Maria flinched at his words, then froze, sitting absolutely stock still lest her movement be considered an attempt at escape. She forced herself to breathe, deep shuddering breaths. [i]For Anna and Liza. That's why you're doing this. For itty bitty Anna so that she can go back to her dance lessons and Liza so that she'll be able to sing in her state music festival and win that big sparkly trophy that she's been working for. For Mama, for your mama so that she can have the two daughters that she loves.[/i]

Hades looked up from his paperwork. "Come in, dear brother." He said, loudly. "A mortal wishing for a trade to release other souls? What could it possibly offer that even made you bring the proposition to me? The last time it happened you incinerated the poor creature, and one of my favorite parlor chairs!" He chuckled, a warm sound, though his black eyes were wary. "A blood relation, doubtless? And surely a demigod? For no full mortal has ever found these halls without being dead and in the ground."