The branch snapped. Hades and I stopped and listened. The forest seemed to halt around us. I could hear the faint rustling of leaves outside the cottage. Then another sound. A footstep. My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Hades..." I whispered and he raised one finger to his lips. I pressed my lips together.
His hand moved toward the sword at his side, but I could see the strain it took him. Whatever King Samael had done had weakened him badly. He was still standing but I could see the weakness. It frightened me more than the approaching footsteps.
Hades slowly moved toward the cottage door. I caught his arm.
"Don't." His eyes met mine. "What if they're looking for us?"
"That's exactly why I'm not opening that door." He studied me for a moment then the sound came again. A low growl. My heart raced. Then something moved beyond the trees. A large shadow crossed between the trunks and I held my breath.
