A Touch of Darkness (Hades & Persephone 1)

“He won’t be in there,” Hermes said, and it occurred to her that perhaps Hermes didn’t know about her and Hades’ bargain.

She looked at the god, and though she wasn’t here to see Hades, she still wondered aloud, “Then where is he?”

Hermes looked amused. “He is reviewing propositions for contracts across the way.”

Persephone’s jaw tightened, frustrated. Of course, he is, she thought.

“I’m not here for Hades,” she said, and hurried ahead to Hades office. Once inside, she dropped her backpack on the couch and rolled her shoulders, rubbing at the pain.

She looked up to find Hermes at the bar. He picked up various bottles, reading the labels. Whatever he had in his hands must have been appealing because he unscrewed it and poured it into an empty glass.

“Should you be doing that?” she asked.

The god shrugged. “Hades owes me, right? I saved your life.”

Persephone blushed, looking away.

“I owe you,” she said. “Not Hades.”

“Careful, Goddess,” Hermes said. “One bargain with a god is enough, don’t you think?”

She startled. “You know?”

Hermes smiled and only said, “Sephy, I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“You must think I’m incredibly stupid,” she said.

“No,” he said. “I think you were lured by Hades’ charms.”

“So, you agree that Hades has wronged me?”

“No,” he said. “I’m saying you’re attracted to Hades.”

Persephone rolled her eyes and turned from the god. She crossed Hades’ office and tried the invisible door behind his desk, but her hands didn’t sink into the surface like last time.

Her way into the Underworld was barred. Had he revoked her favor because she’d brought Adonis to Nevernight? Or was he angry because of how she’d left him in his throne room a few days before? Hadn’t he bestowed favor so she wouldn’t have to bother him?

The doors to Hades office rattled. Hermes grabbed Persephone and dragged her toward the mirror over the mantle. She resisted, but Hermes pressed his lips close to her ear and said, “Trust me, you’ll want to see this.”

He snapped his fingers, and Persephone felt her skin tighten across her bones. It was the strangest feeling and it didn’t go away, even when they were inside the mirror. The sensation was like being behind a waterfall and looking out at the hazy world.

She started to ask if they could be seen, but Hermes pressed a finger to his lips and said, “Shh.”

Hades came into view and Persephone’s breath caught—no matter how often she saw him, she didn’t think she’d ever get used to his beauty. Today he looked tense and severe. She wondered what had happened.

She soon received her answer.

Minthe followed close behind and Persephone felt a rush of hot jealousy. They were arguing.

“You are wasting your time!” she heard Minthe say.

“It’s not like I’m running out,” Hades snapped, clearly not wishing to listen to the nymph lecture him. Minthe’s face hardened.

“This is a club. Mortals bargain for their desires, they do not make requests of the God of the Underworld.”

“This club is what I say it is.”

Minthe glared at the god. “You think this will sway the goddess to think better of you?”