Shaking my head at my reflection, I leave the small bathroom and crawl into bed.
I need to talk to Persephone. The very next chance that I get, I need to tell her everything. I need to make her listen to me.
I should have done so last night; I realize that now and can only hope my hesitation doesn’t prove to be disastrous for us both.
Tonight, Iwillfind a way to talk to her. Otherwise, I fear I may not get another chance.
I just pray that she’s willing to listen to what I have to say.
Sleep, of course, doesn’t find me. It doesn’t take long for me to give up on it, instead choosing to pace the room as I wait to be summoned to Persephone’s nightly lessons.
The hours seem to drag on, time having no sympathy for me as I move to stare out of the window.
Finally, I hear the distant echo of footsteps traveling up the tower toward me.
The guards are finally coming to collect me.
I can’t help the relief that washes over me at this. I had just begun to fear that something had happened and that there would be no lessons tonight.
That my chance to talk to Persephone was gone.
My relief is short-lived, though, as the footsteps stop well before they ever reach my door. Frowning, I move toward the door, impatience and worry overtaking me as I press an ear to the thick wood.
I can hear the low resonance of voices in the hall, but can’t quite seem to make out what’s being said. What I can make out though, is the deep rumble of Cerberus’ voice as he argues with the guards come to fetch me.
It would appear that he didn’t go very far when he left me earlier.
Dropping to my hands and knees, I hold my breath as I try to listen through the crack in the door.
“… no,” comes Cerberus' deep voice.
No?
Surely, he must be aware of the nightly lessons the women have been attending with Persephone.
I close my eyes as I try to make out what the other guards say. It’s hard to catch their every word, but it sounds like they are growing irate with him, and I manage to hear something that sounds like orders.
“She is to remain under my watch at all times. I care little for the orders you claim to have. Regardless of who gave them,” Cerberus growls, his voice rising as it echoes off the walls. “I will not allow her to be swept away in the middle of the night.”
The guards continue to argue with Cerberus, their voices growing louder and more agitated, but I can already tell they’re wasting their breath.
Cerberus will not relent. He’s far too set on doing his duty as he stands guard over me. After what I witnessed at dinner, I’m not entirely certain he would even allow Hades to override his own overprotectiveness.
A cold sweat breaks out across my skin as panic rises within me, and I realize he’s winning the argument. The other guards seem unwilling to go toe to toe with him, and I honestly can’t blame them.
Even if I desperately need them to win.
I can’t miss tonight’s lesson; this may be my last chance to talk to Persephone and explain everything to her before it’s too late.
I have to see her. Tonight.
As quiet falls in the hallway, I quickly push myself up off the floor and bring my fists to the door.
Cerberus might be able to intimidate the guards, but I will not allow him to do so to me. He can’t ruin this for me, I simply won’t allow it. Pounding my fists against the door as hard as I can, I wince at the pain that shoots up from my bruised wrist but don’t allow it to hinder me.
“Guards!” I shout, hoping they can make out my words through the door. “I’m here, take me to Persephone!”
For one long moment, nothing happens, and fear that the guards can’t hear me or that Cerberus will stop them fills my mind. I need to convince him that he must allow me to leave. I just need him to open the door.
