Anna POV

I don't know how we missed it. Twenty feet from the end of the tunnel there was a huge, black hellhound dragging a thick chain behind him. At first I was glad to see the chain, but then I saw that though the tunnel had widened into a larger chamber, the chain was long enough that we couldn't get past the dog without facing attack. And it did look like an attack dog. It was dark as night and its shoulder was as high as my waist. It also had three heads, all of which were growling at us.

"What is that?" I asked Hercules, who was already getting out his sword.

"It's Cerberus. He guards the underworld," he said.

"What, the skeleton guy and the vanishing tunnel wasn't enough?" I asked. Cerberus barked and threw himself at us, snapping back at the end of his chain. I shied back even though I knew he couldn't reach.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of this," Hercules said. When he attacked, I got the feeling they'd met before. Cerberus drew back a step and almost whimpered before he started fighting back. One of his heads bit Hercules' sword arm and Hercules threw him against the ground. They started wrestling, Hercules punching and pounding the heads in turn as the others snapped at him. I wanted to help, but I was afraid I'd get in the way. It was horrible watching them fight, and it was even worse when blood started to flow. When Cerberus' left head yipped and he started whining and scrabbling, I couldn't bear it.

"Wait!" I cried. "Maybe there's another way." Hercules disengaged himself and retreated, while Cerberus slunk against a wall and started licking his wounds.

"Hold on. You might not have to fight," I said. Before we left Olympus, Zeus insisted on giving us some supplies and presents. He said Greece was famous for its hospitality and he wouldn't be outdone. I checked my pocket and took out a little almond cake with honey drizzled on top. You catch more flies that way, after all.

"You're not..." Hercules started as I crouched down and held out the cake. Cerberus sniffed the air. He looked at the cake and at me, then stepped forward. He growled at Hercules, who looked aside like he didn't notice. Cerberus crept closer until he was only feet away. I stood just at the end of his chain, so I should have been safe, but it was still unnerving seeing three heads full of teeth right next to my hand. I snatched my hand back just as he bit and he gobbled the cake down. He sniffed at me more and I carefully stretched out my hand until it was touching him. He didn't pull back, and I scratched behind his ears.

"There. You're a nice dog, aren't you? We just want to get past," I said. Cerberus started to wag his tail, and he licked my hand. I gave him another cake and started walking with him to the other side of his chain. Hercules looked on in bemusement and followed after. Cerberus growled in his throat and they watched each other, but he let him pass. He barked as we started to continue. I waved at him.

"I'll be back on the way out!"

Hades POV

Something was going down. The spirits were restless. It had happened a few times before, and it always meant someone unwelcome was coming. First there was Orpheus. That guy could never catch a break. One time it was some crazy prince from an entirely different kingdom, saying he was looking for his friend. I didn't even have jurisdiction there, so I kicked him out. And then there was Hercules. The less said about that, the better. I sent Pain and Panic to check for intruders, for all the good it would do. Those two would probably lead the way.

I had intended to wait outside Elsa's door and prepare a non-frightening message, but she surprised me. The door was open for the first time since she'd come. I had to stop at the end of the hall and rehearse. I gathered my thoughts and went in. I knocked on the open door and waited outside.

"Hey ice queen, want to see some more of the Underworld?" I asked. I heard Elsa move around and waited. I hadn't turned into an angel overnight. If she said no I still intended to pout and kick things. I was just going to wait until I was out of sight.

"I'd like that," she said. "Just a minute." She appeared by the door, still wearing her gloves. Always the gloves. Didn't she know when to cut loose? Before we even got started, I had a thousand things to remember. Don't crowd her. She'll want you to stay a step away. Don't talk too much but don't leave big gaps for her to fill. I swear, ever since Pandora first came on the scene, women have been nothing but trouble.