She released Baden to give them all a double-birded salute.

They were amused.

Roar and Werga appeared in front of her, and the group stopped laughing.

Hades canted his head at the hounds. “Told you.”

The other males stared with awe—and maybe horror.

“Onward and upward.” Hades spread his arms in welcome. “You are Katarina Joelle and—”

“She is mine,” Baden announced. “My woman.”

“I am Hades,” the man continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m the king of the underworld.”

“You mean the king of this realm,” one of the men piped up.

Hades pursed his lips. “Yes. The men at my left are kings within their own domains.”

Five royals in total, here to witness the coming events. Wonderful. “Well, who among you is the strongest?” she asked. “He’s the one I’d like to speak with.”

This time Hades was not amused. “You’re a clever girl, aren’t you? Sow dissent and watch us fight for the title of strongest, allowing you to walk away unscathed. One day, we shall fight for the title, but today is not that day.” He stood, his big body encased in an Italian suit. “We’re still waiting for—”

A flash of light had her turning—and facing Pandora. The woman wore a scarlet gown, the silk clinging to her curves like a second skin. Her black-as-night hair hung pin-straight around her face, hitting just above her shoulders.

“Excellent.” Hades nodded with satisfaction. “Everyone is here.”

Katarina noticed one of the kings peered at the warrior woman with white-hot desire.

How interesting.

She met Pandora’s glare. The woman who’d attacked her without provocation, who’d fought with Baden and betrayed him, as well as befriended him, and kept him sane during the worst years of his life—and death. They nodded at each other with grudging respect.

“First order of business,” Hades said. “The game. My players are tied. Whatever am I to do?”

“Kill them both,” the tallest of the kings called.

“Give them to me,” another said, his gaze still on Pandora.

Steps slow and measured, Hades glided from the dais. Have you realized the enormity of the gift I gave you?

His voice...he’d spoken straight into her head, just like the hounds. And judging by the confusion on Baden and Pandora’s faces, he’d spoken into their heads, as well.

Not just a piece of me, but a different version of me. Baden, the berserker. Pandora, the hellhound. He smiled a predator’s smile at the warrior woman. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your meal choices lately. But. While I will allow you both to live, you’ll have to fight for the privilege. Here and now. Show me who’s strongest, bravest. Him—or her—I will reward.

He held out his hands to Katarina. “While Baden and Pandora beat each other into blood and pulp, you and I will chat, get to know each other better.”

“No.” Baden moved in front of her. “I told you. She’s mine. You won’t speak to her without me by her side.”

Hades waved his hand and Baden dropped to his knees, where he remained. “You’ll fight Pandora, as commanded.”

He bared his teeth as tension pulled his skin taut. Was he battling the compulsion to obey? Was Pandora? She bore the same pained look.

Katarina’s heart shuddered in her chest. She’d thought she’d had options. She didn’t. Not really. She could only trust Baden would keep his word to protect the hounds.

“I have a better idea,” she announced. “You will release Baden and Pandora from your control. Without hurting or killing them.”

Hades laughed. So did the men on the dais. Men who were killers. They had to be. They had dead eyes. Eyes that proclaimed: I take what I want, when I want, damn the consequences.

“Katarina,” Baden grated. “Don’t...”

“I’ll grant your request,” Hades said to her, ignoring Baden. “If you agree to live here with me—with your hellhounds.”

A line of hair stood up along the spine of both Roar and Werga.

“No,” she said. “You’ll agree to my terms because of this.” Smug, she tossed the coin at him.

He caught it without glancing away from her—and he smiled. “You found it.”

She gave a single nod. “I did.”

“Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news—oh, who am I kidding? I love it. Someone misinformed you, darling. Probably because I misinformed everyone who’s ever asked about the coin. It doesn’t buy you whatever you want. Not even a single wish.”

No. He was lying. He had to be lying, trying to trick her. To force her to back down.

Baden grabbed her hand, pulling her down beside him, hugging her and whispering, “The hounds will take you somewhere—anywhere—else. I’ll fight Pandora, and I’ll find you.”

“No. I’m not leaving you, and I’m not letting you hurt your...whatever Pandora is to you. But I also can’t enslave the dogs. I just can’t. They would rather die.”

“Katarina,” he said, his tone grave. “I’ll win. I’ll claim my reward. The safety of the hounds.”

Yes, but at what cost to his soul?

Sharp fingers tangled in her hair, yanking her to her feet. She cried out. Baden and the beast snarled in unison. The dogs growled.

She growled and twisted to bite Hades’s hand. Infecting him the way she’d been infected? Or did the link require conscious thought?

The king released her, stepping away from her.

She jumped to her feet, demanding, “What does the coin buy me?”

He rubbed the wound she’d caused. “A chance to fight and kill me and take my crown.”

Her stomach dropped. Fight Hades? How could she ever hope to beat him?

“Don’t you dare,” Baden shouted at the male. “You touch her, and I’ll kill you.”

“If only you could back up your threat with action,” Hades told him.

Roar and Werga moved to Katarina’s side, brushing her calves to claim her attention. She looked down and met Roar’s troubled gaze.

He rubbed his face against her biceps, his teeth scraping, cutting her skin, and a wave of dizziness hit her.