Hades

an accomplice

Stella

Hades was discussing some aspect of work with Macaria. I was obsessing about the letters I'd found. That Lucinda was an accomplice to Persephone. Crap. And I couldn't go back tonight. That would be suspicious on so many levels.

Lucinda left the kitchen after she'd eating.

"Seriously, you're starting to scare me with you death glare," Macaria said.

I directed my gaze at her. "What?"

"That was a good one," Hades said and laughed.

"Jesus," I muttered.

"Hey, occupational hazard, you've known that for a while," Hades said, quickly.

"Jesus?" Macaria said. "Is that guy still a big thing?"

I nodded. "Yup. Did any of you guys know him?"

"Oh, he's down here somewhere," Hades said, tapping his lips with his fingertips.

"Okay?" I asked, willing any of them to give me more information.

"I was with the Vikings when he lived," Hades said. "And welcomed him here, when he died. He was shell shocked when he realized this was his afterlife reality."

Macaria smiled. "But, I mean, and this is the trouble with all religion, they find the solution for a while, and they someone else says they believe in something else, and everyone is back to being fucked up."

I smiled. "I used to be a Christian. Like, not hardcore believer, but I believed in Jesus and God."

Hades gave my knee a gentle squeeze.

I smiled. "Now I guess I don't. Though I still believe in angels."

Hades laughed, Macaria looked amused.

"But no, I don't have a death glare," I said. "I just," I sighed. "I found some letters, exchanged between Lucinda and Persephone."

Hades stiffened beside me. "What did they entail?"

"They wanted us to fall for each other. But I think that would've happened no matter if Lucinda had encouraged us or not."

Hades' jaw was tight. "Right."

"Don't do anything now," Macaria said. "Was that all?"

I shrugged. "I didn't get to read all the letters, I was too tired."

Hades inhaled a deep breath. "Where did you find them?" he asked, his voice low.

"In an attic," I said. "But there are so many, that I'm not sure which one."

"Please, Stella, snoop around tomorrow." He said.

I smirked at him. "Never thought you'd allow that."

"This is important!" he said.

"For the love of Rhea, chill!" Macaria said. "She got it."

"Thank you," I told her, turning my gaze to Hades again. "I get it. I've got this. I'll let you know."

"Thank you," he said and kissed the back of my hand.

I blushed. "Right, I know there's cake down here, and I want some." I stood and found the indulgent chocolate cake Lucinda had baked earlier.