Hades had trouble hiding his grin as he escorted Lexi into the formal dining room. The Maxwells had set out a holiday feast to impress even the most discriminating god. A pair of horse and chariot-shaped candelabras stood at either end of the massive table, which had been cloaked in a thick, burgundy tablecloth with gold embroidery. The plates and serving bowls were also trimmed in gold, and the wine goblets appeared to be forged from actual blocks of gold. He wouldn't be surprised if the set had come directly from Olympus.

Hades had no trouble locating the champagne chillers, which were tucked into each corner of the room, allowing quick access by the wait staff. Servants wearing formal attire bustled around the table laying down large trays of food. The smells were more intoxicating than the three glasses of champagne he had already consumed.

Lexi sat to Hades's left and Kade managed to snap up the chair on her other side. Hades knew Kade would view Lexi as a potential consort, just as Hades had done three months prior. Although, he recalled wistfully that what had started out as a mission to deflower a young female became a swift and steady plunge into passionate love. Lexi had an enchanting manner that could rival any goddess, which worried him and probably contributed to his consumption of more champagne than he had intended.

Across from Hades, Dion pulled out a chair for Clary, then quickly dropped into the seat beside her, while Z observed the entire ritual from the head of the table. Hades knew Z had orchestrated Clary's invitation, and it was only a matter of time before Lexi asked Clary about her life in the underworld and the reasons she left.

Of course, Clary would answer Lexi honestly, because that was what the goddess of honesty did. Hades glanced down the table and met his brother's stony gaze. The arrogant smirk Z offered left no doubt in Hades's mind that a challenge had been issued. Perhaps another drink wouldn't hurt.

The kitchen door opened and Chef Pastille carried in an enormous, golden-skinned turkey. There came a collective gasp as he set the platter in the center of the table and instructed his second in command, Tomas, to ready the carving knives.

"I am very pleased to serve you the most delicious turkey you will sink your teeth into," said the chef. "My staff and I have taken great pride in bringing you this meal, and we wish you bon appetit."

As Tomas began carving the turkey, Lexi grabbed Chef Pastille's hand and offered her personal thanks, telling him how much she missed his cooking. He told her that to compare his cooking to the cooking at the boarding school would be like comparing a yacht to a rowboat. Clearly, the staff at the Maxwell estate were being kept in the dark about Lexi's new life.

The meal commenced and conversation waned as everyone enjoyed the delicacies set before them, which were undeniably delicious. Hades couldn't help noticing how often Kade asked if Lexi needed anything, and he must have commented on the chef's amazing culinary skills ten times. Hades waved down a waitress, holding up his goblet for a refill of champagne. He didn't often imbibe to the point of drunkenness, but pairing it with a hearty dose of food provided ample justification.

When the clinking of forks subsided, Z piped up, speaking to Lexi's surrogate father sitting at the opposite end of the table. "I wonder if we could have some privacy, Charles." He gestured to the wait staff standing at the ready, and Charles quickly dismissed them. Once the kitchen door had closed, Z addressed Kade.

"Tell me, Kade, are you planning a visit to the underworld anytime soon? I can see my way to permitting it now that hunting season has officially started. Our reserves at the palace are dwindling, and I know what a crack shot you are."

Kade shrugged. "I hadn't given it much thought until just recently." He offered Lexi a crooked smile, which had Hades clenching his fingers around his goblet. "A little hunting adventure sounds like the perfect distraction. What do you say, Hades? Are you ready to pick up a bow again and join me?"

Lexi turned to Hades, cutting him off before he could give his answer. "What do you hunt in the underworld? You said there aren't any earthly animals there."

Hades took a drink from his goblet, although he did not need it. He was properly drunk already. "That's correct, Lexi, there aren't. But there is a quarry that has been hunted for sport since the beginning of our time. Many gods find the minotaurs quite the delicacy."

"You kill and eat minotaurs!"

Z stood from his chair and silenced Lexi with a loud shush. "Remember where you are, Lexi. Do not raise your voice when you are discussing such details in the presence of mortals."

"I'm sorry, Zeus, but I don't understand. How can you hunt a species who has its own language? The minotaurs are intelligent creatures. I have read all about them. I have even tried to learn a bit of their language."

"And how did that work out for you? It's damn tricky, isn't it?" he said as he settled back into his seat.

"Yes. Most of their expressions are in the form of grunts and clicks, which are difficult to enunciate. But it's a form of communication nonetheless, which makes them intelligent."

Kade cleared his throat as he pointed to the turkey, which had been dissected to the point of being unrecognizable. "Let me ask you this, Lexi. How is killing and eating a minotaur any different from killing and eating a turkey? They have a language, as do cows and pigs and chickens. Even fish communicate with each other."

Lexi hesitated as she surveyed the disembodied turkey in front of her. "Well, this turkey, for example, was purchased from a local farmer who raises his animals humanely. They are allowed to roam free with each other and enjoy their lives. My family has been buying only humanely raised organic meats for the last... four years, I think." She glanced at her mom, who nodded her agreement.

"That's right," Lilith said, politely acknowledging her guests seated around the table. "It was in Lexi's freshman year that she convinced the administration at her school to start sourcing their meat from local, sustainable farms. She did a great deal of research and used it as a topic when she participated on the debate team. I remember the party we threw to honor her success."

"And we eat completely vegetarian in the underworld, except for that time Fiona made seared scallops and linguine." Lexi looked at Hades, her eyes alight with determination. "You went out and harvested the scallops yourself. You said it was one of your favorite meals, and you made a special exception that evening."

"Yes, I remember. I choose to eat vegetarian while at home because all living things die as they pass into the underworld, as the scallops did. And you know I do not eat the vermin that roam the underworld. I leave those for the other inhabitants to enjoy." Hades left out the fact that he detested the taste of vermin, as he did not think it would help his case.

"So, why do you hunt minotaurs?" Lexi pressed.

The room grew silent and all eyes zeroed-in on Hades. His head had begun to spin a bit from the champagne, but he managed to rally his senses long enough to answer her. "Because it is what has been done for centuries. But, to be clear, I have not picked up a bow in over thirty years. Not since Clary offered the same argument you are offering now."

Lexi and Clary exchanged nods as Z snorted his disapproval. "May I point out that the minotaurs are savage beasts who have been known to kill centaurs and satyrs using similar weaponry to ours. The chance a god could become the hunted is just as great, which adds an element of risk to the sport."

"But gods are immortal and cannot be killed. At least, not easily," Clary pointed out. "And the fact that the minotaurs have learned to use tools and weapons adds credence to our argument. It is no different from what happens on the battlefield between mortal men."

Z waved Clary's argument away. "It is not like we will ever run out of gods or minotaurs. Do what you wish, Kade. I will restock the palace pantry with or without your assistance." He took hold of his goblet and emptied it into his mouth before standing abruptly and excusing himself from the room.

It did not surprise Hades in the least that Lexi was the first to find her voice. "Someone really needs to teach that god some mortal manners."