Chapter 55

55

The house was a mini palace, big as a hotel. At the top of the stairs, Persephone slipped past the sign marking the hall beyond as “Private.”

Oh well, she’d ask Hermes later who owned the palace so she could beg forgiveness for trespassing. Escape was more important at the moment. She hurried down the hall, testing a few of the doors to see if one could lead to a safe hiding place.

None of the doorknobs turned. Persephone ran barefoot from one to another, imagining Hades stalking up the stairs, the victor (of course) of whatever faceoff he might have had with Poseidon. He’d pause at the top of the stairs, order his Shades to wait, and come for her.

Finally, the door at the end of the hallway opened and Persephone walked out onto a balcony. The air was cold and crisp but did little to cool her overheated skin. Hurrying to the balustrade, she leaned over and looked out over the garden, heaving in a deep breath.

Second floor. No way down. Nowhere else to run.

She blinked rapidly as her heart raced, looking over her shoulder. Maybe he wouldn’t find her? But there’d been that look in his eye. He was done waiting.

Two months ago, riding in Hecate’s car away from the Ubeli Estate, she’d texted him: I’ve left you. I’m somewhere safe. Please don’t come after me.

She’d turned her phone off, and Hecate had dropped her off at Athena’s apartment. After kissing Cerberus goodbye (and getting a doggy lick in return), Persephone had gone inside to Athena and Aphrodite, to hug and cry. Hermes had shown up an hour later bearing wine. Hermes hadn’t chastised her, but hugged her until tears came to her eyes. They drank until dawn.

The next day, she turned on her phone and stared at the six voicemails Hades left her. And one text: We need to talk.

After saving the voicemails without listening to them, she’d texted him back. She was a coward, but she was resigned to being one.

I can’t right now but we will soon. I promise. I need time.

She’d left out what she really wanted to say. His reply said it for her. I’ll wait. I love you.

He’d kept his word. He hadn’t sought her out for two months. Oh, Persephone knew he checked up on her, and every week flowers were delivered to Athena’s apartment that Aphrodite and Athena swore weren’t from any of their admirers. But no phone calls, no texts. No showing up on her doorstep. Nothing until tonight. His patience had run out.

Persephone took her now freezing hands away from the stone and rubbed them together. The truth was, as much as she’d been dreading this day, she knew it needed to happen. Closure, right? Everyone said it was important. If only she was strong enough.

She and Hades were wrong for each other. From the beginning they’d sparked like fire but what was it worth if it burned the whole world down?

She’d told herself that she needed the past two months to think. But the truth was, sticking her head in the sand was the only way she knew to become deaf and blind to his charms. Seeing him again now, she knew the truth.

She wanted him. She…liked succumbing to the pull he had over her. If she was being honest with herself, and this was very, very hard to admit…she always had. She wanted his overwhelming strength to roll over her and fill her with desire. She wanted him too much.

And she hated herself for that. Her desire for him, her weakness. She wanted to be able to stand up to him and prove she was strong enough to live her own life.

She had to break the cycle. It was up to her.

Footsteps sounded behind her.

And now was her chance.