Fated (17 page)

"Everywhere," I answered.

We split up to search the palace for whatever it was that Ahmose might have hidden for me. Cadmus and Ares took the dungeons. The Amazons split up two to each floor. And I led Raquel with me as I sought out my old nursery.

No one else knew where I was headed, but I felt certain that I would be the one to find what we sought. In the back of the palace’s nursery, there was a hidden room. Filled with crystals of every shape and size, it was the most beautiful and magical sight when light flooded the room. Rainbows shone on every surface. It was a magical place for a child to play. I had spent hours there when I was small. It had been a gift to the children of the palace from Zeus himself.

When we reached the doorway, we paused and I heard Raquel suck in her breath. And it truly was breathtaking. Every color of the rainbow ricocheted from every surface in the room.

Magical toys lined glass shelves and I picked up a doll that I had played with when I was young, an exact replica of my mother. It was as new- it didn’t appear to be over two thousand years old, which just drove home the fact that everything in the Spiritlands was timeless.

I sank to the floor on my knees with the doll clasped in my lap as I gazed around the room, my eyes flitting from one thing to the next. A rocking Pegasus, an ivory piano, a little bag of magic beans. I fondly remembered planting one outside of the palace and waiting for it to grow. My gaze froze and shifted back. Something was out of place.

A small black box sat on the bottom shelf. I innately knew that it wasn’t meant to be there.

Crawling on all fours, I crossed to it and picked it up. The box was made from some sort of shiny black stone, maybe agate. A rolled up piece of parchment was lying on the top. It was waiting for me to find it. I could just feel it.

With Raquel at my side, peering over my shoulder, I unrolled the parchment. Ahmose’s dark scrawl filled the page. My eyes welled up at the familiar sight, but I brushed my tears away impatiently. Now was not the time.

Harmonia,

You were always meant to be the one.

I apologize, my dear, for leading you astray for so long. It was not something I could change.

You have the knowledge to save everyone. I never stripped you of the memory that you will need, I
allowed you to hide it away time and time again. I knew you would need it someday. Call on it when you
are ready. This box will help you also. Use caution. It contains the soul of every murderous soul that the
Keres ever claimed. They would enjoy vengeance.

Forgive me.

I allowed the parchment to fall to the floor as I absorbed what the Aegis had written. I felt sorry for the old priest, not anger. I felt certain that the priests on both sides, Annen included, were simply pawns enslaved and used by the Moirae and Keres. They had no choice but to comply.

I slid my hands over the glossy surface of the box. It seemed so sinister. Even without knowing what the box contained, I would have felt the ominous presence surrounding me as I held it. I wished I could destroy it or leave it
...
but we could not. Instead, I made sure the clasp was tightly fastened and I stuck it under my arm. The knowledge that so many murderers were contained so close to me was unsettling.

Raquel and I hurried back to the great room to wait for the others to return. It didn’t take long.

Cadmus quickly crossed the room to me.

"Did you find anything?" he questioned.

I nodded. "Yes, but it is a riddle. Apparently, I have knowledge that will save us, but I don’t remember it right now. I will focus on trying to retrieve the memory as we travel to the island."

"We’ll leave first thing in the morning," Ares announced. "So think quickly, daughter. We cannot leave your mother there any longer or she will kill us all when we arrive."

I had to smile at the thought. There was no doubt that she would be annoyed at our tardiness.

The Amazon warriors struck out from the palace to gather lotus blossoms and nectar for us to dine on before we retired for the evening. I felt better immediately upon eating, refreshed and revived, as the nectar replenished my strength. I stood on the great room’s balcony with a delicate golden goblet in my hand and observed the sunset as Cadmus wrapped his arms around me from behind.

I melted against his hard frame.

"Are you growing tired yet, my love?" he asked softly as he nuzzled the side of my neck.

I smiled. "Not
too
tired, sweet."

He grinned back. "Correct answer."

He grasped my hand and led me upstairs to the bedchambers.

I knew when the sun had come up because the orangeish glow slanted across my face heralding the arrival of morning. I squinted my eyes and threw my arm over my brow. As I did, I noticed that the bed beside me seemed oddly empty. I quickly opened my eyes.

Cadmus was gone.

I felt panic bubbling up as I called for him. There was no answer. I called again.

Little Raquel appeared in the doorway. She had bathed and combed her hair and watched me nervously.

"They’re gone," she murmured. "They said that would come back to get us."

I knew it. Anger formed in my belly and boiled upward. How dare they think they could leave me?

"All of them?" I asked. She nodded.

"The Amazons, too?" She nodded again.

When I found them, I might strangle them all. I pushed myself off of the bed and quickly readied myself as Raquel watched quietly. I turned to her.

"You need new clothes, little one. Here." I waved my hand toward her and she was instantly wearing fresh clothing.

"Thank you," she murmured as she smoothed the skirt of her blue frock. "What will we do?"

"What anyone would do. We call for a witch."

I strode to the balcony and threw open the doors.

