Chapter Four:

The Underworld.

I felt my feet touch solid wood as Hades released me, striding towards the edge of a massive living room, furniture clustered around an ornate stone fireplace as candles and plants dotted nearly every surface. It was quaint, well decorated, and something I hadn't expected to see in the Underworld.

"I thought you'd never come back." A woman entered the room, loose, rose-print dress flowing around her slender frame as he enthusiastically embraced her, kissing the top of her head before turning towards me.

"Persephone, this is Emma. Emma, this is my wife, Persephone."

I took the hand she held out in greeting as I placed Bailey's kennel down, and she smiled, bending over to look.

"And who is this furry little girl? Can I hold her?"

My likeability radar shot through the roof as I let my dog out, laughing along with Hades as Bailey barreled into Persephone's arms like a miniature tornado. "Oh my goodness, she's adorable! What's her name?"

"Bailey."

"I'm going to call her Bailey-kins, and she's now my new best friend. Stay back, Alastair!" She snarled, throwing one hand out as her long, curly brown hair fell around her shoulders.

I heard the deep, rumbling growl before I saw the massive bloodhound inching his way into the room, amber-colored eyes flicking between Bailey and me.

"Maybe it wasn't such a great idea to bring her," Hades said, threading a corded rope through Alastair's collar.

"There's no way I was going to leave her behind, Hades. Besides, I don't have many neighbors who I actually trust with her safety or my belongings."

"Just keep her in her room when you can't be with her, that's all I ask. Alastair is not the only guard dog we have, though Titacus and Brom are, admittedly, a lot friendlier than their slightly older brother."

"I'll bet she's a fierce little creature when cornered," Persephone said, cradling Bailey to her chest. "I'll bet she could take the three of them any day."

"Yeah, so..." I watched as woman and dog loved on each other, squashing the green-eyed monster of jealousy into a pancake. This would be good for Bailey to get some extra attention, and I was here to work. "I have about, rough estimate, five minutes before the souls find me again, so if you could point me in the direction of my room, that'd be great."

"Sweetheart," Hades said, stepping forward. "Would you please put the dog down and show Emma upstairs? I have to get back to the docks."

She met his eyes, and a sort of silent conversation seemed to flow between them. I shifted in place, admiring the artwork on the walls and after a minute, Persephone nodded, locking Bailey away before picking the kennel up in her arms, gesturing for me to follow her out.

"So," she said as she led me up a white marble staircase, "Hades tells me that you can communicate with the spirits. That must be-"

"Annoying, confusing and scary?"

"Interesting," she corrected, standing in front of a set of double doors. "I've never met anyone, save Hades, who could do that. You must be pretty special."

"So he keeps telling me," I muttered as she frowned, handing me my things.

"He's never willingly had an apprentice before, and all the times I've tried in the past have, well, failed."

"I'm just here for a week, and then I'm on my way back to Portland, so I'll do my best to help both of you while I can, but this isn't a forever thing."

She smiled, eyes dancing. "We'll see. If you need anything, just let me know, alright? Otherwise, I guess I'll see you in the morning for breakfast."

She left, and I pushed the doors open, jaw hitting the floor when I saw the massive four-poster bed, built-in bookshelves with a little reading nook, honeycomb fireplace and attached ensuite bathroom, knowing that my entire apartment could fit in the bedroom alone.

"We're not in Kansas anymore," I said, a hysterical bubble of laughter escaping my lips as I let Bailey out to sniff, setting up her food, water and Potty Patch.

I already missed my tiny apartment and bustling city but, in a way, this would be good for me. I'd have someone to run to when the emotions of the souls around me became too much to bear, and a small, selfish part of me fervently hoped that they'd reattach themselves to Hades when they saw us together. It just made more sense. Why go to someone un-trained and mostly un-willing, when you had the freaking lord of the dead at your disposal?

Feeling a tad more optimistic, I helped Bailey onto the bed and crawled under the covers, watching the way firelight danced across the ceiling as I drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.

***

I stared in frustration at the soul who stood in front of me, dripping salty ocean water onto the floor.

"What do you want to ask him?" Hades said, circling us, and I shrugged.

"I've already tried 'is there anyone you need me to contact for you' and 'you do know that you're dead, right?' but nothing seems to be working."

"First of all, one of those questions is more than a little insulting to his intelligence, which might have something to do with the fact that he's ignoring you now, but beyond that, he's deaf."

"Seriously? Of all the - Hades, I don't even know sign language!"

