith's smirk grew wide her eyes flickering to Hades as his hands destroyed the lock binding her with the cage. She stretched her muscles and walked out into the darkness, feeling the cold welcoming her. She was finally back home. "Find her, and finish her off," Hades instructed, a clear warning in his hard voice. Lilith grinned confidently, reaching for small knife Hades hid in the shadows of his cloak. He stiffened as her hands brushed agains his chest. "I will." Her answer was plain. The knife swung between her fingers, her eyes bright with excitement. "And don't go easy on her." Hades' face was dark. "Old friend, even if you asked me to, I wouldn't." Lilith chuckled, eyes glittering mischievously. Hades merely nodded. Lilith shoved the knife into the belt of her torn jeans in one swift motion before heading out of the darkness, picking up her pace with each large stride. "I'm coming for you, Persephone."