A Touch of Malice (Hades & Persephone #3)(61)

Upon reading the article, she was a little surprised to find there wasn’t much information, and even the author sounded skeptical of the report. It seemed they had received a call from an individual who told them of the incident—but without any details. They’d stated the group had managed to “subdue a goddess” and “cut off her horns.”

When asked for proof of the incident, the caller stated, “the world will have proof when we wear the horns of the gods to the battlefield.”

Whether this report is factual remains to be seen—but one thing is clear, the Rebirth is a violent entity—the worst kind because they believe they are actually fighting for the great good.

“We are shield for those who no longer wish to be ruled by the gods. We will cut the threads that bind us to fate, free those under the spell of their Divinity. We are freedom.”

It was a promise and a declaration of war.

“My lady?” Antoni’s voice was a soft rumble. She looked up, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I was just reading something…disturbing.”

Antoni’s brow dipped. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No, Antoni, but thank you,” Persephone said. As she started to store her tablet, Antoni moved to exit the vehicle. “Don’t Antoni. It’s too cold.”

“Allow me to help you to the door. The sidewalk and steps are slick.’’

“Even more reason for you to stay,” she answered.

“If you insist,” he finally relented. “I will see you this evening.”

“Of course. Have a good day, Antoni.”

“And you, my lady.”

Persephone did not know what sort of errands or tasks Antoni had outside of taking her to work.

Once, when the giant had come to get her, he had come from picking up dry cleaning, though, when asked if it was for Hades, he’d said no. Another time, he’d had a case of red wines which, he had explained, was an order for Milan. Whatever it was, though, he always seemed perfectly happy to execute.

She left the warm comfort of the backseat of the Lexus and entered the frigid daytime air. The sidewalk was slick, but a layer of salt and sand made it easier to stabilize. Once inside, she greeted Ivy, accepted her coffee with a grateful nod, and entered the elevator. On the way up, she held the cup to her cheeks and nose until they were warm and kept her jacket on even after she entered her office.

Was she imagining things? It definitely felt colder in here. Persephone knew this weather could lead to energy and power failures and she had no doubt Demeter would continue to that point. In fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if that was her mother’s next method of killing—freezing people to death.

There was a knock at her door and Persephone looked up, meeting Helen’s gaze. She was dressed in a black, knitted top and a black and white plaid skirt. She wore thick stockings and knee-high boots to keep warm, and her blonde hair was twisted into an updo. A pair of pearl earrings completed the look. Despite the fact that Helen always looked chic, Persephone thought she looked a little more dressed up than usual.

“You look very beautiful,” Persephone said.

“Thank you,” Helen said, her cheeks coloring. “I…am meeting someone for lunch.”

“Oh?” Persephone raised a brow. “Anyone I know?”

“I don’t think so. At least, not yet.”

Persephone took that to mean Helen hoped to introduce her to this mystery person. Still, she didn’t press. Helen had arrived for their meeting, and as much as she enjoyed the company of both her and Leuce, she liked to keep things as professional as possible at work.

After a beat of silence, Persephone gestured to the couch in front of her desk.

“Have a seat,” she said. “I believe you had something to share.”

“Yes,” Helen said sitting. “I wanted to discuss my article with you. I’m taking it in a new direction.”

“Go on,” Persephone encouraged, curious. She took up her pen, ready to take notes.

Helen hesitated.

“I did what you suggested,” she began, and something about those words made Persephone’s stomach turn. “I reached out to members of Triad and managed to land an interview with one of their leaders—a high lord.”

“A high lord?”

“They…have a kind of hierarchy,” she explained. “It’s to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

“You mean those with power are at the top,” Persephone said.

“Real power,” Helen said as if Persephone did not know what real power was.

“You mean like the gods?”

“Yes and no,” she said. “They have the power of the gods, but they use it to protect. They answer prayers, Persephone. They listen.”

“Helen,” Persephone said, dropping her pen. “You are misguided.”

“I’m not. I have seen it.”

“You’ve seen it,” Persephone stated flatly. “What have you seen? Give me an example.”

“I have been to their meetings and heard testimony,” she said. Persephone made a mental note to come back to what Helen had just disclosed—meetings? What meetings? The mortal continued. “This man had cancer. He prayed to Apollo, offered sacrifices, even showed up at one of his performances and begged for his help. No answer—not a word. He came to Triad and one of the high lords healed him.”