A Touch of Malice (Hades & Persephone #3)(13)

“Persephone!” Sybil popped up behind the man, ducked under his arm and pulling her into a hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here!”

There was a note of relief in her voice. Sybil pulled away and her eyes shifted to Hades.

“I’m glad you could come, too, Hades.” Sybil’s voice was quiet and shy. Persephone was a little surprise, given that she was no stranger to the gods. She had served Apollo only months ago as his oracle…until he striped her of her powers of prophecy after she refused to sleep with him. His behavior made him the subject of Persephone’s article, but her decision to write about the God of the Sun had been a disaster.

Turns out, he was beloved, and Persephone’s article seen as slander. Not only that, Hades had been furious—so furious that he had held Persephone prisoner in the Underworld until he could bargain with Apollo so the god would not seek revenge.

That experience had taught Persephone a lot of lessons, chiefly, that the world was not ready to believe a woman in pain. It was one of the reasons she’d started The Advocate.

“I appreciate the invitation,” Hades replied.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” the blond stranger asked.

Persephone noted the way Sybil froze. It was only a second, as if she had forgotten the man was present, and a small, apologetic smile formed upon her face before she turned.

“Persephone, Hades, this is Ben.”

“Hi,” he said, extending his hand for them to shake. “I’m Sybil’s boyfrie—”

“Friend, Ben is a friend,” Sybil said quickly.

“Well, soon-to-be-boyfriend,” Ben said, grinning, but the look Sybil gave her was desperate.

Persephone’s gaze slid from the oracle to the mortal as she accepted his clammy, outstretched hand.

“It’s... nice to meet you.”

Ben shifted toward Hades. The God of the Dead looked down at his hand. “You do not want to shake my hand, mortal.”

His eyes widened a little, and an awkward silence followed, but only for a beat before Ben’s smile returned.

“Well, shall we go in?” he asked.

He stood aside, gesturing for everyone to enter. Persephone arched her brow at Hades as they stepped into the warm apartment. Hades had the ability to see to the soul, and Persephone wondered what he glimpsed when he looked at Ben, though she thought she could guess.

Serial killer.

“What?” Hades asked.

“You promised to behave,” she said.

“It is not in my nature to appease mortals,” Hades replied.

“But it is in your nature to appease me,” Persephone said.

“Alas,” he said, his voice low. “You are my greatest weakness.”

The entrance of Sybil’s apartment was a short hallway that led to a kitchen and a small living room. The space was mostly empty, save for a loveseat and a television. While it was nowhere close to the extravagance she’d lived in with Apollo, it was quaint and cozy. It reminded Persephone of the apartment she’s shared with Lexa for three years.

“Wine?” Sybil asked, and Persephone was glad for the distraction.

“Please,” she said, tamping down the ache that had formed in her chest at the thought of her dead best friend.

“For you, Hades?”

“Whiskey…whatever you have is fine. Neat…please,” he added as if it were an afterthought.

Persephone grimaced, but at least he’d asked nicely.

“Neat?” Ben asked. “Real whiskey drinkers at least add water.”

Persephone’s heart pounded as she watched Hades’ eyes connect with Ben’s. “I add the blood of mortals.”

“Of course, Hades,” Sybil said quickly, plucking a bottle from the collection on the counter and handing it to him. “You’ll probably need it.”

“Thank you, Sybil,” he said, quickly loosening the cap to drink.

She poured Persephone a glass of wine and slid it across the counter.

“So, how did you meet Ben?” Persephone asked, picking up her wine.

Sybil started to respond when Ben jumped in.

“We met at Four Olives where I work,” he said. “It was love at first sight for me.”

Persephone choked on her drink, the wine burning the back of her throat as she spit it back into the glass. Her eyes connect with Sybil’s, who looked mortified, but before either of them could speak, a knock sounded at the door.

“Thank the gods,” Sybil said, practically racing to the entrance, leaving Persephone and Hades alone with the mortal.

“I know she isn’t convinced yet,” Ben said. “But it’s only a matter of time.”

“What makes you so sure?” Persephone countered.

His back straightened as he proclaimed. “I’m an oracle.”

“Oh fuck,” Hades grumbled.

Persephone elbowed him.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said, leaving the kitchen with his bottle of whiskey.

Ben leaned across the bar. “I don’t think he likes me.”

“Whatever gave you that idea?” Persephone asked, her nose still burned.

Ben shrugged a shoulder. “It’s...just a feeling.”

There was a long, awkward silence that passed between them and just when Persephone started to excuse herself to go in search of Hades, the so-called oracle spoke.