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“It is run by a woman I met many years ago through Amphitrite. She was recovering from an extensive amount of trauma. We worked with her to create this foundation for victims of all forms of abuse. There are counseling services, shelters, job programs, and educational funding. We have lawyers who help to tell their stories and fight with them for their independence from the abuser and any who helped, or stood by, while the abuse happened.”
Devon looked at several photographs placed along the walls with stories written and framed next to them. Success stories.
“That’s amazing,” he whispered, truth ringing clear in his words. He had seen enough of the dark side of man to know how hard it could be to escape an abuser. Much less make a life that couldn’t be pulled out from under them.
“Korinna.” A woman walked up bringing Devon out of his thoughts. He had to remember what Persephone’s name was among the mortals.
The woman was shorter than Persephone, both her eyes and skin like honey. Her dark hair hung in ringlets, a snake necklace wrapped around her neck, with snake bracelets dangling from her wrists. A long silver dress with a green shimmer to it was wrapped around her athletic form. Stunning fell short on describing this woman. She could have been a Goddess in her own right.
She moved with the grace of a ballerina as she took Persephone’s hand in hers. “I am so grateful you could come!”
Persephone smiled at the woman’s enthusiastic welcome and before either of them could blink, she pulled Persephone into a friendly hug. Devon felt something as he watched Persephone navigate the affectionate touch.
Warmth? Tenderness?
Persephone pulled back a bit stiffly, but her eyes softened as she looked at the woman with an affection that spoke of a long friendship.
“Of course. You know I would never miss one of your events.” She turned to Devon to introduce him. “Devon, this is Medusa Perrin, the founder I was speaking to you about. Medusa, this is my friend, Devon Aideonous.”
The woman turned to him and put her hand out to shake, the snake bracelets jangling on her wrist.
As they shook hands, he caught an unbelievable strength in the woman’s eyes that reminded
him of an immovable stone. He felt a kinship with her without even really knowing her.
It was almost like he read her soul and could see the character of it. She was a formidable ally and, most likely, a terrifying enemy.
He was glad in that moment that Persephone had a friend to match her in strength.
“It’s very nice to meet anyone Korinna calls a friend,” she said, a smile on her lips. “That would make you a friend of mine as well,” she told him, putting her other hand to her chest to cover her heart as if making an oath.
“I’m honored,” he replied in total honesty. Her smile and nod as they released hands told him
she both knew he spoke the truth and approved.
“Please, go and enjoy yourselves. I have to make more introductions.” Medusa bowed slightly
before turning to another couple walking through the doors.
Persephone touched the woman’s shoulder before she could walk off, and something passed
between the two women. It spoke of old friends using their own language.
“I’m doing fine,” Medusa assured Persephone before she winked at her and made her exit.
Devon returned his hand to Persephone’s back, which he noticed was becoming a habit for
him. As if his hand did not know where to go or what to do unless it was touching her somehow.
He leaned in to whisper in her ear, “It was good to meet a friend of yours, especially one who is not annoying. Like Thanatos.”
She chuckled. “I do not have many. As you will see tonight, I am not exactly a welcome
presence among many mortals or deities.”
That stopped him, with his hand going from her back to her elbow to stop her, “What do you mean?” his tone a little harsher than he intended as a protective instinct took over for a moment. She had brought something out in him that had been repressed for years. Something that felt a lot like peace.
He realized how much of a hypocrite he had been to even judge people for thinking that.
