Is that why? She left Olympus because of my callous attitude? My stomach rolls at the thought, especially given what I’ve endured these several last centuries. And that was without Olympians even knowing the true reason I act so differently. But if they did…
I owe her a massive apology.
And then some.
The last thing I want to do is be stuck in an atrium with so many thoughts around me. But I can’t not go. Aside from Zeus asking me to spy on Odin, I also need to figure out how dangerous all this can be for us. For Persephone.
The atrium doors open, and we all storm inside. I grab Pegasus’ arm and meet his gaze. “Go to Persephone. Please. She’s in the same village where I was attacked, you can’t miss her. Please, go to her.”
“What? Why?” He glances to the open area, evidently wanting to be in there instead.
“I’ll come find you as soon as this is done. But for me, brother, please do it. Just keep an eye on her until I get there.”
Pegasus stares at me for another beat, then smiles and nods. “All right, but I expect all the details.” Then he turns his back on me and takes off. At the edge of the building, he’s surrounded by a shimmering, rainbow-colored light, and his body morphs to the white-winged horse I know.
“Hades.”
Ileana and Frumos are on either side of the doors, waiting for me to follow. And beyond them is Zeus, his expectant glare on me. I nod, enough to tell him I haven’t forgotten his orders.
I move inside, and my guards fall in step with me. We find a spot next to one of the columns, in full view of Zeus and Odin.
Moments later, Zeus calls everyone to order, and the cacophony lowers to murmurs. The thoughts are another story, but I do my best to waive them away mentally.
Odin stands, leaning on a staff. He settles his good eye on my brother. “We are unable to produce Fenrir at this moment, as per your request.”
Zeus’ expression is thunderous. “There had better be a good reason for it.”
Odin shares a look with the other gods. Besides my brother, everyone else holds their tongue. But suspicion fills their thoughts, assailing me once more.
He had one task, and one alone.
The Norse were responsible for our last issues…
I give my head a small shake, trying to concentrate.
“We cannot find him,” Odin says. “In fact, we fear something worse has happened.”
Zeus waves a hand dismissively. “Or, he‘s simply gone rogue.”
This fool—Odin takes a deep breath. He is older than us, and my brother should not be irritating him to this extent, not that he cares.
After a long moment, Odin says, “Fenrir would not do so. He is a dear friend of mine, and my son’s.”
I focus on the two men accompanying him. One is Thor, who I’ve seen before, but the other is his exact opposite. Smaller, with dark hair and an angular face. Oddly, the dark-haired one seems to feel my gaze on him and stares back in open interest.
Loki.
I peek over my shoulder at Ileana, arching an eyebrow in silent question. Is that his name?
Not someone you want to engage with. Especially you, she warns.
I give a slight nod to indicate I’ll listen.
Zeus stands from his chair, moving around. “We only have your word to count on.”
Odin leans forward. “Are you implying it is not enough?”
I can’t be the only one noticing the pure wrath in his voice, nor the way the ground itself seems to shudder.
Zeus stops, all his attention on Odin. Oh no. I know that look. I’ve seen it plenty of times, directed at me. And if no one stops him, he’s going to—
Morrigan intervenes. “He is most definitely not, great Odin. Let us try to find a solution to this. May I propose something?” When Zeus nods, albeit reluctantly, she continues, “If you are afraid something has happened to Fenrir, you may not be wrong.”
A snort from Loki follows her words. Thor elbows him, nearly sending him sprawling on the floor, but Loki falls silent. I don’t know why I find him so interesting. Perhaps because he, too, seems so far removed from this situation, like me?
Then I recall I’m supposed to be listening to his father’s inner musings. Reluctantly, I aim my gaze at Odin.
