Page 266 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

The Forbidden Journey

Perhaps it was because I

had become too mistrustful.

Perhaps it was because Zeus

had been so reluctant with this.

But I had to see for myself.

I had to make sure that my father

and all his brothers were free

from their brutal bloodletting

before I allowed myself

to go home and rest.

So I made the forbidden journey

all the way to Tartarus.

I could not find a way

inside the chambers,

but if Zeus kept his promise,

I would at least be able to see

my father from above

the mountain of fire.

I had learned a spell for flight

over my years of witchcraft.

So I rose to the top of the mountain

and gazed down to search within

the depth of Tartarus.

At first I did not see him

among his dazed brothers

and cousins. But then

I saw him. Huge and glowing,

still covered in ichor,

he was walking out

of his prison, safe.

I willed him to look up,

to see me one last time.

But he did not. I stayed as long as I could

and just as I was about to leave,

I heard a voice behind me say,

‘Did you doubt Zeus

would keep his word?’

I turned to see Hermes

flying behind me,

a large set of ichor-covered keys

in his hand. He grinned at me.

‘I freed them myself, Hekate.’

I smiled slightly back at him,

my exhaustion starting

to make my spell wane.

‘Thank you, Hermes.’

He nodded, and as I was

about to fly away, he said,

‘I hope one day you trust me

and we can be friends again.’

My smile widened as

I turned to him,

‘You were a friend today, Hermes.

I will not forget that anytime soon.’

And with that I started to descend

so I could begin my long journey

to my palace

on the other side of the Underworld.