want to see that. Make it stop.”
“What is going on, Persephone?” I ask.
But she doesn’t answer. She’s holding her stomach and biting her lip to keep from screaming. And she’s so close to the bars now. My gaze drops to the sapphire pendant swinging from her neck, back and forth. It’s almost hypnotic. A sudden suspicion jolts me into action and I reach through the bars to yank the chain from her neck with a single, sharp pull.
“Thank. You. Lily,” Persephone gasps the instant she’s free. Her shoulders sag with relief. “It’s cursed. I couldn’t remove it myself.”
I hold the pendant up and stare at the beautiful blue stone, and in it, I see many views of the House of Hades, all from different angles. Curious, I squint closer but before I can satisfy my curiosity, Persephone snatches the sapphire from my hand.
“Don’t look,” she hisses, dashing the stone to the floor to grind it with the heel of her foot. “I made that same mistake. Clay caught me that way and from that moment on, I was his slave, his minion to control.” She continues stomping on the sapphire, but for all the venom and effort that she’s putting into it, the gem seems remarkably unscathed. Eventually she gives up her efforts in frustration. “I never served him willingly. He threatened me with the lives of my people and then, with this…” She nods her chin at the stone.
“Can you fight back?” I ask. “Now that you’re not under his control?”
“Let me out of here, and I’ll rally my army. I’ll have Clay ousted this very day.” Her voice is resolute, and her fingers clenched tight.
I can hear the truth ringing in her voice. “We’ll get you out,” I promise, and then, my voice cracks as I add, “He’s devastated my army…” My throat closes and I can’t continue.
Persephone grips the bars so tightly her knuckles turn white. “I will avenge them, Lily. I swear it.”
At the sound of approaching footsteps, I whirl, but it’s Artemis, returning with the keys.
“Where are Clay’s soldiers?” I ask, as she begins to unlock the cells.
“He’s left the dungeons unguarded,” Artemis replies.
“His army is much smaller than mine,” Persephone cuts in. “He’s imprisoned many of my men in the lower levels here.”
“Take the keys,” I say, handing them to her. “Route Clay’s men out of here.”
“With pleasure.” She rises to her full height, looking like the warrior queen she is.
I turn as Mirk steps out of his cell and I’m so glad to see him, I throw my arms around his neck and give him a tight hug. He says nothing, but he holds me in a close embrace, an embrace that assures me he is well, capable, and ready.
When I step back, I catch the narrowing of his eyes as he looks at Persephone and I say, “You two need to talk, but it’ll have to wait. She’s got to free her army and we must leave. Now.”
Mirk arches a brow at his stepmother and she thins her lips. So much is said in the look that passes between them, but I can’t even begin to interpret what it might be.
Mirk turns away from her to look at me. “And where are we going, Lily?”
I lick my dry lips. “To the enclosure, first.” I will stand over Homer’s body and wish his spirit peace. I owe him that, at least. I swallow, my heart aching for what I’m going to see there. “Then, Elysium. Through your door.”
Surprise flickers in his eyes.
“What door?” Persephone asks. “What door to Elysium?”
So, Mirk had his secrets.
“A childhood discovery,” he murmurs.
She’s surprised, but we’ve wasted enough time. “I wish you luck, Persephone.”
“Luck isn’t needed,” she answers, raising her chin. “We’ll roust Clay from the Underworld. Have no fear, Lily.”
As I turn to leave, Alfio steps up. “I’m ready, my lady.”
I frown. “Perhaps, you should stay here, with Persephone.” I say, knowing he’ll only slow me down.
Persephone tenses.
Alfio winces a little but looks straight at me. “I’ve still a bit of spryness left in these old bones. I’ll not slow you down. And I’ve… business in Elysium. I’ll follow at my own pace.”
“That’s a wise decision,” Persephone says, a thread of steel edging her voice.
There’s obviously something going on between them, but I don’t have time to find out. I’ve got to find Torak, make sure there’s no monster left in that enclosure who needs my help. And…Homer, of course. “Let’s go,” I say, wheeling around, hoping Cerb