It felt as though Zeus had somehow read his mind. The question was something he had wondered many times himself. He was the last of Zeus’ children to be elevated togodhood, and yet his father continued to spawn mortal children with earth-bound women below, some going on to achieve far greater things in their short lives than anything Hermes’ legacy had yielded.
He shook his head.
‘I saw you, my son. The man you truly are. I knew you were destined for greatness.’
Hermes’ jaw slackened. ‘Me?’
Zeus smiled, and suddenly the room felt brighter. Hermes wished the other Olympians were here to see this. His father leant towards him, his voice heady and velvet like incense smoke. ‘I have a secret to tell you. A secret you must reveal to no one. Do you understand?’
Hermes nodded eagerly.
‘Do you recall the Underworld creature disguised as a mortal girl?’
‘The one with strange powers created by Hades for my siblings to hunt?’
Zeus nodded. ‘She is still alive. And it is no game she plays.’
Hermes’ breath became shallow as he waited for his father to continue.
‘I am going to tell you something your siblings do not know. My brother created her without my approval.’
Hermes’ eyes widened. Despite their strained alliance, there was one thing his father and his uncle had always agreed on. Dominion over mortals. For centuries Hades had created creatures and sent them up to the surface to wreak havoc on humanity on Zeus’ command. The King of the Gods would then dispatch one of his bastard mortal children to take care of them, reminding people the Olympians watched over them and kept them safe. So long as their faith never wavered.
Unease crept up Hermes’ spine.
‘Father … does Hades wish us harm?’
Zeus sighed out a long breath. ‘That is the right question. I knew you were the child of mine to entrust with this task.’
Hermes’ cheeks flushed.
‘You remember why your uncle is forbidden from ever stepping foot above the soil?’
He nodded.
‘Hades does not suffer his captivity gladly, and like a caged bird his beak can be vicious. Now, listen carefully.’ Zeus leant forward. ‘The creature he has made is cunning. She is dangerous. She not only looks like a mortal but thinks like one. Your siblings failed to kill her because they were brash and careless. Power alone is not enough; you must employ your cunning to snare her. I hear mortals call you the God of Tricksters. Perhaps you can succeed where your brothers and sisters have failed. And when you do, bring me her head.’ The King of the Gods sat back on his throne.
A myriad of questions burst into Hermes’ mind. Normally, he would never dare interrogate Zeus’ orders, but he was drunk on his father’s flattery. ‘Why must I keep it a secret? Last year, we all took part in tracking her. And Athena said she has powers like ours, how can that be? Uncle Hades doesn’t have the ability to make gods, only you do, so why –’
Zeus’ gauntleted hand twitched, and immediately Hermes fell silent. The warmth had leached from his father’s expression, his eyes darkened like thundering clouds.
Hermes dropped his head, unable to bear the anger sharpening the angles of Zeus’ face, but his father forcibly lifted his chin.
‘I gave you everything.’ Zeus spoke so softly his voice was barely more than a whisper. ‘I raised you up from the dirt and made you ageless. You are blessed. My own father betrayed his family. He was a good man once, but he forsook all thatwas dear to him to become a twisted and monstrous Titan. Tell me, Hermes, what did he force me to do?’
‘Kill him,’ Hermes breathed.
Zeus nodded. ‘I threw him from this sacred mountain and made war on the Titans, so their kind would never again threaten my family.’ Zeus released Hermes’ chin. ‘Mortals do not bestow faith easily, my son. Even after I saved them from the Titans, gave them cities and riches beyond imagination, their love was hard won. You have been worshipped since the dawn of your divinity because of me. Everything you are, your very existence, is granted by my grace. And you question me.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Hermes whispered. ‘Please forgive me.’
The chill of his father’s stare cut him to the marrow. Tears seeped beneath the cheek plates of his golden helm. ‘I will make you proud. I will bring you the head of the Underworld girl, I promise.’
Zeus surveyed his son. ‘The harpy tracked her to the Argolid region. Begin there.’
‘Yes, my king.’ Hermes bowed again, descending the stairs and shuffling backwards towards the megaron doors. ‘Thank you for entrusting me with this task.’
As soon as he passed the mother-of-pearl clouds, he turned and ran.
