‘You do it.’
I consider. ‘I want to create an actual afterlife for the souls here. Do you think I can?’
‘If you can’t, I’m not sure who can.’
‘Why?’ I ask. ‘Why me, why this power?’
‘Why not you? You’re nothing special in that regard. Was Apollo special when he touched a lyre and music threaded through his soul? Was Dionysus special when that first cup of wine touched his lips and clung long after the drops were wiped away? Domains choose gods all the time.’
‘Well, if my power is nothing special then why are you so obsessed with it?’
Hecate turns, walks the length of the room and stops at the window when something catches her eye. When she speaks her voice sounds distant, like she’s only half here.
‘They never asked you the important question, girl. You wanted the world – but what would you give for it?’ I say nothing and a feral smile flashes on her face. ‘Precisely. Whywould you sacrifice something for power when you could just take it?’
‘That’s not what’s happening here.’
‘Isn’t it?’ Her grin is a snarl of teeth. She stalks towards me until she’s so close I long to step back – though I refuse to move.
‘This power claimedme. Not the other way round. You just said so yourself.’
‘After you leapt to it. If you hadn’t stepped foot in the Underworld, as they never intended you to, it wouldn’t have found you. That’s what makes you special. This power chose you and you chose it. You ran to each other. And frankly, my dear, I’m fascinated.’ She reaches out her wrinkled hand to stroke my cheek. ‘Why do you deny the truth?’
I let out a shaky breath. ‘Maybe this would be easier if I knew exactly what power I hold.’
‘Well, what are you talking to me for, girl? Go and find out.’
‘Will you help me?’
‘You don’t need help.’
‘But I’d like it.’
She examines me closely and then laughs once more. ‘You have other gods to ask for help, no? Or is he only a screen to mask your power?’
‘Hades is more than that.’
‘But he is a screen, you acknowledge.’
‘I never knew I had power to hide.’
‘And now?’
‘Perhaps one day I’ll never hide again,’ I say. ‘But if what you’re saying is true then …’
I imagine it. What if I not only manage to create the afterlifeI envision but actually take credit for it? Father would know I have power, but what could he do when I have the crown of Hell on my head? Unless I threaten his power directly – and I plan on doing that so subtly he won’t even realize it’s me – I’ll be safe.
‘No. I don’t need to hide behind Hades any more.’
‘So you admit you don’t need him.’
‘I want him,’ I snap. Maybe I’ve already forgiven him more than I thought if Hecate speaking ill of him bothers me this much. ‘And if I really do have this power then I’m not giving up what I want ever again. If he matters as little as you claim then why do you keep mentioning him? This has nothing to do with him. Can you please tell me what it is I’m supposedly able to do?’
She glares at me suspiciously, like this is a trick. ‘Very well. I grow weary of these circular conversations. If we can move past them then you and I could achieve great things. Three moons in the sky and the whole world under our control.’
‘What?’
She gives a disappointed, reluctant sigh. ‘You are a child learning to walk, my dear. Let’s not race you to Olympus before your time.’
