Page 68 of Summer's Seduction

Hecate lifted a brow. “She is a child of mine, born to my magic in another life. My blessing is needed to allow her soul to be reborn into magic, but if she earned a place among your huntresses, I won’t stop you from the funeral rites afterward.”

“Agreed,” Artemis said before carrying Megara into the mouth of the cave, leaving Camilla and Cyrene to follow.

“How are things in the covens?” I asked Hecate once the others had vanished. Maybe the earth coven was torture for me under Demeter’s rule, but there were other covens with innocent witches who genuinely wanted the best for The Realm of The Living.

Hecate’s gaze cut to me, her shrewd eyes feeling like they were peering into my mind. “I haven’t been able to return.”

My brows furrowed, but it was Morpheus who spoke next. “Death magic?”

“No,” Hecate cut in with a shake of her head. “Thanatos is still able to travel to The Realm of The Living, along with Hades and Persephone, though don’t mention that last bit to Zeus. The rest of us are blocked.”

“How is that possible?”

“I don’t know,” Hecate breathed. “But that isn’t the power of Ares.”

“Hermes,” Morpheus growled. “She created a portal into The Dark Palace for the meeting with The Olympians. Despite being the only reason they could cross realms, not one god offered her a seat at the table. Not even Hades.”

“You think Hypnos would?” I asked. “He doesn’t seem like the type of person to share power.”

Hecate huffed a bitter laugh. “After lifetimes with Zeus, Hypnos seems downright welcoming.”

“We know Ares, Hermes, Lord Egreius of Lycia, and probably most of The Night Children have joined my father.”

Hecate’s eyes widened before her brows knit together. “I’m sorry, Morpheus.”

He shook his head, acting as if the betrayal was nothing but another box to check on the list of enemies we wereconstructing, but I felt the twist of pain in his chest like it was my own.

“If all entrances to the Realm of The Living are closed, we must assume he’s already fled The Underworld.”

Hecate looked as if she might nod but then stopped. “Thanatos reported the northern territories, particularly those north of The Echoing Mountains, to be vacant. Even The Glass Palace was devoid of life.”

“The prison is empty?” I asked. “What about those inside?”

“Hypnos wouldn’t have killed them,” Morpheus answered gravely. “Or moved them, but if Thanatos and I are correct, he may have sealed it.”

“Sealed?”

Morpheus nodded, but it was Hecate who continued.

“Thanatos believes those inside have been placed in infinite slumber with the glass sealed by blood. He thinks, like you, that your father must have taken The Cornucopia containing The Sands of Time and is now stoking the flames of war from The Realm of The Living to draw Hades out.”

“Gods below,” Morpheus breathed, drawing a hand through his long hair. “If Hades breaks the mandate of Zeus and leaves The Underworld…”

“Zeus will declare war,” Hecate finished grimly.

“Can’t you just open it, though?” I asked. “If Psyche is trapped inside, you can undo whatever Hypnos did and save her, right?”

There was a heaviness to the set of Morpheus’s shoulders as he answered. “Normally, The Glass Palace can only be opened when the moon is at its peak. If Hypnos has sealed it, it will require the strength of the full moon.”

“Which is in three days,” Hecate added, seeing me note the sliver of the moon still cast in darkness.

“Doing so with my blood will break my father’s incantation completely.”

“Meaning it will also reverse the effects of slumber,” I said, realization dawning. “And not just for Psyche.”

Morpheus nodded. “We will go in three days’ time, little monster, when the moon is at her peak, and the stars burn bright.”

Nodding, I shifted on the balls of my feet as I weighed everything we’d just learned. The anticipation of finally seeing my sister after years of searching buzzed through my veins. Three days. In three days, she would be free.

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