Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92659 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I take a deep breath and dial Hades.
He picks up on the second ring. “Eurydice? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Persephone?”
Guilt threatens to rise, but I muscle it down. “Persephone is fine. She’s with Medusa and the rest of the security team.”
He’s silent for a beat, and when he speaks again, he sounds much more like himself. Calm and cold and perfectly collected. “In that case, what can I help you with?”
Here it is. The point of no return. Once I ask for his help, I have to live with the consequences, and so does Ariadne. I take a deep breath. “I need your help. I don’t really have the time to explain everything right now, but I need sanctuary for someone, and that person needs an abortion. Today.”
Again, he’s silent for several moments. My heart beats faster as I have to face the very real possibility that he might tell me no. And if Hades denies me, then I can’t ask Charon for help either. It wouldn’t be fair to put him in that position—and I don’t think I’d recover from reaching out for help and having him turn away in response. Better to not put either of us in that position to begin with.
“Are you the friend who needs these things?”
A surprised laugh bursts free, though it has an edge of hysteria. “If it was, I wouldn’t have come to you for help. No offense, but my sisters and mother have my back before anyone else. Even you.”
“Fair enough.” Amusement filters in his tone but quickly fades. “You understand that I had to ask.”
“I understand.” If he went behind Persephone’s back to help me, it would piss her off something fierce. Worse in so many ways, it would upset her. Right now, no one wants to upset Persephone.
Something I should’ve thought about before I ditched her at the Dryad.
“I’ll arrange everything, including transport. Your friend will be well taken care of.”
Relief threatens to make me lightheaded, but we’re not out of the woods yet. “Sanctuary and the procedure. Today. Your word that both will happen.”
“You have my word, Eurydice. I promise.”
It has to be good enough. Once he’s given his word, he won’t break it. Not for anyone…even his wife. I take a shuddering breath. The next part won’t be any easier, because I know exactly who he’ll send as transport. That’s a battle to fight later. First, I have to see to Ariadne. “We’re at the university in the upper city. In the greenhouse.”
“I see. Stay there until Charon texts you that he’s arrived. Be safe, Eurydice.”
“I will.” I slip my phone back into my purse and turn to Ariadne. “You know that there will be a cost for the help.”
“I’m aware.” She tucks her hair behind her ears with shaking hands. “I know better than to expect anyone to help me out of the kindness of their hearts. I have the information you’re looking for, for all the good it will do you.”
There’s nothing to say to that. It’s not my job to decide whether or not her information is worth the cost of getting her away from Minos. Truth be told, I would do it for free, but that’s not how Olympus works. Especially now when the price of failure is so high. “Is there anything else I need to know that can’t wait until you’re settled?”
“Only that my father will be looking for me.” She presses her lips together. “Not just my father.”
The Minotaur. I should leave it alone, but I can’t help taking her hand. “Did he force you?” I don’t have the power to command his death, but that won’t stop me from calling in whatever favors I can come up with if he hurt her.
“What? No. It was nothing like that.” She shakes her head sharply. “But if he knows I’m pregnant, then he’s going to get the wrong idea. I can’t let that happen.”
He’s going to get the wrong idea. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to make of that statement, so I set it aside. At this point I have to take her at her word. I don’t know what would inspire a woman like Ariadne to climb into bed with a man like the Minotaur, but then I didn’t think I would be commanding Orpheus to scrub Charon’s kitchen either. People contain multitudes.
I try to keep her engaged and distracted, but after three attempts at conversation, I give up and settle down to wait. It’s hard not to run scenarios about what happens when I have to face Hades and my sister…and Charon. None of them are going to be happy with me.
My phone pings. I dig it out of my purse to find the Charon has texted me. My stomach twists a little at the two blunt words. I’m here. He’s fucking furious with me, and I can’t even claim the high ground this time. I essentially lied to him. “Let’s go.”