I didn’t know how long I’d have to wait to see if my spell had any effect, but I didn’t want to wait locked in Persephone’s rooms. Nervously, I headed into the corridor and turned in the direction opposite the throne room. The passage soon widened and I found myself once again walking along the River Styx, but this time I was far from alone.
Across the water, I could make out the forms of hundreds of people—but just barely. I squinted, but they looked wispy. They reminded me of the figure I’d seen with the wheelbarrow, and, up close, my thoughts were confirmed: I was looking at the dead. I stood for a moment, staring at them in shock. Is this what happens after death? We just become wispy spirits, like smoke? I shuddered at the thought.
While I stood there, some of the dead noticed me and began to move closer to the bank of the river. Not all of them came forward, but two dozen or so did. Entranced, I moved closer, too, ending with my feet just inches away from the river. We studied each other. I saw old faces and young faces, and as I peered at the dead, my heart dropped out of my chest.
Directly across the river from me was a young boy. His features were blurry, but I was absolutely certain that it was Dennis.
“Dennis!” I called, waving frantically. The boy glanced at me and drifted away. I started to follow him, but a rough hand on my arm pulled me back. I spun around, angry.
“Don’t step in the water, little Witch.” Hades spoke softly, but his words were firm. “The living do not cross that river twice.”
“But I think I know that boy!” I pointed across the river, where Dennis had vanished.
Hades looked at me in pity. “All of the living know someone among the dead. That doesn’t mean that they come here, trying to converse with the ones on the other side.” He pulled on my arm, forcing me to come a few feet away from the river, but I dug in my heels.
“But that boy was alive before I came here!” What had happened to him after he saw me destroy the kettle?
“Death comes suddenly, sometimes. Have you not seen this with your Red magic?”
I paused, swallowing a lump in my throat as I remembered the car accident. “Yes. But that boy helped me.”
Hades looked moderately interested. “And you say you saw him just before coming here?”
I nodded. “His name is Dennis, and he helped Persephone and her mother with the harvest.” Had he died because of me?
Hades brooded for a moment. “I do not usually inquire about the fate of the souls in my keeping, but I will make an exception in his case, if you like.” His eyes searched my face. “Are you worried that his death is in some way connected to you?”
His words echoed my own fears, and I nodded.
Hades tilted my chin up with his hand and looked at me. “You are a magic worker, and a Red Witch. There will be many souls in my realm as a result of your actions.” I tried to jerk my face away, not wanting to listen to him, but he held me firmly. “These things you will have to bear. Magic never comes without a price.”
Finally he released me and I rubbed my arms, suddenly cold.
“Come,” he said, “there has been food delivered from above, and I am sure you are hungry.”
I looked back once at the river, searching the bank for Dennis. I hoped it wasn’t him, but the more I thought about it, the more sure I became. My stomach felt hollow when Hades put his hand on my elbow and led me away.
“I will inquire about the boy. Now come with me.”
The food Hades presented me with could have fed an army. I didn’t think I could eat, but as soon as I smelled the food, I felt my stomach grumble in response. I realized that the last meal I remembered was breakfast in Demeter’s cottage. It had been at least a day, if not more. I’d lost track of time since I got to the Underworld.
Hungrily, I tore into a loaf of bread and offered a chunk to Hades. He recoiled as if I’d offered him poison.
“I cannot partake of mortal fare. Eat your fill.”
“But there’s so much! I can’t possibly eat all this.” I spoke with my mouth full of bread, and Hades cocked an eyebrow.
“And I cannot possibly eat any of it. Eat, Witch. Then I would suggest that you return to my wife’s chambers; it would not do well for you to fall into the river when I have offered you safety.”
“Will you tell me as soon as you know anything about Dennis?”
He nodded. “I will.”
I grabbed an apple, chewing thoughtfully. “I guess I’ll go back and practice some more.”
Hades hesitated. “Have you already been working with magic?”
I nodded. “I think I figured out what you meant earlier, about the land of the red sun. I tried to do what I could to slow the disaster.”
He held up his hand and I fell silent. “I do not need to know too much about you, Witch. It is enough that I know your name and your magic.”
I understood. Even my own mother hadn’t wanted to know the details of Red magic. “How will I know if I’ve done any good? Do you get news reports from the outside world?”
Hades laughed harshly. “If you have done anything lasting, I am sure we will hear of it.”
When I returned to Persephone’s chambers, I slept again in the gold room. I woke feeling refreshed, and the outer cavern was dimly lit, as before, so I decided to assume it was another day.
My stomach agreed with me, growling loudly as soon as I sat up. Smoothing my hair and rumpled clothes, I headed toward the throne room to ask Hades for some breakfast. I also hoped he’d found out something about Dennis. As I drew near, however, a screeching voice echoing around the cavern made me freeze in the tunnel.
“I know you have her, you old fool. Hand her over now or suffer my wrath.”
Hecate’s words sent chills up my spine, and I crept along the corridor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the angry goddess. Hades, however, didn’t sound at all fazed by her threat.
“Hecate, you know that your words have no force here. I allow you to enter my realm at will, but once here, you are as powerless as those dead souls across the river.” Hades chuckled. “And you must think I’m a complete idiot if you believe I’d ever face you aboveground. No, Witch, you can do me no harm.”
“She’s mine! Red magic is of no interest to you. Give her to me!”
I peeked around the wall. Hecate stood before Hades, her robes seething around her like mist. Hades was seated casually on his throne, his face the expressionless mask he had worn when I first met him. I gulped, hoping Hecate wouldn’t turn around. Despite the danger, I kept listening. I had to know what they said to each other.
“Magic is of no interest to me, be it Red, Black, or White.” Hades steepled his fingers under his chin and leaned forward. “However, as you well know, my wife is a patron of Red magic. So for her sake, I think I will take an interest in this girl.”
Hecate laughed harshly. “Then you and your wife are both fools. This girl has already chosen her patron, and she didn’t choose Persephone.”
Hades stared at her impassively. “Perhaps. And perhaps you have been misinformed.”
The goddess fumed. “She’s weak, and foolish, and thinks she has more power than she really does. You would be doing the gods a great favor if you just surrendered her now.”
“She must not be that weak; it’s obvious that the girl frightens you, Hecate. Why would you be afraid of a weak little Witch?”
Speechless, Hecate glared at him for a moment. Then she turned and stalked toward the corridor where I was spying. I jerked back quickly, trying not to breathe. Even though Hades had said he would protect me, would he really do anything to stop Hecate if I were stupid enough to let her catch me?
“I know she’s here. If you won’t help me, I’ll find her myself.”
Quickly, I backed away from the throne room. As I moved up the corridor, I heard Hades’ voice ring out in command.