A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“Persephone?” Adonis asked.

She took a breath.

“No,” she said after a moment. “We don’t have history.”

CHAPTER VI – THE STYX

What do you wear on a tour of the Underworld?

It was a question Persephone had been asking herself since she left Hades’ office earlier in the day. She should have asked more questions like would they be hiking? What was the weather like below? She was tempted to wear yoga pants just to get a reaction out of him, but then she remembered she was going to Nevernight first and they had a dress code.

In the end, she picked a short silver dress with a low neckline and heels that sparkled as she walked.

Persephone stepped off the bus in front of Hades’ club and approached the entrance, ignoring jealous stares from the impossibly long line. The waiting bouncer was not Duncan, but he was an ogre. Persephone wondered how Hades had punished the monster for his treatment of her. She had to admit, she’d been surprised by the God of the Dead in that moment. He hadn’t defended her because she was a goddess, he’d defended her because she was a woman.

And despite his many flaws, she had to respect that.

“My name is—” she started.

“You need not introduce yourself, my lady,” the ogre said.

Persephone reddened, and hoped that no one in the line closest to her could hear. The ogre reached and opened the door, bowing his head. How did this creature know her? Was it the favor Hades had bestowed upon her? Was it visible somehow?

She met the ogre’s gaze. “What is your name?”

The creature looked surprised and said, “Mekonnen, my lady.”

“Mekonnen,” she repeated and smiled. “Call me Persephone, please.”

His eyes widened. “My lady—I couldn’t. Lord Hades, he would—”

“I will speak with Lord Hades,” she said, and placed her hand on the ogre’s arm. “Call me Persephone.”

Mekonnen offered a crooked smile and then swept his hand out in a dramatic fashion, bowing at the waist. “Persephone.”

She laughed and shook her head. She’d talk to him later about the bowing, but for now, if he never called her ‘my lady’ again, she’d see that as a victory.

She entered the club and made her way to the floor, but just as she came to the end of the steps, a Satyr approached her. He was handsome, and had shaggy dark hair, a goatee, and dark horns that curled out of his head. He wore a black button-up.

“Lady Persephone?” he asked.

“Just Persephone,” she said. “Please.”

“Apologies, Lady Persephone, I speak as Lord Hades commands.”

Was she going to have this conversation with everyone?

“Lord Hades has no say over how I am to be addressed,” she said and then smiled. “Persephone it is.”

The corners of his lips curled. “I like you already. I am Ilias. Lord Hades wishes me to apologize on his behalf. He is otherwise engaged and has advised me to show you to his office. He promises he will not be long.”

She wondered what was holding him up. Perhaps he was sealing another terrible contract with a mortal…or with Minthe.

“I’ll just wait at the bar, then.”

“I’m afraid that will not do.”

“Another command?” she asked.