The God & The Shadow

Chapter 66

She walked up the hill, sun on her face and the breeze of the wind almost a comfort. It was annoying how she had to struggle with Lore's incredibly heavy sword, but she already accepted the consequences of her actions before she woke in the Underworld.

She had already planned it all before she willed her eyes to blink open.

"Where do you want to go?" Hermes asked when he caught up with her.

Her fingers curled into fists as she remembered that horrid place. That prison. "Eighth Realm, I'll guide you exactly where."

"The Eighth Realm? That place is–"

"Barren. I know." She interrupted. "But I need to do something first."

Hermes gaped at her, his movements frozen. "What the hell do you have to do there?"

She rolled her eyes at him and grabbed his shoulder, readying herself. "Just take me there, Hermes."

He stilled for a moment, then released a sigh. She blinked, and all it took for them to teleport was his hand on her shoulder and they were on different land, a different plane.

She hated how her body recognized this place too easily that she had to fight back any thoughts of retching up a meal she never had.

"Wait," Hermes' eyes went wide. Following his line of sight, she looked to where Demeter's mansion stood at a distance, notably grayer than the last time she'd seen it.

Good. Let all of Demeter's work wither.

Hermes caught her arm when she made to move away from him. She glowered at him when he did, but didn't fight the hold he had on her. "What."

"Don't tell me this is where you live. Don't tell me you're going back to them." He stared at her incredulously.

"Alright, I won't."

Hermes scoffed. "Persephone, you–"

"Don't call me that." She finally pulled her arm back and placed a bit of distance between them. "Just go back and make sure everyone's alright, okay? This will be quick."

His eyebrows scrunched. "What do you mean?"

She didn't have the time to explain. He'd been here too long already, too exposed. If they stayed any longer, who knows what could happen to them?

"Hermes, listen to me." She moved closer so she could make sure he would. He did. "You're going to go back and do your job to disseminate the news about my leave. Make sure the gods know; Tarrin; Cassian; everyone. Tell them Lore let me go."

Hermes' eyes grew wide as she listed off their names. It was about damn time he found out. "Ron?" He exclaimed.

"Hermes, tell me you'll do it."

He nodded vehemently. "You have my word. Lore's going to shit his pants when he finds out."

"No," she gripped his shirt and pulled him close, his trepidation visible. "don't tell anyone I remember. Especially Lore. Not yet."

He tried pulling away, but his attempts were pathetic when it came to her. She knew how to use her strength well. "Why not?" He asked as he continued to struggle.

She rolled her eyes and finally let him go. Hermes stumbled back a bit when he did, but managed to right himself quickly after.

"Do you really think Lore would just stay put when he finds out I remember? Or that I'm going back there?" She pointed a thumb to the mansion behind her.

Hermes seemed to consider this. "Well...yeah, he wouldn't. He might just light the entire Eighth Realm on fire just to find you."

"Just don't tell him, okay?" She shut down any thoughts of Lore. She didn't, couldn't, think about him right now.