lustrous black hair and warm brown eyes.

 

Her dress shimmered with colors. Flower patterns in the fabric changed and

bloomed — roses, tulips, honeysuckle.

 

The woman standing between them was obviously Persephone's mother. She had the

same hair and eyes, but looked older and sterner. Her dress was golden, the

color of a wheat field. Her hair was woven with dried grasses so it reminded me

of a wicker basket. I figured if somebody lit a match next to her, she'd be in

serious trouble.

 

"Hmmph," the older woman said. "Demigods. Just what we need."

 

Next to me, Nico knelt. I wished I had my sword so I could cut his stupid head

off. Unfortunately, Riptide was still out in the fields somewhere.

 

"Father," Nico said. "I have done as you asked."

 

"Took you long enough," Hades grumbled. "Your sister would've done a better

job."

 

Nico lowered his head. If I hadn't been so mad at the little creep, I might've

felt sorry for him.

 

I glared up at the god of the dead. "What do you want, Hades?"