Page 52 of Tempted By Hades

Geri rolled her eyes. “Typical Adonis. I swear to the gods, he’s like a golden retriever sometimes when he spots something interesting. Probably saw some hot guy and decided to give chase.”

Persephone frowned. “We can’t just let him wander around the Underworld under a glamour. Something might happen to him.”

While glamouring was powerful magic, it was also unpredictable. There was no way to find out what Adonis would see under the influence of the spell. Something that was dangerous could appear ordinary to him—for example, a certain river where souls were carried over might look like any other river. Persephone didn’t want to know what would happen if she had to ask someone for help fishing her friend out of the Styx.

Geri huffed. “Why don’t you go look for him, and I’ll keep a watch over things here.”

“And I’ll keep a watch on you,” Apollo said with a waggle of his eyebrows, which only made Geri groan.

Persephone sensed a vibe between the two, but put any questions aside for now because searching for their friend was more important right now. “Er, okay, let me do that.” She was the one who was more familiar with the surroundings, after all. “I’ll be back soon.”

Persephone walked toward the stalls of trinkets and souvenirs, hoping Adonis had simply wanted to do some shopping. She went up the row twice, but there was no sign of her friend. Next, she headed to the crafts booths as well as the games, but that had been a waste of time because they were mostly filled with children. Finally, when she headed toward the stage where a band was playing, she spotted her friend dancing in the middle of the crowd.

Sighing in relief, she made a beeline for him. “There you are!” she exclaimed. “You just wandered off without saying anything. I was so worried.”

“Persephone!” Adonis pulled her toward him. “I’m so sorry! I just got so thirsty from working all morning that I went to get something to drink from one of the booths, but then I heard this band playing, and I just had to take a look!” He gesticulated at the band members on stage. “Aren’t they cool? I love all their songs.”

The band finished the song, and Adonis let out a whoop. “Woo! More!” he clapped encouragingly. “Oh my God, P, I don’t know why people keep saying Jersey is a dump! It’s actually kinda cool and hip.”

“Er, yeah.”

So, aside from coming up with a ruse about the billionaire, they also had to tell him they were going over to New Jersey for the street party. Adonis, being a typical New Yorker, barely stepped outside the five boroughs anyway and would likely never know what Jersey really looked like.

He took in a deep breath. “And the air is so much better out here too! Why do people in New York keep saying Jersey smells?”

Persephone could barely stop herself from grinning. “I have no idea.”

As the band started their next song, Adonis wrapped his arms around her. “C’mon, P, dance with me.”

“I don’t—Adonis!” She giggled as he spun her around. “Hey!”

“Woohoo!” He pulled her close, swaying them side to side to the beat of the music. “Loosen up, girl! And enjoy all this work you’ve put into making this into a fabulous street party.”

As they spun around the dance floor, she did take that moment to watch the revelry around her. She saw the faces of the souls light up with joy, and the entire garden transformed into a haven of festivity and camaraderie. And Adonis was right—she should revel in the fact that she made this happen.

“I did all this,” she said. “I really did.”

“Oh yeah, you did!” He spun her out, then back into his arms, his hand catching hers.

“And now—” She paused, feeling the hairs on her nape stand on end. Freezing, she looked around.

“P? What’s the matter?”

“I just…I felt like someone was looking at me.”

He giggled. “We’re out in public dancing. Of course, people are looking at us.”

“No, I mean…” She shook her head. It had been a particular sensation, as if she knew someone was staring right at her. But maybe Adonis was right. Shrugging, she continued to dance with him until the song ended. After that, Adonis declared he was famished, and they headed to the refreshment stalls where all kinds of foods and products were sold, each representing a different epoch, from ancient delicacies to modern delights. Persephone had planned it this way so the souls would have the chance to savor a taste of the times they once lived. The fragrant aroma of various cuisines would mingle in the air, creating an aromatic smorgasbord that transcended the ages.

Adonis had gone off like a kid in a candy store as soon as he saw all the food, while Persephone opted to browse the drink booths as she wasn’t really hungry. She was in line at the honey juice stall when she heard a familiar female voice.

“Oh, look who it is.”

Minthe? She turned around. “Hey–oh.”

The Naiad was not alone, however. Hades was next to her, and to Persephone’s irritation, Minthe’s arm was wound around his like a vine.

“Persephone?” He looked just as surprised seeing her. He quickly shrugged off Minthe’s arm. “What are you doing here?”

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