A Game of Gods (Hades Saga, #3)

by Scarlett St. Clair

“Before you begin,” Hermes said, knowing what was to come, “you should know that Tyche is dead.” Those words made Hades straighten, and Hecate took an audible breath. It was not news he had expected, but it gave context to the massacre he had stepped into and explained why Aphrodite had been present—to seek revenge on those who had hurt her sister. “How?” Hecate asked. “We do not know,” Hermes said. “I…took her to Apollo.” “You left her,” Hades said, his voice darkening. He took a step toward the god. “Persephone ordered me,” Hermes said. “I ordered you to protect her,” Hades said. His voice rose and black spikes shot from the tips of his fingers. “You swore an oath.” “I know,” Hermes said, voice quiet, a shamed whisper as his eyes dropped to his feet. “I failed.” Hades reached him and placed a hand on his face, tilting his head back so their gazes met. His thumb settled just beneath Hermes’s eye, the sharp tip of a spike drawing blood. “I failed,” Hades said. Hermes flinched, those words far more painful than any wound Hades might inflict, and yet they were not enough. This type of magic required a physical debt, a daily reminder of the oath that was broken. Hades braced his other hand against Hermes’s head. “I will never forget this night,” Hades said. “And neither will you.” Then he jabbed his thumb into Hermes’s face. The god screamed and jerked away, but Hades held him steady, dragging the spike down his cheek and over his lip before shoving him away. Hermes stumbled ...