Chapter 90

Persephone

I’d lied to Hades, but I wasn’t ready to talk to him. I needed space to think and try to figure out what was going on with me. I wasn’t getting that space because I was working, but at least, most people were only asking me about appointments and pricing plans. The Bliss clients weren’t concerned with how I was doing. They just wanted to plan their kinky adventure.

“I’m heading out for lunch,” I told Allie as I peeked my head into her office. “Do you need me to pick anything up while I’m out?”

“Would you mind grabbing sandwiches for me and Julia?” she asked. “I’ll buy your lunch.”

“Sure,” I agreed. I didn’t mind picking up lunch for them, and I’d never ask them to pay, but Allie always insisted. She handed me cash and gave me their orders. It was easy since Julia usually ordered the same thing.

“Are you okay?” Allie asked.

I hesitated. “Yes, I’m fine. I think I’m a little overwhelmed with everything that’s happened lately. Maybe I need a vacation.”

“If you need to take time off, let me know,” Allie offered. “I understand there’s a lot going on with your move to the demon realm, and we can always have one of the part-time office staff take on some extra hours.”

“Do you think I’m making a mistake? It feels like I’m rushing things.” This was the first time I’d voiced the doubts I suddenly had.

“I suppose you have moved fast in some respects,” she replied thoughtfully. “You’ve known Hades for months, but he kept his distance for most of that time.”

“So, you think I’m making a mistake,” I deduced.

She shook her head. “I didn’t say that. When I first got together with Dylan, I was resistant to committing to him. It was silly since I knew he was the one for me, but I was still afraid. Maybe you’re nervous about committing. In your case, committing to Hades will mean some major changes. It seems natural that you’d be hesitant and a little nervous.”

I nodded, absently thanked her, and headed to the deli across the street. Everything Allie had said was true, but there was more to it. Before, I’d felt a rush of love whenever I thought of Hades. That had changed overnight. All of a sudden, when I thought of Hades, I felt nothing. It was my strange indifference that bothered me. When I thought about ending my relationship with Hades, I felt nothing—not even guilt over hurting him. These thoughts plagued me as I picked at my lunch.

Looking down at my phone, I read his message again. A rush of anger washed over me. What right did he have to keep pestering me? With that thought came another voice asking me why I was angry at him for his offer. It was sweet that he’d offered, or was it? I couldn’t understand why I felt so conflicted, or why I felt such distrust of Hades’s motives. Shoving my phone into my purse, I grabbed the takeout bag. I wasn’t done eating, but I felt so ill-at-ease that I needed to get away from the crowd. I was in such a rush that I ran straight into a man in a trench coat.

“I’m so sorry,” I said quickly as I looked up at the vaguely familiar man.

“Are you all right, Persephone?” he asked.

“Ares?” I regarded him with wide eyes. He looked nothing like the fallen angel I’d seen on Olympus. Dressed in a black suit and trench coat, his long hair was secured at the back of his head. “Are you following me?”

He laughed at my question. “I can see why you might think that, but no, I’m not following you. I had an appointment with an attorney across the street and decided to stop by here for lunch. My attorney said the sandwiches are really good.”

“Which attorney?” I asked suspiciously.

“Dylan Hunt,” he replied. “I’ve heard he’s the best with spell patents, so I went to see him.”

Though he was telling the truth, I was still suspicious. “You look different.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “I try not to let it show that I’m more lucid than most on Olympus. I don’t want them relying on me for anything. It gives me time to work on my own projects. Where’s Hades? Last I heard, he was sticking close to your side.”

“I need to get back to work,” I told him.

When I tried to walk past him, Ares placed a hand on my arm to stop me. “Are you okay?” He sounded genuinely concerned.

I didn’t trust his concern. My head began to pound with a sudden rush of rage. I latched onto the rage because it felt much better than confusion and indifference. I hated that I needed to distrust so many people, hated that I was afraid Ares was planning to hurt me. “I wish I’d never met Hades,” I spat out. “I’m so tired of dealing with manipulative fallen angels. You’re all after something from me.”

I jerked away from him and hurried out of the deli. In the back of my mind, I heard a voice telling me I was overreacting, but that voice was quickly drowned out. The anger continued to build, and I embraced it. The hot anger was so much better than my cold indifference.

“I wish I’d never met any of them,” I muttered.