"Hecate!" I screamed into the empty city. "I need you!"

She had said that when I needed her, she would come. I needed her now.

When I turned from the balcony, she was standing in the doorway of the bedchambers, with Circes and Medea lingering behind her.

"You rang?" she asked with a smile. I scowled.

"They left me here. All of them. They’re heading for Calypso’s island without me."

Hecate shook her head. "Foolish, foolish men," she muttered. "They need you to prevail."

"I told them that," I agreed. "But they didn’t listen."

"Men usually don’t," she replied with a shrug.

"I need to get to Calypso’s Island," I told her. "How do I do that?"

She stared at me in exasperation. "You are a goddess. You can do anything you wish."

"But I don’t remember how!" I cried in frustration. "When will my memories be restored in full?"

"When you regain the crown," she answered simply. "Until then, you’ll have to muddle through. This is not an instance where you require my assistance."

That was not the answer I was wanting. I scowled at her.

She sighed. "Where do you want to go?"

"I already told you- to Calypso’s island!"

"Well, then, focus on it."

I wrinkled my brow as I considered that.

"Don’t glare at me. Just focus on the island."

I did as she instructed and focused on the lush beaches of Ogygia. The water surrounding it was tranquil and blue. Palm trees framed the horizon as the sun hung low in the sky. I pictured Calypso herself swaying toward me in the evening breeze. I could practically feel the night air brush against my skin when all of a sudden, I felt myself leaving this room. I literally felt as though I was fading out of the palace. I held my arm up to find that it was becoming transparent.

I startled and suddenly, the feelings were gone. My body was back to normal, as solid as ever.

Hecate nodded in satisfaction. "You almost did it. Focus harder and next time, you will be there."

"Thank you," I murmured.

I turned to Raquel. "Little one, you must go with the witches. I do not wish to take you to a battle. When it is over, we will return for you and take you home."

She stared at me apprehensively.

Hecate extended her hand. "Come, child. Regardless of what you may have heard, I do not bite." Raquel hesitantly took a step toward her and grasped her hand.

"Tell me, do you like black dogs?" Hecate asked.

Glancing over her shoulder, she instructed, "Don’t tarry."

And they were gone. I stood alone in the abandoned palace at the summit of Olympus. I had never felt so alone. Gripping my bloodstone, something that had been a constant in my life for a couple of millennia, I once again pictured the island. I knew that once I arrived, all magical abilities would be rendered useless. I would have to trust that whatever memory I had buried, whatever vague thing that was so valuable and hidden to me, would resurface and come to our aid.

Taking a deep breath, I pictured the sparkling water and the beach of the island. I focused on the feels, the smells
...
and suddenly my body faded away. It simply felt as though my limbs were falling asleep. And I was there. My feet were planted firmly in the sand. I wriggled my bare toes, scrunching them in the soil of the island. From this point on, I would be as a mortal.

I tucked my bloodstone into my tunic and gazed around me. Calypso swayed toward me from the other end of the beach. Her long red hair was flowing down her back, her skin as creamy as milk. Just as in my vision, the sun dipped low in the sky behind her, even though it was only morning in Olympus. Time was truly irrelevant here. Like everything else, it was rendered useless.

‘Harmonia!" Calypso called. "Thank goodness you have arrived. I have grown weary of being a hostess. These visitors are quite demanding."

She reached me and pulled me into a quick embrace. She smelled of tropical flowers and vanilla. I could see why so many men had fallen victim to her charms- even her scent was intoxicating. She pulled away and grasped my hand.

"Come," she urged. "I will show you the way."

"Calypso, has anyone else arrived?" I asked hopefully.

She shook her head. "Not that I know of. Are you expecting someone?"

"Yes. My father, Cadmus and Ortrera’s warriors should be along shortly. Once they arrive, please send them along."

"Of course I will," she answered agreeably. "Is Cadmus handsome?"

I shot her a look. "Don’t even think of it. Cadmus is mine."

She sighed daintily. "Pity." Her eyes fluttered to my face. "But is he handsome?" she asked hopefully. "You know that men fall in love with me here."

I rolled my eyes. Calypso got lonely out here by herself, with only her servants for company. I couldn’t quite blame her.

"Don’t count on that," I replied good-naturedly. She grinned and focused once again on the path in front of us.

As she led me along through the manicured pathways and beautiful landscapes of the island, she chattered incessantly, grateful for a friendly visitor. I wasn’t even listening, but she couldn’t tell the difference. She hadn’t let me get a word in edgewise.

She snagged my attention, though, when she said, "They’re here to kill you, you know."

She said it so casually and matter-of-factly, as though she was speaking of the weather. I nodded.

"I know. They can certainly try."

"I’m fairly sure they are going to," she agreed. "Try, that is. You’ll have to be very sneaky to avoid it."

"I can be sneaky," I replied with determination. Couldn’t I? I would have to be.

"Calypso, can I ask you a question?" I looked at her hopefully. "With everyone on this island, how will I get back off? I didn’t leave anyone on the mainland to retrieve me."

