The Passion of Hades - Eliza Raine Page 0,59

were very much missing.

Instead, a long row of twelve marble thrones dominated the middle of the room, running parallel to the windows. There was a cold formality to the room that made me even more uncomfortable than I already felt. Where the masquerade ball had been almost ethereal, with twinkling stars on the rocky walls, atmospheric lighting and columns everywhere to hide behind, this room looked serious and solemn. It was lit by cool blue flames flickering in wall sconces, and waist high columns with flat tops provided somewhere for guests to put their drinks. And there were many guests. Faces that were now familiar peered at me from where they gathered in small clusters, all beautifully dressed in gowns and robes and togas that wouldn't have looked out of place on a catwalk back home. I clocked Selene, Eros, Hedone and Morpheus, and others I had last seen at the party on Aquarius as I scanned the room, smiling politely. The smile slipped slightly when I made eye contact with Minthe though, her eyes filled with malice. She looked stunning in a black strapless sheath dress, and my gut constricted as my confidence started to shrivel.

But then Hades' voice sounded in my mind.

'You look incredible. I love you in red.' I felt my back straighten, and my smile widen again.

'Where are you?'

'The gods are all here, we're just not allowed to reveal ourselves yet. My brother is a glutton for drama.'

'I thought you weren't supposed to talk in people's heads in Virgo without their permission?'

'Ah, I apologize. I assumed I did have your permission.'

'Well, you know what they say about assumptions,' I told him, accepting a drink from a satyr waiter who had appeared by my side.

'No. I have no idea what they say about assumptions.'

'Oh. That saying not made it from my world to here then?'

'It has not. Enlighten me.'

'They say assumptions are the mother of all fuck ups.'

There was a long pause, then Hades spoke again.

'The mother of all fuck ups is that pain-in-my-ass goddess, Eris.'

I snorted a laugh and Hecate gave me a slightly alarmed look as she raised her own glass to her lips.

'I guess the saying doesn't really apply here.'

'I guess not. I'll see you soon, Beautiful. Good luck.'

Hecate and I separated, and I did my obligatory tour of the hall, smiling and nodding at everyone I spoke to whilst sipping my fizzy wine. As Hecate had said there would be, there were many more guards than I had seen before, posted at each of the large doorways at the ends of the hall and lining the walls between the windows. The hall felt weirdly empty, despite how many people and creatures filled it, and nervous energy was crackling under my skin with increasing ferocity.

'It's so lovely to see you again,' beamed Selene as I reached her.

'And you,' I smiled, meaning it. She had been warm and kind to me at the masquerade ball, and I sensed sincerity from her.

'Don't tell anyone, but I rather think you've become Olympus's favorite for this you know,' she said conspiratorially.

'Seriously?' I blinked at her.

'Told ya,' said Skop in my head, and I glanced down at him, his tail wagging. 'I knew they'd all love an underdog.'

'Watching you come into your power is a pleasure,' Selene beamed. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. Selene was one of the nicest people I'd met so far, and even she thought watching me nearly drown in shit and be eaten by a sea monster was 'a pleasure'. What the hell was wrong with the people here? 'I'm sure you'll do fantastic tonight,' she said enthusiastically, filling the gap I'd left in the conversation.

I felt a tap on my arm and spun around gratefully.

An enormous minotaur that I had seen a few times before in Hades’ throne room bowed his head slightly at me, and I resisted the instinct to step backwards.

'Dionysus drown me in wine, he's a big bastard,' breathed Skop.

'You must be Kerato,' I said quickly, remembering what Hecate had told me about Hades' Captain of the Guard as I stared up at the minotaur. He was least nine feet tall, his hooves alone reaching half way up my shin. The beast blinked at me, his jet black pupils ringed with scarlet red. Hairy eyebrows cut above his eyes at an angry angle, and two curved black horns jutted from the sides of his furry skull.

'That is correct, my Lady,' he said gruffly. 'King Hades asked me to