Chapter 30 | The Devil of Siren City

APHRODITE CROSSED THE bridge into the lower city.

These days, she much preferred to stay close to her domain, her precious Scarlet Street. Her newly minted penthouse came with a view that extended as far as the eye could see in all directions.

But she couldn’t see him.

To do that, she had to leave the safety of Olympus and travel further south than she’d been in months. She hadn’t set foot in Old Town since that night nine months ago, and if she had her way, she’d never have to look at it ever again.

Unfortunately, a life like hers comes with loose ends; ones she can no longer afford to ignore.

Aphrodite kept her head down as her driver descended into Old Town. Tinted windows obscured her identity from the outside, but she still felt as if she were being watched. Almost instantly, the air was heavier. Crisper. This was a different place than Olympus. The gods here were much older. And they didn’t like to forgive.

Aphrodite wasn’t ignorant of the fact that her presence here may not be… welcome.

Still, she directed the driver to stop outside of St. Nicholas’ Church. Her bodyguard, one of Ares’ Centurians he was happy to loan out for this trip, moved to exit the car first, but she raised a hand to stop him.

“No,” she said. “I’ll go alone.”

He sat back hesitantly.

“Stay with the car,” she said as she stepped outside. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Aphrodite passed the fountain and entered the open doors of the church. She paused in the entryway to remove her sunglasses and allow her eyes to adjust to the darkness within. Candles burned all around her. She thought for a moment to light one and leave a prayer or offering, but there are eyes everywhere in Siren City. She served a higher power now.

And he was even less forgiving. 

Instead, she scanned the chapel within. A half dozen worshipers sat scattered among the pews. Bowed heads and soft whispers.

Aphrodite walked down the aisle, her eyes on one lonely man sitting in the front row, nearly invisible in the shadows. He wore a brown robe, but Aphrodite knew his form well. A rush of emotion filled her heart as she approached and hovered behind his shoulder. He sat with his hands in his lap, a long rosary curled around his fingers.

It’d been too long.

“Apollo,” she said.

His shoulders stiffened. He didn’t look back.

Aphrodite didn’t wait for an invitation. She stepped into the pew and sat beside him, settling in close enough to talk at a whisper. She admired his handsome profile, feeling a smile tug at the edge of her mouth. Her stomach quivered unexpectedly.

“It’s good to see you,” she said. “How have you been?”

Apollo didn’t reply.

“I know,” she said. “I don’t expect you to… say anything. I know about your vow. And I respect your choice. I didn’t come here to question…” She let the words drift away. “So, you ignored a summons from Zeus? That’s… ballsy.”

She waited for a response, but he said nothing.

“Look, Apollo,” she said, leaning forward. “I came here to warn you. I don’t know if you’ve heard the rumors, but…” She lowered her voice. “Hades may be alive.”

Apollo’s head turned a subtle inch in her direction.

“I haven’t seen him,” she said. “I’m not even sure I believe it myself, but the others… Ares, Poseidon, Zeus… they’re preparing for the worst. For war.”

She paused, hoping for a reaction. But Apollo did nothing.

“We don’t know how he survived,” she continued. “We don’t know where he is, but it’s obvious what he wants.” She leaned in further, searching for a flicker of response, but still… nothing. “Apollo, do you understand what I’m telling you?”

He turned his head and looked at her, his face as blank as a statue.

Aphrodite heaved a frustrated breath. “You should be with us,” she said. “At home. With your family. Not here. If Hades lives, then he will come for you. You need to come back with me. Now. Before it’s too late.”

Apollo looked forward silently.

“Dammit, Apollo. Please!” She gripped his arm. “Forget your damn vow and talk to me!” Her voice echoed throughout the sanctuary, drawing eyes. “Hades will not stop until all of us are dead.”

Apollo bowed his head.

“But you’re fine with that, aren’t you?” Her words shook. “You welcome it. You won’t lift a finger to stop this, to save me or yourself.” Aphrodite yanked on his arm, holding back a sob. “Goddammit, say something!”

Apollo blinked, his mouth tightly closed.

“Ethan, please,” she begged in a whisper. “If you ever loved me at all, say something.”

He looked at her then. His lips parted, but no sound emerged. He merely stared with sad eyes, content with his choice. With his fate.

“Fine,” Aphrodite said, sitting back and steeling herself. “Stay. Die. Because your gods cannot protect you from Adrian Price.”

With that, she rose and walked out of the church.