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The God of the Dead turned to her. “Come, Persephone.”

She folded her arms over her chest and glared. “You could show some courtesy. You weren’t invited, remember?”

He ground his teeth. Gods, why did she have to be so stubborn?

“Lady Persephone!” Lucy exclaimed, her voice bordering on a shriek that was supposed to sound like surprise. “You are most welcome. Please, follow me.” She allowed Persephone into the house and made her way toward Hades. As she passed, she turned up her nose. “Lord Hades, you are most unwelcome.”

She definitely had characteristics from Aphrodite.

Hades fell into step beside Persephone and took her hand, frustrated when she tried to pull away. Normally, he would let her go, but for some reason, he couldn’t this time. He held on, rubbing soft circles into her skin, and she seemed to relax.

Hades did not make a habit of coming into Aphrodite and Hephaestus’s home. Mostly, when he visited, he was met by either one outside the house. For two people who rarely seemed to get along, their space seemed to be a perfect balance of their personalities—Aphrodite’s luxury and Hephaestus’s practicality.

Lucy led them down a bright hallway and into the library, announcing them at the door.

“My Lady Aphrodite, Lady Harmonia—Lady Persephone and Lord Hades are here to see you.”

Aphrodite sat beside her sister on a small couch. Harmonia looked far better than yesterday, but that was only because Apollo had managed to heal her cuts and bruises, and she had scrubbed her skin and hair free of dirt. She was still pale, almost gray, like souls when they first entered the Underworld, and her horns…mutilated pieces of bone. They still bore saw marks.

“Thank you, Lucy,” Aphrodite said, and Lucy bowed before leaving the room. The goddess’s eyes narrowed on Hades. “I see Hermes failed to follow instructions.”

“You can thank Apollo for that,” Persephone said.

“Persephone and I are doing this together, Aphrodite,” Hades said tightly.

Harmonia did not react to their exchange. She kept her hand on her dog, who lay curled up in her lap sleeping.

“Persephone, please, have a seat,” Aphrodite said, her voice sickly sweet.

It was fake. Hades hoped Persephone could tell.

“Tea?” Aphrodite continued.

“Yes,” Persephone answered, shivering.

Hades frowned. Was she still cold?

“Sugar?”

Hades crossed his arms over his chest, growing impatient with Aphrodite’s hospitality. It was a ruse.

“No, thank you.”

“Cucumber sandwich?”

“No, thank you,” Persephone said again.

There was silence as Persephone sipped her tea, and then Harmonia spoke, her voice soft, barely audible.

“I suppose you are here to speak with me.”

“If you are feeling well enough,” Persephone said. “We need to know what happened last night.”

Harmonia looked between him and Persephone. “Where shall I start?”

“Where were you when you were attacked?” Hades asked.

“I was in Concorida Park,” she said.