Page 128 of Hades' Shadow
“I think it’s the shell. We have a problem. We are in the underworld assisting my father and we’ve run out of human food,” Jayden sighs.
“What does that have to do with me?” Hermes asks with a frown.
‘If we don’t do something, then Beth and the others will end up being trapped here.”
“I’m not even sure the messenger of the gods can help with this one. The gods are weakening and we can’t even contact our own children.” Hermes shakes his head.
“You don’t understand,” I say softly and Hermes turns wide eyes in my direction.
“Beth, I do understand what you all are trying to do. I’m just not sure I can help you,” Hermes says sadly.
“But Hades gave you free rein to come and go as you please, didn’t he?” I asked.
“Well, yes, but…” he trails off.
“But what? We need your help. You should still be able to get to the underworld.” I stomp my foot in frustration.
We need something.
Adrian wanders away from Raven, and I yank him back by the back of his shirt.
“You can’t eat that, Adrian,” I shout at him.
Hermes glances around in every direction before gasping. “You’re in the orchard? You need to get them out of the orchard, now.”
“We didn’t have a choice, Hermes. It was the only way to get to the river of fire.” Jayden throws up his hands in frustration.
Hermes’ image flickers slightly at the movement but comes back quickly.
“Okay, you need to get them the fuck out of that orchard. It’s the orchard Hades got the pomegranate from that trapped Persephone. They are spelled to attract people and trap them in the underworld forever.” Hermes runs a hand through his dark-blond hair.
We had pretty much guessed that already but it’s good to know.
Maybe if I remind myself that it’s spelled to trap me, I will be able to stop myself from losing control.
“I’ll get them out, Hermes, but what are we going to do? If we have to fight any more demons, we are fucked.” Jayden clenches a fist at his side.
“Look, I’ll do what I can, but I can’t promise anything. The only god that’s not weakening at the moment is Zeus. Maybe I can get him to help,” Hermes says.
“We would appreciate any help you can offer us,” I say.
“I can’t believe you all went in so ill prepared,” Hermes grumbles.
“We had plenty of food and medicine too, but we were attacked by a golem and my pack was smashed.” I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at the god through the mist.
“A golem?” Hermes asks with a raised eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“A huge thing made of clay and rock with a single-minded focus to kill us all by smashing us into the dirt? Yes, I am sure,” I say with a growl.
Hermes brows draw down in concentration before he shakes his head.
“I think I know who may be behind this, but I can’t say anything until I’m sure. Get the fuck out of the orchard and I will see what I can do to help,” Hermes says and then cuts off the connection.
How would a golem give him an idea of who is behind this?
I frown as Jayden puts the shell back in his pack.
“Shit,” Jayden says with wide eyes. “Where the hell are Adrian and Raven?”