The moment I connect with his energy, the same one that flows through us all, his thoughts become my own. I cannot tell them everything. Loki is correct, the Olympians will only use this situation to turn everyone against us. We cannot lose more ground than we have. Not if—
Someone clears their throat behind me. I pivot to Ileana, but it’s not me she’s staring at. No, her glower is concentrated on Loki. Whose scrutiny, it seems, I’ve attracted with my shenanigans on his father.
Whatever it is you are doing, Ileana thinks at me, stop it. Loki is too interested in you right now.
I guess Zeus will have to make do with what I’ve found. Which is basically nothing.
“What do you suggest, Morrigan of the Celts?” Odin says after a long pause.
“We all have immortal guards at this stage. And we have taken these precautions because we have all, without exception, witnessed odd happenings in our own realms. Perhaps we can take a few days to see where our evils are hidden, and ensure we are not missing any. Any that could be…dangerous…to all.”
A longer silence falls, even on the crowds. Everyone is waiting.
Then Zeus nods. “Very well. Let us meet back in a fortnight.”
No sooner is the Council done than I storm out with my immortal guards. “I need to get back to the humans.”
“Do you think it wise, given what just took place in there?” Ileana hisses.
Frumos clears his throat. At first, I think it’s because of how close she is to me, then I realize his attention is on someone else. Zeus. And his presence behind me.
Biting back a groan, I face my brother’s stormy expression. Too late, I catch on that his gaze is narrowed on me and Ileana.
“You have time for cavorting when my fate is in danger?”
“Melodrama doesn’t suit you, brother.” I roll my eyes. “And I much prefer leaving the cavorting to you.”
He ignores me, instead taking a step closer. “Tell me.”
Glancing over his shoulder, I watch Odin, Thor and Loki as they leave. I only catch a glimpse of their expressions, but they seem furious.
My voice is but a whisper when I say, “Odin knows more than he says. But I could not pick up what, exactly, is wrong. Morrigan’s suggestion seems best at this stage.”
Zeus clenches his jaw. “As usual, you’re utterly useless. Thanks for nothing, brother.”
He stomps away, and I do my best to shake off his ugly words.
I think Morrigan was right all along, and there is something much, much bigger going on here. But I’m not about to risk waiting to find out, not when I have amends to do.
A few deep breaths later, I pivot to my guards. “What just happened in there doesn’t matter. You can either come with me, or not.”
They share a look, and Ileana nods. She seems to have gotten over her earlier coolness around Frumos. “You go. I will try to find out more information about what has taken place, to ensure we are not blindsided.”
A few moments later, we emerge out of a portal again into the village. It’s daytime on Earth, and the village is empty as most humans go about their daily chores. I seek Persephone but don’t find her anywhere close.
Frumos on my heels, I head off into the fields. If she’s anywhere, I would imagine it is around there. Sure enough, I find her amid some women, picking berries and laughing with them.
Watching her, the way she carries herself, does something to me. I’ve never been part of the gods who fall non-stop for other goddesses and bed them. Doesn’t mean I haven’t had trysts, but it is what it is. With Persephone, something else draws me in. She’s so kind with humans, so grounded…
Perhaps that’s a big part of it. She, like my guards, constantly calls me out on my bullshit.
And, of course, there’s the fact I need to know why she’s not adding to the chaos in my mind.
Sensing eyes on her, she stops her conversation and studies her surroundings. Her violet gaze finally settles on me a few moments later.
I’m not sure what to expect—will she get annoyed, seeing me here again, or will she come and talk to me?
After a moment of hesitation, she chooses the latter. Basket of berries on her hip, she steps over to me, and I don’t look away the entire time. As soon as she’s only a foot away, her fruity scent wafting to me, the voices in my head—and Frumos’ incessant monologue—cease.
“Hello, Hades.”
“Persephone.”
My mouth is weirdly dry when I try to answer. In an effort to hide my unease, I grab a mug of ale from a passing human and take a big gulp. Frumos stands to the side.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
Her expression becomes amused. “You’ve been watching me for a while. First your friend, now you?”
