CHAPTER FORTY TWO

—HADES

I groggily open my eyes, and the harsh sunlight pierces through my pupils like a sharp knife, forcing me to squint.

I struggle to sit up, my head throbbing with a pounding intensity that makes me feel like my skull is about to shatter.

As I slowly come to, I realize I'm sprawled out on the floor like a lifeless body, my limbs splayed out in every direction.

The room spins around me, and I feel a wave of nausea wash over me, threatening to engulf me.

I try to remember how I ended up here, but my memories are hazy and unclear, adding to my growing sense of disorientation and unease.

I sigh and remain in my unfortunate position for a short while.

Immediately, memories of last night's wild binge with Xavier start flooding back, and my headache goes from bad to worse.

I recall downing shot after shot, beer after beer, and acting like a total idiot sulking because of what the council said.

I'm cursing myself for being such a damn fool, remembering how we stumbled around, lau