I pulled Demeter into a hug, and she clasped onto me as if I were the only solid thing in her world. She cried full out then; broken sobs that bent her tall frame over mine. Whatever she had done to me, I didn't care about it at that moment. She was simply a mother grieving the loss of her child; a child who had been my best friend. I owed it to Persephone to comfort her mother. Hell, I owed it to my sense of common decency.
“We're going to get that bitch,” I promised Demeter. “Whatever it takes. Let Hades ask his questions; we'll use the distraction to take our revenge.”
Demeter sniffed and pulled back to stare at me with a vicious smile. She swiped at her eyes as she lifted her chin. “You're a woman after my own heart, Godhunter.” She stuck her hand out to me. “Allies?”
“Allies,” I agreed. “The Squad won't understand; they're like Hades and will want proof. Let's talk about this further when they're not around.”
“Come to my place after you're finished here,” she suggested. “Tell them that I had to leave and that you promised to update me later. That will give you an excuse to visit me. My ward chant is 'Spring will always return.'” She swallowed roughly. “Although, it hardly seems appropriate anymore.”
“Persephone wouldn't want you to waste your life mourning her,” I said gently. “Spring will return; it will burn hot enough to kill a goddess.”
Demeter smiled again and nodded. “You're damn straight it will. Until tonight, Godhunter.”
I nodded and watched Demeter leave. She was the epitome of lush, feminine beauty; long blonde hair, curvy body, and classical features, but that woman could lay the smackdown like no one's business. I had complete faith in us; we could take on Nyx by ourselves.
Not just Nyx, Al reminded me. Nyx is working with Aion, and he's the one who truly wants to hurt you. You'll have a Primordial Greek and the son of Zeus to defeat.
The son of Zeus? I asked in surprise. Maybe that could work to our benefit.
Don't worry about the Ambrosia thing; you already took care of that in your true life.
This is so strange; talking about a different life as if it were real and this one isn't, I mused. And a little scary. What happens to me if I go back to that other path? Do I cease to exist?
You go back to existing in the timeline in which you belong, he explained. This is not a different body, Vervain. This is the same you; it's only your mind and the world around you that's been affected.
“Oh,” I whispered.
“Oh, what?” Thor asked.
I turned to Thor in surprise. He was standing at the edge of the garden; watching me.
“I forgot about something I saw before Persephone died,” I covered.
“What?” Thor stepped closer.
“I saw a—”
Dark-haired woman, Alaric supplied. Nyx has dark hair and black eyes with stars in them. She's pale, full-figured, and very beautiful. Tell them that you saw her; give them the proof they need to kill Nyx.
“A dark-haired woman watching Persephone and I when we were out shopping the day before she was killed,” I went on smoothly.
Oh, that's good; keep going.
“Why didn't you say something before?” Thor asked.
“It didn't seem suspicious until now,” I said. “This woman was obviously a goddess; she had these strange eyes that looked as if they had—”
“Stars in them,” Hades snarled as he strode out of his bedroom.
“Yes,” I said steadily. “I'm sorry that I didn't think of it sooner, Hades.”
“Don't apologize, Vervain.” Hades waved it away. “Memories can be elusive. I'm grateful that yours has surfaced now.”
You and me both, buddy, Al muttered.
“Does that mean we're beyond the talking phase?” I asked hopefully.
“I will still confront Nyx; I want to know why she killed my beloved. But after that; I will kill her slowly,” Hades growled. Then he frowned and looked around the garden. “Where did Demeter go?”
“She said she had something to take care of,” I repeated the lie. “I promised her that I'd go by her place later and update her on what we decide to do.”
“Demeter and the Godhunter working together,” Hades mused. “That's something I'd never thought to see.”
Again, I say; you and me both, buddy.
Chapter Nine
Hades knew exactly where to find Nyx; she lived in Tartarus with her husband Erebus. Erebus; who also happened to be Morpheus' grandfather. Morpheus was certain that Erebus was innocent, and I dearly hoped that he was right. I hated the thought of killing a friend's relative.
Hades transformed in a matter of minutes. While we waited for him in the garden, he showered, revived himself magically, and put on his game face. The new Hades was grim and deadly. His eyes were still uncovered, but this time with intent; he wanted everyone to see the furious fires fueling him. The Lord of the Underworld was about to avenge his bride.
But to do that, Hades needed an army. We were going up against Nyx and possibly all of her minions. Erebus and Nyx had several children, although, most didn't live in Tartarus with them. We might be able to reach Nyx without her calling in reinforcements, but if not, we'd be facing an army of death, pain, war, and retribution gods; including the Greek God of War himself, Ares, and his brutal bride, the Goddess of Strife, Eris. And what was with the similar names; Ares and Eris? Talk about a confusing family. Oh, and speaking of confusing families, let's not
