“That's not the only evidence,” Demeter said. “Persephone had been drugged with Net.”
“What?” I growled.
Both Demeter and Hades turned to me.
“Vervain,” Demeter snatched my hand and drew me forward. “I found Persephone's murderer.”
“Who?” I went still and focused on Demeter. “Who killed her, Demeter?”
“Nyx; she's the Goddess of Night. A Primordial—” Demeter's voice faded away as soon as I heard the name.
Nyx; that was the goddess Al had said I needed to find.
And now you know why,Al said.Aion wanted to harm you, but Nyx set out to hurt Hades. Demeter's right; Nyx murdered Persephone.
“She's a dead woman,” I said calmly.
Demeter paused her long explanation to smile wickedly at me. “Now, there's the reaction that I was expecting from you, Hades.” She waved to me as she spoke to Hades. “Instead, you question me.”
“I don't doubt that you believe Nyx is guilty,” Hades said. “But when I kill Persephone's murderer, I will be certain of their guilt. I can see no reason for Nyx to kill Persephone, and there must at least be a motive.”
“We can't just let this go; we've been chasing leads for years and now, we finally have a promising one,” I pointed out. “If you don't want to attack Nyx outright, let's confront her with this accusation and see what she says.”
Hades settled down and set his fiery eyes on me. He usually covered his eyes with sunglasses, but the Lord of the Underworld was in his home and in mourning. So, not only were his frightening eyes out on display—the fires of Tartarus burning behind his whiskey irises—they were sunken and emphasized by dark circles. Hades looked like Hell; pun intended. His hair was matted, his clothes haphazard, and, frankly, he stank. Bottles of wine littered the carpet; he'd obviously been on another bender. But reason was taking a hold of him fast.
“All right,” Hades agreed. “We can speak to her, but Nyx is a Primordial; we'll have to tread carefully.”
“Clean yourself up, Hades,” Demeter said coldly. “Then meet us in the garden. Come along, Godhunter; I want to talk to you privately.”
I nodded and followed Demeter even though a part of me wanted to claw her eyes out. I frowned at that. I'd never liked Demeter, but I didn't hate her either; what was with this sudden animosity? We left the bedroom, along with the Squad, but then continued further down the hallway as they went to wait in the garden. Thor sent a questioning look my way, but I shook my head at him to let him know I'd be okay. When Demeter and I were far enough away from the others to not be overheard, Demeter turned to me and her expression became one of terror.
“Vervain,” Demeter whispered. “I intended to kill you, not Odin; never the Allfather. It was an accident; I'm so sorry.”
“I don't care if you're sorry,” I said gently, and her eyes widened further. “I don't care about anything you have to say. This time you're not going to escape justice.”
I inhaled sharply as the memory played out, and I saw myself lean forward to kiss Demeter; except it wasn't an affectionate kiss. It was literally the kiss of death; I breathed fire into her mouth and burned Demeter alive.
“What the fuck?” I whispered.
“Exactly,” the present Demeter said crisply. “What is wrong with that man? I hand him my daughter's murderer, and he wants more proof.”
“Yeah.” I tried to go with it. “I don't need any more proof. I know it's Nyx; I can feel it.”
“Me too.” Demeter gave me a look of shocked approval. “I never liked you much, Vervain, and so it comes as a great surprise to me that you are the one I can depend on in this. You have my apologies for misjudging you, and my thanks for standing with me. No one has listened,” her voice broke and a tear slipped out of her eye.
I pulled Demeter into a hug, and she clasped onto me as if I were the only solid thing in her world. She cried full out then; broken sobs that bent her tall frame over mine. Whatever she had done to me, I didn't care about it at that moment. She was simply a mother grieving the loss of her child; a child who had been my best friend. I owed it to Persephone to comfort her mother. Hell, I owed it to my sense of common decency.
“We're going to get that bitch,” I promised Demeter. “Whatever it takes. Let Hades ask his questions; we'll use the distraction to take our revenge.”
Demeter sniffed and pulled back to stare at me with a vicious smile. She swiped at her eyes as she lifted her chin. “You're a woman after my own heart, Godhunter.” She stuck her hand out to me. “Allies?”
“Allies,” I agreed. “The Squad won't understand; they're like Hades and will want proof. Let's talk about this further when they're not around.”
“Come to my place after you're finished here,” she suggested. “Tell them that I had to leave and that you promised to update me later. That will give you an excuse to visit me. My ward chant is 'Spring will always return.'” She swallowed roughly. “Although, it hardly seems appropriate anymore.”
“Persephone wouldn't want you to waste your life mourning her,” I said gently. “Springwillreturn; it will burn hot enough to kill a goddess.”
Demeter smiled again and nodded. “You're damn straight it will. Until tonight, Godhunter.”
