Chapter Text
Ashes took out their newly obtained key and locked the Acheron with a satisfying click. It was done. They smiled to themselves thinking of all the fun they would have ruling the City’s underworld. As they were placing the key around their neck, a voice spoke up behind them.
“So, Hades is dead now, is he?”
Ashes turned around to see two women standing there. The woman who spoke was studying Ashes like she was trying to determine if they were a threat. She had dark skin, and her hair was braided in cornrows that were tied back in a high ponytail. The beige business suit she wore was neatly put together, and there was a golden bundle of barley pinned over her lapel. There was no doubt that she was another Olympian.
The woman beside her was wearing a white floral dress that stopped just below her knees. Her thick curly hair framed her face, and she bore an uncanny resemblance to the first woman, though she couldn’t be older than eighteen. Ashes took notice of how the girl was studying the floor, doing her best to remain invisible.
“No, ma’am,” Ashes replied coolly. “I’m Hades. And you are?”
“Demeter,” the older woman said. She gestured at the young girl beside her. “And this is my daughter, Kore.”
At the sound of her name, Kore dipped into a small curtsy.
“And what can I do for you?” Ashes asked Demeter.
“I’m here to drop off your wife, Ms. Hades,” Demeter said, pulling Kore forward. “My apologies for keeping her away all weekend. Things at the grain factory have not been going well, and I needed the extra pair of hands.”
“It’s Mx. Hades,” Ashes corrected. They looked at the girl again. “Pardon me, Kore, but can I ask how old you are?”
“Seventeen, Mx,” Kore replied shyly.
“And how long have you been married?” Ashes asked.
“About three years.”
“I see,” Ashes said, holding their poker face despite their disgust towards the situation. The man they threw into the Acheron appeared to be in his late fifties and, since he was an upper-class Olympian, Ashes had to assume he was much older. They were well aware the Olympians could get away with a lot in the City, but the fact so many people turned a blind eye to this was sickening.
“Look,” Demeter interrupted. “I don’t know who you are or what you did with the real Hades, and frankly, I don’t care. But he and I had a deal. My daughter in exchange for fifty thousand dollars a month. If you intend to take his place, then I expect you to hold your end of the bargain.”
Ashes watched as Kore visibly winced. The girl’s husband was gone, and her mother was already prepared to sell her off to the next rich stranger in line. It wasn’t right. “The deal’s off,” Ashes said firmly. “I’m not comfortable being married to your daughter.”
Kore’s sigh of relief filled the room, but Demeter frowned at Ashes. “You do not want to cross me. I am very well-connected, and once everyone finds out what happened to the real Hades, you’ll be run out of the City for good.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Ashes said, holding up a hand. “You see, I want to strike up a new deal between us.”
Demeter narrowed her eyes. “What sort of deal?”
“Eighty thousand dollars per month in exchange for your silence,” Ashes said. They already knew how much Hades had in his bank account and, when factoring in how much his businesses and investments made in a year, it was more than enough for Ashes to spend frivolously. “In addition, you will defend me if anyone questions my identity as Hades, and you will not speak to me about marrying your daughter again. Are these terms agreeable?”
Demeter was momentarily shocked, but she cleared her throat and quickly composed herself. “Yes, I believe they are,” Demeter said.
“Excellent,” Ashes said. “I’ll have a new contract drafted and sent to you by the end of the day.”
“Thank you, Mx. Hades,” Demeter said. “Always a pleasure doing business with you.”
Demeter grabbed her daughter’s arm and started to pull her towards the exit. Fear rose up in Kore’s eyes again, and Ashes came to the realization that if they weren’t willing to marry her, Demeter would find her daughter someone else. There were still a lot of single Olympians in the City, but the wealthiest ones were nothing but unkind.
“Wait,” Ashes called. The two women stopped in their tracks.
“Yes?” Demeter asked impatiently.
“One more thing, Ashes began. “I may not need a wife, but I will need a new assistant, someone who knows their way around the City. I want to put Kore on a payroll. Full benefits, free housing, and a starting rate of eight thousand a month with a possibility of promotion.”
Kore’s face brightened, but Demeter shook her head. “My daughter has a job and a house. She’s helping me run all my factories.”
No doubt to make her fully dependent on you, Ashes thought.
They looked at Kore. “My offer extends to you, and it’s completely your decision. If you say yes, I’ll have your contract sent with your mother’s, and you can begin work as early as tomorrow.”
“I said no,” Demeter snapped.
“I’ll get my own house?” Kore asked hopefully.
“Your own apartment,” Ashes corrected. “But you’ll have the space all to yourself, and it will be yours for as long as you’d like.”
“Yes!” Kore exclaimed.
“No!” Demeter shrieked. She stomped over to Ashes and pointed an accusing finger at them. “Kore is my only child, and you will not manipulate her into leaving me like this.”
“I’ll pay you a hundred thousand dollars per month,” Ashes said. Demeter fell silent. They would have to reorganize Hades’ checkbooks and maybe make a few budget cuts but helping this girl would be worth it.
“Do we have a deal?” Ashes asked.
Demeter scowled. “You’re worse than the first Hades.”
“And you’re a terrible mother,” Ashes retorted.
They shook hands, and the mother and daughter left, leaving Ashes to draft up the paperwork. And so their role as Hades began.