Chapter 3 #2
‘Still a no. Come on, Tee, let’s get another drink.’ I stood, tipped back the rest of my daiquiri in one gulp, and set down the glass. ‘Nice to meet you, Zee.’
I turned—then pivoted back, smiling brightly. ‘Oh, and a word of advice? Next time you approach a strange woman, dial down the stalker vibes. It’s not a good look.’
He clenched his jaw and eyeballed me as his guests gasped.
‘Laters!’ I spun on my heel and strode for the bar without bothering to see if Tee followed. Catching Matt’s eye, I lifted a finger for another drink. Two minutes later, it was in my hand.
‘You alright, Sephy?’ Matt lowered his brow.
‘Yeah,’ I replied, downing another lime daiquiri. ‘I’m freaking fabulous.’ A moment later, the rum slammed into my brain with the force of a freight train, leaving me feeling buzzed. I needed to dance.
‘Hey, Matt!’ I screeched. ‘Look after my bag.’ I tossed it at him, and he caught it effortlessly. I pushed my way to the dance floor, my synapses bouncing to the music.
Dancing was freedom, and I craved that freedom.
The music felt like a drug—an energising drug that made my mind hum with pure joy, and as I moved to the beat, I felt as though my soul would shine so brightly my skin would glow.
Scents swirled around me, blending together like mist in the air, and I was completely lost.
I didn’t know how long I’d been dancing—long enough for my muscles to ache—when a pair of strong arms wrapped around me from behind. Instincts flared, my hand flying toward my blade, but a larger hand caught mine, dragging my arms across my body, just beneath my breasts.
He held me tight, tugging me flush against him, my ass pressed firmly against the hard line of his body. It was undoubtedly a ‘him’—I felt him pressing hard against my back. He wanted me… no freaking question.
I hesitated, my battle instincts screaming… but then the pulse of rum and music drowned them out. I surrendered to a feeling of desire so strong my knees nearly buckled.
‘Go with it, Sephy,’ I whispered to myself, leaning back into his solid chest and breathing in that heady, earthy scent. Whoever this man was, he felt good. Sinfully good.
‘Sephy!’ Tee’s hand clamped around mine, jolting me. I stumbled and spun to face her—she was right behind me on the dance floor.
My mysterious man was gone.
Had I imagined him? Maybe. The buzzing haze in my head made it all too easy to conjure one of the tall, dark, dangerous heroes from my books. Honestly, that was fine. They were more dependable than real men, anyway.
‘Tee!’ I giggled like a dork. ‘We need more drinks!’
‘Sephy, come on.’ Tee’s tone was tight, but I was far too buzzed to care. By the time I staggered to the bar, I was properly hammered. She pressed a pink drink into my hand.
‘Oh. Pretty!’ I slurred, grinning at the glass. Tee shut her eyes briefly, her expression pinched. ‘What’s wrong, Tee?’
‘Drink up, Sephy. I love you. I really do.’
‘I love you more!’ I laughed, wobbling as she steadied me. I lifted my glass in a sloppy salute. ‘Cin-cin!’ Then I tipped the whole thing back, gulping it down.
‘And Sephy… I’m sorry.’
‘What for?’ I frowned as my eyes met hers.
Then everything went black.
I awoke groaning and feeling groggy, a hand clutching my head. ‘Ugh. I’m never drinking again,’ I muttered. My poor head was pounding. I peeled my eyes open and sat up in one swift motion.
What the hell?’ Purple and gold paint adorned the room, but there were no windows.
The ceiling shimmered with the brilliance of a cloudless sky, glowing as though it had been enchanted to mimic the sun. I blinked several times, disoriented, before slipping out of bed. A glance down made my stomach twist—I was dressed in white silk shorts and a matching cami. Not mine.
The room around me dripped luxury: a golden satin quilt sprawled across a bed big enough for a small army, while a velvet sofa in regal purple was plush and soft beneath my hand as I trailed it across the cushions.
I tested the doors. One was locked. Another opened to a lavish ensuite with a rainfall shower, a soaking tub, and toiletries laid out neatly in a wicker basket. A gilded mirror loomed above the vanity. I caught my reflection—hair mussed, eyes wild—and smoothed myself down. Still a hot mess.
The last door revealed a walk-in wardrobe overflowing with clothes: leather fighting gear, sharp trouser suits, glittering ballgowns. My pulse kicked. What the actual hell?
Feeling queasy, I sank onto the velvet sofa and pinched my arm hard. ‘Ouch.’
Not dreaming. Definitely awake.
A door clicked open and Tee stepped inside, leather pants hugging her long legs, a sleeveless top clinging to her frame. ‘Sephy.’ She gave me a sheepish smile.
‘Where am I, Tee?’
‘You’re in the Underworld.’
‘The nightclub?’
She hesitated for a heartbeat. ‘No. The real Underworld.’
I sucked in a sharp breath. ‘You’re kidding, right?’ I glanced at my feet, briefly wondering if that crack on my head during the Lamia fight had rendered me unconscious and this was all some elaborate coma dream. I reached out to touch her, and she took my hand.
Tee shook her head, nervously licking her lips. ‘I’m not joking, babe.’
I snatched my hand back. ‘What the fuck, Tee? Why am I in the Underworld?’ My voice pitched higher.
‘You don’t remember… anything?’
‘Remember what?’ I threw my hands up and squinted at her.
