Chapter 10 : Hands off

"I am here to kidnap you," Hades muttered in a low tone.

Persephone went wide eyed at his statement, he was here to kidnap her?! Why?! And why was he saying it so casually as if this is something he normally did? Was he going to devour her just like her mother had warned? Was it because she came to a party when she wasn't supposed to?! Oh my gods this was not how Persephone expected to die! So young, so full of life and a whole future ahead of her.

"Hello?"

Persephone batted her lashes and awakened from her terrifying reverie.

"Are you okay? You seem rather pale," Hades commented looking a little concerned. "I asked if you would like to go to the next hall, that's where they're serving the food. Allow me to kidnap you for a while, it beats sitting here alone like this."

For some strange reason red warning lights didn't go off when Hades spoke to Persephone, even though they should have. Not only was he a boy, he was a man, and not just any man, the king of the underworld. If Demeter heard that she was hanging out with Hades, the woman would lose her mind.

"I'm here with my friends," Persephone responded, "I don't want to lose them in case they come looking for me."

"You mean those friends?"

The goddess followed Hades' finger and saw Eris snuggled up on the lap of a different man, while the man she had been dancing with earlier glared murderously at them from across the hall. Not too far from where Eris was sitting, Tekos was having a heated argument with his very drunk friend.

"I think they will be occupied for a while," Hades pointed out, "it's not safe for a young lady to be all alone like this in such a place. I've seen what happens here, someone could spike your drink, a deranged drunk could try to woo you, or .."

"A strange man could try to kidnap me by using food as bait?" Persephone finished the crimson eyed man's statement. She flashed him a sarcastic smile and Hades found himself chuckling, much to his amusement, this young lady was definitely satirical with her words

"Alright fair enough," the man responded, "I see how this may come off." He leaned towards Persephone and darted his eyes slowly from side to side as if keeping an eye out for someone, "the truth is, you see those two not so attractive men behind me near the VIP section."

Persephone's gaze traveled to the glass doors that led to the exclusive part of the club and saw two men pressing their faces against the glass and peeking at Hades and her. She giggled before nodding, "it's kind of hard to miss them."

"Well they wouldn't let me off if I didn't come here and at the least talk to you," Hades added on. "My initial plan was just to ask you for the time and leave, but when I realized your friends had left you I became a little concerned, you don't seem like someone who has been out much."

"I appreciate the sentiment umm.. lord Hades?"

The crimson eyed man grimaced at how that title left her lips. Naturally he loved it when people referred to him as 'lord', but when this young goddess said it, it left a rather bitter taste in his mouth. "Please just call me Hades.. please."

"Oh alright Hades, as I was saying," Persephone continued, "thank you but I'm quite alright, and thank you for offering me food but I'm not hungry-"

Immediately those words left Persephone's mouth her stomach decided to demonstrate the call of the majestic blue whale.

"Not hungry huh?" Hades uttered sarcastically.

Persephone pressed her lips into a thin line and flowers erupted in her hair and all around the chair she was sitting on, embarrassing herself even more, she felt like disappearing never to be found again.

Hades was caught by surprise by the flowers but he could tell from how Persephone was hiding her face behind her purse that she was embarrassed by the whole ordeal. "It actually looks better this way."

Persephone glanced up at Hades before looking at the couch she was sitting on, "don't lie."

"No I'm telling the honest truth," Hades assured her. He then got to his feet and reached for Persephone's hand, "now why don't you be honest as well and admit you'd like something to eat."

The young goddess sighed in defeat, who was she kidding she was starving, might as well gather the shreds of what was left of her dignity and accept Hades' offer.

"I promise to have you back here before your friends-" when Persephone's hand touched his, he felt it again, that strange sensation from before. What was that?

He looked down at the young lady who was staring at their touching hands in shock before looking up at him with eyes full of amazement. "Static electricity?"

*

Back in the VIP section Poseidon and Zeus where plastered on the glass door as they watched their brother lead the young woman out the hall.

"Where are they going?"

"Where do you think? They're obviously going to have a hanky panky session Poseidon, get with the program!"

"So soon?" The sea god stepped back from the glass door and gave a slow clap, "damn he's good."

When Persephone had first walked into the party, all the three brothers were gawking at her with much curiosity.

"Holy Hera who is that?" Zeus mumbled as he watched the beautiful goddess make her way to a seat with her friends. He turned to Poseidon and grabbed both his shoulders, "you! You know everyone on Olympus, who is she?!"

Poseidon who was flipping through his phone trying to find her on social media shrugged, "I do know everyone on Olympus, but I have definitely never come across her. Trust me if I had, I would have remembered."

"I've met her before," Hades mumbled, more to himself than his brothers, but he still managed to grab their attention. Poseidon and Zeus ganged up on him as if he was withholding 'A grade' state secrets.

"Who is she? And how come you knew her before I did?!" Poseidon complained. The sea god was the most social being on and off Olympus, so much so that he had the most following on all social media platforms.

"Please Hades you have to set me up with her, just picture her under my arm, she'd be perfect!" Zeus pleaded.

"I only bumped into her some time back, I don't know- wait!" Hades took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest, "aren't the two of you wedded?"

"Well if you want to get all technical about it," Zeus responded with a pout.

"Unbelievable, Zeus, Poseidon, your wives are literally right there!" Hades pointed to the open bar where the women were downing champagne and giggling amongst themselves.

"Don't try to act all high and mighty Hades," Zues spat back, "you are with a different woman every other week, you're just as bad as Poseidon and I!"

"Well I'm not married!"

"Psssh lame excuse." Zeus rolled his eyes and went to take a seat.

"Hey here's an idea, why don't you talk to her Hades?" Poseidon slithered towards his blue brother and gave him a sly smile. "After all, you are looking for a wife aren't you?"

"That's perfect!" Zeus exclaimed and jumped out of his seat. "She came in with a Satyr did she not? That's unacceptable, she's clearly a goddess even though a low level one from what I can see, but still! We cannot let her fall in the arms of another being! Goddesses belong with gods it's the law."

"No it's not," Hades responded.

"Well I'm making it the law now! So if I can't have her and Poseidon can't have her…" Zeus threw his arm over Hades' shoulder, "then you should brother, I give you my blessing."

Hades gently grabbed Zeus' arm, removed it from his shoulders and placed on Zeus's side before patting it gently. "No thank you, I've had enough interaction with the female species for one night."

"Hades.." Zeus flashed an evil smile while Poseidon waved his phone in front of Hades' face, "if you don't do it, everyone will know that the quaint and polished king of the underworld brought a pornstar to a party."

Hades frowned, his brothers were going to be the death of him one day.

*

Melia who was on her sixth cup of champagne spotted Hades leaving the party hall hand in hand with the girl who had come in with Arethusa's ex.

"Oooh no, she wouldn't dare," Melia muttered to herself before sliding off her stool to follow the pair. "She can mess with Tekos all she wants, but Hades is my catch. Hands off."