A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone 2)

“No, we’re supposed to be her friends,” Lexa said.

“Which means I should do everything in my power to ensure Apollo is exposed.”

“It means you should do what Sybil wants you to do.”

Persephone frowned. Sybil wanted Persephone to leave this situation alone, but silence was part of the problem. How many people had been hurt by Apollo and not spoken up?

“Are all the Divine wired for revenge?” Lexa posed the question off-handed, as if she were asking it rhetorically, but it didn’t sit well with Persephone.

“What do you mean?”

Lexa shrugged. “You all want to punish. Apollo wants to punish his lovers so you want to punish him, and he will probably punish you for that. It’s insanity.”

“I don’t want to punish him,” she said, defensively.

Lexa raised a brow.

“I don’t! I want people to know they shouldn’t trust him.”

“Just like you wanted people to know not to trust Hades?”

“That’s different.”

It was true Persephone had started her series on Hades with the intention of exposing his unfair bargains with mortals. Overtime, however, she’d learned his intentions were far more honorable than she’d originally assumed.

Lexa sighed. “Maybe, but isn’t that what Hades was telling you? Apollo is willing to punish without a second thought.”

Persephone averted her gaze, frustrated, and Lexa’s outstretched hand covered her own.

“I just want you to be careful. I know Hades will protect you, but I also know how hard it is for you to ask for help.”

Persephone managed a small smile. She knew Lexa was only speaking out of concern for her, but her best friend didn’t know the whole story. She still hadn’t told her about her boss’s ultimatum. She felt like she was in a bargain with Hades again, faced with losing two things she valued most. Perhaps if she explained, Lexa would understand, but as she started to speak, they were interrupted by a stranger.

“You’re Hades’ girlfriend, aren’t you?”

The voice startled them, and the question made Persephone cringe. A young woman had appeared beside their table. She wore a long shirt, tights and boots. Her phone was in hand, and she was pulling at the elastic holding her hair in a top knot.

“Can I get a picture?” The girl asked as she fluffed her hair and smoothed it over her shoulder.

“Sorry, no,” Persephone said. “I’m having lunch.”

“It’ll just take a second,” She leaned in to take a selfie, her camera on. Persephone shifted away, holding out her hands to stop the girl.

“I said no.”

“Just one,” the girl attempted to bargain.

“What about no don’t you understand?” Persephone asked.

The girl straightened and blinked at Persephone.

Then her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to be a bitch. It’s just a picture.”

The girl lifted her phone and snapped a photo. Her outburst had drawn attention, and as Persephone watched her storm off, she noticed several customers had their phones pointed in her direction. She covered her face with her hand.

Lexa leaned across the table, “This would be a great time to use your powers for nefarious reasons.”

“Didn’t you just criticize my use of magic for punishment?”