Page 178 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The Forest of Silence

When people ask about the dominion of Hades, very few speak about the Forest of Silence.

It was a dark mimicry of a mortal forest, as though a cruel God had decided to make a mockery of everything we loved about them.

With its trees that had roots and bark made of vipers, and carnivorous black rabbits and poisonous midnight deer that would chase you until you fell to them, this was not a place many entered willingly.

Everything here thirsted for blood and ichor; the trees would try to drink from you while crushing your bones into dust. There were stories, of course.

Tales of things that knew how to tear you apart and piece you back together, the forest becoming a maze that never let you out.

A thousand monsters were born here every day: they said that Echidna, mother of monsters, had hidden her womb somewhere in this forest, ensuring a constant stream of progeny.

The screams and screeches reminded me of my visit to Tartarus.

My stomach clenched with worry each time I heard an otherworldly sound.

But as I looked upon the dark foreboding of the woods, all I could see was the hope that lay on the other side.

And that was enough to make my feet move.