The startled voice came from behind me and my vision turned black. I turned to find Persephone emerging from the palace onto the terrace, obviously surprised to find me outside.
“Why are you drinking from the fountain?” she asked curiously. “What did you see?”
“I saw my daughter,” I answered shakily. “With Hecate’s daughter. Do you know anything about this? Do you know where they are?”
She watched me with sympathy as she approached.
“There are many, many things that I do not know,” she told me. “Hades does not share everything with me, unlike the bond that you and Cadmus share. I love Hades with every breath that I take, but our love is different from yours. You love only each other. Hades and I… we’re different.”
“Why should that concern me?” I stared into her eyes. “I do not care about your relationship.”
“You should,” she replied. “Because it will affect you today.”
“How so?” I asked curiously, noting for the first time that she carried something partially hidden in her skirt. “What are you holding?”
“I was on my way to your rooms,” she explained. “I have something for you.”
“Why would you want to help me?” I asked, slightly suspicious.
“Because…I do not want you here,” she explained simply. “I have nothing against you personally, my dear. But Hades is entirely too infatuated with you. You must leave.”
I stared at her in shock. Before I could speak, she laughed.
“You thought I didn’t know? Of course I knew. I know my husband like the back of my own hand. He has desired you for a very long time- before he had even set eyes on you. But Hades… well, when he desires things, it is simply to keep them. Just like an art collection. He enjoys surrounding himself with things that he considers lovely. It is me he loves, however, even if he samples other things of beauty from time to time.”
I suddenly saw Persephone for what she was. A woman in love with her husband, even despite of his faults.
“So, how are you planning to help me?”
She lifted her hand and in it, she held Hades’ Helm of Darkness. I gasped and she smiled a thin smile.
“I know. He will kill me when he finds out. Well, not literally. Please don’t use it against him. He is… not what you think. He’s vulnerable on the inside and he can be kind. I do not wish him harmed. Please, only use it for what you need.”
I nodded slowly, reaching out trembling fingers to take it from her. It appeared as a simple warrior’s helmet, made from bronze. But I knew of its powers. It was far from simple.
“Now,” she said briskly. “You need to leave. Your family needs your help.”
I looked at her questioningly. “My family?”
She nodded, looking over her shoulder. “Your parents and your husband are in the dungeons. Hades is keeping them there, but I know that he intends to transfer them to the Dungeon of the Damned, so you must hurry.”
“Why would he do that?” I cried. “They haven’t done anything to deserve damnation!”
She nodded sadly. “I agree. But sometimes, a reason is not needed here. Your parents are good people, Harmonia. And your husband loves you with all of his heart. I know that you do not want them harmed, even if you are angry with them right now.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I would never want them harmed. How do I get to them?”
“The helm will render you invisible,” she answered. “You will be able to slip in and free them, but getting out with be a trick. There is a hidden corridor behind the forging fires. If you can get to it, you can escape. Here is the key.”
She handed me a large brass key, which I clutched tightly in my hand. “Use care, Harmonia. Hades will hunt for you for all of eternity.”
The thought sent chills down my spine.
“What are you waiting for?” she nudged me. “Go. You must be quick.”
I took off running, slipping the helmet on as I ran. Interesting enough, my hands and arms faded away and I realized that I was, indeed, invisible. No one could see me. As I picked up speed, I realized one other thing. I was running immortally fast. The helmet was blocking the limitations of the Underworld- my goddess abilities were back. I sighed a breath of relief as I blurred down the hallway in a streak toward the basement.
I made good time. I was standing outside of the massive iron doors within minutes. Cautiously, I slipped inside. It was like a different world in the dungeons as opposed to the beauty of the palace above.
It was dark, with the only light coming from wide-spaced torches on the walls. It smelled musty and dank and the walls were covered in condensation. Low moans echoed throughout the halls and I was instantly filled with trepidation. What had Hades done to my family? They weren’t able to defend themselves… they didn’t have their abilities here.
As I walked, my heart sank. The dungeons were composed of a labyrinth of halls and corridors. Each corridor was lined with musty cells, with prisoners of every type contained within. But as I searched, I realized something. My thoughts were being invaded by the sound of the prisoner’s thoughts.
Because I was wearing the helm and my goddess abilities had returned, I was able to once again read thoughts. Obviously, I could block them out if I chose, but instead, I focused in and tried to hear Cadmus, Aphrodite or Ares.
For a while, all I could hear was the sad, depressing thoughts of prisoners. I kept looking in each cell as I ran, trying to find a familiar face. But then my name stuck out and I honed in.
Cadmus.
He was thinking of me. He was picturing me, and through his thoughts, I could see what I looked like as I had left with Persephone. I looked fragile and heartbroken- exactly what I had felt like. He had no way of knowing that I felt stronger now and he was devastated at my rejection of him.
My heart twinged and I desperately wished that I could forgive and forget everything that had happened. I loved him with every ounce of my being. I couldn’t imagine my life without him, yet I couldn’t make my heart forgive him, either. Shaking that thought from my mind, I focused harder, following the thoughts as they grew louder and I knew I was close to him.
Turning a final corner, the room opened into a large, dark room. Hanging from the walls, guarded by two hideous guards, was my family.
It was clear that they had been beaten. Aphrodite had blood streaking from her temple, dripping onto her clothing. Her eyes were closed as she hung limply from her wrists. Her fingers were turning blue from lack of circulation.