Allana's POV
I jolted awake with the sensation of the room shaking violently. For a moment, I thought it was an earthquake until I realized it was Maleficent, shaking me awake with an almost frantic urgency. My eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep, and I blinked at her, a mix of annoyance and confusion clouding my mind. What could possibly be so urgent that she'd disrupt my rest so rudely?
As if reading my thoughts, Maleficent rolled her eyes dramatically and let out a huff of exasperation. "I know I made a big deal about Hades and me last night, and it might seem odd this morning," she said, her voice dripping with irritation, "but he usually comes by to walk me to my first class. So if you're not up on time, it's kind of a problem."
I rubbed my eyes groggily, trying to piece together her words. Her dynamic with Hades was baffling. I understood she wanted the whole friends-with-benefits arrangement with a god who clearly knew how to please... well, in every sense. But their interactions seemed oddly intimate for a casual fling. If they didn't want rumors flying around, wouldn't it make sense to tone down their couple-like behavior? Yet, I reminded myself, I wasn't here to untangle their complicated relationship.
"Alright, cool," I shrugged, "I'm going back to bed then." I reached for my covers, only to have them yanked away by an unseen force. I looked over at Maleficent, her eyes glowing an eerie, intense green, her smirk widening with a mischievous glint.
With a snap of her fingers, her magic wrapped around one of my ankles and yanked me to the floor with a loud thud. I stared up at her from the cold, hard ground, bewildered and outraged. "What the hell was that for?" I yelled, throwing my arms up in frustration.
Maleficent's gaze was icy as she looked me up and down with a sneer. "You're a mess. You slept in your clothes from yesterday." Her tone was laced with disdain. "I refuse to have Hades come in here thinking I have a peasant as a roommate." I was about to shoot back a retort when she silenced me with a raised finger.
"The bathroom is through that door on the left. Take a shower now." Maleficent's tone was icy and commanding, leaving no room for debate. Her gaze bore into me, and I knew better than to challenge it. Without a word, I scrambled to my feet, making a hasty retreat to the bathroom.
Once inside, I quickly stripped off my clothes, tossing them carelessly to the floor. The instant I stepped under the scalding spray of the shower, I couldn't hold in the sigh of relief that escaped me. The steam rose in thick, swirling tendrils, enveloping me as the hot water pounded against my skin. Every drop seemed to melt away the tension that had begun to knot in my muscles, the heat seeping deep into my bones. I stood there for what felt like an eternity, letting the water cascade over me, hoping it would wash away the exhaustion and the weight of everything I was carrying. Today was bound to be another grueling day, and I needed every ounce of strength I could muster.
Finally, with much reluctance, I shut off the water and reached for a towel. Wrapping it around myself, I stepped out of the shower, my dark hair hanging in wet strands that dripped onto the cold tiles. But as I glanced around for my clothes—my only possessions in this timeline—a sudden realization hit me. They were gone.
Frustration flared, quickly morphing into anger that burned through me as quickly as it came. I stormed over to the bathroom door, gripping the handle with enough force to make the metal groan, and yanked it open. The door slammed against the wall with a resounding crash, the noise echoing in the small space. My power surged in response to my fury, wrapping around me like a fiery aura, my eyes glowing a fierce red as I stepped out. "Maleficent! Where are my clothes?" I demanded, clutching the too-short towel tightly around me, trying to hold onto some shred of dignity.
What I didn't expect was to find not one, but two figures waiting for me in the room. Maleficent stood by the window with an infuriating mix of amusement and smug satisfaction in her eyes. And then there was Hades. He was lounging casually against one of the posts of Maleficent's four-poster bed, and his gaze was anything but subtle. His eyes raked over me, slowly taking in every inch from the damp strands of my hair to the towel barely clinging to my body. The intensity of his gaze sent a jolt through me, heat rising to my cheeks. He was definitely checking me out—unapologetically. My anger faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a surge of something else entirely as I locked eyes with him, his smirk hinting at far more than just amusement.
Yesterday, from a distance, he had been striking, but up close, he was breathtaking. His presence filled the room, commanding attention with an effortless, intimidating, and alluring grace. He wore black pants that clung provocatively to his form, accentuating every curve and muscle. The tightness of the fabric left little to the imagination, showcasing his well-defined legs and hinting at what lay beneath. His black combat boots added an edge of danger, while his grey top stretched over his muscular torso, highlighting the strength beneath the fabric. And then there was that iconic studded spike jacket, draped casually over his shoulders. For the first time, I noticed a black leather choker with silver studs encircling his neck, drawing my eyes to the strong, chiseled line of his jaw. I couldn't help but imagine what it would feel like to trace that line with my fingertips.
His hair, a vibrant blue that seemed to glow softly even without flames, was mesmerizing. It looked incredibly soft, the kind of softness that made my fingers ache to reach out and run through it. The closer I stood to him, the more intoxicated I felt as if his very presence was a drug that dulled my senses and sharpened my desire. My aura seemed to whip around me, desperate to close the distance between us. The longer I stared, the more entranced I became, my gaze glued to the god before me, unable to break free from his magnetic pull.
Snap out of it! I mentally scolded myself, realizing that I had been standing there, staring at him for far too long. Embarrassment flared, but I pushed it down, reminding myself that I wasn't some inexperienced novice. I'd lost my virginity ages ago, and men had seen me in far less than just a towel. I could flaunt this, keep my composure—but damn, it was a struggle under the intensity of his gaze.
Turning to Maleficent, I drew a deep breath, forcing my focus away from Hades and back to the matter at hand. I let the fiery glow in my eyes dim as I fixed her with a steely gaze. "When I went into the bathroom, my clothes were there, and now they're not. Care to explain where they went?"
Maleficent's smile widened, almost playful, with amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, did I take those? My bad," she said, her tone light and teasing, far from the spiteful edge I'd anticipated. "Darling," she continued, snapping me out of my thoughts, "as I mentioned, I'm not letting my roommate ruin my reputation with a tragic wardrobe. I'm helping you out today, but just today. After this, you're on your own when it comes to fashion."
I nodded, biting back my irritation, knowing better than to refuse her "generous" offer. With a casual flick of her wrist, a burst of green magic shot toward the bathroom. "There," she said with a satisfied smirk, "your outfit should be in there. Once you're dressed, hurry back so I can fix your hair and makeup. Right now, you look like a drowned rat."
At that, a deep, rumbling chuckle emanated from Hades, snapping my attention back to him. I glanced at him, my gaze icy. He might be drop-dead gorgeous, but he was clearly a fucking asshole. The smirk on his face made my blood boil even more. I turned my attention back to Maleficent. "Why didn't you just leave the clothes in there for me in the first place?"
Maleficent's grin turned mischievous, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, honey," she purred, "because your reaction—" she gestured between Hades and me, "—was absolutely priceless. Seeing you like this? It was the best possible start to my morning."
