Chapter Six:

Emma, Portland, Oregon...

"So he comes in, low and fast, tackles him to the ground and says 'if you bring my daughter home again after curfew, it won't be your nuts I'm squishing against the ground'," Uncle Ray said, lifting his beer high as mom and dad cackle with laughter. I smile in response, moving with my drink to the edge of the pool, glancing down into its reflective surface.

I needed another trip to the Underworld for more story material, and also to drill Persephone about the properties of Venus Flytraps, and what the best way to care for one would be, for Josie, but no one was answering my Underworld-Uber request, not even Hades himself, which was a first. I didn't bother him often during my time in Portland unless he purposefully checked in on me, but if I called for him, say, three times in a single day, he usually noticed the urgency.

I should just enjoy this moment of peace. There have been a rash of tragedies lately, spanning school shootings to downed planes, which means Hades is bound to be busier than usual. The last thing he probably wants is me acting super clingy and needy. It can wait.

"Alright, something's up," dad said, joining me, and I jump, almost launching myself into the water. "You've been distant all night despite my efforts to pull you into the barbeque. It should be a crime not to be happy around your family."

I snorted softly, taking a sip of wine. "I'm sorry; my brain is all work all the time right now, but I didn't mean to bring you down with me."

"Book, or flower shop?"

"Both, actually. Would it make me the worst daughter in the world if I just wanted to stand here a while longer and think things through?"

He chucked me under the chin, giving me a one-arm squeeze. "Of course not, honey, but don't take forever, because ribs are almost done." He walked back towards the group and I sighed heavily, taking my shoes off before sinking down into one of the pool-side lounge chairs.

It wasn't that I didn't want to socialize, just that we had nothing to talk about. I couldn't tell them where I disappeared to every few weeks, especially since that somewhere had zero cell reception, and it was a bit exhausting routinely trying to convince them that I wasn't hurt or dead because they couldn't contact me. Sometimes, people just have to disappear, guys, alright?

Especially when they work for the Lord and Lady of the Underworld.

"Emma."

I glanced up, through the solar yard lights and steam rising slowly from the surface of the pool, straight into Hades' otherworldly gaze.

Speak of the devil.

He walked carefully around the pool edge, eyes never leaving mine, and I stayed right where I was, breathing in the humid Summer air, even as I pursed my lips together into a thin line, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Where the hell have you been?" I asked when he stopped in front of me, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. "I've tried everything I could think of to get your attention, and nothing worked. Are you avoiding me or something? Old-school beeper not working properly? You know, if you upgraded to a reliable Wifi-connection there, your pocket wouldn't buzz every five seconds from someone just trying to do her jo-"

"Persephone is gone."

My feet thwacked the concrete patio as I stood, eyes wide. "What do you mean she's gone? Gone on a vacation, gone, or...dead?" Can gods and goddesses be killed? Maybe by other gods, but she was on Olympus, where she was safe... oh my gods.

"She's been cursed by Prometheus to forget everything about her life with me, and her family on Olympus." He sat heavily on the discarded chair, head in his hands.

"Oookay...so just, I don't know, show her pictures or something to jog her memory. Take her to her greenhouse, or have her parents talk with her. This doesn't seem like a gone-forever situation."

"You don't understand, Emma. This can't be undone, not until she agrees to marry Prometheus." He ran an agitated hand through his hair, eyes wild. Uncontrollable. "And the worst part is she's here, in Portland, living life as an Amy."

"That's not the worst part," I said, gesturing to the other side of the yard where a small group of souls gathered, huddled together, moaning in unison. "I can see them, Hades."

He gazed at them, long and hard, lost in thought. "The agreement we made with you," he said, frowning. "It would've ended the second Persephone was cursed."

Well, crap on toast.

"And, if they realize I can help them again, after a year-long break..."

"You need to resume training, before they find you, which means coming back to the Underworld with me," he said brusquely, rising to his feet again. "Let's go."

I moved to the side as he reached for me, shaking my head. "I'm at a family barbeque; I can't just leave."

Storm clouds in his return stare, and I swallowed hard. "Do you want the souls to bombard you? Here?"

"No, of course not, but-"

"Hey, sweetie, who's your friend?" Mom approached, wine glass balanced in one hand, the other looped through dad's arm and I groaned softly to myself, turning towards them.

