Page 112 of The Unseen Hour

“People figured out for themselves who held the real power, and worshiped accordingly. As you can imagine, Charon gets little credit. He used to have churches, but they’ve fallen away. Humans, if you’ll excuse my observation, tend to be inherently selfish. Why would they heap worship on a god that didn’t directly benefit them? Charon should have accepted his lot. The rest of us know our place.”

I was annoyed that I felt the smallest spark of sympathy for Charon. Offering something unique and beautiful, only to be unappreciated and forgotten. Not wanted unless he could be used, unless his abilities affected lives directly.

But he’d taken things too far. He’d done too many vile things for me to be tempted to forgive him.

“You mentioned six gods. The god in the lost country? Who are they? What was their role?”

“That god, we do not speak of anymore. A betrayer to the rest of us, and what should have been a cautionary tale for Charon,” she warned.

She took a deep breath, tilting her chin up.

“Your paramour will be joining us soon. Which means I will be leaving, since Charon’s attention may wander.”

“Wait! My father, did you find him?”

“Odos pulled me from that search, but my Reapers are still working.”

“And the hundredth hour. What is Charon’s plan, if he succeeds?”

Death smiled, but the expression held no warmth.

“Destruction. He would decimate everyone you hold dear. He thinks he finally has enough souls, and he plans to challenge me for my seat. He wants my job, and he wants the souls for eternity. I don’t intend on giving them up.”

“But how would⁠—”

“We’re out of time. Make haste for Charon’s, and I will ensure that he stays focused elsewhere. Hurry, small human. The clock is ticking.”

Lightning struck the ground, and Death was gone.

Destruction.

That’s what she’d said. And the hour already ruled through death and fear. Charon would be able to take any soul he wanted, at any time. If he was so inclined, he could take all of them.

A chill that had nothing to do with the Ether ran down my spine.

A figure was approaching, walking through the Shades with purpose.

I retreated back to the edge of the trees, watching to see if he was winged.

As he got closer, I saw his brown hair and strong shoulders. I leapt up and ran to him. It took him a moment to notice me. Orion was scowling at the ground, shoulders hunched and jaw clenched.

When he glanced up, his eyes widened, like he hadn’t expected to find me at the edge of the Meadow.

“Ry!” I threw my arms around him, and he hesitated for a moment before embracing me. “Are you all right? What happened?”

“Charon is … frustrated. Suspicious.” He said the words through gritted teeth, as if they cost him.

“He asked you not to discuss it?”

Pointless, since as far as Charon was concerned, he had no one to discuss it with but silent Shades. Just another sign of his twisted need for control.

I wanted to meet the god, if only once, so I could show him what I thought of him.

“Charon’s proud. I’m less a person to him and more a journal. Ironic, considering I completed one prior to arriving here. He and I have that in common, I suppose.”

“He is nothing like you!” I insisted vehemently.

“In some ways. I would never force all my secrets onto another person, but he needs to vent his thoughts, and I’m the individual available. I think he’s under the impression that if he orders me silent I can’t endanger him, or help the other gods. He’s …”