Neon Gods

The point of view shifts to Persephone, who has been supporting her sister. Eurydice recounts how Orpheus never arrived at their promised meeting, and then the ambush began. Hades apologizes to Persephone for his violence, trying to promise her that she will endure no more pain for his sake. He leaves, frustrating her since she sees their problems as a shared burden, rather than blaming him alone. Persephone contacts her other sisters, who are incensed at Zeus and frightened.

Eurydice rouses, telling Persephone that she thinks Orpheus deliberately endangered her. Persephone upbraids herself for the coming conflict, realizing, “I’ve been so incredibly selfish and put so many people in harm’s way” (301). Hades returns with a sleeping pill and tea for Eurydice, anticipating Persephone’s next move. He visibly relaxes when she asks him for a hug. As she thanks him once more for his steadfast support, Persephone resolves that she will do her part to fix the crisis, rather than relying on others as she has so far.

The point of view shifts to Hades, who is still stunned that Persephone has not rejected him for his recent actions. He assures Persephone, “Never apologize for bursting into my life, little siren. I don’t regret a moment of my time with you” (303). As she prepares to return to her sister, Hades promises her that she will never have to marry Zeus. She is solemn when she tells him she believes it, leading him to worry that she is planning a departure in any case.

Hades meets briefly with Charon and Andreas—Hades’s old mentor is fearful, doubting the war can be won, and even mistakes him for his father, clearly under mental strain. Hades turns to find Hermes, who warns him that her support cannot extend as far as to endorse his recent actions. She reminds him, more ruefully, that “crossing [Zeus] requires paying a higher price than most of us are capable of” (307).

Hermes delivers her official message, a warning from Zeus that Hades must return both sisters in 13 hours. Hades says that this will not stop the coming war, and Hermes regretfully concurs. She embraces Hades and departs. Hades worries that the coming conflict will harm his popularity, leading the lower city to potentially accept any puppet ruler Zeus installs after his death. He remains resolute and determined not to surrender.

Persephone, now the point-of-view character, gets her own message from Hermes. Zeus suggests that if she and Eurydice both return, he will not necessarily launch open conflict against the lower city. Persephone is unimpressed and doubts that he has any intention of reassessing his plans or vengeance. She resolves to act with the lower city’s well-being in mind and tells Hermes that she has a proposal to pass on to her mother.

Persephone is also certain that she is in love with Hades but must depart without seeing him, since any delay could endanger him further.

Hermes brings back a message from Demeter, agreeing to whatever Persephone has just proposed—the reader does not yet know this, but Persephone is planning her return to the upper city on her own terms. She has offered her mother public appearances with herself and Hades, and promised to remain in Olympus. She will only do this if Demeter agrees to oust Zeus and protect them both.

Persephone dresses for her departure, putting on a black gown made by Juliette. Eurydice tells Persephone that she will stay in the lower city for now. Hermes escorts Persephone to a waiting car, and she and Dionysus drive back to Dodona Tower. Persephone is angry that the coming conversation will clearly also involve Zeus. Persephone takes in the tower, disguised by the glitter and opulence that is meant as a monument to Zeus’s ego. She forces herself to focus on the task at hand and resume a steely persona.

At the party, Persephone reminds herself that she is not the girl she once was, saying to herself, “I am not merely one of Demeter’s daughters. I am Persephone, and I love the king of their dreaded lower city” (318). The crowd parts for her as she enters, and Zeus brings her to his side, triumphantly smiling as they pose for a photo. He leers at her and dismissively orders her to wait for him at Demeter’s home.

Demeter embraces her, clearly anxious, and is unhappy to hear that Eurydice is still in the lower city. They hurry out of the party for the relative privacy of the family’s luxury apartments. Once they are alone, Persephone angrily confronts her mother about her marriage schemes and the danger to Eurydice. Demeter coolly explains that her original plan was to use the marriage to incapacitate Zeus and install Persephone as a shadow ruler. She admits that Zeus has “outlived his usefulness, and I’d rather deal with his son and heir in the future” (323). This, she implies, means she endorses an assassination.

Persephone reminds her mother of her original offer: She will abandon her plans to leave Olympus and ensure that Hades is seen publicly as Demeter’s ally, provided Demeter can persuade her allies in the Thirteen to remove Zeus. As Persephone makes her case, Demeter is quietly impressed with her skills of persuasion, and Persephone reflects that much of her worldview has been shaped by her mother.

Demeter demands six public appearances from Hades to create public certainty that she commands his resources in addition to her own. Persephone is briefly daunted at the prospect of committing permanently to life in Olympus, but she cannot comprehend losing Hades or the suffering of innocent civilians. She and her mother shake hands on their new bargain.