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Stheno glanced over at me, confusion clear. Whatever language they were speaking, she didn’t understand it.

“I hear she’s fading,” another one said. “If Hades doesn’t find a way to save her soon…”

The last said, “We will hope, though I see no scars. Are we sure?”

I looked down at my exposed arms and then back at the men. Were they talking about my old scars, the ones Dave’s dad had removed?

The man in the middle stepped forward. “I am Minos and this is Rhadamanthus and Aeacus.” He gestured in turn to the other two. “We are the judges of the Underworld.” He turned to Stheno. “Are you and your sisters well?”

“We’re fine,” she responded, seemingly annoyed by the question. Apparently they’d switched languages.

“As none of you are dead,” Rhadamanthus began, “I don’t believe we’re needed here.”

“We’re already here,” Aeacus reminded him. “Perhaps we can still be of some use.”

Rhadamanthus gave Aeacus a look and muttered, “You’re just bored.”

“Of course I’m bored.” Aeacus shook his head. “It’s been centuries since we’ve had new believers arrive.”

“Might I ask a question?” Bracken stepped forward, interest glowing in his expression.

The judges dropped their squabbling and turned, nodding in unison.

“Thank you,” my great-uncle began. “My goodness, there’s so much I’d love to learn from you. My name is Bracken and I’m a historian.”

They waited for the question.

“You mentioned that you hadn’t had anyone to judge in centuries. Why is that? People are born and die every day.”

Minos answered, “Our time in the world above has come and gone. As the time above passes, belief in us fades into mythology.”

“Do you have a theory as to why those ancient beliefs faded?” Bracken asked, his journal in his hand, ready to take notes.

Aeacus shrugged, glancing at the other two. “We ruled the world, or our part of it, for thousands of years. It could have been many things.”

“Reason,” Rhadamanthus cut in. “The rise of reason and the discounting of wonder.”

Bracken nodded. “Science. I’m part wicche, part fae, and like you, my existence has fallen into mythology. I think as humans began to understand how the sun rose and fell, why the seasons changed, they not only altered their own understanding of the world but rewrote their beliefs to exclude the forces that might have been behind it.”

The judges nodded. “We have had this discussion many times,” Aeacus said.

“If people don’t believe and cross the river anymore,” Stheno said, “why not just leave and go do something else?”

“We were given a job by Zeus,” Minos responded. “Unlike others, we don’t go back on our promises and wander the world like intoxicated vagabonds.”

Sneering, Stheno reached for her eye patch, but I grabbed her wrist. That was all we needed.

Chapter 12

MUCH IN LIFE COULD BE FIXED BY A DRAGON

“Instead of judgment,” Aeacus said, “perhaps we can give these four advice.”

“And perhaps I can kick your fucki—” My hand slammed over Stheno’s mouth. I wasn’t sure what they were capable of, but advice was infinitely preferable to smiting.

“You,” Minos said to Stheno, “need to watch your mouth.”

Aeacus said to Bracken, “You’re on the right path. Don’t lock yourself away again. You have much to contribute to this world. And go visit Ben.”