Page 43 of Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld #1)

From the Shadows, a Figure Spoke

‘You cannot keep a God-child

from above here among

the corpses and cold, Styx.

She needs a home. A place to grow.’

This voice was unfamiliar

and it had the agedness of oceans.

When I squinted to look at the figure,

it looked like a mountain was moving.

I realized then that a giant was crouching

in the mouth of the entrance of this place.

His huge form began to slowly shrink

until he was the size of Charon.

‘I know this, Pallas,’ Styx snapped,

‘What would you have me do precisely?

You know the river is my only home.

You have known this since we became consorts.’

Ah. So this was my uncle Pallas,

my father’s only brother. My mother mentioned

his name just once, when reading

a message from my father.

The words had not made sense

to me then. But now,

in the cold light of afters,

everything was clearer.

‘Pallas has betrayed us.

He has chosen the side

of the Olympians over us.

He has deceived your father.’

The knowledge of this betrayal

crystal-clear in my heart,

I glared at him. He was one

of the reasons my mother was gone.

He was why I never knew my father.

Pallas did not look at me,

or even notice my fierce glare.

Instead, he said to Styx,

‘Four of our children

live in palaces on Olympus.

They are cared for in ways—’

Styx’s voice rose to a screech.

‘Do you think I do not know

how my children are being raised

in Zeus’ kingdom?’ Her eyes glowed

with molten amber fury.

Pallas raised his hands in surrender.

‘You agreed to Zeus’ gift, too.

It was an honour for our efforts

during the war.’

Through gritted teeth, Styx spoke.

‘You know as well as I,

taking our children was

not a gift of any kind.

What Zeus was trying to prevent

was our children growing up

with any ideas of Titan rebellion.’

My eyes widened at these words.

Of course. Of course, that was why

Styx’s children had been taken.

The war may be over now,

but the threat of the Titans rebelling

was a good enough reason for Zeus

to divide us, imprison us,

separate us, even under the guise

of magnanimous ‘gifts’.

Pallas chose his next words carefully.

‘Even so, we now have a Titan child left.

So let me do what I can, and build her

a home on your riverbanks.’