Page 200 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The End of Something

Styx stepped forward

but I raised a hand to stop her.

‘No.’ A word laced with pain.

‘Please, let us explain,’

Pallas tried now,

but I shook my head.

‘You had years to explain.

There is nothing left

for you to say.’

Styx’s eyes

were agonized.

‘But where will you go?’

I felt the warmth

of Thanatos’ hand

take mine.

‘She will go with me.’

I turned to him

and he smiled reassuringly.

‘I will build my own home,’

I said, but Thanatos spoke.

‘I will help you.’

There was such a gentleness

to his words. You will not

have to do this alone.

Charon put a comforting

hand on my shoulder.

‘And I will aid too.’

Friendship. Kindness.

I did not need rescuing,

but I did need those.

‘You cannot do this.’

Styx’s voice broke.

‘I made a promise, Hekate.’

I shook my head.

‘You made that promise

to my mother. Not to me.’

This schism between us

was only widening now

and for a time that felt

like a thousand years

during which none of us spoke.

Then I said to Thanatos

and to Charon,

‘We must leave.’

And we did.

From the rubble

and ashes of the life

I used to know.