The Impact

Chapter 98

"It's quite all right, darling," Persephone says to Ellory, who has just woken up.

"Where are we?" Ellory asks, her voice shaking.

"We're on the other side," I tell her, "Percy brought you here 'cause I asked her to. To keep you safe. Persephone's in your mom's body if you were curious what she looks like."

"What-----what--what do you mean the other side?" Ellory asked.

"There's where you live. Then there's here," Percy says, "Simple as that. My family's going to war so your home might be destroyed. Sorry."

"What---what about my parents?" Ellory asks.

"They are okay for now," Persephone says, "Nothing's happened yet."

"Poor darling, Percy why are you brining mortals they get so frightened?" an elderly woman walked in. She is stately, if maternal. She, like Percy, is dressed in soft earthtones.

"Slade this is my mum, Demi. Mummy this is Slade, the mortal I was telling you about that I liked so very much," Percy says, going to hug the woman.

"She finally got up the courage to meet you eh---"

"Mum!"

"She's been going on and on about you for years," Demi finishes, shaking my hand.

"I feel like I've been waiting for years----this my daughter, Ellory," I explain.

"Okay," Ellory says, looking at us all with uncertainty.

"Come and sit down child, everything will be all right, now, I won't let anything happen to you," Demi said, motioning for Ellory to sit next to her on the sofa. "Your father and my daughter can be a bit much sometimes."

"They can," Ellory says, nodding. I shrug.

"Is Daddy here yet?" Percy asks, hopefully.

"Yes, I saw him earlier," Demi sighs, looking sad.

"With another woman?" I hazard a guess, going to sit on an ottoman.

"Yes, with that look in his eyes. He'll never change, I know that now," Demi says nodding.

"I'm sorry," Percy says, leaning against her mother.

"It's all right love-----people can't be things that they aren't. Especially men. But I'm glad you like this mortal you've found---"

"I am right here---"

"No offense darling---just don't trust men," Demi said, hugging her daughter.

"Oh but I like to," Percy says.

"Oh I'm with her don't trust men," I tell Ellory, "Or people in general."

"Right---can I go now?" Ellory asks.

"No," I say, shaking my head, "Not just now."

"I always wish you and daddy would get back together. He makes you so happy," Percy says, sadly.

"I know. But only when he's in love with me. it doesn't do any good when he isn't---oh speak of the devil—"

"Oh fuck—get out, back out, we're leaving—"

"But I actually want to go in there---"

"No out, goddamnit do I have to break your arm---"

"Get in here, Z, you coward," Demi said, standing, as a man who I assume is Z and Harry quit fighting in the doorway and awkwardly shuffled in.