"Fortunately for you, I do," he said, stepping forward. He signed to the man, who nodded once and disappeared, and I collapsed on a nearby bench.

"That's not fair. I never asked for these gifts in the first place, and now I have to learn a whole new language just to communicate?"

"So, now it's all about you and what you want?"

"That's not what I said. You know what? I give up." I started to walk away as he fell into step beside me. "From now on, when I'm having issues with one of the souls, I'll be sure to send them straight to you, alright? I wouldn't want them to become a Fury or...whatever."

"It's not that you don't care, Emma, but you have the patience of a puppy and you need to try to see things from their perspective. They just died, and don't know where to go next. Your job is to calm them down before you can begin to listen to what's preventing them from moving on."

I stomped my way into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of Kahlua as Hades handed me a glass and pitcher of milk, perching himself on the edge of a barstool. "It took me a while to learn what I was supposed to do, too, for what it's worth, though I had an advantage you don't."

"Does it have something to do with being a god?"

"A ruthless, blood-thirsty father," he said, sipping his drink as I took the other chair. "There was no room for error with Kronos. I either had to figure it out, and fast, or he was going to take my kingdom from me."

"What an asshole," I said, and he smiled. "No, I mean it. I knew all the Olympic gods had a horrific birth and upbringing-thank you, English Lit-but no one's ever been able to get the whole story. Is that why you're so pushy with me?"

"You would be in the deepest pit of Tartarus by now if you'd had the same experiences I did."

I snorted, closing my eyes as regret swamped me. "I'm not trying hard enough."

"I wouldn't say that. You've sent twenty out of forty souls successfully onward, without my help."

"That's an 'F', Hades," I said, rolling my eyes sideways. "I got a failing grade on the afterlife. Just send me home."

"You can do this, Emma," he said, laying a hand over mine on the counter. "They're not going to stop coming to you for help, just because you don't believe in yourself. If you don't want them to control every part of your life, then do something about it."

"Like, what?"

"Be the kick-ass Emma I know is hiding somewhere inside, and re-write your life."

I slid my hand from his, wrapping it around the glass instead, cheeks flushed. "I'm still not going to learn sign language."

"Baby steps."

***

1 year later...

"We want you to work for us unofficially."

I dropped my fork to the plate in a loud clatter, splat as bits of mashed potato and meatloaf speckled the hardwood floor. "You're kidding, right?"

"You've helped us both out immensely, and you're getting so much better at controlling your gifts so, we think-more Persephone than I, mind-that it's time to utilize our friendship in another way," Hades said as a maid bent down next to me, cleaning up the mess.

"While I appreciate the offer," I said, watching as Grandma waved slyly to the waiter, who blushed and ducked his head, "my life is still in Portland, so I don't-"

Hades filled his wine glass, lounging back in his chair.

"Before you refuse, it's worth listening to what we'd be willing to give you in return."

"Oh, jewelry, a diamond-studded wallet, and keys to your kingdom?"

"A reprieve," he said, patience barely contained. "No more souls until your work is completed."

"Including her?" I asked, gesturing to Grandma, who was busy smuggling silverware into her purse.

"That's entirely up to you."

I still hadn't entirely forgiven her for introducing me to Hades, because my life vanished the instant she did, and for the past year, the dead hadn't given me a moments' rest. What wouldn't I give for a little break? No more middle-of-the-night wake-up calls for help or flash mobs in public spaces. I could eat, grocery shop, drive, hell even shower again without someone watching and waiting for my attention.

"I'm not saying yes, and I'm not saying no, but suppose I agreed. What would I have to do?"

"Write a novel."

Of course it was that simple. Write a novel. Like I could just sit down and crank out a fifty-thousand word manuscript about what, exactly? The sheer size and opulence of their castle? How training with the spirit world was driving me crazy? How I had freaking plant magic and helped the Goddess of Spring keep the balance of nature in check? How their vicious bloodhounds had, on more than one occasion, almost mauled Bailey and myself to death? How I had breakfast with the Lord and Lady of the Underworld every morning?

More to the point, though, where was I going to find the time? Between the back-and-forth trips from the Underworld to Portland and deadlines to my editor, I kept fairly busy.

"Specifically, though, a biography of our lives together," Persephone said, laying her hand in his. "We need someone who knows us inside and out and in the end, the proceeds go straight to you."

"What do you guys get from this, then?"

"You mean, besides the satisfaction of knowing that our story-the real one, not like the one you read to us-has been told and spread to others? Isn't that reward enough?"

