Another busy week passed, full of reading articles, writing papers, and taking tests. Persephone had thought that by now, the hype over her article would die down, but it hadn’t. She still got stopped on her way to the Acropolis and the university; strangers asked her when the next article about Hades was coming out and what she planned to write about.
She was a little tired of the questions, and even more tired of repeating herself—the article is out in a few weeks, and you’ll have to buy the paper. She started putting her headphones in on her walks just so she could claim she couldn’t hear people when they called her name.
“Persephone?”
Too bad she couldn’t do that at work right about now.
Demetri poked his head out of his office. Somehow, he looked younger and older at the same time in his denim shirt and polka dot bowtie; maybe because the blue brought out the grey in his hair, and the bowtie was fun.
“Yes?” she asked.
“Have a moment?”
“Sure.” She saved what she was working on and closed her laptop, following Demetri into his office where she took a seat.
Her boss leaned against his desk. “How’s that article coming along?”
“Fine. It’s…fine.” If he was looking for a summary of what she planned to write, she didn’t have one. She had thought about writing about the mother who came to Hades to ask for her daughter’s life, and though she didn’t understand why Hades wished to keep that a secret, she wanted to honor the request he made of the woman.
Since the morning after La Rose, when Hades had confused her with his passion and anger, she’d just focused on avoiding him. She knew that wasn’t best, especially if she was going to get this article submitted in a few weeks, but she still had the weekend, and with her and Hades’ track record he was bound to do something to piss her off, which meant ideal writing material.
“God of the Game was our most popular story to date. Millions of views, thousands of comments and papers sold.”
“You were right,” she said. “People are curious about Hades.”
“Which is why I called you in,” he said.
Persephone straightened, her thoughts shooting in all sorts of directions. She’d been waiting for Demetri to request more from her. So far, he’d let her have creative control over how she covered Hades, and she didn’t want to lose that.
“I’ve got an assignment for you.”
“An assignment?” she echoed.
“I’ve been holding onto these.” He reached for an envelope on his desk and handed it to her. “I hadn’t decided who to send, but I had no doubt after the success of your article.”
“What is it?” She was too nervous to open the envelope, but her boss just smiled.
“Why don’t you open it?”
Persephone did, and found two tickets inside to Saturday’s Olympian Gala at the Museum of Ancient Arts. They were beautiful invitations—black with gold leaf lettering—and looked just as expensive as the gala itself.
Persephone’s eyes went wide. The Olympian Gala was the biggest event of the year. It was a huge fashion show, party, and charity event. Every year, a theme was chosen, inspired by a god or goddess, and that god or goddess got to choose what charity project was funded with the money raised at the gala. Tickets were coveted and cost hundreds of dollars.
“But…why me?” she demanded. “You should be going to this. You’re the editor-in-chief.”
“I have another obligation that night.”
“Bigger than the Olympian Gala?”
Demetri smirked. “I have been many times, Persephone.”
“I don’t understand. Hades doesn’t even go to the gala.” She’d watched live coverage of the event with Lexa and had never seen him enter with the other gods, and no one had ever snapped a photo of him.
“Lord Hades doesn’t allow himself to be photographed, but he always attends.”
“I can’t go,” she said after a long silence.
Her boss leveled his gaze with hers. “Persephone, what are you so afraid of?”
“I’m not…afraid.” Though she kind of was. The last time she’d seen her mother, she’d threatened to send her back to the greenhouse if she went to Nevernight or saw Hades again. It didn’t matter where. Plus, she wasn’t even supposed to be around the gods, and it wasn’t like she could hide the fact that she was there from her mother—Demeter would be there, too.
But that was all too complicated to say to Demetri.
“Consider it an opportunity for research and observation,” he said. “We always write about the Olympian Gala, you’ll just put the spotlight on Hades.”
“You don’t understand—” she started.
“Take the tickets, Persephone. Think it over—but don’t take too much time. You don’t have long to decide.”
She didn’t feel comfortable taking the tickets because she was certain she wasn’t going to the gala. Still, Demetri sent her back to her desk with them, and she sat down in a daze, staring at the envelope. After a moment, she pulled the tickets out to read them:
Join us for An Evening in the Underworld
She’d had no idea this year’s theme was the Underworld. Her curiosity heightened—how would the organizers of this event interpret Hades’ realm? She bet they’d never guess there was so much life below. She also wondered what charity Hades would choose to donate to.
Gods, she really wanted to go.
But there were so many cons—her mother, for one. It was also a few days away and she didn’t have a gown just lying around.
Her gaze dropped to the tickets again where the dress code was printed further down the page and indicated the gala was a masquerade.
It wasn’t likely she could hide from her mother in a mask, but now she wondered if Hecate had any spells up her sleeve that would help. She made a mental note to ask when she visited the Underworld this evening.
Her desk phone rang, and she picked up. “This is Persephone.”
