Katerina smiled. She seemed genuinely excited to have communicated something Persephone was unaware of, and explained, “The Halcyon Project is just one of many initiatives under The Cypress Foundation.”

“Tell me more.”

“Well, there’s Cerberus House, a non-profit for animals. The organization has founded fourteen no-kill animal shelters in New Greece and pays for pet adoption fees. We’re very excited to be opening a fifteenth location in Argos. There’s also the Safe Haven Project which helps families pay for funeral and burial costs. So far, we’ve aided over three hundred families in their time of need.”

Persephone was speechless, and yet, the woman kept going.

“Lord Hades’ longest-running charity is Chariot, a fund that provides training for therapy dogs for children in need.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat.

“Th-that’s amazing.”

Her feelings were all over the place. She felt awe that Hades had started so many wonderful organizations, but frustrated and embarrassed that she didn’t know about any of them. Why hadn’t he told her? Why hadn’t she stumbled across any of this during her research of the God of the Dead?

Gods, she looked like such a jerk, having written such slander about him. Perhaps that’s why so many of these people were eager to tell her about all his accomplishments, to further prove her wrong.

Damn his humbleness.

The tour continued a little while longer, and several introductions were made. Persephone met the people behind each of Hades’ charity initiatives. At the end, Katerina turned and said, “If there’s nothing else, I’d be happy to escort you downstairs, my lady.”

What about Hades’ office?

Luckily, Lexa intervened.

“I’ll take it from here, Katerina. Persephone and I need to finalize some plans, anyway.”

“Oh…”

“Thank you so much Katerina,” Persephone said before the woman could protest. “I’m very excited to tell Hades how wonderful you’ve been.”

That worked like a charm. Katerina smiled and gave a very flustered, “Why, thank you so much, Lady Persephone.”

When they were alone, Lexa leaned forward. “You wanna see Hades’ office?”

“You know it.”

They giggled like schoolgirls as Lexa led her up a third flight of stairs. This floor was all dedicated office space, and Persephone and Lexa wound their way through a set of cubicles before reaching a row of offices at the back of building.

“Here it is!” Lexa said, gesturing to the space with her arms spread wide as she stepped inside.

It was a glass box.

Persephone hesitated at the door. It reminded her of her mother’s home, and for a moment, she had the strange feeling that this was all a well-orchestrated trap. Hades desk sat before a lead-detailed window that made it appear like he was sitting upon a throne while he was at his desk. It was over-the-top and intimidating, and she would bet money he used this desk less than the one in his office at Nevernight.