A Touch of Chaos (41 page)

“We are still counting the dead,” said Ilias. “But we are nearing a thousand with many unaccounted for.”

After his conversation with Charon, Hades had sent the satyr to gather information on the state of New Athens.

There was no good news.

“We are no longer part of the mainland,” he said. “It has become an island, surrounded by the Aegean, which technically makes it Poseidon's territory.”

It was as Hades had feared, though he did find his brother's role in this suspicious. Poseidon had always wanted to rule, so it was strange that he would go to this extent to see someone else on the throne, even if it was his son.

“The separation destroyed mostly larger buildings. The Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Alexandria Tower have all fallen. There is also significant damage to the hospital though it is still operational unless its generator fails. The rest of New Athens is in total darkness.”

Hades was quiet, considering.

The information Ilias had offered was good, but it was too general.

“If we are going to help those in need, we are going to have to have a better idea of what is happening on the ground,” said Hades.

“I can summon a few contacts to Iniquity,” said Ilias.

“It still stands?”

“For now, though I have a feeling Theseus is eager to destroy anything that reminds him of the gods, especially you.”

“Flattered,” said Hades. “But if that is the case, meeting there is not safe. I think you should summon them here.”

“As you wish,” said Ilias.

He did not wish it, but he had no choice because he knew where this was going. Theseus would target everyone who was loyal to the gods, and if they did not forsake them, he would execute them.

He wanted no worshippers left, save those who would bow to him, though Hades would challenge him to find one person who did not believe—or fear—death.

“Summon me when you return,” Hades said and left his office for his chambers.

When he entered the room, he found Persephone lying on her side, her back to the door. He thought she might be asleep, but as he approached the bed, she rolled to face him.

He could not help staring. She was beautiful. Her skin was rosy and her hair mussed. She looked almost dreamy, as though she had just been roused from sleep.

“Did I wake you?” he asked.

“I don't know,” she said. “I cannot remember sleeping.”

Probably because she was so exhausted.

He sat on the edge of the bed and let his hand rest on her hip. She was warm beneath his hand, and he had to resist the urge to lie down beside her, because if he did, he would not get up again until morning.

“Where did you go?” she asked.

“Nowhere yet,” he said. “I was speaking with Ilias. I have asked him to summon a few contacts. We need to
get a sense of what is happening in the world, and the best way is through Iniquity.”

Persephone sat up, letting her blankets fall away. She did not seem to care that she was completely naked, and while he appreciated the view, she made it very hard to concentrate on anything other than his growing erection.

“Can I come?” she asked.

Hades smirked. “I am usually inside you when you ask me that.”

She shifted onto her knees. The position made her taller, and her breasts were level with his face.

“If you say no, then you may never come inside me again.”

The humorous light in Hades's eyes died, and he lifted a brow, challenging her threat. “As if you could go a day without my pleasure.”

“Do not underestimate me, my lord.”

“As it is, neither of us will have to find out,” he said, pulling her into his lap. He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. She cried out, her hands gripping his face. He chuckled darkly as he released her. “I wasn't going to say no. Though I would prefer if you slept.”

“You know I will not sleep,” she said.

This time, her teeth and tongue grazed his ear. He shuddered, his hands tightening on her waist.

“No,” he said and pulled away to meet her gaze. “And if I were to leave you, I would return to find all my whiskey gone.”

“Someone has to drink it,” she said, giving him a knowing tap on his nose.

He didn't think she had noticed, but of course, she was right. He had not had a drink since returning from
the labyrinth, and he didn't know why. It was not as if he hadn't tried, but he hesitated each time he brought the glass to his lips.

He felt ridiculous.

It was not as if alcohol affected him, so why did he feel so haunted every time he picked up the glass?

Persephone slipped closer and kissed him.

“I am not laughing at you,” she whispered.

“I know,” he said, his fingers fanning out across her waist. “And I know I should celebrate my abstinence, but I fear what's coming next.”

“What is coming?” she asked. Her voice was breathy but confused.

“I don't know,” he said. “Something worse. Anger maybe.”

It was always that way—when one thing ended, another took its place.

“Hades,” she whispered. “Where is this coming from?”

“I always have found a way to deal with my pain,” he said. “After the Titanomachy, I was isolated, and now I am numb. I coped with the first by being cruel, and now I drink. So what does it mean if I don't?”

She held his gaze and pressed her hand to his heart. “Do you feel numb now?”

“No,” he said. “Not with you so near.”

She curled her fingers into his shirt, her breath dancing over his lips.

“Then maybe you have already found another vice.”

Hades manifested in the shadows of Nevernight with
Persephone, Ilias, and Hermes. He had no intention of announcing himself yet, curious to hear what would be said in his absence—likely something far more useful than what would be said if his presence was known.

He looked down at Persephone and pressed a finger to his lips before turning his attention to the members of Iniquity. Two sat at the bar, hunched over their drinks—an older man named Ptolemeos and a younger one named Jorn. A woman had made herself comfortable behind the bar. Her name was Stella. Three others sat nearby on a couch—Madelia Rella, Leonidas Nasso, and Damianos Vitalis.

“They say we've been completely cut off from the rest of the world. There aren't even ports or ships to get us out,” Ptolemeos was saying.

“You expect us to believe you have no way off this island, Ptolemeos?” Damianos asked.

“I didn't say that, but it will cost more,” he said.

