Page 233 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

‘You Have to Help Us’

I frowned at his words.

What could he possibly mean?

‘The giants. They have

found their way onto Olympus

and even Zeus cannot

defeat them. We are weakened.

Demeter’s destruction

has taken too many mortal lives.

There are not enough

humans left to pray to us

and without their prayers

our powers have been failing.

We need your help.’

I stood stock-still.

My body was cold

and I let him go.

‘Why would the giants

go to war now?’

He shook his head impatiently.

‘Power. They too are Kronos’

children, do you not remember?’

I gave him a wry smile. ‘I do not know

if you have noticed, but we have

a few too many cousins

to keep track of.’

Hermes glared at me.

‘This is not the time for humour.’

The trickster God saying this

brought home the urgency.

‘Tell me more, Hermes.

If I am to help, I need knowledge.’

I could see the conflict

play across his face.

To trust me with more information

could prove fatal for the Olympians,

but to not give me information

was to spurn my aid.

Finally, I saw him relent.

‘For years the giants

have kept to themselves.

But they have always

been power-hungry.

What happened during

the last war has kept them

in their place. Still, to keep them

content enough to prevent

another war, my father Zeus

made a series of oaths with them.

They are mortal, so he gave them

longevity. But they believe that Olympus

holds secrets to immortality.

To rule would mean power forever,

and they are tired of dying.’

I sighed and said softly, ‘The price

of that crown is the constant threat of war.

I hope all that you are protecting

is worth it in the end.’

He scowled at me.

‘Are you going to help?’

‘Ask Hades.

He is powerful enough—’

As I began to say this

he was already shaking his head.

‘I have already seen Hades.

He says that the affairs

of Olympus are for Olympus

to resolve.’

I nodded quietly,

‘He is correct.’

That fearful look was back

in Hermes’ eyes.

‘Hekate, you don’t understand.

If Olympus falls,

where do you think

the giants will turn to next?’