Another step, and another, and finally I’m within an arm’s reach.
Frumos is somewhere behind me, hovering, staring in confusion. What’s gotten into him?
I can’t explain his presence, nor can I take my eyes off her. I’m not even drunk, yet I’m having a reaction like if I blink, she’ll be gone, and I’ll be left bereft. Of her presence, of her laugh, of…
While I stupidly attempt to get my thoughts back on track, she doesn’t have that hesitation. One moment she’s there, the next she’s gone, only a flash of raven hair in the crowd.
“Oh no, you don’t!”
I ignore Frumos’ shouts and take off after her, catching up right as we reach the edge of the crowd. Without asking permission, I pull a Zeus and grab her hand, tugging her against me. I’ve never been one to cross personal boundaries without permission, but I can’t allow her to leave. Not again.
“Going somewhere, beautiful?”
Her slap has me stumble and let her go. Surely, that’s not how this goes for my brother when he approaches a woman… Perhaps I’m simply rusty. The stinging in my cheek tells me as much, and confirms she’s also definitely not human. No human’s slap could resonate this loud or sting—ow—this much.
Frumos chooses that time to barge through the crowd, hand on his sword. Finally, he gets his due. His thought distracts me for a millisecond even as this mysterious goddess finally speaks.
“Just because you’re a god of Olympus doesn’t give you the right to manhandle everyone you come across.”
My jaw is somewhere on the ground, but I pick it up and clear my throat. “How do you…?” I glance around, making sure no human can truly hear us. “How did you know?”
Frumos’ eyes narrow. I wave for him to go away, but instead of listening, he spreads his feet apart and stares me down.
“Move,” I order. “I have this under control.”
“Yeah? Enough to realize she’s also an Olympian, like you?”
I jerk toward her then. That radiance I’d seen, the eyes—
She cocks a hip and her violet gaze shoots bolts of lightning my way. “And if I am?”
“That’s how you knew about me, then?”
She does scoff this time. “That, plus your swagger and bad attitude, for one.”
“Funny. No humans complained before.”
“Then how about you find one of them to keep you company?”
Clearly, I’m not making a very good first impression. “Are you saying if I tone it down, I’ll have the pleasure of your company tonight?”
She makes a sound that might very well be a snort and taps her foot impatiently. Underneath the bravado, I sense something else. Not thoughts, per se, but again, that oddity. Like I know her. But I don’t. Except for my obsessive dreams, surely?
“I don’t understand.” I take a step closer. “How have I not seen you before?”
“Perhaps because on the rare instances I was there, you were drunk out of your mind.”
Wow. It does not take much to get a god infatuated, I suppose. I ignore Frumos’ thought, at first.
And then I realize the absence of something else. This woman, this goddess, whoever she is—I cannot hear her thoughts. It’s not that there are none, that’s impossible. But rather than all the gods whose thoughts attack me daily, hers are…not.
My entire focus becomes centered on her. My gaze slowly rakes her up and down, leaving me half-amused at the way she bristles under my inspection. I listen with all my senses, inhaling her fruity scent—a mix of wild berries and citrus. Feeling the sunshine emanating off her… But as far as her thoughts? There’s nothing. Just her radiance and something else, underneath it all. Something…more. Something darker. The combination is too intriguing to pass up on, and I find myself wanting to stay with her longer.
“I would have remembered seeing you.”
She crosses her arms. “May I leave, now? Or will you order me around, my lord?”
All right. If she wants me to act every bit the spoiled prince she thinks me to be, then it can be arranged. I straighten and level a hard gaze on her. “No, you may not. What is your name?”
My change of demeanor affects her, too. She drops the hand from her hip, and her attitude falters, if only for a second. She stares at me, lips parted, and something jolts again in my body. What blasted twist of the Fates is this?
I enter her personal space, and she tosses her head back to glare at me. I’d intended to catch her thoughts, but all I feel is that unnerving quiet.
“Your name.” My voice comes out hoarse, more demanding this time.
She holds my gaze for another second, then looks away and mutters, “Persephone.”
And then, when I’m unable to say or do anything else, she disappears into the crowd once more. I’m left staring after her, half wanting to chase her. But Zeus’ brother doesn’t chase after anyone, let alone an unknown goddess.
Persephone… Why do I know that name?
“Can we get back to Olympus now?”
I ignore Frumos, instead heading to the edge of the party. In the shadows, with Frumos watching over me, I observe Persephone. How she interacts with the humans, talks to them, laughs with them, completely free. I envy that freedom. I want that freedom. But it’s as out of reach for me as she is.
By the time I finally tear my gaze from after her, the sun is already rising. I’ve spent the night watching her, and still, I have no more answers than I did before.
I turn to Frumos, and he’s already opened a portal. No human is around to notice, and he seems more than ready to head back home. I’m not, but I stumble after him anyway, drunk on more than ambrosia this time around.
The next day, as my guardians sleep, and no one else comes to visit, I spend it in a daze. Pacing and going out of my mind, repeating our conversation so many times, my head hurts.
Once I’m done rehashing everything and beating myself over my first impression, I step onto the balcony and glare at the world. Night is almost here, and I have spent an entire day with my thoughts on this goddess.
