Those who are kin to the Lord of the Underworld ssstill require his permission to live in the realm. But once given, they may come and go as they please.
"And those who aren't related to him by blood?"
It is a long process for those who of us who are ssstill living.
We came upon a familiar fork in the road while Sssusssan was speaking. With one of its paths leading straight out of the Underworld, I was relieved to see the partridge flapping its wings in the other direction. One exit down at least, which meant the thief had yet to escape or have the vial smuggled out of the realm.
This new path was fairly short, and I didn't even have time to ask the Gorgon another question before I started hearing familiar noises.
Sounds that you'd associate with regular day-to-day life.
And soon enough, a town bustling with activity came into view, and it was nothing like I had ever imagined seeing. Maybe I should have. But I didn't.
This is the town center. It makes sssense that our thief would be here.
I couldn't answer yet, stunned and overwhelmed by the sight of a quaintly charming town...populated by, well, skeletons.
"Are they dead?" I heard myself whisper.
In a way. These are humans who, too afraid to find out if they were bound for Tartarus or the Island of the Blessed, have chosen to ssserve Hades for eternity.
The town had an incredible Venetian feel to it, but more...magical. Think bike-riding skeletons weaving through narrow brick-paved alleys, gondolas cruising under stone bridges, and canal houses overlooking the Underworld's secret rainbow-colored river.
Magical, I found myself thinking once again, and it was now easy to see why one would opt to live and work in the Underworld, even if it meant getting used to walking around, um, naked.
"So..." I glanced at Sssusssan. "Do we start asking around about you-know-what?"
That is an option. Or you may feed the partridge another drop of your blood.
Easy for her to say, but since I'd really rather not waste time...
I glanced up. "Hey, Little Iron."
You named it?
"Yep."
But it is not real.
"If guys can name their cars," I said defensively, "why can't I name him?"
Sssso now it has its own gender, too?
Little Iron flew down, and I gave his head a little pat as the bird perched itself on my palm. "It's okay, little one. The Gorgon doesn't mean anything by it, so don't let her hurt your feelings."
Sssusssan's tongue had snapped out again, but this time its scare factor had gone from 250% to 80%. I could be wrong (and end up turned into stone if I was), but I had a feeling Mira's Gorgon servant was all hiss and no bite.
You can be very annoying.
"I think the word you mean is cute."
No.
"Well, give it time, and I'm sure you'll change your mind."
No.
And since her tongue had snapped out again, and this time within striking distance of my cheek, I decided to follow my own advice and switched my attention back to Little Iron. Sssusssan truly just needed time, and sooner or later I'd eventually grow on her. I hoped.
Meanwhile, Little Iron had finished taking a little nip of my blood, and I gave his head a little pat. "Off you go then."
The partridge flew up, and as we followed behind it, I couldn't help but feel a little glum at the way none of the skeletons seemed to give us a second glance. Did they really not know what their new LOTUS looked like? Or did they just not care?
"They hate me," I remarked gloomily to Sssusssan.
Hate is a ssstrong word.
"They can't even bear to look at me—-"
How ssstupid you are. You are walking next to a Gorgon. Of course they would not look this way.
It took a moment to realize the truth in her words, and I let out an explosive sigh of relief. "Oh thank God." I saw Sssusssan open her mouth and forestalled her with a wrinkle of my nose, saying, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Mistress Mira told you I'm stupid, and Mistress Mira is right like always."
Actually...no. I wanted to sssay the partridge has found our next destination. But yes, it is also true that Mistress Mira sssaid you are ssstupid, and ssshe is right.
I made a face. "Very funny."
I was not joking. You are ssstupid.
"Has anyone told you that you're a little too much like your beloved Mistress—-" I broke off upon feeling my iPhone vibrate inside of my pocket. Before taking off, Hadrian had attached a thingamajig to its back, telling me that this would allow my smartphone to work like regular, only I wouldn't be able to contact anyone outside the realm.
And since Hadrian was also the only one in the Underworld who had my number...
Oh dear.
I excused myself from Sssusssan, found myself a private little corner, and took a deep breath before answering my boyfriend's call. "Hey..."