CHAPTER 78: WHISPERS

Footsteps echoed through the hallway as Lilith made her way to the crypt. Despite the cold air, her palms were clammy. Nerves twisted in her stomach as the weight of what she was about to do settled heavily on her shoulders. Throughout the night and into the early morning, anxious thoughts plagued her: What if I mess up? What if I make it worse? What if he never wakes up again? None of them offered any comfort, only deepened her unease.

She exhaled a shaky breath before pushing the heavy door open. Her eyes immediately landed on Lucian, Viktor, and the prince. Her heart dropped to her stomach. She had purposely woken up early to arrive before anyone else—but clearly, they had beaten her to it.

Forcing a smile, she greeted, "Good morning, Your Highness. Lord Lucian, Viktor."

"Good morning, Lilith," Lucian and Viktor said in unison.

"Since she’s here, shall we begin?" Hades said, already slipping off his coat and hanging it on a protruding hook on the wall.

Lucian stepped into the crypt and returned moments later with a long table. He dragged it to the center of the room and placed a pillow and cushioned cloth on top to soften the hard metal. "You’ll lie on this," Lucian instructed, then added, "without your shirt, Your Highness."

Hades pulled off his shirt and handed it to Viktor before climbing onto the table and lying on his back. His legs dangled off the edge—the table too short to match his height.

Lucian stepped forward and began fastening metal clasps around Hades’s wrists and ankles.

"Is that necessary? I’m beginning to feel like a prisoner awaiting execution," Hades said, staring up at the cave ceiling.

"I’m afraid it is, Your Highness. We have no idea how your body will react to this, and it’s best to keep you restrained," Lucian replied, securing the last clasp around his ankle.

Hades arched a brow at him. "And you think these little things will hold me?"

Lucian pressed his lips together. Of course he knew they wouldn’t—not if Hades truly fought back, even though the clasps were laced with enchantments. "Try not to kill us all, Hades," he muttered, giving the prince a pat on the thigh.

Meanwhile, Viktor set a circle of candles around the table and began lighting them one by one. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows across the walls, bathing the crypt in a soft, flickering glow.

"You may begin, Lilith," Viktor said, stepping back to give her space.

With both pairs of eyes on her, Lilith swallowed hard, taking slow, cautious steps toward Hades. She tried to avert her gaze from his bare, alluring torso—but up close, every line of muscle, every strand of hair, was impossible to ignore. Her face turned red and hot, and she silently thanked the winter chill—if anyone noticed, she could always blame the cold.

"Remember all I taught you," Lucian called gently from a distance. "Clear your mind, find silence, and connect with the power deep within you."

"Take your time," Viktor added with a warm smile. "Don’t be afraid. We’re right here."

Lilith nodded, took a deep breath, then pulled off her gloves. Her fingers trembled slightly as she brushed them lightly through Hades’s hair before resting them against his temples. She closed her eyes.

At first, nothing happened. The only sound she could hear was her own rapid heartbeat pounding in her ears. Then, slowly, it faded—until there was nothing. No wind. No dripping water. Just silence.

Then came the whispers.

Familiar, intrusive whispers coiled through her mind. Hades began to stir beneath her touch, shifting uncomfortably. The whispers grew louder, crowding her thoughts. Her lips began to move as though possessed by a will not her own.

Her eyes snapped open. They were black.

Golden vines burst from her fingers, shooting into Hades’s body. He writhed beneath her, trying to escape, his movements jerking violently against the restraints.

Lilith’s lips continued to move in whispered spells. Her eyes were fixed on the wall ahead, unblinking. Her fingers pressed harder into Hades’s temples.

With a growl, Hades broke free from the clasps on his wrists, lifting his hands to tear Lilith’s away from him—but he couldn’t touch her. No matter how hard he tried, it was as if a barrier separated them, shielding her from him entirely.

Inside his mind, a voice screamed.

I will kill her. I will fucking kill that bitch!

She’s trying to control me. I will never let that happen. I... will...

The voice—Zal’s—repeated over and over, growing more distant with each echo until it was barely a whisper. Then silence.

Hades’s body began to relax. The pressure in his chest, the invisible grip squeezing his heart, slowly began to ease.

Lucian and Viktor watched in a mix of awe and concern as the events unfolded before them. But then Lucian noticed something alarming—Lilith’s body was trembling violently. Thick, black blood began to trickle from her mouth and ears, staining her hair and soaking into her dress.

"What the...?" Lucian murmured, his voice laced with dread.

"Fuck! It’s been over five minutes," Viktor cursed, rushing to Lilith. He grabbed her shoulders, trying to pull her away from Hades, but she wouldn’t budge. "Shit! Shit! She’s going to die if this keeps going!"

Panic now rising in his chest, Lucian quickly scanned the room for anything that might snap her out of it. His eyes landed on a nearby cup of cold water—he grabbed it and splashed it over her face.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then her eyes twitched.

That was enough. Viktor yanked her away from Hades, and she immediately went limp in his arms, her eyes shut. Her magic dissipated all at once, and the candle flames extinguished simultaneously.

Lucian and Viktor finally exhaled.

Lucian turned to Hades, who lay completely still on the table with his eyes closed. He approached carefully and placed a hand on the prince’s arm.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" Lucian asked, concern evident in his voice.

Hades blinked several times, his gaze slowly turning toward Lucian. "Yes. I’m alright." He sat up, easily breaking free from the remaining restraints.

Lucian watched him closely. "How do you feel? Did it work?"

"I no longer hear Zal’s voice in my head. I can’t feel him at all," Hades replied, then paused. His gaze landed on Lilith, and his brow furrowed. "Why is there blood on her hair and dress?"

Lucian hesitated. "She... she went beyond the five-minute mark, Your Highness."

Hades turned sharply to face him, his tone laced with annoyance. "How did that happen? That’s exactly why you were both here—to make sure everything went smoothly."

Lucian bowed his head. "You’re right, Your Highness. It was our mistake. It won’t happen again."

Without responding, Hades moved to where his clothes were folded. He dressed quickly, then crouched beside Lilith and gently gathered her into his arms.

"You’re coming with me, Lucian," he said as he stood. "I need to make sure she’s going to be okay."

With that, he turned and walked back into the crypt, Lilith cradled in his arms, Lucian trailing silently behind him.