‘Shit,’ Tee muttered, her hands curling into fists. ‘Then you really do need to talk to Hades, Sephy.’
At his name, my belly cramped, and my mouth went dry. ‘Hades?’ I squeaked.
‘He won’t hurt you, Sephy,’ Tee said, raising her hands like she were trying to soothe a wild animal.
‘He’s a god. And I’m a…’ I stopped myself before I said ‘witch’.
‘He’s a good guy, Sephy. A fair god.’
‘The gods, fair?’ I barked out a laugh, my fear turning into anger. ‘Selfish, overindulgent pricks would be closer to the truth.’
‘Sephy.’ Tee sighed and shook her head.
‘Don’t Sephy me! You’re supposed to be my friend. Was it all lies?’ My voice cracked as tears pricked my eyes.
Her eyes sparkled, lips trembling. ‘Never think that. I’ve always been your friend. Even before.’
‘What do you mean “before”?’
‘Once again, a story I’m not at liberty to share.’
‘God!’ I shrieked.
‘Gods. Remember?’ She placed her hands on her hips.
‘Tell me why I’m here,’ I spat. ‘What’s Hades’ problem with me?’ My heart was racing.
Tee blew out a frustrated breath. ‘Okay. His problem is you, Sephy.’
‘Huh?’
‘You are his Persephone. And he wants you back.’
Hysteria bubbled up, spilling into manic laughter that bordered on unhinged. I bent over, hands braced on my knees, then straightened, swiping at my tear-streaked cheeks. Tee glared at me and my laughter died abruptly.
‘You’re not serious?’ I whispered.
‘Yes. You’re a goddess. You were married to Hades and… he wants you back.’ Tee exhaled hard. ‘I know you think this is ludicrous, but trust me, it’s the truth.’
I dropped back onto the couch, my mind spinning, fatigue pulling at my brain and body. ‘I was married to Hades. How? I’m twenty-two years old, and I’ve never been married.’ I dragged in a shaky breath, but panic stopped my lungs from inflating. ‘My brain is in turmoil, Tee. Please take me home.’
‘I can’t, I’m sorry.’ A worried look crossed her beautiful face, and then she let out an enormous sigh, closing her eyes. ‘You’ve eaten three pomegranate seeds from the Underworld orchard. You’re tied to Hades for three months, or until he lets you go.’
‘The drink you gave me?’ Tee nodded and wrung her hands together. I jumped up and paced the bedroom. ‘You bitch! A friend wouldn’t do that.’ I was going to murder her. I was going to be arrested for best-friend-icide.
Tee let out a resigned sigh and collapsed onto the sofa. ‘I am your friend, Sephy. But I also answer to Hades. He’s my friend too.’
‘Hades is your friend. Seriously?’ She gave a resigned nod. How could my best friend be associated with the god of the Underworld? ‘You did trick me. You pretended to be my friend… for him?’
‘No. I am your friend. That part is true, babe. Honestly.’
‘Don’t call me babe,’ I snapped, and she flinched. ‘Tell me why the fuck anyone would think I’m the Persephone? It’s absolutely ridiculous.’
‘I can’t explain that to you. It’s Hades’ story to tell.’
A flash of anger bubbled through my exhaustion as I paced the room.
I spun on my heel and jabbed a finger at Tee, my voice climbing higher and sharper.
‘I’ve been kidnapped—ripped from my life!
Told I’m the goddess Persephone, married to the god of the dead?
And now I’m stuck with him for three months? ’
At my words, Tee flinched again. ‘What happened to Persephone, Tee? Tell me!’ My breath hitched, and I sniffed. ‘If she’s gone, why isn’t the world up top aware? I just don’t understand.’
A flicker of pity flashed across Tee’s face.
‘Alright.’ Her gaze locked onto mine. ‘The gods are clever, Sephy. You’ve been missing for over twenty years, but the mortal world has no idea.
The gods can morph into anyone they wish, and for a time Aphrodite covered for you—smiling for the reporters.
But it became too painful for Hades. Eventually, he started appearing alone.
And you… you were never one for publicity.
Elusive. Distant. People stopped asking questions.
’ She shook her head, her voice softening.
‘The rest… that’s for Hades to tell you. ’
Anxiety fluttered through me, sharp and frantic, threatening a full-blown panic attack.
I couldn’t be here for that long—being in a place with no outside space was my idea of actual hell.
I need gardens, flowers, greenery, space, and sunlight on my skin.
I inhaled deeply and thought of my gran.
A twinge of pain surged through me—I missed her so much.
But how would she advise me to handle this mind-boggling situation?
She’d tell me to be cute. Be clever. And to bow to no one.
Fatigue and uncertainty overtook me. ‘This is real, isn’t it? I’m in the Underworld.’ I slumped next to Tee, who nodded and took my hand. ‘Fuck.’ Once he finds out I’m a witch, I’m as good as dead. I tried for humour. ‘I think I might need to develop a drug habit to get through this.’
Tee chuckled softly. ‘It’s going to be okay. Honestly.’
‘Will it?’ I whispered.
But I had no choice, did I? Freaking out and rocking in a corner would get me nowhere—I just needed to go along with it. Then get back home to my life, away from Hades and the Underworld. He’d realise I wasn’t his Persephone and let me go. Hopefully before discovering what I really was.
Or maybe… just maybe… I was in a coma, and, eventually, I’d wake up from this nightmare.