Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Theo

Theo bolted awake. Julia snored beside her. Theo didn’t even remember laying down. All of them were in the same room, asleep in odd places. Eli was curled up on the ground, shivering. Victor was also on the ground, leaning against the wall. Valera and Gideon were still on their chair. Embers glowed in the fireplace. Had there been a fire when they came into the room? She couldn’t remember. With no clock, she had no idea what time it was or how long she’d been asleep. She shook Julia’s arm.

Julia muttered and rolled away. A strange thickness hung in the air as if there wasn’t enough oxygen. Her mind felt tipsy. She had to move. Slinking off the bed, she steadied herself and explored the suite. The walls and floor glistened. Danu’s magic had created extravagant linens and rugs, or perhaps they were taken from the rest of Subterria. A tiger’s pelt sat on the floor in front of the fireplace, and Theo almost screamed. The last tiger she saw was Moose from Harmony’s circus, lying dead near the fountain. Theo didn’t want to know if the fur on the floor had been his, but she had a sinking feeling that it was poor Moose. She picked it up and gently put it in a wardrobe. He didn’t deserve to be stepped on.

Theo wanted to explore the entire palace, but not alone. Danu scared her. Although Danu looked similar to the tapestries and pictures that Theo had seen, there was something off with her personality. Theo thought a goddess would be… more than Danu was.

Theo heard footsteps and voices in the hall. She ran back to the bed and acted as if she were still asleep. The door opened.

Why am I hiding?
She thought to herself, yet didn’t get up.

People shuffled around the room. Glasses clanked and something was set out on a table. After a few minutes, the door closed. Theo sat back up. Whoever came into their room left a tray of tea and food in the sitting room and three clothing bags on the back of the sofa. Between the kettle and tea cups, Theo found a note.

She read aloud, “Good morning, daughters. Eat breakfast, and join me in the throne room. The appropriate attire has been provided.”

“Huh?” Julia yawned and stretched. “Man, I must have passed out.”

“What am I doing down here?” Victor grumbled.

Valera tumbled off of Gideon’s lap. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Are you all right?”

Gideon rubbed his legs. “Pins and needles… I hate pins and needles,” he complained.

“I don’t know what happened. One minute we were talking, and then nothing,” Valera said.

“Muscle cramps.” Eli hobbled around the room.

Theo picked up a crumpet and examined it. Her stomach growled, and there was no need to deny it breakfast. It appeared normal and smelled delicious. She chomped down on it and sighed.

“I think we were under a spell,” she said between bites.

“Mmm, food.” Eli gulped down an entire crumpet in one bite.

Julia opened one of the garment bags and pulled out a shimmering silver dress, much like Danu’s. Theo cringed. She wasn’t one to wear dresses, let alone sparkly dresses. She’d just gotten her t-shirts and jeans back. All three bags held the same dress.

“Has anyone else noticed that we don’t stink?” Julia asked.

“Eww, Julia,” Valera scolded.

Julia picked at her shirt and inhaled. “Seriously, I was filthy yesterday, but, now, I’m clean and my clothes are perfect.”

“I guess you’re right.” Valera shrugged, looking in the bottom of the clothing bags. “No shoes?”

“Shoes are the least of our worries,” Theo replied. “What are we going to do?”

Victor stood up and stretched. Theo’s heart thumped in her chest. Danu couldn’t be all bad. After all, she had healed Victor. Ever since his miraculous return, he’d seemed so different. He was happy. She caught herself staring, and so did he. His emerald eyes sparkled, and he smiled. She hadn’t realized how much she missed him. He came up to her and leaned close to her ear.

“Can we start over?” He whispered.

She felt as if her smile would split her face. She looked up to him and nodded. Valera clapped.

“I knew you would work it out,” she squealed.

Theo’s cheeks burned. Victor slipped his hand in hers. She felt right again, until Julia gagged.

“Seriously, this is not the time. Get dressed. We’ll have to face Mother Dearest sooner or later. Might as well be now.”

Theo threw a crumpet at her. “Food first.”

“We don’t know what kind of ingredients are in these,” Julia murmured, sniffing the delectable pastry. “Well, maybe just one. I don’t want to starve.”

Julia ate three of them, and then tossed one of the dresses to Theo. She caught it and slumped. There was no way Theo was getting into this thing. Danu would just have to deal with her normal clothes. Julia threw her hands on her hips and glowered at Theo as if reading her mind.

“We can’t make her mad,” Julia said.

Theo rolled her eyes and went into the bathroom. She slipped the dress over her head and looked into the mirror. The silky fabric kissed her skin. The slinky nature of it made her self-conscious. The neckline draped down to her lower back, the straps hung off her shoulders, and the slit in the side went too far up her leg. What she wouldn’t give to put her jeans and a tee shirt back on.

“Open up,” Julia yelled and banged on the bathroom door.

“No way.”

Valera shook the knob, “Don’t hog the bathroom. I need to get dressed too.”

Theo relented and cracked the door, pulling them inside. Valera slipped out of her clothes and threw on her dress. Theo’s mouth dropped. At least Valera filled it out. On Theo it was a like a sack, but Valera had curves. When Julia put it on, it made Theo even more self-conscious. The dress set off her white-blonde hair and ice blue eyes. Theo couldn’t compete. Julia whistled at herself in the mirror.

“I look hot.”

“I’m not leaving this bathroom,” Theo declared.

“Don’t be silly you look beautiful,” Valera gushed, swirling in the mirror. “You might want to take the socks off though.”

Theo looked down at the black socks on her feet and sighed. She balled them up and threw them on top of her other clothes. There was no help for it, she had to go. They stepped into a cacophony of applause and hoots from the boys. Their
enthusiasm
didn’t help Theo’s nerves.

