Page 89 of Nymph in the Dark

My parents nod and take each other’s hands. Hades stands with his back to the table. One of the Fates stands a few feet opposite Hades and the other two take similar positions to the left and right with Gwen and Carter in the centre. Hades raises his hands and black smoke rises in a ring around my parents. It's thin enough that I can see them. A light appears at my mums chest glowing gold and green. It floats like a ribbon from her to my Dad, connecting them together. Their thread of life. The Fates raise their hands and they're eyes glow white. Light streams from above shining down in a golden beam through the ring of shadow that's almost blinding.

I reach for Alistair and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against him. I embrace the closeness as I watch my parents in the swirling vortex of smoke and golden, shimmering light.

My Dads form loses its pearlescent ghostly glow as he becomes solid. His skin regaining that healthy tanned tone. I watch as my mum feels him again and her eyes widen as she holds tightly to his shoulders. Her smile brings more tears to my eyes with the happiness that flows from her in a tsunami. Dad holds her waist and presses his forehead to hers. He's speaking but I can't hear the words amidst the circling cylinder of shadow and gold.

They both look to me. Pride and tear filled happiness shining from their faces as the smoke and glimmering gold intensify. The thread between them shines brighter than a star and I have to squint to see them. I smile the most I ever have in years as tears stream from my eyes. My chest feels like it'llcombust with the whirlwind of emotion I feel as I watch my Mum and Dad engulfed in golden shadow.

Then they're gone.

The light streaming from above dims to nothing and the shadows fall back to gently float to the ground and disperse. Hades and the Fates lower their hands and the great hall of the Underworld is silent once more.

Where my parents once stood there's nothing. My chest caves in and I try to breathe through the sudden weight of the unknown. They're safe. They'll live long, happy lives. I can still see them. This isn't goodbye. I'm not alone.

I stand in a stupor, willing my mind to catch up to the present. Too much has changed and I struggle to comprehend reality. I'm grateful that my parents have got their happy ending. Hades has put right the bad he has caused. I understand what drives his actions but it's worrying what he is capable of.

Whether the monster I know him as is the facade or not, that remains to be seen. If I'm being honest with myself I don't know where I stand or who to trust. Alistair is my fated mate, but I don't know him. Not really. I'm on my own now. I don't have my parents by my side. I need to be careful if I'm to survive this.

My parents are safe, but I'm in the underworld surrounded by strangers.

I'm alone in the dark.

Alistair holds me as I cave in on myself. He cradles me to his chest as sobs wrack through me. I'm happy, relived and utterly terrified all at the same time. I let it consume me as my knees buckle and Alistair lowers me to the floor.

I need to defeat Zeus. I have to free Gaia. Hades isn't evil. Alistair is my Moira bonded mate. My dad is alive! My parents are human. They are happy. I have to face this prophesy alone. My parents are safe.

I breathe deeply. My heart beat evens out and I lift my head. Stormy, grey eyes delve into mine. I strengthen my resolve as I stand. I know the meaning behinds Gaia's words that day at the ancient tree. I know what she was trying to tell me. I know what I have to do but I don't know how to do it.

Alistair drops his arms and I turn to Hades and The Fates.

“The Olympians didn't leave.” I say in a surprisingly steady voice. “They're here and I know where to find them.”

Hades eyes widen, but The Fates look to me in satisfaction.