Elke was dead.
The words kept repeating in my head, but my mind refused to accept them. Only moments ago, Hades and I had been discussing her punishment. I had imagined standing before the council, looking her in the eye while she answered for everything she had done.
I had imagined my anger and perhaps tears. I could never imagine this.
"She can't be dead," I whispered. Hades turned toward me.
"Iris."
I shook my head, staring at the doorway through which the warrior had disappeared.
"She was just there. She was alive. We were talking about what would happen to her, and now—" My voice broke. Hades crossed the room and knelt in front of me.
"Look at me, sweetheart." I tried, but my eyes were already burning.
"She killed herself, Hades."
"I know."
"Why would she do that?"
He didn't answer immediately. Perhaps, he didn't know either.