"Someone who was just leaving," I said, pushing against Hades' back as he deftly pivoted around me, sticking his hand out to shake dad's.

"Gabriel Davenport, sir."

"Did you want to join us, Gabriel?" Mom asked, shooting me why didn't you tell me we were expecting anyone else glares and Hades smiled gaily in return, all charm, like turning on a faucet.

"No thank you, Mrs. Bradley, though I was wondering if I could steal Emma for the rest of the evening."

"Going somewhere fun?" She asked as I snorted into my drink. Gods, mom.

"It's strictly work related," Hades assured her, face set. "My wife has recently fallen ill, and I don't want to be away from her for too long."

"That's too bad; I'm sorry to hear it," mom said, tone of voice void of anything resembling sadness, and I stared directly at her, my mouthed stop it more of a demand than a plea.

"Take as much time as you two need," dad said. "It was nice to meet you, Gabriel."

"Likewise, sir." Hades grabbed my elbow, steering me towards the garden gate as scattered conversations started behind us.

"I'm sorry about them, especially mom. I swear, she's always trying to pair me up with random male friends, especially if they're good-looking."

I felt the slightest ripple of a shudder work its way through his body at my words, and it was my turn to frown as he gathered me in his arms. "You could seem less disgusted by the idea that I find you mildly attractive, you know," I said, punching him lightly in the arm. "Most people consider that a compliment."

We landed together in the middle of his living room and he strode away from me immediately, calling for Jasper and Horace. I caught his arm as he attempted to breeze past me, spinning him around. "Hades, talk to me. I know this whole thing with Persephone being cursed sucks balls, and in your shoes, I'd be super worried, too, but you're all over the map right now, and it's driving me crazy. Stay in Portland if that's what you need to do; believe it or not, I can actually avoid the souls' attention until you have time to help me."

Jasper and Horace burst into the room, expressions taunt...anxious. "You called, milord?"

"Persephone's been memory-cursed by Prometheus, both of whom currently reside in Portland. I need the two of you to handle the sorting of the souls today while I address the issue of her absence, and the return of Emma's gifts."

Horace's gaze slid to me as I picked at a piece of invisible lint on my shirt. "Pardon the intrusion, milord, but how exactly are you planning on getting milady back?"

"I don't know yet, but in the meantime, I'll take care of the things I can control."

Horace bowed low in response, exiting with Jasper in tow.

"What are the two afterlife options for souls?" Hades asked, circling me.

"Tartarus and Elysium. Hades, this isn't the time for this."

"What color are the names of freshly-made souls?"

Oh my gods, why do I try? "Red."

"What is the first thing you do when a soul approaches you?"

"I know it's not 'don't ask them if they know they're dead'," I retorted, watching as the corners of his mouth lifted briefly. "I knew I could force a smile from you somehow. Look, the souls haven't bothered me in over a year, I realize this, but I haven't forgotten everything, okay? You have more important things to worry about right now, and I'm a big girl. I can figure it out." I studied the carefully set jaw and vacant, disinterested expression floating across his face, kicking myself for not seeing it sooner. "You're using me as a distraction, aren't you?"

He eyed me a moment, moving over to the bar and pouring himself a drink. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You are," I insisted, following. "You don't want to deal with the guilt of not being able to do anything about Persephone's situation, so instead of processing it, you're re-directing your energy on me."

He took another sip of his drink. "Maybe I just enjoy your company."

"No, you don't, you big fat liar," I said. "You tolerate me. Big difference. You know I can handle the souls on my own most of the time, so this new development is just a hiccup, not a life-threatening event. You're stalling for time, and it shows."

"So, what would you have me do?"

"Spend some time in Portland," I said, watching as his eyes rolled back into his head. "No, I mean it, Hades. Get to know Persephone, and her life now, from a distance. The only hope you have of getting her back is by knowing who she is as Amy, right? It's not fair, but it's the new reality."

Silence for a few minutes as he inspected the contents of his glass. "And you really think that'll work?"

"I don't know, but it's better than moping around here, acting all sulky and depressed and-"

"Lord of the Dead-like?" Attempt at a smile again.

"I was going to say 'helpless', but sure, yeah, that works."

"If the souls realize you can help them again-"

"I'll handle it. But I'm hoping that doesn't happen for a while. Drop me off at my apartment on your way, okay? I smell like baby-back ribs."