Persephone stiffened beside Hades. He squeezed her hand, hoping it communicated what he wished—reassurance that he would not let that happen.

“The tunnels are flooded. The danger is higher.”

Something heavy settled in Hades's stomach at that news. He had not considered that the tunnels would be flooded. Dionysus had measures in place for events like this. Had something gone wrong, and if so, where were he and the maenads?

“You intend to charge families to escape this fuckery?” Madelia Rella asked, her disdain evident.

“Commerce doesn't stop in war, Madelia. You know that best. Have these demigods not visited your establishments?”

Her mouth tightened. “If I could prevent it, I would.
They hurt my girls. When I banned them, they burned down one of my brothels.”

Hades wondered when that had happened. Perhaps when he was in the labyrinth.

“They are certainly powerful,” said Jorn. “Did you see Theseus with the lightning bolt and Zeus just hanging in the sky?” He paused to shake his head. “Are we foolish not to kneel to them?”

“That depends on whose wrath you wish to incur,” said Madelia. “As for me, I'd rather have a pleasant afterlife.”

“How do we know the Underworld hasn't been conquered too?”

A stark silence followed the question. Hades could feel Persephone rage beside him. Hermes too fisted his hands. Hades stuck out his arm to keep the god from revealing them. As much as he found disfavor with what was being discussed, he was also not surprised. And he wanted to know who was on his side.

Finally, Madelia spoke. “That is ridiculous.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence, Madelia,” Hades said as he stepped out of the shadow, his gaze sweeping the room. “Since most of you have made it clear that you have no allegiance beyond what serves you, I shall give you a few seconds to choose the side you will take moving forward.”

There was a pause, and then Ptolemeos straightened. “And what are the consequences for not choosing you?”

“There are none,” Hades said. “Save what will befall you if your choice is wrong.”

The old man scowled. “It is just like a god to speak in riddles.”

Hades's mouth quirked. “Think of it as roulette, Ptolemeos. Are you willing to make the bet?”

“Not when I am staring death in the face,” said the man.

“A wise choice,” said Hades. “As you are all aware, Theseus, with the aid of his father, has taken over New Athens. It is true that he is responsible for the deaths of several gods. The only reason Zeus is still alive is because Theseus hopes to use him as a pawn to gain the favor of our father, Cronos. I do not know his plans beyond that, save that he has some delusional hope that he can rule the entirety of New Greece as its sole god, a feat he cannot accomplish while I still live.”

Though New Athens was now under Poseidon's control because the landmass was so small, all that managed to do was prevent other gods from teleporting about the city. Hades, however, also had power over land, no matter its size.

“So what are you going to do?” asked Leonidas. “Free Zeus and hope he brings about peace?”

“Why does everyone keep suggesting that?” Hermes muttered.

“It has been a long time since Zeus has brought about peace,” said Hades.

“So you do not mean to free him?” asked Jorn.

“At this moment, my brother is not my priority,” said Hades.

“Then what is your priority?” asked Damianos. “So we are all clear.”

“First, we find a way to give shelter to the innocent,” he said. “But we cannot take people across the sea. Poseidon will sink your ships if you manage to get them on one.”

“Many have fled to temples hoping for protection,” said Ptolemeos. “But rumor has it that Theseus intends to raid them in the morning.”

Hades exchanged a look with Persephone who asked, “Can we shelter here?”

“We could,” said Ilias. “The challenge is getting them here safely, especially without the aid of Dionysus's tunnels.”

“We are certain they are useless?” Hades asked.

There was a part of him that did not believe it.

“There is a chance a few have drained, but there willbe bodies,” said Ptolemeos.

“And there are no survivors?” Persephone asked.

The old man shook his head. “None who have come forward, though I do not imagine they know where to go given the state of the city.”

“Has anyone heard from Dionysus?” Hades asked. The god was just as involved as he was with the underground and well known among this crowd, but everyone shook their head except Hermes.

“He came to me a few nights ago and asked for my sandals,” said Hermes, hesitating for a moment before he added, “He had some business on an island that belonged to Poseidon. I have not seen or heard from him since.”

Hades suspected there was more to that story Hermes did not wish to share with the group. As much as he hated it, they were going to have to use the tunnels. Maybe along the way, they would find a few survivors.

“I think it is a risk we must take,” said Hades grimly.

“Can we not…teleport them?” Persephone asked.

“If I do, I risk drawing the attention of my brother,” said Hades. “And I do not want any more casualties if I can help it.”

Someone chuckled, and Hades's looked up to meet Ptolemeos's gaze.

“What?” the mortal asked. “Does no one else find this ironic? The God of the Dead worrying over life?”

“If you knew him, you wouldn't find it ironic,” Persephone snapped.

Madelia's lips twitched, and Hades's hand tightened on Persephone's waist.

“So we empty the temples and Theseus has no one to sacrifice tomorrow. What then?” asked Jorn.

“I say we blow them up just as the demigods head inside,” said Leonidas.

“An explosion likely won't harm them,” said Hermes. “For all we know, they are invincible like us.”

“You don't seem to be all that invincible anymore,” Damianos pointed out.

Hermes glared. “I'll show you invincible,” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.

“The point isn't to harm them,” Damianos continued. “It is to catch them off guard. Then you attack.”

Hades didn't like the idea of more destruction, but he knew it was inevitable. It was the cost of battle among the Divine.