The Daughter (The Oracle Series Book 6)

by Witherspoon, Cynthia D.

  “You need to sleep, dear girl.” Cyrus whispered in my ear. “Tomorrow is going to be another long day.”

  “I can’t sleep. Not when I’ve got so little time with you.”

  “I’ll be here in the morning when you wake. I promise. I won’t go anywhere without saying goodbye first.”

  “I hate that word.” I fought against the weight settling on my eyelids. I was so used to sleeping next to Cyrus that the longer he held me, the more exhausted I felt. “Don’t ever use it again.”

  “Yes, m’am.” He released a short laugh. “Then I’ll just say I will see you in the morning.”

  I didn’t respond this time as my beloved began to run his fingers through my hair. He whispered words of love to me in his native language. He let me use his arm as my pillow as he held me. It was a glorious feeling to be so adored. But it was so much more than the comfort and love he offered.

  Cyrus was here. He was with me.

  And that was all that mattered.

  ***

  “Dominique has disappeared.”

  I sat up to see Cyrus by the door of my tent. He went silent for a moment before he spoke again.

  “No. Eva has no idea where she went. Neither does Joey. It is completely possible that the keeper has gone into hiding. She is here in the forest. I can feel her close by.”

  More silence. I had a feeling that he was talking to Apollo, so I grabbed my boots to pull them on. If my beloved was going to be giving my patron god updates on me, then I wanted to be involved in his discussion. I jerked the laces tight, tied them, then stepped out of the ten to see Cyrus standing just off to my right.

  “Let me talk to Apollo.”

  I reached for his phone. Cyrus gave me a look before he told Apollo that I wanted to speak with him. Seconds later, I had my beloved’s phone in my hand.

  “Wolves. Crazy Japanese spirits. You gonna give me a preview of what my day will bring, Papa Apollo?”

  “Good morning, Sibyl.” His clipped tone told me that he was just as pissed off as Cyrus was. “Your keeper has been updating me on your progress.”

  “Yeah. It’s been a great little trip so far. You gotta take some time off. The gift shops here are amazing.”

  “Eva, I am not in the mood for your antics this morning.” He huffed into the phone. “Where was the last place you saw your absent keeper?”

  “Hell if I know. I’m in the woods. And the Titans didn’t see fit to leave signs everywhere.” I tapped the phone against my ear. “Apollo, I want you to do something for me.”

  “What?” Again with the clipped tone. Again with the anger. “What could I possibly do for you?”

  “Aside from getting me out of this mess, which I know isn’t going to happen?” I returned the phone to its original position. “Don’t punish Dominique for leaving me. It’s better this way.”

  “You have no say in my affairs…”

  “I beg to differ.” I interrupted. “If I am truly your daughter, that means I am a princess of Olympus. One who won’t stand by and let you do whatever the hell you see fit when it comes to the people around me.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” I refused to look at Cyrus while I talked. The trees were warmer than him at this point. “Allow me the opportunity to make decisions about the beings you put in my care. Including Dominique.”

  “And how will you handle the situation of her abandonment, princess?” Apollo sneered my title. “You know nothing about ruling those around you. You haven’t been exposed to the years of training required…”

  “You’re right. I don’t. But you gotta let me grow up sometime, Daddy.” I mocked his tone. “And send me back to the Academy to learn what I need to know after this mess is over. I liked it there.”

  Apollo grew so quiet I was sure he had hung up on me. I started to hand the phone back to Cyrus when he broke through once more.

  “Very well.”

  “Wait. What?” I pressed the phone against my head so hard, it hurt. “Really?”

  “Yes, really.” He sighed. “You’re correct, Sibyl. You should have been in our care since birth. Then you would have had an entire childhood filled with the knowledge you would need to take on your role. Instead, you are reduced to stealing the knowledge of others. You may handle the situation with the Cajun keeper. And when you return, I will arrange for you to return to the Academy.”

  “Not permanently, though.” I frowned. “And not while I’m filming the show. I’ve lost enough time as it is.”

