A Game of Gods (Hades Saga, #3)

by Scarlett St. Clair

“Hecate?” he said, and she offered him a small smile. “I’m here.” He stared at her a moment longer, and then his attention turned to Persephone. “She is well, Hades.” He knew she meant to comfort him, but her words only brought anger and guilt. He should never have allowed her to go to Club Aphrodisia. He should never have entrusted her care to anyone save himself. “You would have only encouraged resentment,” Hecate said, reading his thoughts. “I’d rather she resent me every day of our life if it meant never having to see her like that again.” “Careful of your words, Hades. Resentment is just as fatal a wound.” Hades ground his teeth. “Is it any more fatal than what I see when I look at her?” “Magic can heal a wound to the flesh,” she said. “But it cannot heal a wound to the soul.” “You do not have to remind me. I’ve had enough blows of my own.” “Then you should never want the same for Persephone.” Perhaps he would feel differently in a day or two, but right now he was tempted to never let her leave this island. “What you should want is for her to learn to control her power,” Hecate said, rising to her feet. “She would have been fine had she channeled it correctly.” “Is that not your job?” Hades asked curtly. Hecate narrowed her eyes. “Careful, God of the Dead. I have little patience for your hubris.” Hades let his head fall into his hands, and he scrubbed his face. “I’m sorry, Hecate.” She placed a hand on his head. “I know.”