《♤》
                          
The library was bigger than any of the libraries I've visited in the mortal realm. Long tables witch chairs lined each of the rows of books on bookshelves made of sturdy wood. 
                          
We walked to where Florens and Alec were, the former sat while reading a book with her legs on top of the table, the latter scanning for more books from the bookshelf behind him.
                          
"Alec." 
                          
Florens suddenly stood up, her body shocked by Lore's voice. "You're a fucking jump scare, Lore." 
                          
Lore rolled his eyes at her as Alec faced us. "Good. One of your men notified us of Maurice's presence in Tartarus. What have you discovered, brother?" 
                          
Lore started explaining what had gone down just a few hours ago, leaving out the part where we got back to the Underworld and the events that followed after. 
                          
Alec sighed, "So, what? He's a dead end?" He suddenly turned to me, his face and tone sharp. "Veronica, was he telling the truth?"
                          
I leaned back on the table as I folded my arms, "Yes, I do. He knew he was fucked, no reason for him to hold back now that he's in Tartarus." 
                          
"I could make something like a truth serum if you'd like. Haven't done any brewing in a while." Florens suggested.
                          
"No need. If both Lore and Veronica think he's telling the truth, then that's all we need. Did he say anything else? Perhaps another lead?" Alec cut in.
                          
I ran a hand through my loose hair, "He did say that it was indeed his handwriting, but he didn't write it. Or at least, he forgot about writing it. Memory wiped, perhaps?" 
                          
"Maybe. But, it's quite difficult to erase memories from a vampire, given that they're the ones that usually do the memory wiping." Florens answered.
                          
Lore folded his arms, "Difficult for any other immortal, but nothing to a god, especially if they were intrinsically skilled with the mind." 
                          
"Great, that narrows it down to like, half of the gods. Most of us have lived long enough to know how to use their powers on unguarded minds. Trust me, I did it myself." Hermes said sharply. 
                          
Florens slumped in her chair. "Well, it's not only gods. There are a lot of creatures that can wipe memories. With the right materials, a witch could've done it too."
                          
Alec rested his arms on the table. "Perhaps. But, it is still something to work on. I'll tell Gideon and Tarrin about it in the morning, see if they know anything. In the meantime, we could begin our research on whatever we could find about memory loss. I'm sure we'll find a thing or two with all these books." 
                          
"I don't feel like reading today, Alec. My eyes hurt." Hermes complained as he sat beside Florens.
                          
"No, they don't. If you find something, write it down." Alec said before teleporting to a different area of the library.
                          
Hermes sighed. "Fucking Ealdread." he said before snapping his fingers and disappearing. 
                          
I started walking off as I heard Lore teleport as well, Florens picking up a different book as she continued her reading.