Chapter VII

Chapter VII

An Unwelcome Introduction

Persephone’s alarm came too soon.

He opened his eyes and watched her rise and stretch. The silhouette of her body was haloed by the warm light from the fireplace, and his chest tightened at the sight. She did not seem to notice he was awake, and she disappeared into the bathroom. When the shower came on, he rose and dressed. As he poured himself a drink, he summoned coffee for Persephone.

When she returned to the room, she had a towel wrapped around her, and he sat, growing hard as she dressed. She looked at him as she finished buttoning her shirt, eyes falling to his very prominent arousal.

She smirked, smoothed her skirt, and approached, reaching for her drink.

“Thank you for the coffee.”

“It’s the least I could do,” he replied, weighed down by guilt at seeing how exhausted she was.

She took a sip and then set it aside, going to her knees.

And despite his excitement at seeing her kneel, he touched her chin and asked, “Are you well?”

“Yes,” she replied. Her voice was a low whisper. She pressed her hands flat against his thighs, inching her way toward his cock. Then she touched him, and his throat felt thick.

“Would you like release?”

He swallowed. “You will be late.”

She shrugged. “Perhaps the waiting crowd will disperse some, then.”

He said nothing, just stared at her as his skin grew warmer. She unzipped his trousers and pulled his sex free, rubbing him up and down before licking him from root to tip. He took a breath, letting it out slowly, watching as she swirled her tongue over the crown of his cock. His mind went blank, focused only on her warm and wet mouth, and his body responded, his chest expanding, his head light, his body hot and tingling. He had a moment when he wondered if he should come in her mouth, but she seemed intent, increasing the pressure and pace, and suddenly his want to come became a need, and he could no longer hold on to the tension in his body. His release came hard and fast, in a surge of electricity that left him feeling completely euphoric.

Persephone released him, standing to return her attention to her waiting coffee. Hades restored himself and stood, touching her jaw with a gentle brush of his fingers.

“You are far too generous, my darling.”

She smiled, her face flushed. “I have no doubt you will return the favor.”

“Eagerly,” he said.

Despite how intimate they’d just been, Hades wasn’t able to convince Persephone to let him take her to work, so he saw her off with explicit instructions for Antoni to escort her to the door and started his day with a visit to Iniquity. While Hades had many clubs, this one was…unique. There were two parts. One side entertained the public with burlesque dances, loud music, and alcohol. It was also the entrance used for those who sought help from Magi. Of all the criminals Hades worked with, he disliked the Magi most, and while he’d rather not entertain their so-called gifts at all, he liked having his thumb on their pulse so he could send Hecate to clean up their messes.

The other side of the club was a lounge for the most powerful criminals in New Greece. Criminals who had gained traction via Hades’s influence—from brothel owners to the Mafia, relic dealers to assassins. His empire ran deep, and he pulled the strings. One mishap and they tumbled.

Today he came to speak to Ptolemeos Drakos, who led one of the greatest smuggling rings in the whole of New Greece. He was a hardened man with deep lines on his face and a shaved head. His eyes were dark and slightly narrow, his thin lips turned down at the corners, but he always dressed sharply in a tailored suit and colorful tie. When he entered Hades’s office, he did not move to sit, which the god appreciated—this assignment would not take long.

“My lord,” he said, his voice so deep, it was almost hard to hear him.

“Mr. Drakos,” Hades said. “I’d like you to keep an eye out for any monsters that happen to make their way into the market. Make note of where they go and inform me immediately.”

Hades wanted to know if Dionysus was making a habit of collecting monsters. It wasn’t unusual considering many gods gave birth to said monsters, but Hades liked to know what all gods had, considering they could be used as weapons.

“Is that all, my lord?”

“For now.”

“Very well,” Ptolemeos replied, bowed, and left.

Hades was only alone a moment when the door opened once more. He looked up and found a woman standing in his office. She had long, dark hair and dark eyes. She was thin, dressed in a button-up shirt and slacks. He noted the badge on her hip.

“Who are you?” Hades asked, already irritated by her presence.

“My name is Ariadne Alexiou,” she said. “Detective Alexiou.”

“I’m not held to mortal law,” Hades said. The police never interfered with the gods—not in their exploits or their quests for divine retribution. “So I cannot imagine why you’re here.”