“Hades’…assistant is here to see you?” Valerie said.
It took Persephone a moment to respond. “Minthe?” What could Minthe possibly have to say to her?
“Oh, Adonis is bringing her back,” Valerie added.
Persephone looked up to see the nymph heading for her across the room. She was dressed in black, and her hair and green eyes shone like fire. Adonis walked beside her like an escort, expression utterly smitten, and suddenly Persephone’s dislike for him deepened.
“Hey, Persephone,” Adonis said, oblivious to her frustration. “You remember Minthe?”
“How could I forget?” Persephone replied matter-of-factly.
The nymph smiled. “I came to speak with you regarding the article you published about my employer.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time to meet with you today. Maybe some other time.”
“I’m afraid I must demand an audience.”
“If you have complaints about the article, you should speak with my supervisor.”
“I’d rather voice my concerns with you.” Minthe’s eyes flashed, and Persephone knew it would take a force of nature—likely Hades—to remove this lady from the building.
They stared at one another for a long moment and Adonis cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll let you two work this out.”
Neither woman acknowledged Adonis as he slithered away, leaving them alone. After a moment, Persephone asked, “Does Hades know you’re here?”
“It is my job to advise Hades on matters that might harm his reputation, and when he will not listen to reason, act.”
“Hades doesn’t care about his reputation.”
“But I do. And you are threatening it.”
“Because of my article?”
“Because you exist,” she said.
Persephone leveled her gaze. “Hades’ reputation preceded his knowledge of my existence. Don’t you think it’s a little absurd to blame me?”
“I’m not talking about his bargains with mortals. I’m talking about his bargain with you.” Minthe spoke louder, and though Persephone knew what she was doing, the tactic worked; she wanted to shut her up. “Now, if you will so kindly give me the time I have requested.”
“Right this way,” Persephone said through gritted teeth.
She led the nymph into an interview room, shutting the door louder than necessary. She turned to Minthe and waited, crossing her arms over her chest. Neither sat down, an indication this wouldn’t last long.
“You seem to think you have Hades all figured out,” Minthe said, her eyes narrow.
Persephone stiffened. “And you disagree?”
She smiled. “Well, I have known him for centuries.”
“I don’t think I need to know him for centuries to understand he has no grasp of the human condition. Nor does he understand how to help the world.” Although what he’d done for that mother was more than generous. She was starting to understand there were rules at work that prevented even Hades, a powerful and long-existing god, from doing whatever he wanted.
“Hades will not kneel to your every whim,” Minthe said.
“I don’t expect him to kneel,” Persephone said. “Though it would be a nice touch.”
Minthe took a step forward and spat, “Arrogant girl!”
Persephone stiffened and lowered her arms. “I am not a girl.”
“Do you know what? I don’t know what such a powerful god sees in you. You are entitled and magicless and yet he continues to let you into our realm—”
“Trust me, nymph. It’s not a choice.”
“Isn’t it? Isn’t it a choice every time you let him put his hands on you? Every time he kisses you? I know Lord Hades, and if you asked him to stop, he would—but you don’t. You never do.”
Persephone’s blush was fierce, but she managed, “I don’t want to discuss this with you.”
“No? Then I will get to the point. You are making a mistake. Hades isn’t interested in love, nor is he made for it. Keep walking this path and you will get hurt.”
“Are you threatening me?
“No, it’s the promise of falling in love with a god.”
“I’m not falling for Hades,” Persephone argued.
The nymph offered a cruel smile. “Denial,” she said. “It’s the first stage of reluctant love. Don’t make this mistake, Persephone.”
She hated her name on the nymph’s tongue and couldn’t repress a shudder. Swallowing, Persephone felt her glamour ripple. “Is this why you came to my work? To warn me against Hades?”
“Yes,” she said. “And now I have an offer to extend.”
“I want nothing from you.” Persephone’s voice shook.
“If you truly wish to be free of your contract, you will take my offer.”
Persephone glared, still mistrusting, but she couldn’t deny she wanted to hear what the nymph had to say.
Minthe chuckled. “Hades has asked you to create life in the Underworld. There is a spring in the mountains where you will find the Well of Reincarnation. It will give life to anything—even your desolate garden.”
Persephone had never heard of such a place in any of her readings of the Underworld, though that wasn’t saying much. Those books also described the Underworld as dead and desolate. “And why should I trust you?”
“It has nothing to do with trust. You want to be free from your contract with Hades, and I want Hades to be free from you.”
She stared at Minthe for a moment. She wasn’t sure what compelled her to ask the question, but she found the words rolling off her tongue. “Do you love him?”
“You think this has to do with love?” Minthe demanded “How sweet. I’m protecting him. Hades loves nothing but a good bargain, and you, my young goddess, are the worst wager he’s ever made.”
Then Minthe was gone.
