“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 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,” Demetri answered.
“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 because 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. She sat down in a daze, staring at the envelope. After a moment, she pulled the tickets out.
They read:
Join us for An Evening in the Underworld
She had no idea this year’s theme was the Underworld. Her curiosity was heightened—how would the organizers of this event interpret the Underworld? She bet they’d never guess there was so much life below. She also wondered what charity Hades would chose 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 ball gown just laying 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—surely not, she thought.
“Minthe?”
What could Minthe possibly have to say to her?
“Oh, Adonis is bringing her back,” she heard Valerie say. Persephone looked up to see the nymph heading for her. She was dressed in black, and her hair and green eyes were like fire. Adonis walked beside her like an escort, 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 asked, matter-of-fact.
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. Perhaps another day.”
“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 of the women acknowledged Adonis and he slithered away, leaving them alone. After a moment, Persephone asked, “Does Hades know you are 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?”