THIRTY-THREE

She was sweating when she woke up. The bed was damp and her nightgown had clung to her sticky body. Her breathing was labored as if she had just come back from a marathon. She didn't know how long was she sleeping and how long she stayed in the dream but Lizbeth had taken her time telling her everything she needed to know. They weren't doing anything but sit and talk but she felt like she was running for miles.

However, it was worth it. Lizbeth had told her many things she needed to know. Like how to call Zeus' attention.

She got up from the bed and started to do what she had to do. Whatever time it was, she just hopes that Hades or Cerberus are not yet around. Or maybe it's better if they were around because what she's about to do is dangerous. Another thing is that, should she be trusting Lizbeth? The woman seemed irked at her that she was screwing around with Hades. But during the duration of their conversation, she could tell that Lizbeth feels bad for putting Hades in this situation. She feels bad for being the reason why Hades was cursed. And because of that, she feels like she could trust her.

The moment she was out of her chamber, it was quiet. If Cerberus or Hades were around or not, she's not sure. Hopefully, they're not back yet. She walked the quiet halls and started calling Henrietta's name. If there is anyone who could help her at the moment, it's Henrietta. She can't let Cerberus know what she's planning. He would just stop her or maybe mock her for a very stupid plan. She already knows it's stupid and she doesn't need Cerberus to tell her what she already knows.

She turned right and continued calling Henrietta's name and as she walked, she regretted not asking the woman where her chamber is. When she turned another right, she almost let out a scream when she saw suddenly bumped into someone.

Henrietta looked at her with furrowed brows. "What is wrong with you?" Henrietta asked while holding her chest.

"I need your help," she answered and Henrietta gave her a dubious look.

"A help," she repeated. "For what, exactly?"

"To go to the midlands. I need your help to go to the midlands."

"What?"

"Could you take me there?"

She was still looking at her with that dubious look until she said, "Why do you want to go there? And why ask me? What about Lord Hades and Lord Cerberus?"

"That is actually a very good question."

Both she and Henrietta stood frozen on their feet when they heard the voice behind them. She whirled only to see Cerberus leaning on the wall, crossing his arms, as though he had always been there, listening to them.

She swallowed hard as she watched him push himself off the wall and started walking in their direction. Cerberus looked at Henrietta behind her and he jerked his head telling Henrietta to leave them alone. She heard Henrietta scuttling away without a word.

Then he was looking at her again with the same smug smirk. Unconsciously, she took a step back as he took a step forward. The action did not escape his eyes and he looked even more satisfied with it.

"What do you want to do at the midland? And why ask Henrietta to help you when I clearly told you you could come to me?" he asked as he continued to walk towards her. She clearly looked guilty as hell and something tells her that she wouldn't be able to lie to Cerberus. Not when he's found out what she wanted to do.

She sighed. "I need to do something. I have a plan."

His brow rose. "Oh?" He doesn't believe or trust her, obviously. "What plan could that be? If it's the same stupid plan, then I will tell you right now it's not going to work—"

"I talked to Lizbeth," she said and she could see how Cerberus stood frozen. He wasn't expecting that and she wasn't supposed to say it but he's already got her. She needs to explain the whole thing so maybe Cerberus would understand. But the way he was looking at her at the moment tells her that it's going to be tough convincing him of what she wanted to happen.

Before Cerberus could even say something, she went on, "To get rid of the curse, I need to kill the one who placed it in the first place. I will kill Hades' mother and the curse will be gone."

His eyes narrowed at her.

"And in order to do that, I have to get close to Zeus. So I talked to Lizbeth and asked her what should I do to get Zeus' attention."

His tongue played inside his mouth before he said, "And you think going to the midland would get Zeus' attention?"

"That's what Lizbeth said."

"And how exactly did you talk to Lizbeth?"

"In my dream."

Cerberus looked like he wasn't even surprised as he looked at her. Talking to a dead person should count as something crazy but Cerberus seemed like he had expected it to happen.

"There is a reason why Henrietta warned you not to get involved with the dead."

She was tempted to ask how he knew Henrietta told her that but she stopped herself because she knew the answer already.

"What exactly did she say you should do in the midland?"

Hesitating, she looked at Cerberus. Gone was the mocking grin on his face. There was just grim seriousness.

"She...she said I could go to the midlands and stand in the middle of the border between the heavens and the underworld. And Zeus will take notice."

"He would definitely take notice. After you're dead."

"What? What do you mean?"

"That Lizbeth you talked to in your dream has talked you into your doom. Standing in the middle of the border would instantly vaporize you or perhaps take you to another dimension, I don't know. No mortal has ever dared to think about it because it is absolute stupidity. And Zeus would be bothered to clean the mess so yes, that's how you will call his attention if you continue with this stupid plan of yours."

She flinched with every emphasis of the word stupidity but she didn't say a word.

Cerberus took another step forward and she looked at him.

"Then...how?"

He was so close to her now and she could feel his breath. "You're asking for my help now?"

"What do you mean? Who I am supposed to ask?"

"Why didn't you just ask me for help in the first place?"

She gave him a blank stare. "Might I remind you that you just called it stupid and I know if I ask you, you'd just dismiss it—"

"Did I dismiss it?"

She blinked. "Well, no. But you made it clear that you don't have any intentions of getting involved."

"I still don't have the intentions because I still think it's a stupid plan but if you had just asked then I would have told you. Simple as that."

He took another step and she found herself pressed on the wall as Cerberus was only a hair's breadth away.

"Why are you inching so close?" she asked, failing to hide the nervousness in her voice.

Instead of answering, Cerberus leaned in and she gasped as she felt him sniffing her. Not just simply sniffing her but she could literally feel his breath on the skin of her neck, sending unwanted shivers down her spine. Her back was still pressed against the wall and as much as she wanted to get away, she couldn't. Also, Cerberus' hands were already braced on both her waist and it was doing wonders she didn't want to feel at the moment.

"Cerberus," she rasped.

"I'd give you information," he said, almost in a whisper and she closed her eyes as she felt his breath trace the length of her neck then stopped at her earlobe. "For a price, of course." She let out a gasp as she felt him nip at her earlobes. A shuddering breath came out of her and before she could give in to the feeling, she gathered her strength and pushed him away.

Cerberus staggered back and she glared at him as he was smirking back. Whether he let her push him away on purpose or she really did manage to do it, she doesn't care.

"I don't have time for games, Cerberus. What I am about to do is not only for me but also for Hades and your ass. So cut me with that price and whatnot bullshit. You are going to give me the information I need because I am the only person who's actually got a shot at saving you and this world. Do you understand?" She was breathing hard as she was pointing a finger at him. Cerberus could punish in other ways but she couldn't care less at the moment. She was mad.

Much to her surprise, Cerberus only let out a chuckle as he tilted his head and said, "Then follow me."