Page 9 of Conquered Obstacles

“I’m glad you never came to the underworld,” Hades said but didn’t hug him.

“Thank you, Uncle,” Dion accepted, looking uncomfortable before shooting me a look. “I apologize, but the others weren’t comfortable attending.”

“That’s fine. I will need to speak with them, but it can be over the phone even. We don’t have to have lunch like a family.” I shrugged, leaving it at that for now. “Are you hungry?”

I was glad when he nodded, gesturing for him to have a seat at the kitchen table. I explained that I had just moved in and to excuse the sparse everything because of it. I had just made what furniture and housewares I had appear the night before even aside from the groceries that I’d bought to make the food.

“AMC will take the deal, but we want one location outside NYC as well to have—” Dion blurted.

“Dion, you’re not here for business, love,” I said gently as I handed him the salad I’d just plated him. “I truly invited you over for lunch and to catch up. Yes, I do want to talk about that, and I need to figure something out, but this wasn’t a ploy. You’re here as our nephew that we’re worried for and have missed.”

“And you as well, Apollo, unless you want to keep lurking just off the property,” Hades said as he poured himself some iced tea. He tried to smother a smirk as Poseidon and I both stared at him in shock. “You’re surprised one of the twins couldn’t keep their curiosity at bay?”

“No,” we both said together.

“I apologize for inviting him here without checking with you first, Sister,” Hades muttered.

“No, I invited them. Please, let him through the wards,” I accepted. “You are better at this than I am. You can sense if he has ill will.”

“None,” he confirmed.

“Apollo, please join us,” I said, knowing he would hear us.

Hades sighed and I felt his power… And then Apollo was standing next to the table.

The dry looks Poseidon and I gave Hades spoke volumes about his impatience.

“I do not want your delicious meal ruined because of his indecision,” Hades defended.

It was hard not to laugh. I smiled at Apollo as I stood. “Forgive your uncle’s impatience. I’m thrilled to see you. Please, join us.” I was glad when he accepted my hug and nodded. “You’re not in trouble. This is just lunch. You couldn’t find me to ask permission.”

“I know. We’ve done nothing wrong,” he said defensively.

“Except you’re worried and carry guilt,” Hades said coldly.

“Because of where he’s based out of,” Dion muttered.

Apollo shot him an annoyed look.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly. “We can talk later and fix any mistakes or adjust if we need to. Let’s just eat and catch up.”

“And push Dion to help you,” Apollo accused.

“Watch your tone,” Hades warned, his voice deadly.

“Brother, they’re scared and have been on their own too long with the looming threat of Hera,” I reminded him. I might have said more but then smiled as I heard a vehicle pull in the driveway. “The twins are here.”

“I was shocked they were late,” Poseidon admitted.

“They wanted to bring sushi from this great place near their apartment, but it doesn’t open on Sundays until just a bit ago,” I explained. I used my power to unlock the door and open it. “Come on in, loves. We’re just starting on the salad.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Mary said as they hurried in.

“I explained, and your cousin Apollo just joined us as well,” I told them. I smiled as they set everything down on the counter and hurried to hug both Hades and Poseidon. “This is Dionysus, but he’s going by Dion Lopez now and prefers Dion. These are my daughters who go by Mary and Kary Conan now, adopted cousins for our cover.”

“Lovely to meet you both,” Dion said, dipping his head but only offering that. The twins took it in stride.

“This is Apollo…” I studied him. “Are you using another alias or anything you prefer to be called instead, love?”

---