“Oh, darling, you have no idea.”
The word darling slid across her skin and she shivered again. He seemed to notice because he smiled a little bit more.
“I am a goddess,” she tried again. “We are equals.”
“You think our blood changes the fact that you willingly entered into a contract with me? These things are law, Persephone.” She glared at him. “The mark will dissolve when the contract has been fulfilled.” He said it like that should make it all better.
“And what are your terms?” Just because she was asking didn’t mean she was going to agree.
Hades jaw was tight. He seemed to be restraining himself. Maybe he wasn’t used to being ordered around. When he lifted his head and stared down at her, she knew she was in trouble.
“Create life in the Underworld,” he said at last.
“What?” She hadn’t been prepared for that, though she probably should have been. Wasn’t her greatest weakness her lack of power? An irony considering her Divinity.
“Create life in the Underworld,” he said again. “You have six months—and if you fail or refuse, then you will become a permanent resident of the Underworld.”
“You want me to grow a garden in your realm?” she asked, shocked.
He shrugged. “I suppose that is one way to create life.”
She glared at him. “If you steal me away to the Underworld, you will face my mother’s wrath.”
“Oh, I am sure,” he mused. “Much like you will feel her wrath when she discovers what you’ve so recklessly done.”
Persephone’s cheeks flushed. He was right. The difference between them was that Hades didn’t seem at all fazed by the threat. Why should he be? He was one of the three—the most powerful gods in existence. A threat from Demeter was a pebble thrown.
She straightened, raising her chin and meeting his gaze head on. “Fine.”
Then she felt the pressure of Hades hand on her wrist like a shackle and tore her hand free.
“When do I start?”
Hades eyes glittered. “Come tomorrow. I’ll show you the way to the Underworld.”
“It will have to be after class,” she said.
“Class?”
“I’m a student New Athens University.”
Hades looked at her curiously and nodded his head. “After...class, then.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. As much as she hated him right now, it was hard not to enjoy the sight of him.
“What about your bouncer?”
“What about him?”
“I’d prefer he not remember me in this form,” she said, indicating to her horns. Then she called up her glamour. It relaxed her a little, to be in her mortal form. Hades watched the transformation as if he were studying the form of an ancient sculpture.
“I’ll erase his memory of you...after he is punished for his treatment of you.”
Persephone shivered. “He did not know I was a goddess.”
“But he knew you were a woman and he let his anger get the best of him,” Hades said. “So he will be punished.”
Hades said it matter-of-fact, and she knew there was no arguing.
“What will it cost me?” she asked because she knew who she was dealing with, and she had just requested a favor from the God of the Dead.
His lips twitch.
“Clever, darling. You know how this works. The punishment? Nothing. His memory? A favor.”
“Don’t call me darling,” she snapped. “What kind of favor?”
“Whatever I want,” he said. “To be used at a future time.”
She considered this for a moment. What would Hades want from her? What could she possibly have to offer him? Maybe it was that thought that made her agree, or the fear that her mother would discover she’d showed her true form. Either way, she said, “Deal.”
Hades smiled.
“I will have my driver take you home,” he said.
“That’s not necessary.”
“It is.”
She pressed her lips together. “Fine,” She gritted out. She didn’t really feel like taking the bus again, but the idea that Hades would know where she lived was unsettling.
Then the god clasped her shoulders, leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. The move was so sudden, she lost her balance. Her fingers tangled into his shirt to steady herself, nails grazing the skin of his chest. His body was hard and warm and his lips were soft on her skin. When he pulled away, she couldn’t gather herself enough to be angry.
“What was that for?” she asked, her voice a quiet whisper.
Hades maintained that infuriating smirk, like he knew she couldn’t think straight, and brushed a finger across her heated cheek.
“For your benefit. Next time, the door will open for you. I’d rather you not piss Duncan off. If he hurts you again, I will have to kill him, and it’s hard to find a good ogre.”
Persephone could just imagine.
“Lord Hades, Thanatos is looking for you—oh—”
A woman entered his office from a hidden door behind his desk. She was beautiful. Her hair was parted in the center, and as red as flame. Her eyes were sharp and brows arched, lips full and lush and red. All her features were pointed and angled. She was a nymph and when she looked at Persephone, there was hatred in her eyes. It was then Persephone realized she was still standing close to Hades, her hands tangled in his shirt. When she tried to pull away, his hands tightened on her.
“I did not know you had company,” Minthe replied tightly.
Hades didn’t look at the woman. Instead, his eyes remained on Persephone. “A minute, Minthe.”
Persephone’s first thought was—so this is Minthe. She was beautiful in a way Persephone wasn’t—in a way that promised seduction and sin and she loathed the jealousy she felt.
Her second thought was why did he need a minute? What more could he have to say? Persephone didn’t see Minthe leave because she couldn’t force her gaze away from Hades.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Hades said. “Why are you using your mother’s magic?”
It was her turn to smile. “Lord Hades,” she said, drawing a finger down his chest. She wasn’t sure what made her do it, but she was feeling brave. “The only way you are getting answers from me is if I decide to enter into another gamble with you and at the moment, it’s not likely.”
Then she took the lapels of his jacket, and straightened it, her eyes falling to the red polyanthus flower in the pocket of his suit jacket. She looked up at him, and whispered. “I think you will regret this, Hades.”
She touched the flower and Hades eyes followed the movement. When her fingers brushed the petals, the flower wilted.
CHAPTER V – INTRUSION
Hades’ driver was a cyclops.
She tried not to look so surprised when she saw the creature standing in front of a black Lexus outside Nevernight. He was not like the cyclops depicted in history. They had been beastly creatures. This man was taller than Hades and all legs, with broad shoulders and a thin build. His eye was hooded but kind and he smiled when he saw Persephone.
Hades had insisted on escorting Persephone outside. She was not eager to be seen in public with the god, though she wasn’t so sure that thought had crossed Hades’ mind. He was probably more concerned about getting her off his premises as soon as possible so he could get some rest…or whatever he’d been about to do before she interrupted.