Page 36 of The Prince of Hidden Shadows
I know he rarely bares his soul—if he even has one, as he loves to remind me—but his modesty speaks volumes about how much the painting means to him and how determined he is to reclaim it.
I remain silent, letting the weight of the painting settle over me once more. It’s gorgeous, and yet there’s an unsettling edge to it—daring you to see past the surface.
After what feels like an eternity, Nathan tears his eyes away. “We’ve got work to do!” His velvety voice is resolute.
On the way back, we stroll by an art supply store tucked away on a side street.
Nathan then enlightens me. “To succeed, I have to use ancient techniques and supplies that are consistent with the period. Zagreus was able to provide plenty, thanks to his numerous connections.” Why does my chest constrict at his words? “Got me linen canvases, natural pigments and such...”Does he think I’m clueless? Pompous prick.“This will be such a cool project!” His excitement reminds me of a kid in a candy store, both endearing and infuriating. “Precision is everything, right?”
As we trudge back to the hotel, the sun is dipping towards the horizon, casting the streets in a golden glow. A strange mix of apprehension and anticipation washes over me at what’s coming. Nathan’s process might take a while. Am I on board with Zagreus’s plan?
Whatever happens next, there’s no turning back now.
The hallway is quiet,the plush carpet muffling our footsteps as we return from a bar Nathan dragged us to in order to unwind, and he lingered behind to meet with someone.
I peer down the corridor, admiring the familiar antique sconces spilling amber light along the dark wood-paneled walls when Zagreus mentions in passing that Nathan’s room is further down.
“Wait! What?” I freeze mid-step, shoulders stiff, the door just ahead. “Nathan’s room’s on this floor?”
Zagreus tosses me a look over his shoulder while opening his door. “Sure, why not?”
“This is the restricted floor.Yourfloor!” Warmth prickles at the back of my neck as I step into the suite. We reach the living room, and I plant myself in the doorway, one shoulder braced against the frame, unwilling to follow him any farther.
“My floor?” Zagreus shrugs, waving it away. “Nah, my best friend, Hecate, and nosy Eros are rooming here as well to take care of...” He pauses. “It doesn’t matter.”
My fists curl at my sides, knuckles whitening. Words elude me. My shoulders are locked, jaw tight. So, the mysterious 13th floor isn’t that private after all!
I’ve heard of Eros, but I didn’t realize that Nathan was referring to a Greek goddess earlier. My mind mulls over my rusty knowledge of Greek mythology. Who the heck is Hecate? I don’t ask.
“Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you two. She just got here. Nathan’s been helping me deal with a… situation… back East. They had urgent things to deal with. That’s why he’s staying here with her now.”
I’m not bothered in the least by the number of supreme beings navigating this floor, but I’m rather curious about how Nathan was able to get a room here.
My brain short-circuits. “So, any human is allowed here as long as one of you is with them?” Though there’s unfinished business between us I have to figure out how this all fits together.
“No, Nathan has access.”
What?
I blurt out, “Access? Nathan has access… How?” The crease between my brows deepens and my mouth twitches as I watch Zagreus from a distance peeling off his teal jacket and dropping it onto an ottoman. “Is he… together with your best friend?”
He huffs out a laugh. “Nah, none of us would be so… reckless.” His lips purse as if holding something back, and I bite down on my questions. Surely, he doesn’t mean dating his friend would be reckless. Hesitation flickers across his stubbled face, and he sighs. “Well, Nathan has access because he’s been to my hometown, too.”
The words churn in my chest, a knot forming at the pit of my stomach. Zagreus turns away, sauntering towards his bedroom without waiting for a response. I huff, weighing my options. The conversation isn’t finished. Grumbling, I push off the frame and trail after him.
By the time I’m at the threshold, my fingers have curled into fists, nails digging into my palms. “What do you mean he’s been there? Nathan’s alive and kicking!”
Zagreus flops onto the bed, propping himself up on an elbow. “Nathan is a beautiful…”—I swallow the lump in my throat—“glitch… Just like you, sort of.”
I choke on a breath, a slow burn spreading through my chest. “So, what? His visit to the Underworld magically granted him access to the invisible button and the 13th floor, is that it?”
Zagreus tilts his head, studying me. “Come on, Théo. It’s not a competition.”
I scoff, pacing to the window. The view stretches to the distant coastline, waves rolling under the fading evening light. My reflection confronts me, jaw grinding, shoulders rigid.
“It’s not about that,” I mutter, but I don’t believe it.
“Sure, it isn’t,” Zagreus deadpans.
