CHAPTER VII - TRUCE

Hades’ Lover Arrives at Nevernight in Rental Truck, Dressed in Sweats.

Persephone sat behind her desk at work on Monday, glaring at the article on her computer screen. She could be an oracle with the way she was able to predict headlines. If only she’d been able to predict meeting Hades’ lover, too.

Her mood hadn’t improved over the weekend. Maybe that was due to the fact that she had yet to hear from Hades. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to talk to him, but she had expected him to try to contact her—either manifest in her bedroom in the middle of the night to apologize or send Hecate, the peacekeeper.

As the hours turned into days, Persephone grew even more frustrated with Hades, and the more she wanted to write about Apollo just to piss him off.

The thought had occurred to her because the God of Music was in the news today, having been selected as the chancellor for the upcoming Panhellenic Games. His christening was no surprise, as he had been given the title for the last ten years. It was basically a designation Apollo paid for, since his money funded the entertainment, uniforms, and construction on a new stadium.

It was just another example of Apollo’s status. No one would want to believe that the god who gave them sports was also an abusive asshole.

She sighed and closed her browser, opening a blank document. She had another week to write the exclusive Demetri and Kal had ordered. This was probably not the best time to begin, because every word she thought of to describe Hades was something angry and unkind.

Frustrating, thoughtless, jerk.

After a moment, she sighed and checked her mug. She needed more coffee if she was going to attempt this article. She left her desk and went into the break room. As her coffee brewed, Helen found her.

“Persephone...there’s a woman here to see you. She says her name is Leuce.”

Persephone froze and looked at Helen.

“Did you just say Leuce?”

The girl nodded; her blue eyes wide. Persephone’s frustration burned, and she clenched her fists to keep a handle on her magic. All she needed was to sprout vines in front of her co-worker. What was Hades’ ex-lover doing here?

“Should I tell her you’re busy?” Helen asked. “I’ll tell her you’re busy.”

Helen started to leave.

“No,” Persephone stopped her. “I’ll see her. Show her to an interview room.”

Helen nodded and returned shortly after she disappeared.

“She’s in three.”

“Thank you, Helen.”

The girl hovered and Persephone took a breath.

“Yes, Helen?”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Just peachy,” she answered.

What else was there to say? She was being forced to write about her love life—a love life that was being threatened by a woman who just showed up at her job.

Things were complicated.