Page 106 of Hades' Shadow
So, this is how the damn oracle wants to play this? She’s not going to acknowledge that Jayden and I are even here? Fine.
“I don’t know where the helm is,” she says with a grunt.
“Hades said only a powerful seer would be able to find the helm. He sent us to you. Though I’m going to have words with him for not telling us who you are and how much you detest the rest of the gods.” I glare at Jayden even though it’s not his fault.
The mean old lady ignores me completely and I seriously want to bitch-slap the ancient oracle.
“Fine, but when the demons come and start sucking the essence out of you and your friends, don’t come crying to us.” Jayden turns away from the woman.
“Jayden, we can’t leave. We need her help,” I say, reaching for him.
“Maybe my father is wrong about her ability to see in the afterlife. I bet if we get close enough, Adrian will be able to see where the helm is.” Jayden doesn’t turn around as he speaks.
“What did you just say, boy?” the old woman snarls.
“Adrian is an awesome seer. I’m sure we can figure it out eventually.” Jayden’s shoulders bunch around his ears.
Is he playing the old woman? One thing about ancient heroes and oracles is they have egos the size of the Erymanthian boar and are vain as all hell.
“I’m the greatest seer to ever live,” the woman shrieks and I wince. “How dare you speak to me this way. Get away from my home. This is supposed to be my great reward for my service to the gods and you lot are ruining it.”
“The next demon we encounter, we will send them your way,” I growl and turn to follow Jayden.
How the hell else do we convince the crazy old lady to help us?
I’m just as angry about this as he is but we don’t have an option. We need to convince her.
Everything will end if the Titans escape, and no one will be safe.
22
“Wait,” the old woman calls out to us. “Fine, I will help. Come inside half bloods.”
I turn around and shoot her a glare, but she is already walking away from us and into the house. Raven raises an eyebrow at me.
I hold out my hands and shrug—the universal gesture forI don’t fucking knowand we follow her inside.
The cottage is cozy and much older than some of the other houses we have seen in Elysium.
The old woman hobbles into a sitting room straight out of a hippy’s paradise. Crimson velvet cushions are spread out over the room and she waves a hand.
“Sit, if you must interrupt my rest. Would you like some tea?” She cackles at her own joke.
“No, we don’t want to get stuck here.” I scowl at the woman and plop down on one of the cushions.
The old woman ignores me again, but I don’t really care. I just want to get the information and be on our way.
This woman is just one more reason I don’t want to get stuck in Elysium before my time. I just keep finding reasons not to like this place, but it’s saving me from possibly getting attached.
Delphi eases herself down on the cushion on the other side of the room from me. That’s completely fine with me. She pats the cushion next to her for Adrian to sit.
Prejudiced old crone.
“Do you have a general idea of where it is?” the woman asks Adrian.
“No, ma’am, just that it’s still in the underworld,” Adrian says and sits on the cushion she indicated.
I pull a face at him. He’s being way too respectful to someone who has been a complete ass to us.
