12. Temples and Destruction

Hecate took us to the first place. “Don’t worry at the price ladies, get whatever you want.” Lola looked at her like she was crazy. Lola and I kept looking around the street. I had gone out the night before with Hades but during the day the city was different. I could see more, and I was just amazed at the way mortals had constructed everything. Hecate walked into a nice shop and Lola, and I followed her. Both of us taking everything in.

A woman ran up to Hecate. She bowed before her. “I want everyone out while my friends and I shop.” Hecate said to the women with no emotion. I thought of what Hades said that she was picky with her friends. Since I had met Hecate, she was bubbly but the way she spoke to the mortal was cold. “Of course, goddess.” I watched as she started showing the other mortals out of the store as Hecate watched. Once the last was gone she nodded and said to us “Come on let's do some damage.”

Lola and I started to look around as did Hecate. There were so many things. We didn’t spend long in there as it was a smaller store. Once checked out Hecate sent our clothes to the underworld for us. Lola said “Hecate my things shouldn’t go there. I have never been, nor do I think I will.” Hecate looked at her. “Lola are you not the companion to Persephone?” “Well, yeah.” “Exactly so when she lives there won’t you come with her?” I looked at her quizzically but before I even spoke Hecate turned my way and said “Persephone, you have to know where this is heading.” I just stared and I didn’t even know how to respond to that.

Charon had said I was going to be Hades Queen. And now it was clear Hecate believed it too. Was I missing something? How were they sure, when I couldn’t even process my emotions that I felt for the king of the Underworld. Hecate took us to many more shops kicking out the mortals in every one of the stores. “Let’s get lunch. I know of a great place, but its kind of is a dive but the food is delicious.” Hecate said. Lola and I went along. It was a small place.

The food was good, I had tacos. There was a tv with the news on, in one of the corners up high. I looked at it, as we were finishing our meal, something came on. “Oh, my Gods.” I said and Hecate’s eyes snapped to the TV. It showed pictures of a temple burning. Hecate shouted, “Turn that up.” at one of the people who took our order. The volume was raised. We were the only ones eating there. Hecate had kicked everyone out like she had the places we were shopping at.

We all listened to the television. “The rebels bombed one of Athena’s temples late this morning. There were several casualties and many injured. This is not the first time something like this has happened, but it has been at least a decade. The question now is what kind of retribution will the Gods inflict until those responsible come forward?” I looked at Hecate. She looked more than angry. I turned back to the TV to watch the temple burning. I couldn’t believe that had happened.

I thought the mortals loved the gods. I knew we did a lot for them. Why would people do this to such a sacred place. “Those fucking idiots, they think they can revolt against us? Do they not understand that without us they would all die.” I nodded. She was right. Without the Gods their world would be chaos. “Whatever, they will be delt with, of that, I am sure.” I nodded and spoke. “Hades told me that the mortals think highly of us. When we were out last night, they all stared at us and took pictures. And at Nox they seemed to keep a distance, at least from me, when I was dancing.”

Hecate smiled and said “Of course most of the mortals love us. We are their Gods, but then there is some that are stupid and think they can revolt which is ridiculous when you think about it. All of them will face death and Hades is the God of death so even in life if they hate us, they will still always be under us even when they die. It is ridiculous. But Persephone you should know that when you are alone, people will try to approach you. The reason they kept their distance at Nox was because you came in with Hades. The mortals fear him, and they wanted to not catch his attention, if they approached you then they may have had to face Hades.”

She continued “That is why I make the mortals get out when I am shopping or eating. Too many approach and want something or just want to take a picture. I can’t stand it when I am wanting to do something specific.” That made sense, I guessed. Hades scared a lot of people. “But, Hecate, the mortals don’t even know who I am. I don’t know why they would approach me. I mean Hermes didn’t even know who I was. He kept calling me the unknown goddess.” I said and Hecate responded. “Persephone, it is obvious you are a goddess, they will flock to you and the fact they don’t know who you are will draw more of them to you.” I nodded while I thought about it.

We finished up shopping, which took most of the day as I realized that Hecate had a bit of a shopping problem. Upon returning to my mother's estate Hecate decided to hang out with Lola and me. But I couldn’t focus on their company. I just ran over what I had seen on the TV, while we ate lunch. I also thought back to what Zues and Hades were saying when I ease dropped. Something about Kronos. Could it be related. Then my mother going to Olympus. I didn’t know if I should be concerned or not. Surely, someone would tell me if there was a threat of some kind. Overall, I just felt on edge.

“Persephone.” I looked back at Hecate and Lola. I had been in my own head and was not listening. “I was asking if you wanted to come back to the underworld with me. We can bring Lola too.” My eyebrows squished together. I didn’t know if that was a good idea. Hades told me my mother would be home in a few days, it could be tomorrow and if that was the case I would need to be here. Hecate said, “Oh come on Persephone.”
I questioned “My mother may be home soon, and I want to see her. I need to talk to her.” Hecate looked at me. “Your mom will probably be more than a few days with what happened to Athena’s temple. Zues probably pushed her meeting because well he is always overly paranoid.”

“But you don’t know for sure.” She smiled “Text Hades he will know he has spies in Olympus.” I pulled out the phone she gave me and sent a text. “Hey Hades, it is Persephone.” I waited, seeing three little dots. That was informal enough right. “I don’t want to talk to you. You are not what I need or thought you were.” I frowned. Why wouldn’t he want to talk to me. I typed again “What do you mean?” I waited and then there were words on the screen. “Leave me alone Persephone and don’t text me again.” I started to feel something similar to how I had felt earlier, and hot tears rushed out of my eyes.

I didn’t understand what was going on. Just last night he had been all over me. Hecate and Lola asked simultaneously. “What happened?” I told them. “Please leave me alone. I just want to be alone.” Hecate pushed again. But I screamed. “Leave me alone.” I never screamed at anyone. I had been authoritative sure, but I never screamed. I didn’t know what came over me. I didn’t notice when they left the room, but I knew I was alone. I got up from my bed after having lain there for a while. I didn’t go to dinner when a nymph came to the door to get me. Instead, I opted for a bath.

The hot water had steamed up the room when I climbed in and sunk down into the hot water. What happened. Maybe I thought it had to do with the Temple and he too was upset. I didn’t know. My necklace on my chest started to heat up but I did not turn the coin over. I just sunk further into the bath. I wondered if I should take it off. It stopped burning a second later and then heated up again. And once again I ignored it. I sunk under the water wanting to just escape. I stayed under for a while and when I emerged, I saw the hulking figure of Hades, his eyes burning into mine.