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‘Help us take control of the pantheon, so you can be free… so all of us can be free.’

‘No! You must go. Go to Asphodel and hide yourself.’

‘If he loved you, he would let you return whenever you chose,’ Claudia said. ‘He would not hold you here, underground, with the dead. He would not keep you from your mother, or from your friends. If he loved you, you would not fear him.’

Proserpina froze, caught on these words, as the third head of the dog woke up and began to growl and bark.

‘It’s too late,’ said Proserpina.

‘It’s never too late,’ said Claudia.

‘No, it really is.’

An enormous crash sounded, followed by a thunderous ranting and raving, coming from the god’s chambers.

‘You! And you! Catch them! Seize them!’ bellowed the god.

Discordia and Invidia popped into being next to Claudia, looking dishevelled yet oddly invigorated.

‘What’s happening?’ said Invidia casually.

The serpents in their hair were hissing, striking out in fury. Claudia ducked out of their reach, narrowly avoiding being bitten.

‘Time to go,’ said Discordia, jingling the stolen keys.

Invidia exchanged a brief look with Proserpina.

‘Vidi,’ Proserpina said softly. ‘What are you doing?’

‘I have some anger issues to work through,’ Invidia said. ‘What do you think? We’re here to rescue you.’

Claudia turned to face Pluto as he emerged through the doorway, gigantic and weighty, his footsteps booming.

‘You let that gorgon enter our home so she could steal from me?’ he said, storming over. ‘What have you done?’

‘Darling, please, don’t lose your head,’ said Proserpina, standing in front of Invidia. ‘What can I do to soothe you?’

‘I thought I told you never to speak with either of them again.’

‘If you would just listen—’

‘You expect me to believe your lies?’

‘I am allowed to have visitors,’ she cried, her hands curling into fists. ‘I don’t need your permission to do everything.’

‘You are my wife. You do as I say.’

‘I have had it up to here with your rules!’

Pluto reached out and slapped her, the strike echoing as loud as a thunderclap, forcing Proserpina to her hand and knees. Her body twisted as fell, and when she lifted her head, it was them she looked to.

‘Run!’ she ordered Invidia.

But Invidia didn’t run.

A loud shrill cry turned Claudia’s head to the underworld sky, as more and more winged creatures seemed to be gathering.

Invidia helped Proserpina up from the floor. She stretched her arms, revealing widespread black wings, producing a spear from nothing.