“You are welcome to try to sway my decision as much as you like. I have made my choice,” Athena stated firmly, snatching the papyrus from Eros.
“You cannot?—”
“She is capable of making her own choice,” Hades finally spoke in a raspy, subdued tone. “Since you’re adamant about avoiding contact with the Deathbounds, what is your recommended approach for obtaining the book?”
Obtaining the book?
This encounter is proving to be more intriguing than I had anticipated.
A heavy silence descended upon the four deities, with both Artemis and Eros visibly displaying their concern across their face. Hades kept his eyes pinned on Athena as if he were trying to read into her soul.
But why?
“Your silence is response enough. We have no other choice,” Hades announced, a look of defiance gracing his features. “The only method of finding the book detailing the demise of Zeus is to permit Athena to summon the Deathbounds.”
Interesting.
Hades seemed as if he was playing on both sides.
First, he had a meeting with Zeus the night before, and now he was having another meeting with three other gods, exhibiting nothing more but his possibly deceptive nature.
Though it was impossible for Shadow to feel such things, the turmoil within his void nearly made him feel as though he was going to be sick. Sitting before him, the four gods were planning a scheme to assassinatetheirking. But what the other three gods remained unaware of was that Hades was perhaps secretly collaborating with Zeus as well.
They are looking for the book detailing the demise of Zeus. This situation has unfolded quite interestingly, indeed.
This situation will be exceptionally difficult for them to keep secret. In order to assassinate a god like Zeus, it is essential that they first made certain that their strategy remains confidential. Given that Olympus could perceive and know everything, and the chance of Zeus discovering their assassination plot, the situation could potentially end terribly for everyone.
Given Hades’ involvement on both sides, how could the secret be maintained?
Unless . . .
* From Greekargyrós (?ργυρ?ς) = “silver” or “made of silver.”
Chapter 13
Shadow
Shadow left Artemis’s mansion and moved through the trees, holding tightly onto his new knowledge. He was now on his way to accomplish another significant matter.
The stir of his void didn’t stop, not even when he reached the alley that led him back to Olympus’s center.
Remembering his inability to accompany Zeus into the Underworld, which stopped him from discovering the crucial information Zeus urgently needed to convey to Hades following his meeting with Thalira Lunara, a surge of anger began to boil within him.
However, he did not let himself fall prey to such pathetic, mundane emotions. He was better than that, and to prove it to himself, he had to remain consistent in his thoughts so he could concentrate on finding the truth.
He contemplated the wide array of potential results while he worked to make connections between the conversations he had overheard. But to do this, he knew it was necessary to delve further into the gods’ malicious schemes.
I shall observe my favorite mortal’s activities.
As he descended between the buildings of Olympus, he bypassed any further analysis of his surroundings. He was, foronce, indifferent to the pitiful creatures he could have mocked. He had enough on his void to care less about his own enjoyment.
At this moment, I understand my freedom to be a purpose, not just a past pleasurable activity.
Having finally arrived at the building, he began to glide upward, stopping close to the window.
He recalled the first time he entered Charisma Sinclair’s room. Her agitated, perplexed face had made an impression. When he had finished speaking, the mortal’s mouth had opened, revealing the tempest of feelings within her.
While he enjoyed replaying that moment in his void, he had to confirm that Charisma Sinclair was going to listen to him.