He expected the woman to react in some kind of way—with frustration, or perhaps defensiveness. While they’d never supported them publicly, Hades knew the Hellenic Police Department supported Triad’s idea of fairness, free will, and freedom. They did not like the idea that the gods intervened in justice and that there was nothing they could do about it. Divine justice ruled all.

Instead, the woman said, “I need your help.”

Hades raised a brow. “You don’t want my help.”

“Do you make a habit of telling women how they think?”

“Well, aren’t you bold,” Hades replied, staring at the woman for a moment. It was only then he saw a bit of her confidence waver, and that was the root of her soul—a once self-assured woman who was crumbling on the inside. But why?

“I would not have come here if I wasn’t serious,” Ariadne said, and she crossed the room. “There are women going missing all over New Greece, three in the past week.” She opened the folder she had held under her arm and laid three photos on his desk, each facing him. “Niovi Kostopoulos, Amara Georgiou, Lydia Lykaios. I must know…are they dead?”

“If I answer you, this can go no further. You don’t get to question the dead.” She nodded and he answered, “They are not.”

“Then I believe their disappearances are connected, but I can’t find anything concrete to link them. There are no commonalities in their background or appearance, nothing. It’s like they vanished into thin air except for this one…”

She pulled out another folder and placed it atop the others. The woman in the photo had thick auburn hair, and she was smiling.

“Megara Alkaios. Her friends tell me she was last seen at Bakkheia. They swear she went inside and never came out.”

The irony that this woman was here speaking of Dionysus when Hades had just discovered his acquisition of the Graeae yesterday was not lost on him.

“You still have not said why you require my help,” Hades replied.

“I’m asking you to help me get into Bakkheia.”

“Why?”

“Have you heard nothing I just said?”

“I heard every word, Detective,” Hades said. “You have one instance of a woman going missing after entering Bakkheia, and suddenly you are accusing Dionysus of what? Trafficking?”

She raised a brow. “You said it, not me.”

“Those are big accusations.”

“You cannot tell me you aren’t curious yourself,” Ariadne said.

After the incident with the Graeae, he was.

“I am,” he admitted. “But why do I need you?”

“It’s my investigation!”

“One, if I had to guess, your supervisor would not approve of. So I will ask you again, why do I need you?”

“I’m putting everything on the line for this case. It will make or break my career. Do you understand?”

She might be putting her career on the line by coming to him for help, but that did not answer why she was invested in the case.

Hades was about to reply when his phone rang. He might have ignored it, but he noted that it was Ivy, the office manager at Alexandria Tower, the headquarters of his charitable organization, the Cypress Foundation—and she never called.

“Yes?” he answered.

“Lord Hades,” Ivy said, breathless. “You did not tell me Lady Persephone would be by for a visit. I was grossly underprepared to serve her.”

Hades’s brows rose in surprise, though he supposed it was just a matter of time. He had hired Lexa, after all, though he berated himself for not being the one to introduce her to the ins and outs of Alexandria Tower. He could only imagine how overwhelmed she might be.

“I was not aware,” Hades replied, glancing at Ariadne, who glared back, a sour look on her face. She apparently did not like being ignored, but all the same, Hades did not like being interrupted by unwanted guests. “Accept my apologies. I shall arrive soon.”

He hung up the phone and picked up the folder Ariadne had placed on his desk. He would hand it over to Ilias.

“What are you doing with my file?” she demanded.

“You’ll forgive me for wanting to conduct my own investigation into this matter,” he said. And you , he added silently.

“I have done a thorough investigation.”

“By mortal standards, I am sure,” he said as he headed for the door. “As a rule, Detective Alexiou, it would be wise to never place all your money on one bet. My men will be in touch. Please, see yourself out.”

With that, he left.

* * *

Ariadne’s file felt heavy in Hades’s hands, and while he was curious to figure out what exactly Dionysus was up to, he also wanted to proceed cautiously. The God of the Vine was neither an enemy nor an ally, though he represented a part of Hades’s past he did not really like to recall. Still, this was the second time Dionysus had come up within a week.

He was up to something.

