Page 142 of Dead Heat

“We should’ve known we’d find you near a cemetery,” Tisiphone said. “The dead are your comfort zone, after all.”

“Why did you attack me last time you were here?” I asked.

“Our orders were to find you and carry you home,” Alecto said. “We tracked your scent to this house, but it was confusing to us. It was both you and not you at the same time.”

“You could’ve changed form and spoken to me like a civilized fury. Problem solved.”

“I didn’t trust my senses, and I couldn’t be certain of your identity even if I’d asked you,” Alecto replied. “I thought perhaps you were a trick or a trap. Someone spelled with Melinoe’s scent. Changing forms would’ve left us vulnerable.”

“I deemed it unwise,” Megaera interrupted. “We flew home to report our findings to Hestia and reassess the situation.”

“And then Cerberus showed up.”

Megaera nodded. “At first Hestia asked us to stop him, but then she changed her mind. She trusted the beast would recognize you better than anybody, and she was right.” The fury paused. “But don’t tell her I said that. The goddess is insufferable enough as it is.”

“Why have you come back?” I asked. I doubted it was for a reunion. The Erinyes weren’t known for their sentimentality.

“You’re needed at home,” Tisiphone said.

“I’m aware of the situation. I made a deal with Hestia. I have until the summer solstice.”

“Wedid not agree to your pact with her,” Megaera argued.

“I didn’t realize your signatures were required on the contract.”

“I see your new tongue is as sharp as your old one,” Tisiphone remarked. “Your father’s genes are difficult to overcome.”

“I’ll speak plainly then, so as not to wound you with it. I am not leaving this realm to live in the underworld. Not today. Not ever.”

The furies exchanged looks of frustration.

Tisiphone’s snakes hissed. “Your answer is unacceptable.”

“And yet you’ll have to accept it anyway. That’s how free will works.”

Alecto extended a hand. “We demand that you come with us.”

“Or what? You’ll kidnap me to the underworld to rule as its queen? I hate to tell you, but that’s been done.”

The sisters weren’t amused. “You are the daughter of Persephone and Hades,” Megaera said. “Why would you choose to remain in a hovel such as this?” She waved a hand at the Castle looming behind me.

I held up a finger. “First, that hovel is my home. Don’t insult it. Second, I wasn’t raised to rule. I was raised to look after myself and a bunch of ghosts.”

“Precisely. Your duty is to the souls in the underworld, not the ones here,” Alecto said. “That is the entire purpose of your power to control their every move. Without you, the realm is at risk.”

“I don’t know how to rule.”

“We will be there to guide you,” Megaera said. “You will not be alone.”

“That’s the problem. I like my solitude.” Although it was becoming harder and harder to say that with a straight face, knowing I had two ghosts, a revenant, a romantic relationship, and a revolving door of friendly visitors.

“We have a host of other responsibilities,” Tisiphone said. “You will have peace.”

“We suggest you choose a consort,” Alecto added. “Your father was a much better ruler once he had your mother by his side. They made an excellent team.” Her tone softened at the mention of my parents.

“Why don’t the three of you rule?” I suggested. “Each one of you sits on the throne for a season and then divide the fourth season amongst yourselves. Or maybe Hestia would agree to a single season per year.”

“And now I hear your grandmother’s voice in yours,” Alecto said. “Scheming and conspiring.”

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