Chapter Text
The lobby is surprisingly quiet.
My fingers slide along the glass of the mammoth aquarium, making trails in the cool condensation as my footsteps echo in the cavernous space.
Several long eels slice through the water toward me. I like to think it’s not just my pink hands or an instinct to eat me that draws them close. I imagine instead that they know I’m a kindred spirit, a wild soul, someone who sees them as more than just trophy pets in a giant fishbowl.
Against a sprawling interior of greys and blacks, these dark creatures stand out as they weave through vibrant blue water. Gorgeous and sinister.
Why is everyone so afraid of them? They just want a moment of connection, someone to recognize how special they are.
Who am I kidding? I smile. They want food.
Glancing around the lobby, I set down my stuff and dig in my tote bag. I pull out a bundle then chunk last night’s table scraps over the top of their tank before anyone can see.
The dangerous predators twist over each other like electric ribbons. I grab my things and sneak into the elevator backwards, enjoying my dancing, underwater friends. Misunderstood little babies, that’s all.
When the metal doors slide closed on a soft thunk, I let out a heavy sigh.
Another day in paradise.
I set down the cardboard container holding six different lattes and teas, or as I like to call it - another attempt to make friends. And when I’m not trying to break through my co-workers chilly exteriors, I struggle to get all my work done. Everything must not only be on time, but completely accurate. I need this internship to turn into a full-time position.
Worst of all - everywhere and nowhere - is Hades. Seeing him daily, I constantly restrain myself from talking too much, putting my hand on his arm, sprouting flowers every time he looks at me. Unfortunately, holding back has never been my strong suit. But, I try my best, and that’s the best I can do.
I set my bag beside the drinks and roll my shoulders, glancing down to straighten my collar and ensure all the buttons are closed. Mama hasn’t come around to me leaving TGOEM or interning in the Underworld, but she sent her assistant by with a dozen, tasteful power suits. I took it as a sign. Even if she doesn’t approve of my plan to pay my way through school, as a hard-working woman herself, she must understand.
This one is my favorite too, a purple-silver. The muted color matches the subdued tones of the Underworld, but the lilac still pops and even seems to shine under the right light.
“Yip!”
I spin around at the chipper bark behind me and swallow as my head cranes up and up and up.
“Hades,” I breathe, then shake my head and see the source of the noise. “A puppy!!”
I’m jumping and squealing before I can stop myself. But it’s…so small and fluffy and its tail is wagging and I bet it just smells amazing.
Hades kisses the top of its head, that rare dimple making a stunning appearance, and passes it to me.
“Here you go, sweetness.”
I rub my face along its tiny, warm body, hoping it will hide my blush. It doesn’t hide the blue flowers I sense flooming in my hair. While I’ve gotten better at controlling my powers, hearing that rumbling voice call me sweetness remains my one true weakness. Why does he insist on calling me that? I know it’s not professional. I should insist, along with our rules around touching and texting, that he call me Persephone, but...I just can’t. I’ve lost too much of the intimacy we used to share.
Another small sigh escapes as I close my eyes and nuzzle in closer to the baby. Last week, his Fatesbook relationship status changed, without explanation, to nothing. Blank. I know that can’t mean he’s single, not with a woman he’d been off and on with for that long. He and Minthe could still be in love or trying to work things out. I’m too young to grasp what that kind of connection is like. He deserves the time to figure himself out, just as I need time to live on my own. So I push my feelings aside. Easy-peasy, not so squeezy.
The puppy chomping on my ear makes me giggle, a welcome break to my rambling thoughts, and I look back up at Hades. Those glasses, the hint of suspenders under his dark purple suit jacket, a bright pink pocket square. I blink and go back to snuggling the puppy before my jaw drops open or I’m drooling puddles on the floor.
“Wait! Why do you have a dog at work?” I twist the little baby around and pull her up for a head kiss. Beneath the gorgeous new puppy smell is the hint of pine and cigar smoke. Hades’ lips had just been here, kissing her sweet little head. Oh dear.
“She’s too young for doggy daycare.” He scratches the back of his neck. “I should have known to check ahead. It was a stupid mistake.”
“An honest mistake.” I step forward but stop myself from reaching out to comfort him. Down, girl. “What’s her name?”
“Pom.”
“Oh, like Pomegranate! Cute and very on-brand.”
He coughs. Is he blushing? “Actually, her name is Lady Pomelia Smolflop.”
