Zayn made a panicked face and looked at Megan.
“Oh, no,” Megan said, shaking her head at Zayn. “I’m not explaining. I’m just a baby fury, and that’s my father.”
“There are many forms of essences,” Nicolette said to Zotera, saving Zayn. “While a soul, a last breath, or a dying being’s blood all have power, none of those would work in this situation. I believe Zayn is asking Hades for his sexual essence, not to be confused with his sexual energy.”
I saw understanding light in Zotera’s eyes. Then she paled and looked at me.
“Is there no other way?” she asked.
“Not unless you know where Thanatos might be,” Zayn said.
A memory struck me.
“Wait. What about Mount Olympus?”
“We already checked,” Megan said.
“No, I mean…Hades said that all gods need ambrosia and nectar, and the ingredients are only found in the gardens on Mount Olympus. Maybe—”
Hades' hand caught my chin again. I turned my head to meet his gaze.
“You have nothing to fear from me,” he said.
I frowned. “I know.”
“Allow me to provide what’s needed so we can end this game.”
I nodded slowly, wondering about Zotera and his reactions. They were both worried about Hades providing his essence. But why? I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to ask, considering the present company.
“Okay,” I said. “I want the game to end too.”
Hades nodded his head.
“I have, um, vials,” Zayn said, clearing his throat.
Hades stood and set me to the side. Zayn reached into his long coat and produced several vials.
“One will suffice,” Hades said.
“Three,” Zayn said. “One for each tracking spell and one for another memory elixir, just in case the tracking doesn’t work. Megan said the last spell knocked you out. That means there are memories you aren’t able to access.”
Hades looked down at the three vials, grabbed them all, and strode out of the room.
“Do you have the other ingredients?” Megan asked Zayn.
“I do.”
“How long will it take?”
“A few days for all three. They’re not overly complex spells; they just require a lot of ingredients.”
I caught Zotera’s eye and motioned her over.
“When we were in Hell, you said that your father’s memories might be dangerous to me. Do you still think so?” I asked.
She slowly shook her head. “That was when I feared what he would do when he learned you were not Mother. But Father will do anything to keep you as you are, Ashlyn. He would never harm you.”
“You knew I was human?” I asked, shocked. “How? When?”
