Megan glanced from Zotera to me, doubt clear on her face.
“But even with Ashlyn safe, Father still seeks Thanatos. What are you doing to find him?” Zotera asked.
“Adira is our lead to getting more information about him. Since she’s continuing to meddle in Uttira's affairs here and there, I’ve been focused on trying to find her. Grandma Grace is following leads to try to find out when exactly the gods disappeared, and Mom is visiting other stronghold councils to gauge who else, if anyone, Thanatos might have approached.”
“Father will be pleased to know you are doing everything you can to find the one who attempted to harm Ashlyn.”
“Do you think he still cares after finding out she’s not Persephone?” Megan asked.
Zotera glanced at me, her soft brown eyes locked with mine as she lightly squeezed my hand.
“Ashlyn was always honest with Father. She never claimed to be Persephone when she showed compassion and affection. He won’t forget everything she gave him and will protect her. Always.”
What he’d said before sending me back rang in my ears again.
This isn’t the last time we will see one another, Ashlyn. I vow it.
“Can Hades leave Hell?” Eliana asked over the phone as if reading my mind.
“No,” Zotera said. “Father was bound to Hell by Zeus.”
“Well, that’s one good thing, at least,” Megan said. “Hopefully, now that Ashlyn’s out of Hell, Thanatos won’t have any reason to come after her. But, to be on the safe side, we’ll continue to search for Adira. Zayn’s brewing up another location spell. A stronger one this time that will work in all the realms, hopefully.”
“Good,” Eliana said. “But I don’t like the idea of Ashlyn going home by herself until then.”
“She’s not by herself,” Zotera said. “She has me. I will keep her safe.”
Megan leaned back in her chair and studied Zotera.
“No offense, but every time I saw you, you were either sitting at the foot of Hades’ throne or standing off to the side. Everything about you screams passive pushover. How exactly are you going to protect Ashlyn?”
“Like this,” Zotera said.
CHAPTERTWO
While I was still bristlingat what felt like an attack on Zotera’s character, she vanished beside me only to reappear behind Oanen.
She grabbed him by the throat, lifting him out of his chair and pinning him against the kitchen wall before I could blink.
Oanen and I both stared at Zotera in shock until I felt a sudden burst of heat from across the table. Megan’s eyes were starting to flicker with flames, and I knew she was about two seconds from accidentally frying me.
“Run,” Oanen rasped, seeing the same thing and grabbing Zotera’s wrist as his face grew redder.
Zotera’s free hand whipped out, palm facing Megan. The fire in Megan’s gaze extinguished in an instant, even though Oanen still struggled in Zotera’s grasp.
“Let him go,” Megan said in her fury voice.
Zotera didn’t move to comply.
I did, though. I flew out of my chair and pulled at Zotera’s arm. It didn’t budge.
“Zotera, stop!”
Her sad brown gaze met mine.
“Forgive me, Mother. I am only proving that I am worthy of protecting you. The griffin’s strength is no match for mine. And even the fury must obey my will not to interfere. Do you believe me now? Do you believe I will keep you safe?”
“Yes,” I said frantically. “I do. Now, please put him down.”