Laughter bursts out of me, and tears cloud my vision. Pom wiggles in my grasp. I poke him in the chest. “You forgot...Lady Pomelia Smolflop, first of her name!”
A smile grows high on one side while he chews at his lip. Gods, why does he have to be so beautiful? When he grins like that, an ache blooms in my chest. Wait...Pomelia?
“What’s with the drinks?” He gestures to the corner, one fist resting on his hip as his smile fades. “Is someone treating you like a coffee runner?”
“Not at all!” I straighten and avoid eye contact by poking each of Pom’s little toepads, one at a time. “I’m determined to make friends. Offering to pickup drinks was warmly received by my colleagues.” Well, somewhat warmly. Lukewarm? Underworld nymphs were tough nuts to crack. But I know how to bake, be kind, and have an excellent memory for complicated drink orders. They’ll cave, eventually.
Glancing up, a stern eyebrow arches. “It was Thanatos, wasn’t it?”
I scratch Pom’s belly. “It may have been his idea.”
“You don’t need to be friends with that indolent sloth.”
I hold back the smile at that descriptor of the winged god of death and turn to glance at the elevator’s progress. Only five more floors.
“Listen,” I move over and lean against the elevator wall near my things, enjoying the adorable squirms of the pup in my arms. “I’m working in the copier room all day. How about I take care of Pom?”
Hades eyes grow wide. The worry lines at the corner of his eyes soften. My heart bursts. Nothing makes me happier than seeing that look of relief, knowing that I helped someone.
“You’d do that for me?”
I would do anything for you, I want to say but don't. I'm smart. I have self control!
“It's a big hardship, but I’ll manage.” Pom climbs up my chest, licking across my cheek and ear, and I can't help but laugh.
The elevator dings for floor 99, just as a high-pitched cough sounds out in the corner.
A tiny, red imp floats up from the ground, wings glowing against the metallic wall. I hand her a coffee shop mint with a wink, but step back in surprise when her eyes narrow to slits and teeth grind together.
“Allow me.” Hades snaps his fingers and three, rosy, pebble-sized gems fizz to existence in his open palm. He nods at me and the puppy but leans down to the imp. “You deserve something special for the extra passengers.”
The imp’s ears and horns blush a dark crimson. She quickly pockets the jewels, then drops the circular mint in Hades hand. Wings flapping in a blur, she darts up to peck him on the cheek before retreating. Hands flattened against the mirrored wall, she looks scared at her own action.
“Not very professional.” Hades pats his cheek with a sly grin. “But I won’t tell anyone. I know the presence of a fertility goddess can be a bit disorienting.”
It's my turn to blush. I hunch my shoulders and bring the puppy up to my face. Surely I hadn’t...that wasn’t…could I have caused that?
“Follow me.” Hades picks up the coffees and my bag from the corner and strides out. “I have emergency dog food in my office.”
When we enter his office, someone else is already there.
“Greetings.” Hecate bows slightly at the waist, dropping a stack of glossy reports on his desk. She runs a satin-gloved hand through her hair and makes for the door. “Quarterly reports need final approval.”
“My ideal day, how did you know?” He chuckles. The way his palm grazes over the stack, I honestly can’t tell if he’s joking or not. “Now, the dog food is right under…” His voice trails off as he kneels by his desk.
On a strange sound, he seems to collapse out of sight.
“Hades!” I cry, shocked to stillness.
Hecate turns around and rushes forward, stopping beside me. “What happened?”
I see him.
A little boy peers from behind the desk and tiptoes to the window. He’s dressed in a tiny tailored suit, but the buttons and cuff links are adult size. Shaggy, powder-blue hair rustles as his gaze darts across the urban skyline.
When he turns to us, time stands still. Curious, doe-like eyes watch us from behind Hades' black eyeglasses. The little man chews on a fingernail.
Hecate inhales sharply, then covers her mouth to stifle the sound. I can’t move, let alone breath or speak.
The child’s skin is something I’ve only seen once before. Dark as midnight, hundreds of spots shine, some in clusters, others moving slowly across his cheek like comets. It’s chaotic and powerful and so terribly beautiful.
He glances around the room and winces. Taking the over sized glasses off, he sets them carefully on the desk. After several blinks, he looks first to Hecate then me with obvious confusion.
“Yip! Yap!”
When he catches sight of Pom, everything changes.
Round, astonished eyes and a dazzling grin transform his face as he jumps up and down.
“A puppy!”