Hades took the folder to his office at Nevernight for safekeeping until he could meet with Ilias, then he teleported to Alexandria Tower. He used his glamour to remain unseen among his staff. He wanted to locate Persephone uninhibited, which was easy given that she was in his territory. He could feel her presence just the same as when she was in the Underworld. It was comforting to have her near, and the tension that had crept into his muscles while speaking with Ariadne lessened.

“Here it is!” he heard Lexa say as she walked ahead of Persephone into his office. Persephone stood in the doorway, her head tilting up and around as she took in the space. He wondered what she was thinking—probably something sarcastic about how he never used this office, though he’d like to make use of it now that she was here.

“Lexa,” a woman called from her cubicle. “Have you finished the posters for the gala?”

Hades appreciated the interruption, as it left Persephone alone and Lexa occupied.

He made his way into his office, still undetected. She had moved beyond his desk, which he kept free of clutter, save a vase of white narcissus Ivy insisted on refreshing daily…and a picture of her. He had taken it when she was unaware as she wandered in the gardens outside his palace. He could recall exactly why he’d been drawn to capture the moment too…because she’d looked so perfect among his flowers, and he remembered not understanding how he’d gone so long without her presence among them.

The picture was a reminder of his awe that she was his.

Persephone reached for it, and Hades appeared behind her.

“Curious?”

Persephone startled, and the frame fell from her hand. Hades reached around her and caught it, returning it to its place on his desk before she turned toward him.

There was so little space between them, Hades could feel the brush of her breasts as she breathed.

“How long have you been here?”

Hades raised his brows. “Always suspicious.”

She was wary of his power of invisibility, and while he did not blame her, he had promised not to use it to spy on her, and he had held to that, except for today, though spying had not been his intention.

“Hades—”

“Not long,” he assured her, wondering if she was merely embarrassed by the fact that she’d been caught looking at his things. “I received a frantic call from Ivy, who chastised me for not letting her know you were stopping by.”

She started to smile, then her brows furrowed. “You have a phone?”

“For work, yes.”

“Why didn’t I know that?” There was an edge to her voice, more frustrated than suspicious.

“If I want you, I will find you.” He did not need modern technology to locate her, just magic.

“And what if I want you?” That question was innocent enough and shouldn’t have made him feel anything at all, but the idea that she might ask him for help—and accept it—sent a strange sort of thrill through him.

“Then you have only to say my name.”

The hope that had swelled in his chest quickly dissipated with her frown, an expression he matched.

“You are displeased.”

“You embarrassed me,” she murmured, staring at his chest.

Hades lifted her chin so he could study her face. He did not understand. “Explain.”

She took a breath, like she was warring with herself, but her frustration won out. “I should not have to learn about all your charities through someone else. I feel like everyone around me knows more about you than I do.”

No one knew more than she did, except, perhaps, Hecate, who sometimes obtained information via her spells, something Hades considered a nuisance.

“You never asked.”

And had there been a time to even bring up the matter of his business ventures? Though he supposed he should have anticipated that others would be eager to disclose elements of his life to her. Aphrodite had done the same when she had told Persephone of their bargain.

“Some things can be brought up casually, Hades. At dinner, for instance: Hi, honey. How was your day? Mine was good. The billion-dollar charities I own help kids and dogs and humanity!”

Honey? That was not a name he had tried out before.

Her words amused him, and as the corners of his mouth lifted, Persephone placed a finger to his lips. He had the very primal urge to take it into his mouth.

“Don’t you dare. I am serious about this. If you wish for me to be seen as more than a lover, then I need more from you. A… history …an inventory of your life. Something .”

She was asking to know him, to understand him better. He could not deny that thought gave him anxiety. What if she did not like all parts of him? As he knew she wouldn’t.

He took her hand and kissed her fingers.

“I’m sorry. It did not occur to me to tell you. I have existed so long alone, made every decision alone. I am not used to sharing anything with anyone.”

It was the truth, especially his past. He had never placed much value in reliving it.

“Hades.” She said his name quietly and placed her hand on his cheek. “You were never alone, and you certainly aren’t alone now.”

He liked her words, even if they were only half true. When she dropped her hand, she took her warmth, and he was eager to have it back, though she had moved, putting distance between them by stepping out from between him and the desk.

“Now.” She turned to look at him, planting her hands on the desk. “What else do you own?”

“Lots of morgues,” he said.

