Page 239 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

I Breathed in the Cold Deeply

for I had to harden my heart

to what I had become.

Once my world was wrecked by war.

Now I was a leader in one.

Somewhere, I was sure,

the Fates were laughing.

But there was no time to reflect

on the complexities of immortality.

Instead, I turned to this army

I had created and said loudly,

‘I have brought you back for a purpose.

The realms of the Gods are under attack.

This means the very nature of this world,

any loved ones you may have left,

even the afterlife you walk into,

is under threat of extinction.’

A murmur rose now:

they could speak.

At least they remembered

some of their humanity.

‘I am asking for your help.

I am asking you to march

with me upon Olympus,

where giants have laid siege.’

The murmurs grew louder.

I could feel Thanatos’ eyes

upon me as I spoke.

I heard Hermes’ slow chuckle.

An impossible plan

for an impossible army.

‘In return, if we win,’ I continued,

‘I can offer you a second life,

one of more comfort than you knew.’

At this the army grew so loud

that Hecuba started barking.

The heat of excitement battled

both the cold and the decay.

I heard Hermes clear his throat.

This was not something I could offer;

only Zeus could bestow this wish.

But I fully intended to make Zeus

accept this as my boon.

Besides, would it not benefit

the Gods to have more mortals

left that would pray to them?

I turned back to my army,

blue-skinned, held together

by the hearts of stars.

‘What say you?’ I call,

and the roar of agreement

that followed steeled my spine.

‘Then onward we march!’