Member-only story
The Ruse of Lady Hades
Persephone needed to come back home.
“Did you really think she would come easily?” Charon asked.
“I knew nothing would be easy with her,” Hades said as she touched up her make-up in front of a dirty mirror. “She thinks this is all a game. She has no idea what’s at stake.”
“Shall I send someone to remind her?” Charon murmured, his eyes wafting from his mistress’s reflection to the real thing standing before the mirror.
“No, that won’t be necessary,” Hades said. “She always comes back to me, one way or another. I can’t believe those boys of hers think she’s a free meal. Well, they’ll get what’s coming to them. They should have learned their lessons the first times they danced with me.”
“They think they’re angels, mistress,” Charon said, “so of course we’re the demons in disguise. That’s the way it’s always been in their eyes. Black and white, no middle ground.”
“My painted gray skies need a touch of sun,” Hades murmured, only to follow the words with a sigh. “Why does she run from me? Why, every time, do I have to be the one to make chase?”
“Maybe she’s fallen in love with one of them,” Charon replied, though his voice was soft.