"There's one problem with this situation, though," I said, laying my napkin on the table. "Doing this for you could take a while, and I'm not sure I'm willing to continue living here that long. I mean, a week at a time is pushing it, and I only agreed to keep coming back here because I'm frequently overwhelmed in Portland and need you to bail me out."

Crunch. The armrest of Hades' chair splintered to dust as Persephone sighed, calling the maid back over and giving her husband a steely-eyed glare.

"Mini vacations, then, like you do right now. Just let us know when you're ready for more story material, and we'll have Hermes bring you here and back home afterward."

"I don't know..." I twisted my hands together, thinking fast.

"Cora, I told you this wasn't going to work, but you didn't-"

She shushed him, watching me expectantly. "So, will you do it? You're the only one we trust with something this personal."

"I've only known you for a year. That's not a lot of time to wrap my head around your lives, before and after you knew each other, your lives together now, or how complicated your family tree is."

"Oh, come off it, Emma," Grandma said and I jumped, having completely forgotten she was still there. "Don't you see what they're offering you? A chance to be somewhat normal for once - to live life the way you want to instead of being at someone else's beck and call all the time."

"That," Hades said as he shook the empty wine decanter at the kitchen staff, "is the first rational thing you've said all night."

"You're drunk," Persephone said, trying to take his cup away as he held it just out of reach.

"Don't care."

"And you can stop the spirits from bothering me? They won't turn into Furies?" I asked skeptically, gnawing at a thumbnail.

The corner of Hades' lips curved upwards briefly, a light I've never seen in them shining bright. "Death god, remember? That's in my job description."

You knew this wasn't just a temporary thing. You've known since the beginning.

I was hoping that once Hades saw my progress with the souls, he'd let me resume my life back in Portland, but the truth was, I would probably never reach that threshold; no amount of progress would change his desire to control that aspect of my life, and I honestly should've seen it coming, and internally kicked myself for it. This was just another way of keeping me trapped here without an end date in mind, and I should be furious at both of them; I should refuse their offer and take the first trip back home I could, but maybe I could work this trust to my advantage somehow. Plus, it would be kind of fun to be the only person, alive or dead, to have the chance to pick their lives apart by invitation.

I squared my shoulders and looked straight into Persephone's hopeful eyes. "You have a deal."

"Excellent!" She said, standing. "Hades, darling, before I forget, Jasper's been looking for you. He said something about needing you at the docks whenever you had a spare moment."

"You didn't think this was worth mentioning before?" He asked, setting his napkin aside. "What if it were urgent?"

"He gave no indication that was the case besides, dinner is the only time all day I get to see you for longer than a couple of minutes. Forgive me for wanting to prolong that as much as possible," she said primly, inspecting her fingernails and after a moment, he sighed, standing as well.

"I should see to it sooner than later. Emma, thank you for agreeing to stay here on a more permanent basis. I realize it might not be ideal with your schedule in Portland, but it's greatly appreciated nonetheless." He gave Persephone a quick kiss on the cheek before sweeping out of the room, Titacus and Brom in tow.

"Do you ever help him with the souls?" I asked, re-filling my glass and she shook her head, crossing to a set of French doors.

"I've offered to a few times, but I'm the goddess of life, and his souls are darker than death. They'd drain my essence if I stayed around them too long. Which is why I envy you sometimes," she added and I choked on a sip of wine, wheezing into a coughing fit as she threw me a concerned glance.

"I'm fine, it's just, why on earth would you be envious of me? You're an immortal goddess with gods for parents, you live in a drop-dead gorgeous castle with a fiercely protective and devoted husband, and you're not pestered for life by hordes of spiritual free-loaders."

"Step outside with me a moment?"

I joined her on the balcony, leaning against the railing as I gazed out across the black sand beach and soul-laden wooden docks.

"Hades has searched for what feels like an eternity for someone with a fraction of the gifts you possess, Emma," she said, twirling the stem of her glass between her fingers. "I know you think of the souls as a burden, or curse, but whether you realize it or not, you have his undivided attention night and day, and I know you're his apprentice," she said as I opened my mouth to protest, "so this isn't a jealousy-fueled discussion, but I'd give anything to be as close to Hades as you've been the past year. I help mother with the changing of the seasons, lend an ear whenever Hades needs someone to vent to, and run his household, but that's where my usefulness ends."

