Chapter 4.
Penelope
Most Persephones saw more Hadeses in their career than they could count. Despite it being a position for life, most of the candidates weaselled themselves out after only a couple of years and left us to clean up their mess. And people were surprised why we were known for chaos down here.
Those things didn’t fly on my term and the new Hades could get on board or get out of my way. That strategy worked with the last couple of them.
My heels clicked on the stone floor as I strode through the narrow hallway to the monthly meeting.
The ceiling swallowed the walls and funnelled me through the large door at the end.
The black wood was framed with hard steel and three intimidating stone dog heads hung above the entrance, threatening anyone who dared walk under them.
I turned around to my assistant. “That reminds me. I need to feed Cerberus when I get back. Put that in my diary so I don’t forget.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Molly replied dutifully as she scribbled the memo in my hellfire red journal.
The smell of ink woke the snakes in her hair and they curiously descended to the paper, eager for a sniff.
“Not now,” she grumbled, swatting them away.
The snakes hissed but reluctantly entwined into a braid and went back to sleep.
If only my hair cooperated like that.
“I hate meeting a new Hades,” I complained as I prepared myself. “They’re always so incompetent. Why do they even bother sending candidates down, the Underworld runs fine without them. Well, not fine, but, ugh.”
Molly carefully patted me on the back. “I know how much you despise it. It’s just one meeting. Just put the new Hades in their place like always and things will be back to normal in a week. Or less.”
“I hope so. I have so much to do, these meetings are just a waste of my time.” With a sigh, I ran my hands down my long, red dress. I didn’t want to lose my patience before I’d even set foot inside.
Already done with this, I knocked on the heavy door and it swung open immediately. A young, mousy woman greeted me at the entrance, nervously tucking her brown hair behind her ears. “You must be the Persephone.”
I didn’t recognise the new girl but I didn’t bother wasting time on introductions. Her obvious statement wasn’t worthy of response either, obviously, I was the Persephone.
Annoyed, I marched to the two chaises in the middle of the room and occupied the left one, the same side I’d sat on for the past hundred years. I looked up at the other woman. “Where is the new Hades? They’re late.”
The woman released a nervous chuckle as she sat down opposite me. “That’s me,” she said, gesturing to herself with shaky hands. “Nice to meet you. I’m so nervous, it’s only my sixth day here. Would you like a beverage?”
Despite my best intentions, I snapped. “I don’t have time for beverages. This is an important, serious job and I intend to make the most of my term. Unlike you, I can’t just sit around and do nothing for the next century. I’ll get voted out.”
The woman frowned. “I don’t intend to sit around.”
“Really? I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“So you don’t have time for beverages but sarcasm is fine?” she returned, her eyebrows raising.
What could have easily been a sarcastic remark back sounded like a genuine question, which only annoyed me even more. I glared at the newcomer, already done with this whole thing. It was better if she just stayed out of my way and let me do my job.
The new Hades studied me with reserved but attentive curiosity. “Are you always like this?”
“Like what?” I bit back.
“Hostile,” she commented.
“I’m not hostile, I’m direct and I don’t have time for anything else.”
“Okay.”
Even more frustrated than before, I beckoned for my journal from Molly and the gorgon rushed over and put the leathery book in my grip. I flicked it open, determined to get through this meeting as fast as possible. “First item—”
“Perhaps we could do introductions first?” the other woman said. “We’ll be seeing a lot more of each other in the coming years. Why don’t I start? I’m—“
I held up my hand, already having heard the same story from all her predecessors.
“Don’t bother, I know your type. None of you are ever serious about the position.
It’s supposed to be lifelong but all your predecessors somehow manage to get out of it after ten-ish years and I doubt you’ll be any different.
You’re just here to waste away time until Zeus allows you to return to whatever position you came from. ”
The woman across stared at me, her stunned expression confirming I hit the nail on the head.
Why couldn’t Zeus ever send me a competent candidate? Working in the Underworld wasn’t some temporary job or punishment, to some of us, this was a real job. A good job.
I released an angered breath, trying my best to remain dignified.
“The truth is, you’re neither motivated nor qualified for this job and you have no intention of doing it either.
And you know what? That’s fine. The Underworld has been running fine without a Hades at the helm and we’ll continue to do so.
A word of advice? While you’re down here, just stay out of my way.
” My fingers dug into the soft velvet arms, the annoyance flitting through me like a tumultuous river heading to a waterfall.
“Unless you have anything of importance to say, don’t disturb me.
Oh, and here are the monthly reports from my side.
Not that any of you ever bother to look.
Well, if that’s everything, see you next month. ”
Without waiting for a reply, I slapped my journal shut and rose from the seat. My assistant quickly joined my side and without another look, I strode to my entrance and left. I didn’t have time to babysit another Hades.