“You should wear dresses more often.” Victor nudged Theo’s side.

She gave him a death glare. He laughed. Offering his arm, he ushered her out of the suite and down the corridor. The doors to the throne room opened before they got there, and Theo froze. The palace was filled with people. Danu sat on her throne, smiling over her court.

“Her Highnesses Theo, daughter of Maera, Julia, daughter of Ealga, and Valera, daughter of Aeda.”

A blue tattooed man, wearing the pompous garb of the former wealthy elite, announced the girls as they entered. The room broke into applause as they walked down a green carpet toward Danu.

“Who are all these people?” Theo whispered to Victor.

He shrugged. “Go with it.”

“Ah, my children. You are lovelier than ever. Come to me.”

Danu waved them forward. Dr. Lawless sat cross-legged on a pillow next to Danu’s throne. The girls curtsied and the boys bowed at the base of her throne. Victor, Eli, and Gideon moved to the side. The goddess hugged Theo and kissed her on the head, moving down the row to all three girls. Once again the room erupted with cheers. Danu snapped her fingers and three smaller chairs rose out of the stone in front of Danu’s throne.

“Our devoted disciples exalt our rebirth, daughters. Sit and give them your blessings.”

Danu returned to her throne, and Theo sat in the first chair. Serpent men brought baskets and set them beside the girls. Although, Theo wasn’t about to deny Danu, she felt uncomfortable with all the pageantry. The situation felt so wrong.

The first three people to walk up to them were a Subterrian family. Their whitish hair and pale skin were giveaways. It was clear that they didn’t fare well in the civil war. Their clothes were dirty rags, and they smelled as if they hadn’t bathed in weeks. The man put a silver coin in Theo’s hand and bowed. Guilt gnawed at her gut.

“I can’t take this,” Theo muttered.

The man looked up at her horrified. “It’s all we have. Please, don’t be angry with us.”

She shook her head. “No… I mean… I’m not angry.”

Danu’s eyes blackened, and she leaned forward in her chair. The man gasped and shrank away.

“Is there a problem, daughter? Are you not satisfied with their tribute,” Danu shrilled.

She pointed her claw-like nail at the man. He shrieked and begged, doubling over in pain. Theo stood up and turned to face Danu.

“No, Mother, please stop. I’m very satisfied with his tribute. He doesn’t deserve this,” Theo pleaded.

The man returned to normal, and Theo helped him stand. He looked at her with a blank face. He limped back to his family. Theo took her seat and made a point to drop the coin in the basket. Danu stood over them, grinning again. The man stuttered as he spoke.

“Mother of all Aether, Daughters of Danu, we surrender ourselves to your majestic will.”

The Subterrians stood there expectantly. Theo had no clue what to say or do next. She was terrified that Danu would lash out again.

Danu cleared her throat. “Your sacrifice shall be rewarded my children,” she said and nodded her head at the Subterrians.

They fell on their knees, said “thank you,” and wept. Theo couldn’t believe her eyes. Danu had just tortured the man, and now he pledged himself to her. The servants returned and dragged the family away. The ritual continued for hours upon hours. It seemed as if everyone from Subterria had returned. Theo made sure to accept and bless each person, so that Danu didn’t punish them. The baskets filled up over and over again. Each time, the servants removed them and brought empty ones in return.

Theo recognized a few people from her time with Lazarus. The wealthy citizens who were once draped in riches were like all the rest – in rags weeping on their knees. They’d come to Lazarus’ ridiculous Christmas ball and offended her with their atrocious concept of the human world. Even as horrible as they were, they didn’t deserve this.

A woman with long grey hair and a robust figure walked toward them. Theo wanted to cry out. This was her friend. The leader of the circus who saved Theo and Vivi from Lazarus.

“Harmony?” Theo whispered.

Like all the rest, she stared at the girls with a blank face and repeated, “Mother of all Aether, Daughters of Danu, we surrender ourselves to your majestic will.”

“Harmony, it’s me Theo. Are you okay?”

Harmony’s eyes glistened, and her jaw clenched, but she didn’t move or say anything. Danu repeated her speech about sacrifice, and like everyone else Harmony fell to her knees and was carted off. She didn’t even try to fight. Theo knew something was wrong. Harmony was one of the most willful people she knew. Right behind her were Benji, Adora, and the other freak show workers.  It took three servants to pull Benji away. Theo couldn’t take it any longer.

Not wanting to raise Danu’s ire, she worded her question carefully. “Mother, where are they being taken?”

“The strong will be put to work rebuilding our empire,” Danu said.

“And anyone who isn’t strong?” Julia asked.

Danu’s smile touched only her lips. “Only the strong are worthy to serve a goddess. Do I not deserve a world of perfection?”

Theo swallowed hard. She tried to keep the shakiness from her voice. “Of course, Mother. We’re just surprised that there are so many people. Subterria seemed empty last night.”

“Aetherians heed my call, and all will prostrate themselves before me.” Danu stood up. “I’ve grown weary of this. It’s time that you learned the true power of your abilities. Come.”

Her dress swept across the stone floors as if she were floating. Theo looked around for Victor, Eli, and Gideon, but they were lost in the crowd. The girls followed Danu down a corridor to an empty alcove. With one finger, Danu drew a symbol over a blank wall. Behind the image, Theo heard a grinding stone. Cracks formed in the solid rock wall, forming a doorway. Danu touched it and the door opened. She swirled her hands and formed a glowing ball of aether. Throwing it toward the ceiling, it hung in the air and illuminated the newly formed room. The girls stepped into the grand hall. The walls and floors were polished into a mirror-like sheen.