“So, you agree that Hades has wrong me?”
“No,” he said. “I’m saying you’re attracted to Hades.”
Persephone rolled her eyes and turned from the god. She crossed Hades’ office and tried the invisible door behind his desk, but her hands didn’t sink into the surface like last time.
Her way into the Underworld was barred. Had he revoked her favor because she’d brought Adonis to Nevernight? Or was he angry because of how she’d left him in his throne room a few days before? Hadn’t he bestowed favor so she wouldn’t have to bother him?
The doors to Hades office rattled. Hermes grabbed Persephone and dragged her toward the mirror over the mantle. She resisted, but Hermes pressed his lips close to her hear and said, “Trust me, you’ll want to see this.”
He snapped his fingers, and Persephone felt her skin tighten across her bones. It was the strangest feeling and it didn’t go away, even when they were inside the mirror. The sensation was like being behind a waterfall and looking out at the hazy world.
She started to ask if they could be seen, but Hermes pressed a finger to his lips and said, “Shh.”
Hades came into view and Persephone’s breath caught—no matter how often she saw him, she didn’t think she’d ever get used to his beauty. Today he looked tense and severe. She wondered what had happened.
She soon received her answer.
Minthe followed close behind and Persephone felt a rush of hot jealousy. They were arguing.
“You are wasting your time!” she heard Minthe say.
“It’s not like I’m running out,” Hades snapped, clearly not wishing to listen to the nymph lecture him. Minthe’s face hardened.
“This is a club. Mortals bargain for their desires, they do not make requests of the God of the Underworld.”
“This club is what I say it is.”
Minthe glared at the god. “You think this will sway the goddess to think better of you?”
The goddess? Was Minthe referring to her?
Hades eyes darkened at the nymph’s comment. “I do not care what others think of me, and that includes you, Minthe.” The nymph’s face fell and Hades continued, “I will hear her offer, Minthe.”
The nymph said nothing, and turned on her heels, walking out of sight. After a moment, a woman entered Hades’ office. She wore a beige trench coat, a large sweater, and jeans. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Despite being fairly young, she looked exhausted and Persephone didn’t need Hades’ powers to know that whatever burden she carried at this point in her life was heavy.
When the woman saw the god, she froze.
“You have nothing to fear,” Hades said, that warm baritone soothed, and the mortal was able to move again. She offered a small, nervous laugh, and when she spoke her voice was rough.
“I told myself I wouldn’t hesitate,” she said. “I wouldn’t let fear get the best of me.”
Hades tilted his head to the side. Persephone knew that look—he was curious. “But you have been afraid. For a very long time.”
The woman nodded, and tears spilled down her face. She brushed at them fiercely, hands shaking. She offered that nervous laugh again. “I told myself I wouldn’t cry, either.”
“Why?”
Persephone was glad that Hades asked, because she was just as curious. When the woman met the god’s gaze, she was serious, her face still glistened with tears.
“The Divine are not moved by my pain.”
Persephone flinched—Hades did not.
“I suppose I cannot blame you,” the woman continued. “I am one in a million pleading for myself.”
Again, Hades tilted his head. “But you are not pleading for yourself, are you?”
The woman’s mouth quivered and she answered in a whisper, “No.”
“Tell me,” he coaxed—it was like a spell, and the woman obeyed.
“My daughter.” The words were a sob. “She’s sick. Pinealoblastoma. It’s an aggressive cancer. I wager my life for hers.”
“No!” Persephone said out loud, and Hermes quickly hushed her, but all she could think was—he can’t! He won’t!
Hades studied the woman for a long moment. “My wagers are not for souls like you,” he said.
Persephone started forward. She would come out of this mirror and fight for that woman, but Hermes held onto her shoulder tight.
“Wait,” he commanded.
Persephone held her breath.
“Please,” the woman whispered. “I will give you anything—whatever you want.”