She clapped her hands joyfully. "Harmonia, that is wonderful. You can stay here with me forever!" She looked forlornly around us. "It’s beautiful here but I do get lonely." She perked up. "But not if you stay. We’ll have such fun! We’ll be as sisters!"

"Calypso, don’t get carried away. If I can possibly manage it, I will be leaving this island."

She nodded, but her expression was still hopeful. I rolled my eyes as I surveyed our surroundings. We were in a garden of some sort, surrounded by tropical flowers and white marble statues. Zeus stood mightily in the center with water spraying from his staff and falling into the fountain around him like rain. Hera sat gracefully in white marble on the ledge of the fountain, her expression fixed lovingly upon her husband. I gulped as I wondered where the Fates had imprisoned the King and Queen of the gods.

"Where are the Fates?" I murmured nervously to Calypso.

She paused her footsteps and turned back to me, her flowing skirt clinging to her legs in the breeze.

"They’re in the center of the island," she whispered anxiously, looking all around us. "And Lachesis scares me."

"She scares me, too," I admitted. "But they are all pretty frightening."

"It’s the strangest thing," Calypso continued, "They have made a strange sort of encampment in the center of the island. The Keres are in one bunker and the Moirae are in another. They have not mingled. But they are all waiting for the same thing . You."

She stared at me. "Why are you so important to them, Harmonia? I am isolated on this island. I do not know the current events."

"You are blessed to be so," I assured her. "Apparently, I am meant to save the enslaved gods. Don’t ask me how, because I don’t know yet."

"You’d better think quickly," she retorted. "You don’t have long to plan."

"I know."

We continued walking through the entangled vines and trees until we came to a circular clearing, not unlike the clearing in the woods outside of Pasadena. I felt a strange sense of déjà vu as I stood in the center, gazing at the tropical trees encircling us.

The air was quiet and still, not even a breeze, so the grasses beneath our feet were calm.

The sense of tension was palpable in the air, as if even the trees knew that something formidable was coming. We had walked quite a ways, so I felt certain that we were very close to the center of the island which is where the Moirae and Keres waited for me.

"Don’t forget
...
if you lose, it will not be all bad. You can linger here with me and live forever," Calypso murmured.

I ignored her words. "Why are we here
...
in this place?"

I turned to her, but she was gone.

She had slipped from my side as silently as a stealthy cat. I drew in a shaky breath. They must have instructed her to bring me here. And to leave me alone.

I scanned the perimeter of the trees. My goddess eyesight was gone and I could see nothing lurking near me. But I knew they must be close. There was no point to any of this if they were not. The sun had dipped even lower in the sky and it was dangling now on the edge of the horizon. With its departure, the blackness of night drew rapidly upon us.

I studied the clearing once again. It was a perfect circle, full of knee high wild grass and encircled by tropical trees.

"A perfect circle", I mused again to myself. "It must be symbolic of something. But what?"

"You’re such a smart, smart girl," a voice creaked.

Stepping from the edge of the tree line, Lachesis walked steadily toward me, in her ancient, stooped form. Not only was she ancient, but I was also quite aware that she had been rendered powerless, so I stood unafraid and waiting as she approached.

"You’re such a proud little thing," she observed. I stuck my chin out even further and she smiled. "You always have been. That’s a paradox. Pride really should go against your peaceful nature."

"I am meant to bring contentment and peace to those around me," I replied. "It does not mean that I always feel it myself. Of course I do not- particularly when there are those who continually endanger the peace that I love."

She smiled again.

"Subtly is not a strength that you possess," she observed. "I like that."

"I care not what you like," I answered. "Please tell me where my mother is. You have no need for her. I’m the one you want."

"And to get you here, we had to involve your mother. She is restrained and you are outnumbered."

I felt many sets of eyes on me and my gaze flew once again to the tree line. I could see shadows of quite a few people surrounding us. Calypso’s nymphs. They were under the orders of the Fates. I swallowed.

"I am outnumbered now, but you are familiar with my father
...
the god of war. He will be along shortly."

She laughed, a haunting sound.

"I wouldn’t count on that, I’m afraid. It is possible that they might have been
...
shall we say
...
waylaid." She laughed again, satisfied and secure. "I fear they will be of no help to you."

"Yes, you sound very afraid," I muttered.

"Come now," she extended her hand. "There is a party and we’re waiting for you."

I ignored her hand. Did she really believe that I was going to actually touch her? I followed closely behind her as she moved with surprising speed through the clearing. As we crossed through the trees, the solemn nymphs parted and allowed us to pass. Their expressions were at once curious, sorrowful and resigned. I could sense that they didn’t wish to be participants, but they had no choice.

A few minutes later, we stood in what had to be the very center of Ogygia. On one end of the encampment, a magnificently large black tent stood proudly, its fabric rippling with the gentle breeze. Facing it from the other end of the encampment was another tent, this one as red as blood.