Persephone stared for a moment. Her mouth opened as if she were going to speak, then she closed it again. Finally she asked, “You’re serious?”

“I am the God of the Dead.”

Her eyes brightened, and a beautiful smile broke across her face.

“Tell me,” he said, rounding the desk to be closer to her. “What else can I share with you now?”

She had turned toward him as he approached, and a pleasing tension grew between them. Persephone hesitated for a moment, then touched the picture on his desk.

“Where did you get this?”

He wasn’t sure why he stayed quiet so long. Perhaps it was because he could not read exactly how she felt about the photo, but it also meant revealing a part of himself he had never shared with anyone at all.

“I took it.”

“When?” A note of surprise colored her voice.

He smirked, humored. “Obviously when you weren’t looking.”

She rolled her eyes, and he drew closer. He wanted to take her mouth into a punishing kiss and worship her on this desk, though he knew her thoughts were much more wholesome.

“Why do you have pictures of me and I do not have pictures of you?”

“I did not know you wanted pictures of me.”

“Of course I want pictures of you.”

“I may be able to oblige. What kind of pictures do you want?”

“You are insatiable,” she said, hitting his shoulder playfully.

Hades’s hands locked on her waist, and he pulled her toward him, their bodies colliding hip to hip. “And you are to blame, my queen,” he said, mouth falling to her neck, his tongue touching her skin as he kissed down to her shoulder. “I’m glad you are here.”

“I couldn’t tell,” she said mildly. A tremor made her body vibrate beneath his hands.

He pulled back, but only enough to meet her gaze. His mouth lingered near hers as he spoke, hushed. “I’ve wanted to pleasure you in this room, on this desk, since I met you. It will be the most productive thing that happens here.”

“You have glass walls, Hades.” Her tone matched his, wavering.

“Are you trying to deter me?”

She tilted her head, her hands pressing into his chest, not to push him away but because he was holding her tighter.

“Exhibitionist?”

“Hardly.” He was not interested in sharing in any form, and he had said so before. He bent closer, his lips brushing hers as he spoke. “Do you really think I would let them see you? I am too selfish. Smoke and mirrors, Persephone.”

He liked the way she stared at him now. A light burned behind her eyes, and he knew she was aroused. He could sense it in how her body arched to his, the way her magic started to scent. She stared at him, then focused on his mouth and whispered, “Then take me.”

He was not one to deny her command, and as his arm tightened around her waist, intent on lifting her to the desk and calling up his glamour, someone cleared their throat.

Their heads whipped toward the door to find Lexa standing there, smiling.

“Hey, Hades,” she said brightly. “Hope you don’t mind. I brought Persephone for a tour.”

Persephone pushed against him to create distance, and he worked to stifle his disappointment.

“I have to get back to work,” she said, making her way to the door, but before she left, she turned to look back at him.

He realized he saw her nearly every day, had memorized every curve and detail of her body, yet she somehow still managed to arrest him.

“I’ll see you tonight?”

He would never say no, despite all the fires raging around him at the moment, and when he nodded, he knew he had made the right decision because she smiled so bright, it made his heart race.

After she left, Hades remained standing for a few minutes before sinking into the chair behind his desk. His gaze fell to the picture of Persephone, which he straightened, then he leaned back and closed his eyes, waiting for his lust to subside.

“There you are!”

“Go away,” Hades groaned.

“Excuse the interruption, my lord, but you are rarely here,” said Katerina.

Hades opened his eyes and stared at the director. Her eyes were lively, and she seemed far more energetic than usual, which was saying something, because she was always rather enthusiastic. It made her a better leader, as she was able to motivate people to do just about anything.

Even Hades.

“Which is why I have you ,” he replied. “Actually, though, I may have something for you.”

He summoned Ariadne’s file, and Katerina approached.

“I need to know if any of these women sought sanctuary at Hemlock Grove,” Hades said, which was a safe house operated by Hecate. Katerina, like many of his staff, volunteered there.

Katerina frowned as she leafed through page after page of missing women. “There are so many,” she said.

“A true tragedy,” Hades said, and he meant it.

Katerina hugged the folder to her chest. “I’ll work on this today,” she said. “While you are here, I need your approval on a few things.”

“Fine,” Hades replied. “As long as it doesn’t take long.”