"Persephone, my interactions with Hades are all business all the time," I said. "We're not best friends who share our deepest, darkest secrets with each other, and I doubt our relationship will ever get to that level. He squeezes me in between soul-sorting and his time here with you because I still don't fully know what I'm doing, and I absolutely refuse to create more Furies for him to deal with. That's the only reason I'm still around. As near as I can tell, you hold everything else together, and that's not a small accomplishment. Cut yourself some slack, okay? Without you, his life would be...difficult. He's also not a patient man, and his rough-around-the-edges attitude grates on me constantly. I ask too many questions and I doubt myself, so I'm sure his thoughts, where I'm concerned, aren't always warm and fuzzy. Sometimes I think he would prefer it if I never existed in the first place."

"That's not true," she said, joining me. "He's moody, sure, but he cares about you, or he wouldn't bother helping you."

I watched as Hades strolled into sight, taking a tablet from one of his men as he surveyed the long lines of souls.

"Helping the spirits here makes more sense than trying-and failing-to handle them in Portland. I didn't want to admit it at the time, but I was so close to drowning because of them. That's why I had to block them out as much and as often as I could. That still happens occasionally, but it's better since Hades found me.

"Did you know someone is born every five seconds and dies every ten?" She asked, and I shook my head. "Over the years, the soul load has steadily increased as the population of your world expands, which means he's busier-and more stressed-than ever before. I do what I can to manage his tantrums, but he needed help, just like you. Now, he has it."

"Something tells me he isn't Lord of the Underworld by choice, though," I said as salty ocean air whispered through my hair. "If that's true, I imagine he likes dealing with the souls about as much as I do."

She tapped fingernails against the rail, eyeing me speculatively. "When he and his brothers overthrew their father, Kronos, the three realms were divided up my rank. Zeus, being the oldest, chose the sky, Poseidon the seas which, by process of elimination, left the Underworld to Hades. He tries to make the most of what he was given, but he talks all the time about the day his brothers decide they're no longer happy where they are. Not that it'll actually happen," she added hastily. "Zeus is far too power-hungry to ever step down as Lord of Olympus, and Poseidon belongs with the ocean."

I thought about the raw power I'd felt the first time I met Hades in the park, shivering a little when I remembered the way his dark, fathomless eyes had seen straight through me. He tamped that god-like glow around me as much as he remembered, but it was always there, bubbling beneath the surface.

"Hades could be destined for greatness too, I think, if given the chance," I heard myself say, and watched as Persephone's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "I mean, I get it. Dark, brooding, slow to trust and quick to anger. All of those traits, in one person, means he's excellent at what he does, but he could rival his brothers for control any day he chose."

"I doubt the Fates would agree," she said, smiling faintly. "But I admire your unwavering faith in him." She sipped her drink, gazing out across the water. "What's Portland like?"

"It's not a place for you," I said, trying to imagine her in the city, surrounded by all that concrete and urban life. I had to admit, it didn't suit her at all. "I mean, it's surrounded by mountains, and has plenty of green space, like parks," I said as I watched her eyes go a little misty around the edges. "But it's also chaotically busy and noisy pretty much all the time."

"Busy would be a nice change of pace from creepily devoid of life, which is what I get here."

"Yeah, okay," I said, snorting into my glass before rolling my eyes at her. "Live there for a while and see what you think then." I set y cup down on a side table. "I think I'm going to bed. Are you staying up for a bit?"

"Just a little," she said. "I need to make sure Hades' mood when he returns from the beach is suitable to be next to for any length of time."

I paused, hand on the doorknob. "Are you happy with him?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" She asked, seeming confused by the question.

"He's your uncle, right? And he kidnapped you. I dunno," I shrugged, trying for a nonchalant tone, though it felt like I was seconds away from getting the hair on my head roasted off under her penetrating stare. "I think it would take me a long time to get to happily ever after."

"There are still days when I blame him for taking me away from Olympus," she said, striding into the dining room. "But living here in six-month chunks of time is preferable to being stuck here every day for the rest of eternity."

"I'm guessing family reunions are a little...tense."

She laughed. "Well, I'm not going to deny that, seeing as mother wants to kill him every time they're together, but things could be worse. I still see my family, and my home, and I know how much he loves me, which helps the darker days when all I want to do is strangle him." She pursed her lips together into a thin line, either realizing she went too far, or stopping herself from saying more. "Someday, Emma dear, I hope you find true love, despite how mushy that sounds. Because not all of us are so lucky."

She sank into her seat at the table, hands cradling her glass and I hesitated, wanting to comfort her, but not knowing how. In the end, I left, slinking away like a thief in the night as she continued to gaze out the windows, face troubled.