Page 47 of Dark Gods
“Because of whoyouare,” he corrected. “More importantly, because of who you will become.”
“I don’t understand. I freaked and lost control. I could’ve killed someone, or torn down the whole school,” I said, still reeling from everything I’d done. It was like someone had possessed me. I had a vague, foggy recollection of what had happened after the power took over, but it was like someone else was controlling my body. “What exactly seems promising about that?”
Hermes gave me a knowing look I couldn’t begin to understand. “You don’t need to concern yourself with any of that now. All you need to know is that the Council has a vested interest in your success here at this school.”
“Tell that to the Headmaster,” I muttered. “Or the student body, for that matter.”
“Yes, I’ve been aware that you’re the most recent target in the school’s rather… unique pastime,” he said in a far more diplomatic way than the Wild Hunt and its adherents had earned any right to. “I look forward to seeing how you handle yourself.”
“You know, in the human world, the old people at least pretend to care about bullying,” I said dryly.
He chuckled. “This isn’t the human world, Persephone, and you will be put through many harsher trials than that when the time comes. Nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure, and if you should come across such an obstacle,” he trailed off, his eyes drifting to the card in my hand. “Well, you have my card.”
I looked down at the card, turning it over curiously. “What’s the catch?”
Hermes smiled slightly, more in his eyes than with his lips. “Let’s just say that one day, the Council will be calling on you to return the favor.”
“Me?” I scoffed. “Is that a joke?”
“Not in the slightest,” he said, standing up from the chair. “In the meantime, try to make the most of your time here. We’re expecting great things from you.”
Before I could ask what the hell that meant, he disappeared right in front of me. The fact that the curtains billowed was the only hint that he’d simply moved faster than I could process rather than outright teleporting, but who the hell even knew with the old gods?
I swung my legs over the bed, but before I could get up, the door opened. I would’ve preferred to see just about anyone other than Hades--and my distaste for his presence was even more acutely pronounced, now that I owed him my life.
“You’re awake,” he remarked, slipping his hands into his pockets like a casual bastard as the door slid shut behind him.
“You sound disappointed,” I said, standing. I was steadier on my feet than I’d feared, which was good, considering that I’d already humiliated myself enough for one day.
Assuming itwasthe same day.
“Were you talking to someone?” he asked, glancing around the room.
“No.” Lying to him was automatic enough, but I was still processing what Hermes had said and he was the last damn person I trusted with that info.
He watched me closely. “You’re lying.”
“You want a lie? I think your hair looks great gelled back like that. There you go.”
He gave me a crooked smirk that affected me more than I wanted it to. Maybe I was still a little off-kilter. “Now, that’s no way to speak to the man who spared your life.”
“Spared it?” I laughed. “Last thing I remember, you were a missed step away from being impaled.”
“I do remember that,” he mused. “I also remember the kiss.”
“Youkissedme.”
“And you returned it.”
I glowered at him, but I couldn’t exactly argue. It was the truth. Screw Power Drunk Me. She had no standards. “I wasn’t myself.”
“That you weren’t. You know, if you’re trying to get yourself expelled by proving you’re a liability, it isn’t going to work. I can tell you that from firsthand experience.”
I snorted. “That ship has sailed. Like it or not, I’m sticking around and if you think playing rescue hero back there is going to keep me from turning your ass in as soon as I can connect you to Phrixus’ death, you’re mistaken.”
“Connect me to his death?” he asked with a haughty laugh, as if it was the most hilarious thing he’d ever heard. “Good luck with that.”
“Not even going to bother claiming innocence?”
