The truth was Persephone did not know and that made her feel guilty and angry. She clenched her fists.

“Shut up,” she gritted out.

“You should channel your anger against the Fates,” Demeter said. “They’re the ones who have taken your friend.”

Persephone offered a sarcastic laugh. “Like you did? How did that turn out for you?”

Demeter narrowed her eyes. “That remains to be seen.”

Persephone turned from her mother and looked at Lexa again. Seeing her like this was the hardest thing she’d ever experienced, and it was getting worse every time she stepped through the hospital door.

“Hades isn’t the only god who could help you. Apollo is the God of Healing.”

Persephone’s body seized.

“Of course, you may have ruined any chance you might have had at securing his aid after that atrocious article you released.”

“If you came to defend him, I won’t hear it. Apollo hurt my friend and so many others.”

“You think any god is innocent?” She paused to laugh, and the sound was chilling. “Daughter, even you cannot escape our corruption. It is what comes with power.”

“What? Being a bad person?”

“No, it is the freedom to do whatever you want. You cannot tell me if given the opportunity, you would defy the Fates in favor of saving your friend.”

“Those decisions have consequences, mother.”

“Since when? Tell me the impact your articles have had on the gods, Persephone. You wrote about Hades and he ended up with a lover. You wrote about Apollo and he is still beloved,” she paused to laugh. “Consequences for gods? No, daughter, there are none.”

“You’re wrong. Gods always require a favor—favors mean consequences.”

“Lucky you are a god. Fight fire with fire, Persephone and quit sniveling over this mortal.”

Her mother was gone, but the smell of her magic remained and it made her feel sick.

Or maybe she felt sick at the thought of going to Apollo for help.

She couldn’t do it. How could she ask the god she’d criticized and proclaimed to hate for help? It would be betraying Hades and Sybil; it would be betraying herself.

When Eliska returned, Persephone prepared to leave, pressing a kiss to Lexa’s forehead. When she turned back to Lexa’s mother, she blurted, “don’t take her of the vent yet.”

Eliska’s eyes watered, already rimmed with red. Persephone was certain her walk was more of an excuse to go off and cry.

“Persephone,” Eliska said, her mouth quivered. “We can’t...keep letting her suffer.”

She isn't even in there, she wanted to say. She is in limbo.

“I know this is hard. Adam and I haven’t decided on a course of action yet, but as soon as we do, I’ll let you know.”