“Alas,” he said, his voice low. “You are my greatest weakness.”
The entrance of Sybil’s apartment was a short hallway that led to a kitchen and a small living room. The space was mostly empty, save for a loveseat and a television. While it was nowhere close to the extravagance she’d lived in with Apollo, it was quaint and cozy. It reminded Persephone of the apartment she’s shared with Lexa for three years.
“Wine?” Sybil asked, and Persephone was glad for the distraction.
“Please,” she said, tamping down the ache that had formed in her chest at the thought of her dead best friend.
“For you, Hades?”
“Whiskey…whatever you have is fine. Neat…please,” he added as if it were an afterthought. Persephone grimaced, but at least he’d asked nicely.
“Neat?” Ben asked. “Real whiskey drinkers at least add water.”
Persephone’s heart pounded as she watched Hades’ eyes connect with Ben’s. “I add the blood of mortals.”
“Of course, Hades,” Sybil said quickly, plucking a bottle from the collection on the counter and handing it to him. “You’ll probably need it.”
“Thank you, Sybil,” he said, quickly loosening the cap to drink.
She poured Persephone a glass of wine and slid it across the counter.
“So, how did you meet Ben?” Persephone asked, picking up her wine.
Sybil started to respond when Ben jumped in.
“We met at Four Olives where I work,” he said. “It was love at first sight for me.”
Persephone choked on her drink, the wine burning the back of her throat as she spit it back into the glass. Her eyes connect with Sybil’s, who looked mortified, but before either of them could speak, a knock sounded at the door.
“Thank the gods,” Sybil said, practically racing to the entrance, leaving Persephone and Hades alone with the mortal.
“I know she isn’t convinced yet,” Ben said. “But it’s only a matter of time.”
“What makes you so sure?” Persephone countered.
His back straightened as he proclaimed. “I’m an oracle.”
“Oh fuck,” Hades grumbled.
Persephone elbowed him.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, leaving the kitchen with his bottle of whiskey.
Ben leaned across the bar. “I don’t think he likes me.”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” Persephone asked, her nose still burned.
Ben shrugged a shoulder. “It’s...just a feeling.”
There was a long, awkward silence that passed between them and just when Persephone started to excuse herself to go in search of Hades, the so-called oracle spoke.
“You’ve lost,” he said.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes,” he whispered, his eyes unfocused and glazed. “You have lost, and you will lose again.”
Persephone’s jaw clenched.
“The loss of one friend will lead you to lose many—and you, you will cease to shine, an ember taken by the night.”
Her anger slowly dissipated, turning to disgust as she recognized his words.
“Why are you quoting Leonidas?”
The television show was popular and had been one of Lexa’s favorites about a Spartan king and his war with the Persians. It was a drama full of love and lust and blood.
Ben blinked, his eyes coming into focus.
“What did you just say?” he asked, and Persephone rolled her eyes. She hated false prophets. They were dangerous and made a joke of the real practice of prophecy. She started to speak but was interrupted by Hermes cry of excitement.
“Sephy!” The God of Mischief threw his arms around her neck, squeezing her. He inhaled deeply. “You smell like Hades…and sex.”
She shoved against the god. “Stop being creepy, Hermes!”
The god chuckled and released her, his sparkling gaze shifting to Ben.
“Oh, and who is this?” His interest evident in the peak of his voice.
“This is Ben. Sybil’s…” She wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence, but she didn’t need to because no one was listening anyway. Ben was already grinning at the God of Mischief.
“Hermes, right?” he asked.
“So, you’ve heard of me?”
Persephone rolled her eyes. He’d asked her the same thing when they’d first met. She had never asked why he said it, but she had a feeling it was to invite some kind of compliment considering everyone had heard of him.
She was not surprised when it backfired.
“Of course,” Ben replied. “Are you still the Messenger of the Gods or do they use email?”
Persephone’s brows rose and she pressed her lips together to keep from giggling.
Hermes narrowed his eyes.
“It’s Lord Hermes to you,” he said, and twisted away, muttering to Sybil as he passed. “You can keep him.”
The God of Thieves was not upset for long when he noticed Hades standing in Sybil’s living room. “Well, well, well, look who decided to darken the corner—literally.”
Hades did look out of place in Sybil’s apartment, much like he had the night he had come to her and Lexa’s to make cookies. At least he’d tried to fit in that night, wearing a black shirt and sweats. Tonight, he insisted on wearing a suit.
“What happened to those sweats you wore to my house?” Persephone had asked before they left.
“I...threw them out.”
Her eyes widened.
“Why?”
Hades shrugged. “I did not think there would be a time when I would need them again.”
She raised a brow. “Do you mean to say you never thought you would hang out with my friends again?”
“No.” He looked down at his suit. “Do I not meet your expectations?”
She had giggled then. “No, by far, you exceed them.”
He’d grinned then and she thought her heart might beat right out of her chest. There was nothing as beautiful as Hades when he smiled.
Another knock announced the arrival of more guests—this time, Helen. She wore a long, beige coat with a fur collar that she slipped off and folded over her arm. Beneath the jacket, was a long-sleeved white shirt and a camel-colored skirt with leggings. Her long hair was curled and fell in honey-colored waves over her shoulders. She’d brought wine and handed it to Sybil with a kiss on the cheek.
The two had not known each other long, but like everyone in Persephone’s circle, they’d become fast friends.
“This weather,” Helen said. “It’s almost…unnatural.”
“Yes,” Persephone said, quiet, a wave of guilt slamming into her. “It’s awful.”
Another knock sent Sybil to the door and she came back with Leuce and Zofie in tow. The two were now roommates, and Persephone had yet to decide if it was actually a good idea. Leuce had only recently returned to the mortal world after having been a tree for centuries, and Zofie had no real understanding of the humans, having been raised among female warriors. Still, the two were learning, from simple things like how to use the crosswalk and order food to more difficult aspects of mortal life like socializing and self-control.
Leuce was a naiad—a water nymph. She had white hair and lashes and pale skin that made her blue eyes look as bright as the sun. When Persephone had first met her, she was combative, and her pretty features were severe and angled. Overtime though, she had gotten to know the nymph and her attitude toward her softened, despite the fact that she had been Hades’ lover. Unlike Minthe, however, Persephone was certain there was no affection left between the two—a fact that made taking her under her wing a far easier a decision. Tonight, she wore a simple, light blue dress which made her look like an ice queen.