Page 70 of A Touch of Chaos

Persephone stared at the email for a moment and then looked up at the man she now suspected was Amphion.

“Could you…give me a minute?” she asked, suddenly unable to really focus. She couldn’t remember anything that had happened before she’d become aware of being in her office, but it seemed like a whole host of events had come to pass, and none of it felt exactly right.

Amphion frowned. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine. I just need a moment.”

“Okay,” he said, though he did not sound convinced. “Let me know if I can help.” He crossed the room toward the door.

“Amphion,” Persephone said. He paused to face her. “Where is Ivy?”

“Are you serious?” he asked.

“Amphion,” she said, frustrated.

“She’s at Halcyon,” he said. “She’s been at Halcyon sinceyou hired heras the office manager.”

“Right,” she said, pressing her fingers to her temple. “Thanks.”

Once she was alone, she turned to her computer and searched her name. One of the top headlines read:

CEO of Key Media Company Celebrates Successful Grand Opening.

The first line followed:

Persephone Rosi, owner of the largest media company in New Greece, celebrated the grand opening of Halcyon. The rehabilitation center will provide a variety of free care to mortals.

There were a lot of things about the article that stunned her. For one, it did not mention her relationship to Hades. Instead, it focused on her career and accomplishments. When she and Hades had first made their relationship public, she’d been dismayed about how the media identified her, which was usually asHades’s loverdespite having a name and a whole identity outside that.

Except part of what surprised herwasher title. How had she gone fromThe Advocate, a small online blog,to this? But as she started her search for answers, she came to understand—she had purchased Epik Communications. Amid articles about the merger were also articles about Kal’s fall from grace, which included accusations of sexual misconduct and fraud. A picture of the man was included, his angry expression deepening the scars on his face—scars Hades had left.

Consumed in her research, she barely heard the knock at her door.

“Come in,” she said, distracted.

When the door opened, she glanced to her left quickly and then back to her computer.

“Can I…?” she started but looked again, meeting a familiar pair of bright blue eyes.

“Ready for lunch?” Lexa asked.

Persephone could only describe how she felt assomething akin to shock. It erupted all over her body, as if all her nerve endings were on fire.

Her mouth slowly fell open.

“Lexa,” Persephone whispered. She rose from her chair and approached her, drawing her into a tight hug.

She felt solid and real, but when she pulled away, Lexa looked puzzled. “Is everything okay?”

Persephone frowned. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she had thought she’d never see her again. Now she could not remember why.

“Yeah,” Persephone said. “I just thought you were gone.”

“You saw me this morning,” Lexa said.

“Did I?” Persephone asked. “I’m sorry, Lex. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Lexa laughed. “It’s okay. You’ve had a lot on your plate, and I doubt you slept much.”

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