A Touch of Ruin (Hades & Persephone #2) - Scarlett St. Clair Page 0,22
you before, because it looks painful, because it might have something to do with being the Goddess of Spring?”
“Or it’s nothing,” Persephone said quickly. “Don’t worry about it, Lex.”
A beat of silence passed between them before Lexa reached a hand across the table to draw Persephone’s attention.
“You know I’m just worried about you, right?
The Goddess of Spring sighed. “I know. Thank you.”
There was more silence and then Lexa shrugged. “I guess none of this really matters. You already promised Hades you wouldn’t write about Apollo...right?”
Persephone was reluctant to meet Lexa’s gaze.
“Persephone—”
“What about Sybil? Are we just supposed to let her suffer?” Persephone asked.
“No, we’re supposed to be her friends,” Lexa said.
“Which means I should do everything in my power to ensure Apollo is exposed.”
“It means you should do what Sybil wants you to do.”
Persephone frowned. Sybil wanted Persephone to leave this situation alone, but silence was part of the problem. How many people had been hurt by Apollo and not spoken up?
“Are all the Divine wired for revenge?” Lexa posed the question off-handed, as if she were asking it rhetorically, but it didn’t sit well with Persephone.
“What do you mean?”
Lexa shrugged. “You all want to punish. Apollo wants to punish his lovers so you want to punish him, and he will probably punish you for that. It’s insanity.”
“I don’t want to punish him,” she said, defensively.
Lexa raised a brow.
“I don’t! I want people to know they shouldn’t trust him.”
“Just like you wanted people to know not to trust Hades?”
“That’s different.”
It was true Persephone had started her series on Hades with the intention of exposing his unfair bargains with mortals. Overtime, however, she’d learned his intentions were far more honorable than she’d originally assumed.
Lexa sighed. “Maybe, but isn’t that what Hades was telling you? Apollo is willing to punish without a second thought.”
Persephone averted her gaze, frustrated, and Lexa’s outstretched hand covered her own.
“I just want you to be careful. I know Hades will protect you, but I also know how hard it is for you to ask for help.”
Persephone managed a small smile. She knew Lexa was only speaking out of concern for her, but her best friend didn’t know the whole story. She still hadn’t told her about her boss’s ultimatum. She felt like she was in a bargain with Hades again, faced with losing two things she valued most. Perhaps if she explained, Lexa would understand, but as she started to speak, they were interrupted by a stranger.
“You’re Hades’ girlfriend, aren’t you?”
The voice startled them, and the question made Persephone cringe. A young woman had appeared beside their table. She wore a long shirt, tights and boots. Her phone was in hand, and she was pulling at the elastic holding her hair in a top knot.
“Can I get a picture?” The girl asked as she fluffed her hair and smoothed it over her shoulder.
“Sorry, no,” Persephone said. “I’m having lunch.”
“It’ll just take a second,” She leaned in to take a selfie, her camera on. Persephone shifted away, holding out her hands to stop the girl.
“I said no.”
“Just one,” the girl attempted to bargain.
“What about no don’t you understand?” Persephone asked.
The girl straightened and blinked at Persephone.
Then her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to be a bitch. It’s just a picture.”
The girl lifted her phone and snapped a photo. Her outburst had drawn attention, and as Persephone watched her storm off, she noticed several customers had their phones pointed in her direction. She covered her face with her hand.
Lexa leaned across the table, “This would be a great time to use your powers for nefarious reasons.”
“Didn’t you just criticize my use of magic for punishment?”
“Yeah but...she deserves it. She was an asshole.”
“I think it’s time to go,” Persephone said, reaching for her purse.
They left money on the table to cover their bill. Lexa looped her arm through Persephone’s as they exited the cafe. The sidewalks were teeming with employees returning to work, tourists, and street vendors. It was a hot but cloudy day, and the air smelled like roasting chestnuts, cigarettes, and coffee.
“Do you have time to stop by the office?” Lexa asked. “I can give you a tour.”
Persephone checked her watch. She still had thirty minutes before she had to be back at the Acropolis.
“I’d love that.”
She wanted to see where Lexa worked and, if she were being honest, explore. She’d felt embarrassed when Lexa had listed off facts about The Halcyon Project, none of which she knew.
Lexa officed out of a building called Alexandria Tower. It was