The door to the cell banged shut in his face, and the Messenger God crumpled in a heap on the floor. He heard the lock clunk back into place. He sprang to his feet and hammered at the door.

‘Hoimes – you OK?’ said Hades.

‘Let me out!’ shouted Hermes. ‘I’m not being funny, Nyx, but when I get my hands on you, it’s goodnight for good . . . LET ME OUT!’

But if Nyx could hear him, she said nothing. Hades tried the door. It was shut tight.

‘That woman!’ raged Hermes. ‘I totes respect babes and everything, but I am going to rip her booming . . .’ He slammed his fist against the locked door in frustration.

‘That’s great, Hoimes, just great,’ said Hades, picking up the discarded iGod. ‘But I gots another idea. How’s about yous call us a locksmith first?’

6. Fight Fire with Fire

6. Fight Fire with Fire

Elliot could feel the heat blazing all around him. It felt intense. It felt scorching. It felt final. And yet, Elliot was surprised to note, he was still feeling something.

Being frazzled to a crisp was taking longer than he’d anticipated.

He dared to open an eye. He was still within the fiery depths – what was taking so long?

And then he noticed it.

Shielding him from the flames was some kind of . . . golden glow. Yes, he was surrounded by fire on all sides, but this wasn’t fire. It wasn’t hot like the ferocity of the Phlegethon. Something was protecting him. But how? And what?

‘Elly.’

The sound of his name startled him back to full consciousness. That voice – it couldn’t be . . .

‘Elly. Swim, my darling. You have to swim. It’s not your time.’

‘Mum?’

He started to move his arms and legs, searching for the face that matched the voice. The flames licked and danced around him, but he was protected by the glow.

‘Mum!’

The voice was coming from above. Elliot started to propel himself upwards, kicking hard with his legs and pushing the fiery water aside with strong arms.

‘You’re so nearly there, Elly. Keep going. I’m with you.’

‘MUM!’

All coordination went out of his limbs: arms flailed, legs kicked, his breath exploded in uneven bursts. But Elliot commanded every atom of his being to reach his mother.

He could make out a swirling figure on the surface of the river. It must be her. If he just took a few more strokes . . .

‘GOTCHA!’

He felt strong arms grab him and pull him to the riverbank, where he collapsed in a breathless heap next to Hypnos, who was blowing on his scorched fingers from yanking Elliot out of the flames. He turned to greet his mother with a smile. But it wasn’t Josie staring back at him.

‘DID YOU GET IT?’ the voice roared in his ringing ears.