Page 79 of His in the Dark

A lump aches in my throat. “How am I to be complete, then?”

What they are saying makes no sense. Two halves of a life? How could I choose between them? In the Underworld, I havesomecontrol over my powers. On Olympus, I have my mother but my powers will go and surely I will be swept aside.

“To simply be,” the Fates reply. “You do not need to choose.”

I let out a harsh laugh as tears slip from the corner of my eyes. “But you have just said that I will never be complete no matterwhatI choose. That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It does, my Queen,” the Fates say. I want to scream at how calm they sound. “Find your power. It is then that fate will find you.”

Hades

I knowHermes is in the underworld the moment he arrives. I had been returning to Persephone, who came down the path some time ago, but when I sense Hermes on the path, I change directions and go to find him before he can find her.

Whoever granted him passage will hear from me next.

It is not difficult to locate the God of War and Conductor of the Dead. His eyes are on the side of the path as he walks in loping strides, and he is not attempting to conceal himself. He guides souls to the River of Styx, he is not permitted on these grounds though. He should not be here and I can only imagine why he’s ventured this far. Zeus.

“Hermes.”

The youthful God boasts an athletic yet slim build under his cloth tunic. His winged sandals mark him as the messenger. He rubs his beardless chin with one hand, grasping his gold staff with the other.

He turns at the sound of his name, a smile on his face. “Hades.” His tone is one of greeting. As if I do not know better. His arrogance is infuriating.

“I did not know you planned to visit my realms.”

“I am here at the behest of Zeus,” Hermes announces. He’s always honest…when it suits him. “Tell me. Where is your queen?”

“Not available to you.” My tone is harsh intentionally although the God does not change his demeanor.

“I’ve come to convince Persephone to return to Olympus,” Hermes says. Apparently there is no need for subterfuge.

“You will not,” I say flatly.

Hermes glances around the grounds. “She was here. Wasn’t she?” He stares at me a moment, “Persephone,” he says as if I need reminding.

“Do not speak her name,” I warn. “Lest you wish to get her attention.” Anger bristles inside of me and I imagine her in her throne, her righteous anger.

“Persephone?” Hermes says. Chills run down my spine at the thought of him taking her. “She is here, then. Here in your realms.”

“She will not return,” I tell him firmly. “She is my wife.”

Hermes squares his shoulders and faces me. A moment passes and it’s then I realize my hands are in such tight fists that they pulse. “I would like to see her and speak to her myself.”

I put my two fingers in my mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Cerberus will hear it wherever he is in the Underworld, and he will come to my side.

Hermes narrows his eyes. “You have called the three-headed dog.”

“Yes. And he comes…. You can go now.”

“I do not wish to go. I wish to see Persephone so that I may speak with her.”

“Then you will want for much,” I offer him and settle on a calm exile of the God. “No one will take her from me.”

Hermes darts a glance towards the river where Cerebus will come from. He knows this all too well. His voice lowers as he attempts to reason with me, “Someone needs to confirm her presence, Hades. Time has passed. Gods and goddesses grow uneasy.”

“I think it is you who should feel uneasy.”

“Fine.” He bows a farewell towards the castle and moves quickly. “If you insist on war, I will not stand in your way.” I follow Hermes down the path. He turns back to warn me, “You should know, the dead are many now, and it is your doing and your doing alone.” I search his eyes for deception, but find none.

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