Page 229 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

‘Why Are You Here?’

I hid a smile at her words.

Styx was always pointed.

Clearing my throat I said,

‘I went to see Demeter.’

The frown she gave me

would make anyone believe

that I had defied some ancient,

unwritten law.

‘Hekate—’ she began

but I raised my free hand.

‘Listen to me.

You have two young daughters.

Her youngest daughter was taken.

She is in agony.

The whole world

screeches with her pain.

I know where Kore is.

All I am asking for

is your aid.’

I paused and took a sip

of my wine.

Styx was looking at the green flames

in her golden fireplace.

‘No. You know I cannot.’

I sighed as I looked at her.

‘Why?’ I knew the answer

but I wanted her to say

the words to me.

‘Hekate, it is against

the rules.’ There was

an edge to her voice.

And I finally recognized it.

Fear.

All those rules that she had

for me as a child. Those rules

were not just to keep me safe.

It was the only form of control

a Goddess could have

in this world of Gods.

Her duties. Her rules.

Her world made sense for them.

I was older now. I saw

her for who she was.

And I knew what to say

to change her mind too.

‘Imagine,’ – my voice was gentle –

‘if it was Bia and no one

would tell you where she was.

What would you do?’

I could see her hands

and they clenched into fists.

She could not even stand the thought.

Which was what I expected.

She took a deep breath

and walked over to the black river

that she had nurtured so carefully.

Then she took an emerald urn

and filled it with the water.

Carefully, she brought it to me.

‘Use this. It has the power

to dissolve anything in your way

or even steal a God’s voice.’

As I reached for it,

her hands did not let it go.

I looked up into her eyes questioningly.

‘Hekate. I do not

have two daughters,’

she said softly to me,

‘I have three. That includes you.’