Chapter forty nine

"So, is that all?" Ade queried, facing a vampire that stood apart from her cohorts.

Yes, It was the insane energy seeping out of her. It was divine, Sybil knew that much. But the vampire was pale, just like how bloodsuckers were supposed to be. How was it possible that she reeked this insane amount of pure energy?

Stalking up to the Sybil, the creature smiled then sneered at Ade. Her irises were pitch black, almost soulless. Perhaps she was a member of the Order of Drako, notorious for mutating their curse. 

"You are dedicated, Demigod.  I will give you that. Mercy will be so proud."

"We shouldn't be so cocky yet. Your daughter doesn't particularly seem like the violent type. Considering what she has suffered in the hands of your beloved, it's unbelievable she hasn't descended into a frenzy of insanity." Ade said to the long tooth, tossing the shredded dreamcatcher across the room.

Sybil looked directly into the empty eyes of the vampire in question and suddenly, all the puzzles fit.

"Hades." She muttered.

The vampire spared her a look, sending a smirk her way before leaning over to meet her face.

"Surprise," He teased.

"And what if the Northern Prince can't wield the trident? From what I have heard, his numerous tries have failed. If he does not lift it first and I do, our plans will go awry."

"Don't be such a doubt." Hades chastised, returning his attention to the conflicted demigod. "Of course he won't be able to wield it. You can because you have a purpose and of course, You happen to be from the bloodline of Poseidon. No matter how myopic it is. My niece, on the other hand, has only wanted to lift that goddamn artifact to satisfy his mother. He has never had a conviction of his own. He, lifting the trident doesn't matter. What we have to make sure of is that he kills Talia. It's the only way we will get what we both desire."

Sybil's eyes popped open, hearing the vile words of Hades. The god planned to sacrifice his own daughter to sacrifice his ambitions. Sick! It almost made her want to snap and set it all on fire. Almost. But every move she took determined if her blood stayed within her veins. Yes, his words were pure evil and Sybil wished to do something but in a way, this had always been Talia's fate, and being a witch, Sybil knew fate was one thing that could not be changed. But, Sybil felt incredibly guilty. It was the same intense pang she had gotten in her chest when she saw Persephone almost drive that shard in Talia's heart. She hated that she cared. She hated that she was slowly becoming like Storge. She didn't want to die but she sure as well didn't want to have to carry the guilt of knowing she could have done something to help Solomon's friend.

Fuck! She mentally cursed knowing she had made up her mind and there was no going back.

"I have heard a lot of crazy stories about gods," Sybil said, digging her fingernails into her skin so deep that it burned. "but never have I heard one where a god would want to kill his own daughter?"

"I am not doing the killing. Her lover will be doing it." Hades retorted.

"And how will that get you Persephone?" She then faced Ade. "Are you sure he's not dragging you into another of his gamble?"

It seemed to retch on Ade's insecurities but it wasn't enough.

"Don't be stupid demigod, she is only trying to get into your head."Hades was quick to seal that crack in his resolve. "Murmur, Be a useful little demon and put this witch to sleep."

All of a sudden, Sybil felt cold hands touch her shoulders, and the energy within her drained.

"Mymima!" The witch yelled with the last of her strength. She didn't want to succumb, she thought of several ways to combat the demon's toxic touch but in situations like these, even if she fought with everything she had... forcing herself to stay awake, Sybil knew she would fail. As the darkness slowly absorbed her, Sybil could only pray Solomon had gotten her warning.

***
  Talia rolled around the bed.  What was the plan now? The sensible side of her said not to do this, not to give in to the desperation burning through her, the temptation that came from escaping this hell hole and returning to the utopia she once knew. To tell herself it was just a hellishly long nightmare. Except it wasn’t a nightmare, this had been her life for some time now.

Save yourself. Those words had stuck with her since Ade had uttered them. Talia was sure Denys was a good person but in the end, He was still a loyal ally to his mother. It would be to get detriment to put everything she was in his hands. He had lied. He had kept a secret to protect his mother. He had assumed it was for her own good but while she raised his mind. Through the myriads of emotion that kept popping up when their bodies touched, a dominant one was doubt. She couldn't stay mad at him. He had no idea what he's was doing and Denys had promised to tell her the truth of it after the formalities of trident lifting. She had forgiven him and she hoped he could do the same once he found out what she had done. Convincing herself was the hard part. Denys had left a lasting impression on her psyche. It took craving for her lost life and the apparent danger she was in if she chose to remain in the second realm.

With every ounce of strength that remained, Talia pend a heartfelt goodbye note to Denys and made her way to Queen Persephone's wards.

"I would like to see the Queen," Talia said to the guard stationed at the door.

The guard went in per her request and returned a few seconds after, opening the door wide enough for her to enter. Talia noticed Persephone had a false smile on, the same kind she had on when she had introduced her bargain on the night Denys had saved her. The setting brought back a lot of awful memories.

"Seeing you are here in your own accord, I can only suspect reality has set in and ruptured that godforsaken Fae pride," Persephone spoke first.

As always, Talia played along, giving humble courtesy to the Queen out of her own free will. The book of life was next to her. Some parts of it were covered in paper as before leaving only her name visible and ready to be struck out.

"Yes. I have come to realize I have to accept your proposition. It might be the only way I get to see my mother again." Talia said, joining Persephone at her recess table.

"Wise choice." The goddess gave a false praise, dipping the quill in ink and handing it over to Talia.

"But before I sign off my name, I have to let you know I was aware of what you planned to do had I signed it earlier," Talia revealed.

"And what is that?"

"You planned to kill me. If I had signed my name off willingly, You wouldn't have to confront Zeus for your sins."

"Despite knowing that much, Why do you still choose to bargain with me?"

"I do so tonight because I have an advantage. The mareel is still up and if Prince Denys wants a chance at lifting his father's weapon, the realm has to be kept pure to a certain extent. Which means if I sign tonight, you cannot kill me even if you wish to do so."

Persephone gave a complementary applause to Talia's ingenious. "Well, it seems like the universe has finally tipped in your favor, You will get the freedom you crave and I won't be able to kill you. I guess a goddess's word isn't law after all."

Talia's fingers quivered as she collected the quill from Persephone. She felt nausea overwhelm her as she proceeded to cross her name. However, she stopped midway.

"But that doesn't stop you from hunting me down after the ritual recedes. A goddess's word is the law. You are one goddess I know that revolts at the thought of someone defying your words. So, I ask you Queen Persephone to swear that you will not come after me and my family."

Silence followed. Talia could tell she had gotten the goddess right where she wanted her. Her only hope was that Persephone was desperate enough to agree to her counteroffer. With the tension that drenched between them, Talia could swear this was a losing game but in the end, her gamble paid off.

"Okay", Persephone surrendered. "You win. By the law of the gods, I promise you Talia Trueborn, I will not hunt you, neither will I hunt your family."

It was a done deal. Talia drew a thick line over her name and watched it turn pale grey. Next to it, a random cause of death popped up. It read 'Impaled'.

***
AUTHOR NOTE
Things are going to hell!