  “Fine. Put Cyrus back on the line.”

  “Yes, sir.” I handed my beloved his phone back. “Your turn.”

  Cyrus shook his head as he took the phone. He turned away from me so I went to work stoking the fire from the night before. I tossed a few more branches on it then set up the coffee pot Joey had bought for me. It wasn’t until I had poured my first cup that Cyrus returned to my side. He lowered himself down on the ground and began to study me.

  “What?”

  “How will you punish Dominique, Eva?” He reached over to pull a twig free from my hair. “The girl needs to learn she cannot do as she wishes. Not with you.”

  “Cyrus, it’s too early to talk about punishing anyone.” I sighed. “Can’t I have at least one cup of watered down coffee first?”

  Cyrus hung his head before he rubbed his hand over his eyes. When he looked back up at me, I could see his expression thanks to the brightening sky.

  “I suppose I should be going.”

  I felt my heart drop at those words. I nodded when he stood then sat my cup down on the ground as I joined him. I reached behind my neck to unclasp the necklace he had given me.

  “Turn around, Keeper.”

  “Little One, what are you doing?”

  “I am putting something very precious to me in your care.”

  I gestured for him to turn around. When he did, I reached up to put my necklace around his throat. Once I closed the clasp, Cyrus turned back to pull me against him. I reached between us to smooth the pendant out against his chest.

  “I expect this back, Stick.” I studied the gold pendent. “Keep it now to remind you of me. Of home.”

  Cyrus’ expression softened. He placed each hand on either side of my jaw as he pulled me into his embrace. I held onto him. I kept his body close to mine as I relished in this moment. Because despite the faith he had in me, I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it out of the forest. Not as the same person I was at that moment.

  As I focused on Cyrus, Prometheus’ memories kept swimming to the surface. His own words resounding through my mind to voice my fears.

  The darkness of Hoia-Baciu changes people. Once tainted, they can never be the same again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I was not in the best mood as Joey and I continued to trek through the forest. Even though Cyrus had been with me, I hadn’t slept well. And although the camping coffee maker was a sweet gesture on Joey’s part, the resulting drink was no Starbucks. It was so bad I had dumped out my third cup after the first sip. An action I would have never done back home. So when Joey started whistling our theme song, I had to close my eyes to beg patience with him. I knew he wasn’t the source for my aggravation.

  Cyrus was gone. Again. I hated that more than anything.

  We’d been walking for just over two hours when I heard a branch snap to my left. I held up my hand and stopped.

  “What’s wrong, Evie?”

  “Shush.” I tilted my head in the direction I heard the sound. “I thought I heard something.”

  I caught glimpse of a figure standing in the trees. Or at least, I thought I did. When I removed my bag, the trees shifted so that my view was obscured.

  “Joey, stay here.”

  “Oh, no. I don’t think so.” He shrugged his equipment off to drop it next to mine. “What did you see?”

  “Shadows.” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose between two fingers. “Maybe I’ve been in the forest too long. I’m
starting to see ghosts where none exist.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe…”

  Joey’s words changed over to a yelp when a vine wrapped around his ankle to yank him off his feet. He started clawing at his leg as I brought my sword forth to cut him free.

  “Not crazy.” He huffed as he scrambled to his feet. “Evie, what…”

  An arrow followed the vine. I grabbed Joey’s arm and shoved him to the side seconds before the weapon slammed through his shoulder.

  “God.” He hissed as he grabbed at the arrow. “Damn. That hurts.”

  “Come on.”

  I ducked as a second arrow followed the first. This time, our attacker missed. I managed to get Joey on his feet, threw his good arm around my shoulders, and forced him to move as fast as possible. I dropped him against a tree in the underbrush as I got my first good look at the hunter after us.

  ‘Hunter’ was not the right word. ‘Crazy creature from a fairy tale’ was a much better description. The being that stepped out on the path was tall. Much taller than anything I’d ever seen before. His features seemed to be carved out of wood. His beard? A twisted mixture of vines and grass. I blinked twice to make sure I was really seeing the hooves that served as his feet and the horns that grew out of his head.

