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“Are you really taking us to Hades?” I asked.

Meg looked between Stheno and me. “Did you intend to switch back to Ancient Greek?”

I shook my head. “I switch to whichever language is the last one I heard. My brain and mouth make the change. I don’t hear the difference.”

“Fascinating,” Meg murmured. “And, yes, I’m taking you to Hades. He wants to meet you.”

“Why? What did I do?”

“It’s more what we’re hoping you will do,” she said. “Now stop asking me questions. This isn’t for me to discuss.”

At the end of the tunnel, I saw something I hadn’t seen before. There were two tall double doors. Dark wood gleamed in the low light.

I paused and turned to Stheno. “Say something to me in English.”

“I have no idea what you’re saying, kid.” Stheno looked over my shoulder at Meg.

“She wanted you to say something in English,” Meg told her. “Which I just did.”

“Oh, cool. Thanks.” I turned around to Bracken and Coco. “They’re taking us to see Hades. Judging by the looks of this door, I’m guessing he’s in there.”

Coco’s eyes went wide in fear. Bracken, on the other hand, appeared positively giddy.

Chapter 23

HADES HAS A FEW QUESTIONS

Meg knocked on the door. A moment later, a young man in a simple tunic opened it, giving Meg and Tisiphone a respectful bow as he gestured for us to enter.

The hall was disorienting. It was a huge, open space, with black marble floors and bright white walls. The ceiling, though, was extraordinary. It looked to be made of a light blue stone that mimicked the summer sky.

The hall was empty but for two large thrones, equal in size, one black marble and the other blue stone, at the far end. In the black one sat a large, broad-shouldered man in black robes. His dark hair was tied back, his dark eyes fixed on us.

“Just her,” he said, his voice booming in the echoey room.

Meg shoved me, and I walked toward him like I was approaching a firing squad. Why? Maybe because he scared the shit out of me.

“I’m told Demeter gave you the gift of language. Is that correct?” he asked.

“Yes. Sir.” I finally stopped a few feet from his throne. “I didn’t know who the goddess at the airport was, but I understand what you’re saying.” My hands were clutched tightly before me, as I tried not to do anything that could be construed as disrespectful.

He nodded and then rested his head on his hand, his elbow on the arm of the throne. His gaze swept me up and down in a detached, analytical way. “You and I are speaking a dialect no one else in this room understands. I give you leave to speak without fear of reprisal.”

I tried to smile, but terror probably made it awkward. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Your mate loves you very much.”

He’d seen Clive? My chest constricted. “Is he okay? He was so worried. He didn’t do anything. I mean, he’s not here, right?” Panic raced through me. Did he know Clive because Clive was now trapped in the Underworld? Granted, without my obol, we’d be together, but being stuck down here forever sounded miserable.

He raised his eyebrows at me.

“No offense,” I blurted out. Shitshitshit, could he read my mind?

He gestured at the hall. “Is it not pleasing?”

I looked all around, so he’d know I was considering his question. “It’s beautiful and very impressive.” I pointed back at the door. “Out there isn’t great, but it’s nice in here.”

He nodded, pleased with my response. Unfortunately, exhaustion and blood loss seemed to have broken my filters.