Have my senses dulled so much that I’m out of touch with my deity powers? I should have felt Persephone’s aura, should have known she was a goddess. An Olympian.
And yet I didn’t. I’d thought she was a human, at best some kind of elfin creature or an immortal. But a goddess? The thought never hit me.
Granted, I’ve been out of touch with the Olympians. I’ve spent the last few centuries more drunk than I have sober. Could it be she’s a new goddess? It has been a while since we celebrated one’s birth, which means that’s probably not the case.
What am I missing?
And if I am missing things, it puts into question my meeting with Fenrir, too. What else did I miss, if I could miss out on a goddess’ aura?
A darker thought rears its ugly head. What if Fenrir wasn’t truly…himself? His thoughts spoke of need. Need what? Help? Blood? Restraint? It could’ve been all, or none. I never caught more, nor did I mention any of this to anyone else.
Sighing, I shift my gaze to the gardens below me. And something flashes in there, a silent appeal I’m all too familiar with. I turn and head back inside.
On my way out the door, I jostle Ileana awake. “Come with me. Someone’s here to see me.”
I could have left by myself, but I don’t want them to get in trouble. It might have only been a few days, but I’ve come to realize I don’t mind these guards all that much, at least not anymore. They’re an acquired taste, but at the end of the day, they keep the loneliness at bay. And that, if nothing else, earns them my loyalty.
As we go out of the mansion, Ileana tries to stifle a yawn. “Are we meeting your mysterious new crush?”
I throw her an uneasy glance, only to see her smile.
“Do not fret, my lord. I jest.”
I pause in my steps. My visitor won’t wait forever, but I need to get this out. “About that kiss—”
Ileana holds a finger to my lips. “It was p
leasant, but we both know our fates are not intertwined. At least, not in the way we would have thought originally.”
I nod, having figured out much of the same myself.
“My question was innocent, I assure you.”
“Ah. Then, no, it isn’t my new crush, but perhaps this visitor can shed some light on what’s going on.”
We continue walking, and then we emerge into the remains of my garden. The woman in the midst of it has on a gown that could easily be confounded with the greenery. Upon closer inspection, I can see roots and vines entwined across her body, almost like a darker precursor, a reminder of her power.
Yet her expression, when she notices me, is radiant. “Hades.”
She opens her arms, and I step closer. Pulling her into a hug, I inhale her scent of cloves and spices, mixed with something earthy. I pull back, and sparkling eyes the color of the moon meet mine.
“Morrigan.” Ruler of the Celts. Head of her own pantheon. And a long-time friend of mine.
She glances over my shoulder, and I hasten to reassure her. “That’s Ileana, my immortal guardian. I trust her.”
“Ah, yes. We all have one of those these days.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Even you?”
Something moves out of the shadows. He could be her brother, and while I would have thought him as arrogant as Frumos, a kind of gentleness escapes him. With one nod from her, he steps back into the shadows, hiding once more. Ileana follows suit and does the same, leaving us alone to chat.
“What’s happening, Morrigan? The Council meeting, Odin… I can’t have missed that much.”
She laughs. “You did spend a lot of time inebriated these last few centuries… But, no, you did not. What is afoot has been underfoot, so to speak, for a while.”
“And what is it?”
For the first time, her expression falters. “You have to understand, this is but speculation on my end.”
I should have figured out as much. Otherwise, she would have brought it up to Zeus himself and the Council.
“Whatever takes place, it may have started with the Norse gods, but it will affect us all, in the end. Something evil has been unleashed.”
“Evil?” A sigh escapes me. “Is this about me speaking Old Tongue again?”
Morrigan wrings her hands, looking past me again. “Not quite, no. This has to do with an entity of evil. I do not know the details, nor whether it is one of ours, yours, or theirs.”
“You mean whether it’s one of the abominations we fought, way back?”
“Yes. You had the Titans, we had more. We thought those evils vanquished, imprisoned for good. But where we—each pantheon—have them locked up, it is not enough. Those walls are shaking, and more are escaping. I believe that is what possessed Fenrir, and he did not know who you were.”
So I did miss something. And Zeus, as usual, is wrong about this being related to politics. While I can’t reveal to Morrigan what I heard from Fenrir—that would amount to explaining more than that—I can help ease her thoughts.
“I did get a sense something was…wrong…with him.”
Morrigan nods. “Too much. We believe it also caused him to turn against his own pantheon, and to actually hurt them.”
That’s not good, not in the least. And if he’s being affected, how many others will follow suit? And what is causing this mess?
“Where is he now?”
“No one knows. But, we are hunting for him.”
I shake my head. “Morrigan, this is… You have to tell Zeus.”
“Your brother has his own ideas of what is causing this.”
“Meaning?” My feint doesn’t fool her.
She tilts her head to the side, as if I should know better. And, in a way, I do. He was already very clear. There is only one thing he has ever cared for, and that is being ruler of Olympus. The Council has seen his leadership, meaning he will soon get his wish.
“Of course,” I say, giving up all pretense. “He thinks someone is doing it to stop him from achieving full control.” Her faint nod is enough confirmation. “What can I do?”
