36. ZARA
ZARA
“I heard what happened with Gabriel. How are you, Agapiméno?”
“I’ve been better,” I admitted, not even bothering to question how he knew. “Thanks for the magical sleeping pill last night.”
“I could do the same again tonight if you wish, although it looks like you’re already getting a head start.” He gestured at the half empty wine bottle sitting on the coffee table. “I take it there’s no word from Seth himself?”
“Nope. Jed’s convinced he knows what he’s doing and will find his own way of dealing with things, so no rescue mission.”
“You sound a little bitter about that.” I did, didn’t I.
“But deep down you must know he’s right.
Even if we knew where to find the gateway to the Underworld, I very much doubt any of us could get in uninvited.
Do you really think Seth would want anyone putting themselves at risk for something that’s a lost cause before it even starts? ”
I knew he was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept.
“So what am I supposed to do? Carry on as if nothing’s happened? Wake up every morning telling myself this is the day he’ll come back to me, and have another little sliver of my soul die every night when he’s still gone?”
“You’re being very dramatic,” he tutted.
“I know it seems like the end of the world now, but it’s not as if either of you are going to age and die.
If you were still mortal I could understand it, the whole time ticking away thing, but you have eternity, Zara.
And I seem to recall that you promised Seth you wouldn’t put your life on hold while he was gone. ”
“If this is your idea of cheering me up, you’re doing a shit job of it,” I grumbled. “You may be right, but I’m not ready to hear it yet, okay? I need some time to absorb all this and come to terms with it. Oh, and I won’t be coming to work for a while.”
He looked like he was debating whether it was worth arguing, but in the end he just said, “Very well. Take whatever time you need. But don’t wallow in self-pity too long, Zara. It’s a very slippery pit to climb out of once you’ve let yourself sink. You know how to reach me if you need me.”
He sounded so sad I nearly asked him to stay, but before I could form the words he was gone. Which was probably for the best. I didn’t see myself being very good company for the foreseeable future.