Chapter 11: Diana Reveals Her Secrets

"See, I wasn't just Hades's oldest child, I was the oldest VK on the island, so I helped with the births of nearly every VK, with one exception, Hadie, who was a summer baby, meaning his mother was in Auradon," Diana explained. "In fact, any sibling I get from Papa and Stepmother—since they're spring/summer babies, are going to be born in Auradon."

"I helped Queen Narissa deliver a baby girl," Diana stood and took a seat on her bed.

Donna and Pythia moved to her side, one on her left, the other on her right. "But she could care less about, her words, not mine, 'the little brat,' but when I offered to take the child, she broke my arm. So, I left, but two years later, I snuck the child away. I fed her and clothed her and named her—Maera. I had her for a day when Hades made me return her. I screamed and cried at him." Diana gulped, holding back tears, muttering under her breath. "VKs don't cry."

"I told him how Narissa hadn't wanted Maera in the first place, how she had practically abandoned the little girl, that she would have a family with us," Diana bit her lip.

Donna and Pythia wrapped their arms around Diana. Diana relaxed, continuing, "Hades didn't say anything when I was done, he only told me to find my cousins and stir up trouble. He didn't yell at me. He didn't scold me. He did nothing, and that scared me—more than anything. I was no longer a child to him—I was his equal."

Donna slid her arm around Diana's shoulders. "It might take Aunt Polly and Aunt Phil a little while to adjust to treating you as an adult, rather than their child," Donna admitted.

Diana shrugged, she was unused to her parental figures being too terribly concerned for her. She could handle herself.

"What is a Devil's Daughter Hang?" Pythia demanded.

"Oh, it's me, Mal, and Evie chillin'," Diana explained. "Back on the Isle, the three of us were sort of a gang, 'The Devil's Daughters'. We were the most feared daughters there."

Donna and Pythia nodded nervously. Diana chuckled evilly at the looks on her cousins' faces.

"OK, it's official, Diana, you are creepy, and I mean that in the nicest possible way," Pythia stated drily.

Diana playfully shoved Pythia, who then left the room.