Anna POV

I knew we were close when we saw those two creepy animals from before. I knew there was something strange about those bunnies. Hercules recognized them right away when we noticed them lurking on a ledge over our heads. We were about to go after them when they leaned too far over and fell off the ledge into a river, where they floated away. I didn't expect it to be that easy, but apparently they were just really that dumb. More importantly, it meant we were close. After hours of going down various tunnels, we reached the center of the Underworld. I saw a castle in the middle of an island and ran for it with Hercules following and calling after me.

I reached the door and pounded the bone knocker. No one answered.

"Hey! Open up!" I yelled. Whoever was in there had some explaining to do. Hercules caught up and pointed to one side.

"Let's go around this way," he said. We walked around the castle walls looking for a way in. When I heard voices, I didn't hesitate. I ran forward and found an open arch leading to a garden. Inside the garden was sister-snatching Hades, and next to him was Elsa.

Hades POV

Wouldn't you know it, Pain and Panic screwed up. Why did I even keep them around? I heard the trespassers before I saw them through the arch. There I was, just minding my own business in my garden with Elsa. She'd just started preparing a pomegranate she picked, which she'd taken off one glove to peel. and we were discussing Elysian Fields, which I'd showed her. We weren't going to go to Tartarus until... never.

I was surprised to see the intruder was the woman I'd intended to kidnap in the first place. Looked like I lucked out- she was far too bold for my taste. Elsa was much more subtle. I had to give her credit, though. She got past Charon and Cerberus to get here, and she didn't so much as blink when she saw me. Really, she just looked furious.

"Let her go!" she yelled as she ran toward Elsa.

"Anna?" Elsa said. She stood up and ran toward the woman. They smashed together and hugged like I didn't Elsa was capable of.

"Are you all right?" they both asked at once.

"Of course I'm all right! What about you?" Anna asked.

"How did you get here? You shouldn't have come. It's not safe," Elsa said.

"Of course I was going to come. Now let's go. I brought help," Anna said. Meanwhile Hercules had his eye on me.

"Oh, it's lover boy. Did you lose Meg again? I haven't seen her," I said.

"Just let her go," he said. He never did quite match my wit. Elsa and Anna were still talking.

"It's not like that," Elsa said. That got my attention, and I turned away.

"Stay away from her," Hercules said.

"Cool it, hothead. Maybe she doesn't want to go," I said.

"What?" Anna said.

"What have you done to her?" Hercules said. He started closer. If that's what he wanted, he was about to find out whether he was really immortal. Elsa saw what was happening and stepped toward us.

"No, wait!" she said. Hercules reached for his sword and she flung out her arm. A thin bolt of ice shot out and hit me, and Elsa just lost it.

Elsa POV

I didn't realize my hand was bare until it was too late. I saw the man about to attack Hades and instinctively reached out. I saw my glove was off just as ice shot from my hand toward Hades. My nightmare came true all over again and the bolt hit Hades in the chest. I gasped and yanked my hand back, trapping it against myself under my other hand. I recoiled and my heart stopped.

Not again. I should never have opened up. I hurt everyone I loved. Could Hades even undo the damage? There was no one he loved. I'd killed the first person in months who wasn't terrified of me. They were right about me.

"Hey," Hades said. He brushed at the place I'd hit. A tiny tendril of steam rose from the spot. He looked at me.

"You all right?" he asked. Hercules, who had seen my reaction, had broken off his attack and everyone was looking at me.

"You're not hurt?" I asked. Hades certainly seemed unaffected, but maybe it was just delayed.

"What, by a snowflake? Babe, I'm made of fire," Hades said. "If that's all you got, you don't have to worry."

I didn't want to hope. It seemed too perilous. Ignoring Anna's look, I stepped closer to Hades and looked at the place I'd hit. Aside from a tiny damp spot, there was no damage. Anna stood behind me glaring daggers at Hades.

"I didn't hurt you," I said. I'd found the one person in the world I didn't have to worry about.

"See, you don't have to wear those. Try it," Hades said. He held up a hand. I knew I was safe with Anna. We'd known each other forever. With anyone else, either I was too scared or they were. I brushed one finger against Hades' hand. It sizzled, and my hand felt warmer than it ever had. Nothing terrible happened, and I pressed my whole hand against his. It just felt warm, warmer than I'd felt in a long time.