Persephone the Phony (Goddess Girls) Read Online Free

had spread faster than fire on a windy day. Al l the godboys and goddessgirls from Mr. Cyclops's classes were out searching for the giant sandals along the river, the boundary between Earth and the Underworld.
    A large eagle soared over Persephone's head to land at the river's edge. When the huge bird morphed into Ares, the goddessgirls nearby squealed with delight at the handsome godboy's arrival. Most gods and goddesses could shape-shift. Taking on the forms of animals at
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    will was easy. Persephone herself often took the form of a dove when she flew places.
    As the four goddessgirls skidded to a stop near the river, a golden-haired godboy with pale turquoise eyes and skin emerged from underwater with a triumphant grin on his face. Thrusting his three-pronged spear in the air, Poseidon exclaimed, "Found one! Someone's pinned it down to the riverbed with a boulder so it won't float!"
    Persephone and all the other godboys and goddessgirls glanced suspiciously at Atlas. The academy's bulky champion weight lifter, he was likely the only godboy in the whole school capable of moving such a boulder.
    Atlas shrugged. Pheme was righ t, thought Persephone. And Atlas must have been one of the godboys who had taken the sandals. Now he and Ares waded into
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    the water to help Poseidon bring up the one under the rock.
    "Where's the second one?" Aphrodite shouted from shore.
    Atlas raised both hands, palms up. "Don't know."
    "It could have washed up near the riverbank," said Athena. "Why don't we spread out and search?"
    Persephone moved toward some tall clumps of grass. Suddenly she heard a loud crac k behind her. She whirled around. Hades ! A blush stole across her cheeks as he emerged from the ground atop his stallion.
    "Hi," he said, leaping down. "What's everyone looking for?"
    "Haven't you heard?"
    Hades' dark ringlets swung from side to side as he shook his head.
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    Then Persephone remembered that she hadn't seen him in school all day. Pointing to the sandal that Poseidon, Ares, and Atlas were now dragging toward shore, she explained about the reward Mr. Cyclops had offered.
    Hades gave her a half smile. "Those things usually come in pairs, right?"
    "Right," said Persephone. "Have you seen the other one?"
    "Maybe," Hades teased.
    "Show me," said Persephone.
    Hades cocked his head. "What about your mom?"
    Persephone sighed, feeling annoyed. "What about her?"
    "I don't think she likes me." Hades' brow furrowed.
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    "She probably wouldn't like you going off with me--even to rescue a teacher's sandal."
    Persephone pursed her lips in exasperation. "Ugh, my mom is always so worried! She probably thinks you'd kidna p me, given half a chance."
    Before Hades could respond, Artemis ran up with her hounds at her heels. "Oh, there you are!" she said to Persephone. "Is this godboy giving you trouble?" She glared at Hades while her dogs stood at attention, their teeth bared.
    "No, why would you think that?" Persephone replied. Then she noticed how tightly Artemis was clutching her bow. Hades' hands were balled into fists at his sides, and his feet were planted wide as if he expected an attack.
    "Godness!" Persephone exclaimed, stepping between them.
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    "Relax, Hades. Artemis is my friend."
    She turned toward Artemis. "I don't need protection. Hades is a friend too."
    "If you say so," Artemis growled. Her grip on her bow relaxed, but she continued to glare at Hades. Her dogs growled and glared too.
    Moments later Aphrodite and Athena also ran up. Sandwiching Persephone, they slipped their arms through hers. Aphrodite arched an eyebrow at Hades. In a frosty voice, she said, "So sorry, but Persephone has to go now."
    Before Persephone could protest, the two goddessgirls practically dragged her away. Artemis followed with her dogs. When she overcame her shock, Persephone began to struggle, but Athena and Aphrodite held on. "Keep walking," Aphrodite said sternly.
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    Persephone twisted her head to look over her shoulder, but Hades had