A Touch of Ruin

Persephone meets Jaison at the hospital. While she fears that Lexa’s injury might have something to do with her, Jaison reports that Lexa was hit by a distracted driver while crossing the street. Persephone, terrified at the thought that Lexa could die, can’t imagine life in the Upperworld without her. She doesn’t want their relationship to be removed to the Underworld because she’s afraid that if things don’t work out with Hades, she’ll never see Lexa again. Persephone rushes to Nevernight, Hades’ club, and finds him torturing the mortal who threw a bottle at her earlier.

Hades says that Lexa is in limbo and he can’t bring her back. The bargain for a soul requires another soul, and each bargain is a black line, their life threads burned onto his skin. Hades asks if Persephone could live with that kind of bargain on her conscience. Persephone feels defeated that he can’t, or won’t, help and can’t promise that Lexa will recover.

Hecate brings Persephone breakfast. As she walks to the hospital, Persephone is recognized by passersby on the street. Hermes rescues her and warns her that she has to start acting like a goddess.