“If you know of anyone traveling the realms, stop them. Nothing is safe, not until we all lay our cards on the table and work together.”
If we can even get to that…
I try not to focus on her thoughts as she hugs me, but it’s hard. Morrigan has stayed more in tune with other pantheons than we have, and she’s off next to visit the Egyptians.
“Good luck,” I whisper.
She pulls away with an odd look. “With?”
Shit. I’m really getting careless. “With, uh… I’m assuming you’re going to warn others?”
“You know me so well.”
I force a smile, and then she’s gone in a flurry of dark green smoke.
Ileana, quick as always, has a portal waiting. “I assume you wish to get Persephone?”
“How did you…?”
“You are not the only one who can read minds.” She jumps in, ignoring my baffled expression, and I have no choice but to follow.
I stumble out of the portal, moving in front of Ileana to block her way.
“What do you mean, read minds?” How did she figure it out? And who will she tell?
My heart thuds at a faster pace. I’m more afraid than I have been in a while. More aware, too. My palms are clammy, something I haven’t experienced since I was a young deity, and my teeth are gritted so hard I’m worried they might snap. And still, my gaze is inflexible on Ileana.
She smiles like she holds a secret, then brushes some imaginary dirt off my shirt. “I know, Hades.”
“How? Do you also—”
“Nu.” Her brilliant gaze catches mine. “I am not gifted such as you are, but it does not take a genius to figure it out. Not when you wear your emotions on your sleeve as you do.”
“I do not!”
“I beg to differ. We can continue discussing this later, but for now, we must find your love interest.”
I shove all the questions I have aside and focus on that one thing.
This time, now that I know what I’m looking for—and I haven’t had ambrosia for a few hours—I find Persephone easily. When she sees me nearing, she steps away from the human she was speaking to. Her expression is anything but welcoming.
I follow her around a house and find her leaning against it. Her chin is tilted in the air, arms crossed over her chest, her expression defiant. Her eyes flicker to Ileana, behind me, then narrow on me.
“What do you want this time?”
“You’re not safe here.”
She rolls her eyes. “Consider me warned. Is that all?”
When she tries to move, I grab her elbow to stop her. It’s the second time I’ve touched her without her permission, but I can’t seem to stop myself. And while another goddess would have zapped me into obedience by now, she does not.
It would be even more interesting if I can hear her thoughts—which still elude me, sadly.
“Persephone, please. Listen to me.”
“I am listening. You, however, aren’t listening to me. I don’t wish to go anywhere, and I’m perfectly fine here.”
I tug her farther away, ignoring her protests. She is incensed once I find us a corner for more privacy. “You aren’t taking this seriously enough.”
“Nor should I. I’m safe, and I would love it if you could stop pretending you care. You’ve seen me, twice. Since when is that enough to make you care?”
I open my mouth to deny it—and point out this is technically my third time, but then again the quick flash I’d seen of her the first time could’ve been a trick of my mind. And, either way, what can I say? That I’ve been dreaming of her laugh for weeks, to the point of being addicted? That I know the smell of her hair, and fall asleep with her wild berry scent in my nostrils, even though I’ve only been around her a few times?
Not smooth enough. Why didn’t I listen when Zeus tried to give me pointers?
And then it dawns on me.
Maybe she’s not here by her own accord. After all, what goddess of Olympus would choose the earthly realm over ours?
“Is someone keeping you here, against your will?” My imagination runs haywire, especially given what Morrigan told me… “If anyone’s—”
Persephone yanks herself out of my grip and shoves me away. “No! I choose to be here. Is that so hard to understand, that I’d rather be among humans who value me for who I am, rather than what I am and what I can or cannot do?”
“I—”
Her outburst shocks me, but not as much as the tears filling her eyes. What kind of minefield have I just stepped in?
“Leave.” It’s a near growl, her eyes throwing darts my way. “I’m happy here, and you’re ruining it for me.”
And not for the first time, she walks away from me.
“That went well.”
I ignore Ileana and turn to the party, getting lost in the throng of people. But not for long. Even as I get a mug of ale, she’s on my heels. Her radiant self attracts more than one eye, so I grab her forearm and tug her down on a thick tree log. Humans have been using it as a sitting area, but since the party’s in full swing, it’s now empty.
“Could you be a little less conspicuous?”
She glances around, notices a few stares, and nods. As soon as the humans look away, her form becomes less shimmery, less bright, and she seems almost…human. Approachable. Until one sees the glint of coolness in her eyes—but no humans would get close enough.
“That’ll do,” I mutter and bury my nose in the jug.
Ileana wrinkles her nose but says nothing. I ignore her obvious disapproval and drink the entire thing, followed by another. Still, she keeps silent, watching me get wasted on cheap beer that will most likely give me indigestion as earthly goods usually do.
“Not saying anything?”
“I have long since given hope of keeping you sober, Hades.”
I glare at her but push the drink away—momentarily, at least. “Why’s that?”
“Because you seem to take great pleasure in diminishing yourself.”
Secret Shadows: A Greek God Paranormal Romance (Immortal Rogues Book 1) Page 6