Beguiled

I slammed my book on the desk and glared at the woman teetering on her heels. Her shoulders trembled, but my fury cascaded outward, uncaring of whomever it was to fall upon.

“Tell that vampire to leave and if I ever feel his presence here again, I will create a cage in the deepest part of the ocean and allow him to rot there for eons,” my low voice stretched and filled the study.

She nodded and ran out of the room. I looked at my clenched hands and let out a heated breath. I fanned my fingers and slumped back in my chair. A small tapping sound interrupted my thoughts, which only made me hang my head even lower.

“Leave me!” I ground out. Does peace not exist in a single corner of this underworld? A window to the far corner slid open, and a short blonde man flew in. His flowery scent drifted toward me in the next instance, forcing my throat to dry.

“Tough night?” His heightened voice came as he glided down towards me. My barely arched eyebrow told him all he needed to know. “Okay, okay, sorry. Here’s the thing. There’s this vampire that’s been tryin’ to get in touch with you. I think you know who I’m talkin’ about.”

I continued my unimpressed glare, waiting for the part where he thought I would be intrigued by his information. He cleared his throat and went on. “That little vampy knows where Evros is, Hades. He heard about how you’re tryin’ to track him down. And how your stake in his life parallels his own plans. I think this is your best shot. That bloodsucker's own kind are against him.” I was standing by the time he finished the last sentence. I stepped towards the middle of the floor and called my shadows to me. Perhaps Hermes could be useful - once every eon or so.

My study blurred from view to reveal the river Styx and a very annoyed-looking vampire. When his eyes landed on me, he froze. I walked towards him and spoke low. “I hear that you can deliver me the location of Evros?”

His nod is nearly comical with how aggressively he moves. “I can! I can bring him to you. I just need some help, that’s all. I just need some more power,” his words rushed out as he stumbled forward. His thin legs propelled him as his perfectly tailored suit wrinkled with his awkward movements.

My hand raises. I take a breath and slowly my fingers fanned out. A rush of power tinged my skin a deeper grey. The vampire is flung backward, like a ragdoll being carried off by a storm. I turn my hand over and call my bident. It materialized with a rush in my open palm. What a pathetic creature. I hear a groan before the wrinkled being gets to his feet.

“You may borrow this,” I began. “It will not behave the same, but it will enhance your… mediocrity. Once I change its form, it will calm its manner. I have a warning, vampire. I will not be able to sense it or call it to me once this is done. If you happen to lose it…” I let the threat hang in the air and allowed his own imagination to finish the thought. I only hoped he had more creativity than wit.

I closed my eyes and willed the change in my staff. The air shimmered for a breath and then a dagger weighed lightly in my hand. It hummed with anticipation at being able to roam. It was finally free to soak up glory once more. The target made its song all the more delectable to my parched tongue.

I tossed it to the vampire who caught the blade with ease. “This is… pretty,” he uttered softly, admiring the dagger. Even his light voice irritated me.

“Eloquent aren’t you?” I sighed. “Do not disappoint me, vampire. Just because one of your kind has remained elusive for so long, does not mean that you are so easily lost amongst these realms. I will have a few of my vassals join you, shortly. Now, leave.” I turned and began to walk back to my study.

"Thank you so much, Lord Hades! We will both get our vengeance on that stain. Your power is immense! It will ensure our success," he finished as I continued walking.

The vampire’s praises floated around the concave, stone walls, echoing along my path. More useless words. I have yet to meet anybody who does not hold some secret agenda or attempts to bolster me with fictitious compliments. In all the realms, everybody lies and deceives. I am growing so weary of it all. I let my mind lighten its infernal irritants and called my shadows once more.

I sat at my desk and allowed my forehead to fall atop my opened book. A small sigh escaped me and I could not help the shudder that suddenly made its way through my body.

“Persephone… when will you appear? It has been hundreds of years and you still have not come. Where is your soul? Why does it not come back to me?” My voice whispers, barely audible above the crackling of my fireplace.

Is it time for my hope to die? Is she never to return? I have searched all three realms and I still know nothing of where her soul is. Is it possible she does not want to be found?

Another knock at my door.

“Enter,” I said with a crisp tone. Hermes sauntered in and collapsed on a violet sofa that sits across the room, nearest the window.

“I’m waiting for some gratitude,” he said with a pout and a wink in my direction. I simply narrowed my eyes. He laughs and leans forward. “In all seriousness, Hades. Why isn’t she here yet? Every other god that has died has appeared within a century or so. How long has it been now?” He sat back, patiently waiting for an answer.

He wasn’t going to get one. I didn’t have the answers. Many assumed I knew all of death, but it was far from the truth. There were some things that eluded even me. Like her. Suddenly, a thought gripped my soul and hope fleeted its way to the surface. The fates! I had not even thought of them. It’s been eons since I last spoke with them, but they knew all. They might have some inclination to her whereabouts.

I stood and strode across my study to retrieve the scroll. I grabbed the rough edges of paper that sat between several tomes. I unfastened the string that held it together, unraveling the contents. Ink-blotted letters split from their papyrus imprisonment and fell to the floor. They flailed slightly and then went still again.

“Moirai,” I said with determination. Hermes’ eyes went wide and he slowly stood up and walked closer to the window.

“Well, I have never met the Fates and I continue to never wish to do so. I'll go ahead and take my leave. Have fun!” The window shuddered as he went through. Coward. I looked back over at the letters that had begun to froth and tremble as more erupted from the scroll. They rushed together and spun along the ground. Slowly, bare feet appeared. Then the hem of a powdery blue dress. Eventually, rounded grey eyes stared back at me.

“Which one is at the forefront?” I questioned the pale girl in front of me.

“We gave you this sacred scroll for when you happened upon lives of concern to us and lives that threatened the balance. Not to pull us from our duties when you feel lonely,” the child spat out.

“Ah, Atropos then. I simply-”

“We know not where she is. Now, we are busy. We have a thread that refuses to obey. We must see to this,” her curt words were harsh, despite her youthful pitch. I had suspected this answer.

“The powerful Fates are being troubled by a single human life?” I mocked immediately out of irritation. They had always looked down on everyone - gods or humans - and made it wholly known.

“None of your concern, Zeus’ brother. This thread will be handled. This Sena has a troublesome future ahead of her. Many details to work through,” she spoke as she slowly melted back into droplets of ink, ensuring I could not ask any more of them. The letters wiggled along the floor and slipped back to the scroll, nestling into their papery home.

“I really detest them,” I grind out as I consider my next move. Perhaps it was finally time to let her go.