“My fri—”
Pegasus bounds out of the fields then, a broad grin on his face. “Sorry. She saw me within moments.”
“Ah.” I run a hand over my neck, struggling to explain it to her—the utter panic that she might be in danger, when I’ve only seen her a handful of times and have instead contributed to making her life hell in Olympus.
He did not think this through, Frumos thinks, and I want to slam my fist in his face. But I don’t, only in my mind.
I clear my throat. “My apologies about that.”
She shrugs. “Not like my mother hasn’t done the same. And, at least Pegasus here was fun enough to offer to pick berries with me.” She points to her basket. “Want some?”
“No, thank you.”
I glance between them, trying to ignore the flash of jealousy running through me. How can she be so comfortable with him when she’s been shunning me away?
Oh, right. Because he didn’t out her to all Olympians and make her feel inferior.
“Why?”
I blink. “Sorry?”
“Why send your best friend to watch over me?”
“Just…” I give up all pretense and instead jerk my head to one of the darker corners, away from humans. “Could I have your attention, for a moment? Just the two of us?”
Her gaze goes to Frumos over my shoulder.
“He’ll wait here.” My order is meant more for his ears than hers.
Persephone hesitates again, then nods and leads the way. My gaze is drawn to the movements of her body as she walks ahead of me. As much as I try to drag my thoughts from it and what it would feel like under mine, I can’t help them. I feel a weird urge to just…hold her. Feel her hand in mine. Her lips.
“What is it you wish to talk to me about?” She stops so abruptly, I nearly bump into her.
“Come back to Olympus.” Smooth. Very smooth.
Wariness fills her gaze. “Hades, did I not already say—”
“To leave you alone, yes. I get that. But there are desperate things at play here.”
“Like what?”
“When was the last time you saw your mother?”
Her expression shuts down. “You don’t know me well enough to ask me that.”
“You’re correct.” Not the right time to bring up my own faux pas. Or is it the perfect one? As it stands, I’m a coward, and cowards run away from problems. “But, please. Consider returning to Olympus. There is something going on with the gods, across all pantheons. And it’s leading to evil escaping, perhaps even to us being hunted.”
“Then I’m safest here.”
“What do you mean?”
“No one will look for me among humans. Believe me.”
I want to admire her sassiness, her grit, but instead, only darkness feeds my soul. “Persephone, please—”
“No. Thank you for your concern, but no.”
I grasp her wrist before she passes me.
She glances down at it. “You seem to be making a habit of grabbing me.”
“Should I apologize?”
Something sparks in her gaze. Not desire, per se, but intrigue. A bit of lust, or is that wishful thinking on my part? Her lips part, and then she pulls herself out of my grip. “Another time, perhaps.”
Once she’s gone, Frumos comes back to me. “Ready to return to Olympus?’
“No.”
“Is it not odd behavior to stick around, when she clearly does not want you?”
“Maybe, but do you see an immortal guard with her?”
Frumos won’t say, but I’m clearly right. So, I don’t make a move for a portal, instead I dive back into the throng of humans. To keep an eye on her, for as long as she’ll let me.
A week passes by, while I sneak in the human town, sleeping under the stars, and keep an eye on Persephone. Frumos gets more annoyed with every passing moment, and Pegasus comes by more than once, trying to lure me back home.
Nothing works. I’m a man possessed. Day in and day out, I watch Persephone. From what I can gather, she’s some sort of healer here. Humans drift around her like bees to honey, and there is no fear of her abilities. Here, among them, the little magic she has is enough to make them worship her. In Olympus, it only leads to shunning.
Which brings me again to what I did and how my callous actions messed up her existence. The more I watch over Persephone, the more I see that same darkness in her. And I realize it’s not all that much different than mine. And still, her thoughts elude me.
Unlike Frumos’. It’s nighttime, there’s another party in town, and as I stand just on the edge, him by my side, he won’t shut up. There has to a way to get him back to Olympus. This is bordering on obsession.