  “Joey, whatever happens, don’t make a single sound. Got it?” I pressed my lips against his ear to whisper as low as possible. “Stay put.”

  Joey was pale. Gasping before his eyes rolled back in his head. My friend had passed out from either the pain of his injury or shock. I clinched my teeth together as I stood. I walked through the brush and bounced my sword in my hand as I took in the beast.

  “Leshy.” I called out its name. “Some lord of the forest you are. Picking on those who wish to save your lands.”

  The creature turned his vibrant green eyes upon me with a laugh. His bow transformed into a wooden club that looked bigger than I was. I tried to find out more information about this thing through Prometheus’ knowledge. Sadly, all I got was its name. So I waited. I circled it. I wanted to see it attack to know what my best course of action would be.

  I didn’t have to wait for long. The thing swung its club up and over. I jumped back as I watched it crash down in the exact spot where I had been standing.

  “Oh, hell no.” I snapped. “You put that down before you hurt somebody!”

  The thing swung at me twice more. Each time, I used its speed against him. When he missed for a third time, the thing threw its head back and screamed. I froze as I recognized the voice it used. Joey.

  My hesitation cost me. The creature threw out one massive arm and landed a backhand across my face. I collapsed in a heap as it began to laugh. I laid as still as I could when it wrapped its hand around my waist. I kept my eyes closed when the man lifted me up to get a better look at me. I could hear him giggling as he loosened his grip enough for me to move.

  I cried out as I brought my sword up. I slammed it to the hilt between its eyes. The monster stared at me for what felt like forever before he began to fall backward. I went with him, shifting my body around until I had one foot on his chest and the other on the ground. I pulled my sword free, whispering my apologies to the beautiful weapon as I wiped the remaining brown muck off of it.

  “Joey.” I breathed my friend’s name as I remembered the one thing I should never have forgotten. “I’m coming, Grizzly.”

  I took off like a shot towards the woods where I had left him. But when I reached the tree I had put him up against, he was gone.

  “Joey!” I screamed out. “Get your butt back here!”

  I checked the surrounding trees. There was no sign of my fallen comrade anywhere. Yet, I forced my panic to subside. I couldn’t find him, couldn’t save him, if I lost it. When I made it back to the path we had been taking, I felt the tears burning in my eyes at the sight of his bag. No. I refused to believe he was gone. Not Joey.

  Not the one person so dependent on me to protect him.

  I started to lift up my bag, but my hand was still covered with the muck I had wiped off my sword. I dropped the damn thing and kicked it in frustration as I told myself the same thing over and over again.

  Joey will be fine. He’ll be fine.

  But he wasn’t. He had been shot. He was hurt. He needed me.

  I was proud of myself. The tears I wanted to shed so badly never fell. I unhooked his precious camera. The stupid bow I had teased him about. A flashlight. The first aid kit and canteen he would need when I found him. I went back to my backpack, threw out every item Joey had packed for me and tossed in the few items I had picked off his bag. When I lifted it, the weight was more balanced. Lighter.

  Granted, the stupid thing was almost empty, but still.

  I squared my shoulders, tightened my grip on my sword, and set off. I would find Joey. I would find the circle. And I would strengthen this damn barrier if it were the last thing I would ever do.

  ***

  I was forced to stop just before nightfall. Not because I couldn’t see, mind you. But because my legs were shaking so badly, I kept stumbling over the damned roots that lined my path. I lowered myself down beside a small lake to splash water on my face. There was no hope to get the grime off, but I had to try.

  “Lovely evening, eh, Sibyl?”

  I jerked my head up, my hand on the hilt of my sword when an old woman appeared beside me. She sat a pile of bloody clothes in the water and began to hum to herself as she went to work washing them.

  “Who…what…are you?”

  “Bean Nighe.” She gave me grin that exposed one huge tooth hanging from her gums. “A witch. An omen. I am a fairy of the Scots. Meant to bridge this world and the next.”

