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There’s no good way to get Ariadne to safety without exposing what I’ve been doing with her up to this point. Maybe if Eris was answering her phone, things would be different, but after the third time I get sent to voicemail, I know it’s a lost cause. I almost call my mother, but the only people my mother looks out for are herself and her daughters. She might extend an offer of sanctuary, but she’s not above going back on her word if it suits her end goals. I promised Ariadne that she would be safe. That means there’s only one person I can call.
I’m about to be in so much trouble.
The woman standing next to me hardly seems to have the same bubbly personality that I’ve interacted with previously. I don’t know what happened, but she’s scared out of her mind. She keeps flinching every time Orpheus moves. I don’t think it’s him personally that’s causing the reaction. It’s more that he’s fidgeting, and the movement repeatedly startles her. Either way, it has my nerves fried. “Orpheus,” I snap. “Go stand watch by the door.”
For a second, he looks like he wants to argue, but he finally gives a short nod and moves toward the door. We’re not so deep into the greenhouse that he’s soon out of sight though, and even though he’s not trained the same way that Charon is, I find his presence comforting.
I turn back to Ariadne. “I need to know what I’m dealing with. I promised to help you, and I will, but I need all the details in order to make sure I keep my word to the best of my ability.”
She wraps her arms around herself tightly, as if afraid that she’ll shatter into a million pieces. When she speaks, it’s so soft that I have to strain to understand her. “I’m pregnant. I need an abortion. As soon as feasibly possible.”
I stare. Who…? But then, it doesn’t matter, does it? I’m doubly glad I chose not to call my mother now, because I can’t guarantee what she would do with this information. The pregnancy has to be caused by someone in Minos’s household, and I highly doubt it’s Theseus. Of the other three men left living with her, two of them are related to Ariadne. While I can’t rule anything out, I don’t think Minos is guilty ofthat. And Icarus certainly isn’t.
Which leaves the Minotaur.
My mother wouldn’t hesitate to use a pregnancy as leverage to attempt to bring the Minotaur over to our side. Even at the expense of Ariadne. I won’t let her do it. I take Ariadne’s hands and squeeze until she meets my gaze. “I have to call someone for help. I know this is scary, but we’ll go to a clinic right now. I will stay with you the whole time.”
The relief on her face makes me feel a little weak. I’m nearly certain Hades won’t make the same call my mother would, but if Ihave to fight him and the rest of the Thirteen, then so be it. “After that, we’ll set you up somewhere safe and talk about the future.”
“Okay.” She slowly pulls her hands from mine and nods. “Okay,” she repeats.
I pull up my phone. It’s tempting to take the cowardly route and call my sister instead, but in this I can’t trust Persephone any more that I can trust my mother. I don’tthinkshe would force me to go back on my word, but I can’t be certain. All the women in my family can be remarkably ruthless when those they care about are on the line. If Persephone thought that handing over Ariadne would protect her husband, her family, her unborn children? She’d feel guilty for doing it, but she’d make that call.
I take a deep breath and dial Hades.
He picks up on the second ring. “Eurydice? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Persephone?”
Guilt threatens to rise, but I muscle it down. “Persephone is fine. She’s with Medusa and the rest of the security team.”
He’s silent for a beat, and when he speaks again, he sounds much more like himself. Calm and cold and perfectly collected. “In that case, what can I help you with?”
Here it is. The point of no return. Once I ask for his help, I have to live with the consequences, and so does Ariadne. I take a deep breath. “I need your help. I don’t really have the time to explain everything right now, but I need sanctuary for someone, and that person needs an abortion. Today.”
Again, he’s silent for several moments. My heart beats faster as I have to face the very real possibility that he might tell me no. And if Hades denies me, then I can’t ask Charon for help either. It wouldn’tbe fair to put him in that position—and I don’t think I’d recover from reaching out for help and having him turn away in response. Better to not put either of us in that position to begin with.
“Are you the friend who needs these things?”
A surprised laugh bursts free, though it has an edge of hysteria. “If it was, I wouldn’t have come to you for help. No offense, but my sisters and mother have my back before anyone else. Even you.”
“Fair enough.” Amusement filters in his tone but quickly fades. “You understand that I had to ask.”
“I understand.” If he went behind Persephone’s back to help me, it would piss her off something fierce. Worse in so many ways, it would upset her. Right now, no one wants to upset Persephone.
Something I should’ve thought about before I ditched her at the Dryad.
“I’ll arrange everything, including transport. Your friend will be well taken care of.”
Relief threatens to make me lightheaded, but we’re not out of the woods yet. “Sanctuary and the procedure. Today. Your word that both will happen.”
“You have my word, Eurydice. I promise.”
It has to be good enough. Once he’s given his word, he won’t break it. Not for anyone…even his wife. I take a shuddering breath. The next part won’t be any easier, because I know exactly who he’ll send as transport. That’s a battle to fight later. First, I have to see to Ariadne. “We’re at the university in the upper city. In the greenhouse.”
“I see. Stay there until Charon texts you that he’s arrived. Be safe, Eurydice.”
“I will.” I slip my phone back into my purse and turn to Ariadne. “You know that there will be a cost for the help.”
“I’m aware.” She tucks her hair behind her ears with shaking hands. “I know better than to expect anyone to help me out of the kindness of their hearts. I have the information you’re looking for, for all the good it will do you.”
