Alessia was in green once more, though this time in the form of a high-necked blouse with a tie at the nape, and black, flared pants over her Versace pumps. O wore black on black and far more practical shoes, with her hair so tightly braided on one side that it nearly looked shaved, which left a single arched ear exposed. I wondered if the receptionist had caught it, or if he’d been too focused on the presence of a famous activist in the lobby.
Both women turned to examine the man in the room. O was the first to speak.
“We were expecting someone from Hell. But he is not a demon, nor does he smell mortal.”
Alessia took over from there with an abrupt, “Excuse me, who are you?”
Silas looked up from pouring the first cup. “I’m Silas,” hesaid. “Newly fallen archangel. A rebel at your service. Now, what would you like with your coffee?”
“None for me,” Alessia said, expression tight.
“I take mine black,” O said, extending her hand.
Silas had no way of knowing why Alessia and I relaxed at O’s acceptance. Even I didn’t fully understand it. But it seemed her gift was one of judgment. If O deemed someone trustworthy, then it was in everyone else’s best interest to follow suit.
We moved around the island like it was a war table. I went to Silas’s side mostly because he was still in possession of the French press. He grabbed the honeypot while O slid into one of the stools around the island, which set Alessia even further at ease. She planted a hand on the island and relaxed into the posture.
“You did it,” Alessia said, dropping all pretenses as she offered a true, happy smile. “You fucking did it.”
I dug within myself for a grateful, if a bit thin, smile in return. “Your venom helped us stay safe until the concert. I couldn’t have bought us the time we needed without it.”
It was utterly bizarre to see this larger-than-life figure—snake-headed Medusa of mythos, international global figure in practice—lounging in my kitchen. Then again, bizarre had become my new normal. I sipped my fallen-angel-made coffee as I looked at the elf-eared advisor.
“I wish I could say the Prince has good taste,” O said, “but the truth is, you’re an asset to all of the realms, no matter who you are. We’d back you no matter whose banner you wore. But you’re a little difficult to get a hold of. Even when you’re not ‘stoned.’”
I grimaced. “I keep losing smartphones. I think I have one in Hell and one in Álfheimr. I’ve just been using my computer for my regular number, and this little burner…” I realized I was overexplaining and switched directions. “But since you’re here, there’s something you should know.”
Silas took over. “Two archangels are dead. With myrecent rebellion, that only leaves Heaven with four. Of course, they have an infinite number of soldiers and no shortage of tricks up their sleeves, so they’re not to be underestimated. Do you have any word on who might side with Heaven?”
O’s lips flattened. “There’s something more pressing.”
“More pressing than Heaven’s forces?” Silas looked like a cat sprayed with water.
Alessia looked at me. “Hades and Persephone. Your work?”
I nodded.
“Good, good. I have no shortage of qualms with the Greeks, but when they went public, it forced a lot of hands. Demeter joined Persephone today for a guest appearance. She’s going by Danae, and she owns a vineyard in Tuscany—to the chagrin of Ceres.
“She worked her control of the seasons and set Athens into a cold snap. It was what they needed. Anyone who was doubting Poppy’s display as TV magic had no excuse for how it went from a balmy day to frostbite conditions in under a minute. The rumors of Demeter’s father—”
“Cronos?” I breathed the Titan’s name.
Alessia nodded solemnly. “He’s reclusive. The lore has always said he’d be overthrown by his children. Now with a son and a daughter out in public, there have been whispers of him on the move.”
I knew Hades and Demeter were siblings, but I hadn’t considered the others. “What about the current king of Olympus? Titans aside, I’ve been worried Zeus would side with Heaven. But—”
“He still might,” O cautioned. “But if we get Hestia, Hera, and Poseidon on our side, we have a fighting chance. That said, whatever’s happening with Cronos was to be expected. Cronos being unleashed, well… It’s the sort of thing that happens at the end of the world.”
“Tell her the real bad news,” Alessia said.
I hadn’t known O for long, but she seemed like a straightshooter. It was odd to watch the advisor carefully reflect before choosing her words.
“You may not like what I’m about to say.”
I did my best to seem unruffled. “We all agree the world’s ending. How much worse can it get?”
She seemed pleased with the answer. “How’s your knowledge of Egyptian mythology?”