  “Ok.” I shifted away from her. “So what do you want with me? Cause if you tell me you have an apple for me to eat, I’m not going to fall for that.”

  “Why, to give you a message, of course. What use would I have for apples?” She cackled. “You have the memories of another. Many others. Yet, you do not use them. Why?”

  “Because I’m not nosy?” I snorted. “That wasn’t a message. That was a question.”

  “Indeed it was.” She nodded. “Tis only right I be able to make inquiries at my age. I’ve earned the privilege.”

  “Fine. I don’t like to remember the horrors Prometheus went through. Or the wars that Athena went through. Or the heartbreak Hera experienced. Does that answer your question?”

  “Yes. And no.” The old woman resumed her washing until the water turned red. “From one messenger of the dead to another, my words are only this. Blood is the tie which binds the doors of Tartarus.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” I scrunched my nose up at her. “I don’t understand.”

  “You will, dearie.” She gave me a long, drawn out sigh. “Ignorance is such bliss for the young.”

  “Right. Cause that made absolute perfect sense.” I rolled my eyes as I stood up. “Are you done with me? I need to get going.”

  “The circle is that way.” She extended a long jagged finger towards my right. “Pull the memories forth before you get there, child. Do not be caught unaware.”

  “Yeah. We’ll see about that.” I picked up my sword and stood. “Thanks, though. I appreciate the warning.”

  I crossed the river the only way possible. By sliding around on rocks worn down by the current I was scared to death I was going to fall into. It was one thing to be immortal. But to be an immortal and caught beneath a river current? To almost die only to come back was a vicious cycle I did not want to get caught up in.

  “Congratulations, Evie. You just gave yourself a whole new nightmare to wake up screaming over.”

  I muttered to myself as I jumped off the last rock and onto the bank. I landed on my side, but instead of getting up out of the mud, I laid there. Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t mourning the loss of my best friend because I refused to believe he was gone. I wasn’t wallowing in self-pity over being alone in these wretched woods. Or even depressed that the
father I just found out I had was one of the twelve gods responsible for putting me here in the first place.

  The truth was much simpler than you could ever imagine. I was exhausted. Every bone in my body hurt. My head and jaw ached from the hit I had received from the Leshy. My ribs were still tender. At that very moment, I would have given my very soul for a shower and my own bed.

  “A wish, dear girl. You must make a wish.”

  I froze when I heard the man behind me. I knew I needed to sit up. I needed to grab my weapon. But I couldn’t move. Instead, I stared straight ahead as a pair of men’s boots appeared in front of me. He began to stroke my hair as he spoke.

  “Your soul demands release. I can sense it.”

  “Ok. You’re creeping me out.” I managed as I got my first good look at him. The man was pale. His skin tone seemed to glow in the moonlight overhead. His eyes were the same shade of pink as a rabbits. “I don’t have a wish to make.”

  “Everyone has a wish.” He smiled just enough to expose the fangs on either side of his mouth. “Allow this Strigoi to grant it to you, child. What will it be? Beauty? Fame? The illusion known as love?”

  Strigoi. I searched my mind for information on the man who was knelt down before me. Romania. Considered the grandfather of vampires. Has the ability to incapacitate their victims by stealing their ability to move. Made them easy prey.

  God, I was sounding more and more like a video game guide by the second. I released a short breath before I responded.

  “Despite my current appearance, I’ve been told how pretty I am.” I worked out the words. “I’m already famous. And love? Got that too. Now go away.”

  The man pushed my hair back from my throat. His face twisted into an expression of pure euphoria as he stroked my skin there. I fought against the enchantment he had cast over me, but I wasn’t kidding when I said I couldn’t move. The only thing I could do was talk and even then, that was difficult.

  I cried out when his teeth sank through my neck. It felt as if my throat had closed in on itself. I tried to move. I tried to claw at the creature latched onto me. Turns out, I didn’t have to. The horrible man jerked himself free and began to pant.