Page 225 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

‘It Was Zeus’

I said it softly, honestly.

Because it was.

Hades may have taken her

but he had done so with the blessing

of Kore’s father.

‘Zeus gave Hades

permission to take her.

She is in the Underworld,

inside the Forest of Silence.’

The sound that came

from Demeter’s throat

was so terrible

I couldn’t even name it

a cry of despair.

Her fingers dug

into my shoulders.

‘You must take me to her!’

But at this I shook my head.

‘You cannot enter

his domain without

his permission,

Goddess of the Living.’

Her face crumpled

into deep agony

and I added quickly,

‘Perhaps… perhaps

I can return to him

and negotiate some form

of release?’

Demeter’s eyes blazed at this.

‘I will not negotiate

with the monster who stole

my daughter.

I will turn this world

into nothing. Kill every mortal

that prays to every God.

Leave them diminished

and destroyed if they do not

return my child to me.’

I was quiet as she spoke.

Then I whispered,

‘My mother and I

were separated

by the games of Gods too.

Which is why I will try

to get your daughter

back to you.’

Demeter looked into my eyes

as though only just

recognizing who I was.

‘Of course. Hekate.’

She touched my cheek

gently now.

‘Asteria would be

so proud of you.’