Bows and Eros

H&H Chapter 2: Other Forms of Payment

"You wanted to see me?" I said, my voice shaking as I entered Hades' chambers.

He was a beast of a man, towering above me with dark eyes and a beard that made him look somewhat homicidal. Hades, from what Eros had told me, had a reputation of being a volatile man with a quick temper. I didn't know if it was his aggressive nature that made him suited for the underworld, or if the underworld made him what he was. All I knew was that I no longer felt like a reaper who could take down the souls of the damned and drag them to hell; I felt like a tiny child.

"Macy," Hades bellowed. "How are things going?"

"Well, I am ok," I said. "I've reaped seventeen souls, your highness."

"Please, spare me the pleasantries," Hades retorted. "And we both know you're unhappy. Eros doesn't go a day without telling me I need to release your lover. Why he doesn't just take advantage of the boy's absence is beyond me."

"He doesn't believe in cheating or winning by default," I said. "He seems determine to win nobly, or not at all."

"Careful child, it sounds like you have feelings for the God," Hades said with a smirk.

Of all the things I could discuss with Hades, he was not on the list. I couldn't even explain my thoughts on Eros to myself.

"Can I serve you, sir," I asked.

"Yes, Macy you can. I have a favor to grant you, possibly, and it must be paid for with another favor."

"Ok, what do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, all will be revealed in good time," Hades said. "First, I will give you a free gift. I want you to visit your mortal friend in Purgatory. Speaking to him will put you in the right frame of mind for our conversation."

"Thank you, I haven't spoken to Evan since the trial. Why would you do that?"

"Because, I am not a monster. Your sentence is about justice, paying for your crimes. But that doesn't mean we can't work out other forms of payment."

"Does that include my payments, or could it include Gabe's..."

"Let's start with the mortal, shall we? Go and see him, and I'll find you after your reaping."

"How will I find Evan? I thought I was blocked from purgatory forever."

"Hermes knows," Hades replied. "When you delivered the next soul, he'll take you to purgatory himself."

"And all of this is because you're a nice guy..." I tried to sound respectful, but curious.

"I will speak to you later. I grow tired of our exchange."

With the flick of his hand, I was on earth. I looked out to see I was on my assignment, at a farm in Montana. It was time for my next reaping.

***

In defense of the soul that attacked me when he saw my box, he hadn't expected to die. I have seen people die in a few different ways, and it's never pretty or predictable. I was even beginning to appreciate my death, which happened quietly in a hospital. But this man, who was a Montana cowboy, was taken swiftly. One minute he bent down to pick up a brush for his horse, and the next he was dead. The horse kicked him just right so that his neck snapped, and then he was dead. It surprised even me, so I faltered with my box briefly as the soul appeared.

"What are you doing?" The soul asked.

"It's ok," I said, about to open my box. "You're going to the good place."