“I don’t know. That is an excellent question, though.” Hermes taps his index finger against his chin.
“These people he’s turning are the worst of the worst humanity has to offer.” I lean against Jayden’s shoulder.
“You’re borrowing problems again, love,” Jayden whispers.
He kisses the side of my head, lingering for a second longer than necessary. I melt into his side, nodding against him that I understand. Everything is rattling around in my brain and impossible to differentiate which problem is the now problem and which ones should be left for later.
“All right, kids.” Hades appears, clapping his hands. “I think I’ve found the perfect location to get you back on track for your journey.”
“Thank you, Hades.” I stand up.
“One second,” Hermes says and pulls something from the ether. “I should have thought of these before but here. These should keep you from further getting lost on your travels.”
I glance down at the eight bronze pins in my hand and glance at Adrian who shakes his head with a grin.
“You knew all along we would end up here, didn’t you? You’re in on the fates plans for us.” I take a pin and hand the rest to Jayden.
“You’re a smart one, little sister. I wouldn’t say that I’m in on it, but Aggie asked me not to give them to you until you came to the underworld. She said you were the catalyst for the fae realm and had to visit at the exact right time.” Hermes claps me on the shoulder.
“I didn’t think the gods were allowed to meddle this much. It’s fucking exhausting trying to keep everything straight, especially when I learned things in the fae realm that you all would probably rather I keep quiet.” My shoulders slump.
“Ahh,” Hades says. “You met Rosaline.”
“How did you know?” I ask.
“Did she appear to you as a fae?” Hermes laughs. “She’s a tricky one.”
“What do you mean? She’s not fae?”
“No, she’s from the divine realm like the rest of us. She prefers her residence in the fae realm though, as she has people who worship her there,” Hades says.
“Fucking hell. Nope. No more revelations. We need to get on the road so we can get this over with.”
“Fair enough.” Hades chuckles.
“Where are we coming out at, Father?” Jayden asks. “Hopefully it’s close enough to make up for the three days we’ve lost.”
“I have a portal opening in a few minutes in abandoned farmland in central Georgia.” Hades waves for us to follow him out of the throne room.
“Georgia? That’s fantastic. That will more than make up for the days we lost,” Greyson says.
“You’re telling me that we don’t have to spend a week on the road fighting monsters? Something finally in our favor for once.” I grin.
“It will still be perilous,” Hades warns. “Central Georgia was the closest I could get without Arcadia repelling my magic.”
“It’s perfect, Hades. Thank you.”
“Keep those pins on your clothes at all times,” Hermes says. “You could become lost again if not.”
“Got it. We don’t want to end up in another random realm.” I stick the little hat with wings on it to my shirt.
“You really don’t. I would say we are lucky the fates planned this out so that’s where you went. Other realms are… chaotic to say the least,” Hermes says.
“I want to go to the dragon realm.” Raven bounces on her toes.
“That’s probably not the best idea,” Hades mumbles.
“But dragons…” Raven sighs, dramatic as ever.
