A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone #1)(22)

She descended the stairs, entering the now-familiar club. Her heels clicked against the glossy black floor and she looked up into the darkness of the tall ceiling, knowing that this floor could be seen from Hades office.

“Hello? Anybody home?” Adonis called.

Persephone cringed and resisted the urge tell Adonis to shut up. She’d had it in her head that she’d head upstairs to Hades office, catch him off guard. Though, she wasn’t so sure that was a great idea. She considered yesterday when he’d answered the door disheveled. At least if she surprised him, she might learn the truth about whatever was going on between him and Minthe.

Speaking of Minthe, the red-headed nymph emerged from the darkness of the room. She wore a fitted black dress and heels. She was just as lovely as Persephone remembered. The Goddess of Spring had met and befriended many nymphs, but none of them looked quite as severe as Minthe. She wondered if that was the result of serving the God of the Underworld.

“Can I help you?” She had an inviting and smoky voice, but it didn’t hide the sharpness of her tone.

“Hi,” Adonis brushed past Persephone, suddenly finding his confidence, and extending his hand. Persephone was surprised and slightly frustrated when Minthe took his hand and offered a smile.

“Adonis.”

“Minthe.”

“Do you work here?” he asked.

“I am Lord Hades assistant,” she replied.

Persephone looked away and rolled her eyes. Assistant seemed like a loaded word.

“Really?” Adonis sounded genuinely surprised. “But you’re so beautiful.”

It really wasn’t Adonis’s fault. Nymphs had that effect on people, but Persephone was on a mission and growing impatient.

Adonis held Minthe’s hand longer than necessary until Persephone cleared her throat, and he dropped it.

“Uh…and this is Persephone,” he gestured to her. Minthe said nothing, she didn’t even nod. “We are from New Athens News.”

“So you’re a reporter?” She asked, her eyes flashed, and Adonis probably took it as interest in his occupation, but Persephone knew otherwise.

“We are actually here to speak with Hades,” she said. “Is he around?”

Minthe’s eyes burned into her. “Do you have an appointment with Lord Hades?”

“No,” Persephone said.

“Then I’m afraid you cannot speak to him.”

“Oh, well, that’s too bad,” Adonis said. “We’ll come back when we have an appointment. Persephone?”

She ignored Adonis, glaring at Minthe.

“Inform your lord that Persephone is here and would like to speak with him.” It was a command, but Minthe was not fazed and smiled, looking at Adonis.

“Your counterpart must be new and therefore ignorant to how this works. See, Lord Hades does not give interviews.”

“Of course,” Adonis said and wrapped his fingers around Persephone’s wrists. “Let’s go, Persephone. I told you, there is a protocol we need to follow.”

Persephone looked at Adonis’s fingers wrapped around her wrist and then met his gaze. She wasn’t sure what look she gave him, but her eyes burned and anger was rising hot in her blood. “Let. Me. Go.”

His eyes widened and he released her. She turned her attention back to Minthe.

“I am not ignorant to how this works,” Persephone said. “I simply demand to speak with Hades.”

“Demand?” Minthe crossed her arms over her chest, brows rising to her hairline, then she smiled and it was wicked. “Fine. I’ll tell him you demand to see him, but only because I will take great satisfaction in hearing him turn you away.”

She twisted on her heels and melted into the darkness. Persephone wondered for a moment if she really was going to tell Hades or send an ogre to kick them out.

“Why would Hades know your name?” Adonis asked.

She didn’t look at him as she replied, “I met him the same night I met you.”

She could feel his questions building in the air between them. She just hoped he didn’t ask them.

Minthe returned looking pissed, and that filled Persephone with glee, especially since the nymph had been so sure Hades would turn them away.

She lifted her chin and said tightly, “Follow me.”

Persephone thought about telling Minthe she didn’t need a guide, but Adonis was here, and he was already curious. She didn’t want him knowing she had been here yesterday, or about her contract with the God of the Dead.

Persephone offered Adonis a glance before following Minthe up the same set of twisting stairs she’d followed Hades up yesterday, and to the ornate gold and black doors of Hades office. Adonis offered a low whistle.

Today she focused on the gold rather than the flowers, thinking it fitting he would choose gold. He was the God of Precious Metals.

Minthe didn’t knock before she entered Hades’ office. She strode ahead, her hips swayed. Perhaps she hoped to hold Hades’ attention—but Persephone felt his gaze on her the moment she entered the room. He tracked her like prey. He stood near the windows, and she wondered how long he had been watching them below.

Judging by how rigid he stood, she guessed he’d been there a while.

Unlike yesterday when she had demanded entrance into Nevernight, Hades appearance was pristine. He was an elegant chasm of darkness, and she might have thought to be terrified if she wasn’t so angry with him.