Neon Gods (Dark Olympus 1)

“No.” She shakes her head and shakes it again harder. “Absolutely not. They painted themselves into a corner by announcing it publicly. They can’t force one of us to take your place without looking like fools, and that’s one thing Zeus and Mother will not do.”

That’s a relief, but not as much of a relief as I’d like it to be. “Then why?”

“I think he might try to trick you into coming back across the River Styx.” Psyche holds my gaze, as serious as I’ve ever seen her. “You can’t do it, Persephone. No matter what happens, you stay the course with Hades and get out of Olympus. We have things covered here.”

The chill bleeds through my entire body. What lengths will Zeus go to in order to get me back? I was so focused on how he might try to take me that I didn’t look at the other angles. Mother would never hurt her daughters, even if she moves us around like chess pieces. She might allow us to experience a certain level of danger, but she isn’t a complete monster. I have a feeling that if I actually went forward with the marriage, she had some sort of secondary plan in place to ensure I didn’t end up like the other Heras. It doesn’t matter, because she didn’t ask me.

But Zeus?

His reputation isn’t fabricated. Even if being a wife-killer is only rumor, the way he deals with enemies isn’t. He doesn’t maintain his ironclad grip on Olympus by being kind and considerate and shying away from making brutal calls. People obey him because they fear him. Because he’s given them reason to fear him.

Psyche must see the fear on my face, because she leans in and lowers her voice. “I mean it, Persephone. We are fine and have things covered over here. Don’t you dare come back for us.”

The guilt I’ve been very carefully not thinking about for days threatens to claw out my throat. I’ve been so focused on my plan, on my endgame, I didn’t really stop to consider that my sisters might be paying the price. “I’m the worst sister.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “Not even a little bit. You want out, and you should get out. All three of us could leave if we wanted to.”

That doesn’t make me feel better. It might actually make me feel worse. “Being in that penthouse, being around those people… It makes me feel like I’m drowning.”

“I know.” Her dark eyes are sympathetic. “You don’t have to justify yourself to me.”

“But my selfishness—”

“Stop it.” A harsh note creeps into my sister’s voice. “If you want to blame someone, blame Mother. Blame Zeus. Gods, blame the entire Thirteen if you want. We didn’t choose this life. We’re just trying to survive it. That looks different on all four of us. Do not apologize to me, and certainly don’t call yourself selfish.”

My throat is burning, but I refuse to indulge in self-pity enough to cry. I fight for a smile. “You’re pretty smart for a younger sister.”

“I have two brilliant older sisters to learn from.” She looks away. “I have to go. Call if you need anything, but don’t you dare change your plans for us.”

The fierceness in her voice ensures that I won’t. I force a nod. “I won’t. I promise.”

“Good. Be safe. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Then she’s gone, leaving me staring into the empty fireplace and wondering if I’ve made a horrible mistake.

Chapter 19

Hades

Dusk is stealing across the sky by the time I finish with the various things that needed to be accomplished today and go to find Persephone. Our territory is as prepared as we can possibly be for what’s coming. I’ve had my people put out word that there might be supply disruptions and to plan accordingly. The spies in the upper city are on high alert and ready to slip back across the river to safety. Everyone is watching and waiting to see what Zeus and Demeter will do.

I’m tired. Really fucking tired. The kind of exhaustion that sneaks up and drags a person down between one step and the next.

I don’t quite realize how much I’m looking forward to seeing Persephone until I step into the mini library and find her curled up on the couch. She’s wearing one of the dresses Juliette delivered, a happy bright blue, and reading a book. There’s a small fire crackling in the fireplace, and the sheer normalcy of the scene nearly knocks me on my ass. For a fraction of a moment, I allow myself to imagine that this is a sight that would greet me at the end of every day. Instead of dragging myself to my bedroom and collapsing on my mattress alone, I’d find this woman waiting for me.

I put the fantasy away. I can’t afford to want things like that. Not in general, and not with her. Temporary. This whole thing is temporary.