I scowl at him, jabbing a finger in his face. “Stay back this time. I want to speak with Persephone alone.”
Without waiting for his response, I approach her. She rolls her eyes when she sees me. She’s only dancing, but I move past the human and take hold of her waist, twirling her around to the tune.
“I know why you dislike me.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen, though she doesn’t miss a beat. In truth, she’s keeping up with the music much more than I am.
“A few centuries ago, I put you on the spot during one of Zeus’ parties.”
She tries to stop dancing, but I only tighten my hold. The movement pulls her closer against me, forcing her to continue, lest we both fall.
“It was humiliating, especially when you couldn’t produce the kind of magic us gods are known for. I need to apologize for that.”
Persephone stares away, trying to put space between us once more. I don’t let go. It feels too good, having her in my arms, much better than dreaming of her.
“I’m sorry. I’m doubly sorry for taking this long to apologize.”
She stares at me for a beat, the violet hue in her eyes almost blazing in the torchlight. I feel the weight of her gaze to my bones. And the relief at finally giving her what she is owed.
“It was a long time ago,” she finally says.
“But it still hurt. And, perhaps, contributed to you not being in Olympus so much anymore.”
Her mouth falls slightly open, and a shocked burst of laughter escapes her. I’m both enchanted at being the object of her amusement, and annoyed. Especially when she adds, “You think too highly of yourself, Hades.”
“No. I’m simply used to wearing a mask, too.”
She searches my expression, trying to see what I’m thinking. She won’t be able to, not unless I allow her. And, can I? If she goes and tells everyone else what she sees, as a way to get back at me, I will be screwed in more ways than one.
But if she doesn’t…
I hold my breath and let my usual neutrality fall, allowing her to see the loneliness, the isolation, the differences.
Persephone stops dancing for good this time, as do I. We’re unable to tear our gazes apart, until someone bumps into me from behind, crashing me into her. When I steady h
er and pull back, our faces are inches apart. Too close. Much too close, much too soon.
And yet she surprises me by taking a stride closer and brushing our lips together.
Then she pushes me away, her eyes widening. “I don’t know why I did that.”
“I do.”
“No, you really don’t.”
In a flash, she’s gone again.
Frumos appears by my side a moment later, his look as morose as they come.
“What happened to you?” I ask him.
“Ileana came by while you were busy.”
“Had a spat?”
He blows out a breath. “As we always seem to.”
I gesture around. “Well, I’ve been abandoned once more. I say a better course of action for us tonight is to stay away from females, and instead do what human men do when in trouble.”
“Which is?”
“Drown our sorrows in alcohol.”
Frumos grins. “A perfect plan.”
In retrospect, perhaps getting drunk wasn’t the best idea. Especially not with everything else going on. But, I thought I could handle it. Until some human men joined the party and brought loads of heavy liquor.
Within hours, Frumos and I were out of our minds. Sobriety would enter our streams soon enough, but for the time being, we were out of the village and sitting on a hill overlooking it.
“Are you and Ileana lovers?” I ask him abruptly.
“Why?” What does he want with her? Does he not have enough with Persephone?
I try to hold back a laugh at his panicked thoughts. They’re less collected than normal, almost youthful now that he’s drunk. Not for the first time, I wonder just how old he and Ileana are.
“Breathe. I’m not trying to encroach on your territory. Simply curious.”
My reassuring seems to help him, as he nods. “We had a brief encounter, when in immortal school together. About two hundred years ago.”
My jaw drops. “Two hundred? How long is your training, exactly?”
Frumos shrugs. “About that length. Some of us are assigned to deities alone, but others as a pair. We only find out at the end of the training, when our respective mentors give us our assignments. In our case, we did not know such would be the fate for us, hence the…friction.”
Secret Shadows: A Greek God Paranormal Romance (Immortal Rogues Book 1) Page 8