Free Daughter of the Earth and Sky by Kaitlin Bevis Page A

I’d charmed into coming back for us then made Hades do the same from the hotel phone. It wasn’t nearly enough, but it was all I could think to do. Then I called my mom when we reached the car and explained the situation. We filled Aphrodite in on our plan and had her swear an oath regarding the safety of the priestesses.
    “Okay,” she agreed in a cheerful voice.
    “You don’t have any questions?” I asked, surprised.
    “You’re trying to protect me. Why would I question you?”
    “Imagine that.” Hades gave me an amused look.
    I narrowed my eyes at him, sure he was remembering the first time he rescued me.
    “See how much smoother things go when you tell people you’re trying to help them?” I poked him with my index finger and unlocked the car.
    “Touché,” Hades said. “On that note, whatever you do, don’t piss off Demeter.”
    Aphrodite nodded, looking so worried I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t look so scared, my mom is really nice.”
    “To you, sometimes.” Hades snickered. “And those who’ve sworn allegiance to her.”
    I frowned. “My mom is nice to everyone.”
    Hades shook his head, but didn’t push the subject. “Just walk on eggshells,” he warned Aphrodite.
    It was dusk when we arrived at Melissa’s house. The porch light shined like a beacon at the end of their long gravel driveway. I noticed Mom’s car and drew a deep breath. I was still angry with her for lying about Zeus but returned her hug when we entered Melissa’s home. No matter what, she was still my mom.
    I hugged Melissa then introduced everyone to Aphrodite. She gave Melissa a cool appraisal, clearly not impressed with what she saw, and I winced. We’d have to talk about manners later.
    “So you’re Persephone’s human?”
    Or now. I grabbed Aphrodite’s arm. “Excuse us,” I told Melissa and dragged Aphrodite down the hall. “Don’t ever talk to her like that again!”
    “Like what?” Aphrodite asked, all innocence.
    “Like she’s beneath us. Like anyone is beneath us. She’s not my human; she’s a person—”
    “Yes,” Aphrodite agreed. “Of course she’s a person. She’s human. She is beneath us.”
    I gaped at her cavalier attitude and looked to Hades for help. He hadn’t said a word since we’d walked into the house. I followed his gaze to Melissa’s mother, crossing back and forth behind the half wall that separated the living room from the kitchen.
    “Would anyone like cookies?” she called, putting a plate down on the bar. “They’re just ready…” Her voice trailed off when she felt the power of Hades’ stare.
    “Minthe?” he breathed.
    She met his eyes, and her face paled.
    Melissa and I glanced at each other in confusion. What was this? “Treat her like you’d treat me,” I told Aphrodite quickly. “And listen to what she says. She’s your best bet at fitting in here. You can’t just walk around like you’re better than everyone—”
    “But I am.”
    I rolled my eyes. I didn’t have time for this. “Don’t act like it,” I snapped, moving away from Aphrodite and closer to Melissa.
    “Hades, I wanted to tell you—” Mrs. Minthe began.
    “But I thought it best she not further invoke Hera’s anger,” my mother interrupted in clipped tones.
    “I thought you were dead.” Hades’ voice was careful, as if he was trying very hard to bury whatever emotions were at war within him.
    “What’s going on?” Melissa asked.
    “She’s the Minthe.” I managed to work the words out of my dry throat. “Isn’t she?”
    Melissa knew the myth. We’d both heard it in Latin class, and then later, after my winter in the Underworld, we’d analyzed every facet of that myth to figure out what kind of girls Hades liked. Melissa met my eyes, looking pale and shocked.
    “Hades and I used to see each other before I was a priestess of Demeter,” Mrs. Minthe explained.
    “Hera got jealous and turned her into the mint plant,” Hades added.
    “Why would Hera be