Flowers and Darkness

Chapter 17

"Your dress looks beautiful!"

I'd lost count of how many people had complimented my appearance since I stepped foot into this ballroom.

This was meant to commemorate my 18th birthday. But right now, in my satin red dress, I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. They spewed out compliments of how great I look and how great this party is, as they drank champagne from overfilled flutes and mingled around.

The party started two hours ago, and half the people in this packed room were drunk and dancing to The Chainsmokers. Probably Dean's idea to put some pop hits on and make this evening somewhat normal and what you'd expect back home.

But I knew that if I walked to the other side of this room and looked behind the floor length red drapes, that the moon would be gone and the sky would be empty. I'd look up expecting to see the stars and the same big white moon that wherever you are, would follow you whilst you gazed upwards, slumped in your parents car. If I looked behind those drapes I would see black, pure darkness. And I would remember where I was.

"Great party."

I turned my head to see a tall brunette girl standing next to me. She looked almost six foot tall and in spite of her beautiful black halter neck dress, my eyes drew over to the subtle curves of muscle on her deep tanned arms.

"Thanks." My tone was flat and monotone. After hearing this all night, I had quickly grown tired of responding.

"But clearly the birthday girl isn't enjoying it, so maybe not so great." She paused waiting for me to respond. When I didn't she continued on. "But really, isn't this the kind of party you would usually enjoy? I know Hades has been going on and on about it. How this evening needs to be perfect. Frankly it was draining."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion.

"You didn't call him 'my King', like everyone else does."

She scoffed. "I'm not one of his followers." She shook her head and gazed at me. "I'm Athena."

"Athena." I nodded as I tried to rack my head around where I knew that name.

"There's my brother Ares." She gestured to the boy across the hall. He looked so much her, his hair was just cropped shorter and his muscles more defined.

A lightbulb turned on in my head. I had read up about this. Ares and Athena were the twin Greek gods. Athena is a goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, and Ares is the god of war.

I gazed at her in wonder.

When she smiled in amusement I diverted my gaze in realisation she had caught me staring.

"It's just that your the first god I've met, other than Dea-Hades."

"I'm just as excited meeting you. We were friends once before. You're Persephone's reincarnate. Probably the only god I've ever met to have been able to live as a human. Envy is an understatement right now. Everyone in this ballroom wants to be you."

I looked around at the many guests and their curious glances over at us.

"Me?"

"Besides this place is crawling with gods. I can't be the only one you've met."

I shrugged in response.

She eyed the room, looking around until she pointed at Alyanna. "I saw you walk in with Aite."

"Alyanna?"

She smirked. "A lot of gods go by mortal names. Usually after they've spent some time on Earth. Aite is a goddess like you and me. She's the goddess of delusion, infatuation and blind folly. Aite is a master seductress that has led to the ruin and death of a lot of good mortal men. Well just look at her, she doesn't exactly look like a maid does she?"

I eyed Alyanna in her long emerald dress as she confidently mingled with a group of handsome men, presumably other gods, in the corner of the room. She flicked her long hair back and laughed loud within the crowd.

"No, she doesn't. But she still calls Dean-Hades I mean, 'my King' like the others do. So..."

"She was kicked out of Olympus and the official story is that she got tired of staying on Earth and only pledged loyalty so she'd remain around her own people." She glanced over at Alyanna again and smiled slyly. "But rumour has it, her and Hades were together before you came along. Hades had pity on her because she was longer welcome back in Olympus, so he let her stay and work for him here. She's been forced to submissively watch your relationship over the years."

"So her and Dean, huh?" I glanced over at Alyanna. A glimmer of jealously passed through me. She looked so confident and poised. It was hard to imagine her living day in and out watching her ex with another girl. I almost felt bad for her.

"Well, it's just a rumour." She shrugged. "So who knows the truth."

"Who knows." I muttered under my breath.

"Well actually..." she raised a short unpolished nail to scratch her chin as she mused. "Hermes would probably know everything going on in Olympus, Earth and here in the Underworld. He's a messenger so if you get in his good side, then you could get some dirt. Get on his bad side however and he could spread the nastiest rumour. I wouldn't know of course, I prefer to keep my relationship with him civil. I don't trust him. Hades however..." she trailed off chuckling.

"Hermes, huh?" I looked around, trying to spot anyone that vaguely looked like a Hermes. What would anyone called Hermes even look like?

He could be the answer to all my questions. He could send for help. He could help me get out of here.

"Well, he also goes by Henry nowadays."

"Henry?" I perked up.

I scoured the crowd looking for the wavy golden haired, green eyed man I had briefly been introduced to earlier in the evening.

It was easy to spot him in his gold suit with a navy bow-tie combination.

When my gaze moved back up to his face, I saw him eyeing me in the same manner I was doing to him. Inquisitive, but wary. He glanced over at Dean, who was busy mingling with a crowd over and subtly nodded his head towards the garden. His eyes held mine for a second before tearing away and promptly walking through the large open arches of the double door. 

Through the arches he had just walked through, all I could see now was the black and red tinged night sky - the emptiness alluring me and strangely welcoming me. The mystery. The promise of answers.

I heard a soft snort and turned to see Athena shaking her head. "Shouldn't you be going?"

"What?" I straightened my back and feigned confusion. "Going where?"

She raised an eyebrow. My face remained blank. She looked on, challenging me to break. 

She sighed, realising I wouldn't lose my composure. I was in a dangerous place, I couldn't afford to lose my cool. "I'm going to the restroom. Go ahead and mingle around." She began to walk away, but paused and turned around to face me. "Just don't get in over your head. Some of the people here can't aways be trusted."

I smiled and nodded, waiting for her to leave and enter the restroom before I turned back to the arches leading outdoors. 

I swallowed hard and made my way over to meet Henry. Right now, he could be just the person I need to give me some answers.