Page 185 of A Touch of Chaos

“Hades?”

The way she said his name, half question, half pleading. It made his throat feel tight.

“Tell me he will not have to drink from the Lethe.”

“No, he will not,” he said. “But Hyacinth cannot stay.”

Persephone blinked. “What do you mean he cannot stay?”

“It is time for his soul to reincarnate.”

He realized it was terrible timing—not only because Apollo had just arrived in the Underworld but because the world was a terrible place—but there was nothing he could do.

The color drained from her face.

“Hades,” Persephone whispered.

“I know what you would ask of me,” he said. “But this is Hyacinth’s choice to make.”

She did not argue or beg, but she blinked away tears as she gazed at the two lovers.

“Perhaps he will change his mind now that Apollo has arrived.”

But Hades knew not even she believed those words.

“We are still counting the dead,” said Ilias. “But we are nearing a thousand with many unaccounted for.”

After his conversation with Charon, Hades had sent the satyr to gather information on the state of New Athens.

There was no good news.

“We are no longer part of the mainland,” he said. “It has become an island, surrounded by the Aegean, which technically makes it Poseidon’s territory.”

It was as Hades had feared, though he did find his brother’s role in this suspicious. Poseidon had always wanted to rule, so it was strange that he would go to this extent to see someone else on the throne, even if it was his son.

“The separation destroyed mostly larger buildings. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Alexandria Tower have all fallen. There is also significant damage to the hospital though it is still operational unless its generator fails. The rest of New Athens is in total darkness.”

Hades was quiet, considering.

The information Ilias had offered was good, but it was too general.

“If we are going to help those in need, we are going to have to have a better idea of what is happening on the ground,” said Hades.

“I can summon a few contacts to Iniquity,” said Ilias.

“It still stands?”

“For now, though I have a feeling Theseus is eager to destroy anything that reminds him of the gods, especially you.”

“Flattered,” said Hades. “But if that is the case, meeting there is not safe. I think you should summon them here.”

“As you wish,” said Ilias.

He did not wish it, but he had no choice because he knew where this was going. Theseus would target everyone who was loyal to the gods, and if they did not forsake them, he would execute them.

He wanted no worshippers left, save those who would bow to him, though Hades would challenge him to find one person who did not believe—or fear—death.

“Summon me when you return,” Hades said and left his office for his chambers.

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