by Moni Boyce
“Nothing really. We fought, no casualties on either side. Once Arsenio and his people showed up, she retreated. Ulrik and Arsenio split up the humans afterwards and Ulrik used his powers of persuasion to make them forget and Arsenio cast a spell over the rest to erase their memory of what they saw.”
“Glad you’re okay.”
“You expected a different outcome?” She scowled at him, which made a small smile appear.
“Nope. Knew I’d see you back here.”
He watched her walk away. Max grabbed her hand and they headed off to their bungalow. Eli checked on Morgana, Mathilda and Zoriana before he allowed himself to seek out Willow. He found her in the bedroom. She lay on her stomach facing away from him. Before he could say anything, she spoke.
“I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.” The sound was kind of muffled because her face was half buried in her pillow.
He came closer. “What?”
She sat up and faced him, still clutching the pillow she’d just been laying on. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.” She looked at her lap with a forlorn expression. He sat on the bed next to her.
“Each of us is prepared to die for you if that’s what it takes. It’s what we signed up for.”
“Why would you sign up to risk your life for some stranger?” Her fingers plucked at the feathers fighting their way out of the goose down pillow in her arms.
“Willow, you’re not a stranger.” He pulled her into his arms.
“I was when you started out.” When her eyes searched his face looking for an answer for why he’d risk everything for a woman he didn’t know, his heart went out to her. After her mother’s death, there had been no one in her life that cared for her on that level. The idea that someone would willingly put their life on the line for someone else’s was hard for her to accept.
“You could ask the same of Secret Service agents that put their life on the line for people like the President on a daily basis. It’s part of the job.” He lifted her chin so she was looking at him. “But you’re more than a job to any of us. I hope you know that.”
She didn’t say anything. Tears spiked her lashes. He knew it weighed heavily on her shoulders, the thought that one of their lives could be taken so hers would be spared. It was a weighty responsibility and it spoke a lot about her character that she didn’t take it lightly. He wanted to comfort her, and tell her she didn’t need to feel that way, but doing so would be asking her to change who she was and he wouldn’t do that. It made him fall in love with her even more. He kissed her brow. “Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us.”
When she crawled beneath the covers he hoped the dark thoughts that plagued her wouldn’t turn into nightmares. He pulled her close; glad she didn’t resist him. The idealistic hope that tomorrow would pass without an incident was a fleeting thought. He knew better. Something was surely not going to go according to plan his gut told him.
CHAPTER 7
Willow
It was still dark outside and she couldn’t stop yawning. Last night, she tossed and turned, worried over what today would bring, that someone might be hurt. It was a miracle she wasn’t haunted by Katana or Killian.
Sunrise had yet to crest over the tops of Mount Parnassus. She snuggled next to Eli, her eyes heavy with drowsiness.
“Go to sleep. I’ll wake you when we get there.” He whispered.
Without another thought she drifted off. She didn’t even get out a thank you before she fell into a deep slumber. It felt like only seconds later he was shaking her awake.
“We’re here.”
The sky was finally starting to get some color as shades of lavender and purple colored the horizon waiting for the sun to begin its ascent. She yawned and stretched before exiting the car. They’d pulled off into a large dirt clearing that seemed to be a makeshift parking lot. She was the only one dressed up for the Opening Day. Thankfully, she’d stuffed a change of clothes in a bag before they left the house.
On any other day, she would have been thrilled to be wearing the designer dress, but today she could muster no excitement over fashion. The shiver that ran through her body wasn’t just from the chilly morning air and her lack of proper clothing. She hated to admit, she was a little afraid.
Everyone else wore hiking clothes, prepared for what would come after, when they were able to slip away from the games. The only other person not dressed for a scavenger hunt was Hadrian, who was Master of Ceremonies. He would stay behind at the games to ensure things ran smoothly. The beige summer suit he wore showed he was better suited to that kind of thing than what would come later in the day. When she looked in Lysander’s direction, he was rummaging in his backpack. The difference in personality had been the only way for her to tell the twin brothers apart. She focused back on why they were here at this hour.
They’d gathered early near the location of the ruins that housed not only the Temple, but the stadium, Hippodrome, theatre, gymnasium and other ancient sites, along with the Delphi Archaeological Museum, so they could plan before the crowds started to arrive.
Once she was fully awake and they moved closer to the ruins, the feeling she had when she first arrived in Greece, returned with a vengeance. Something was calling to her. Not necessarily calling her name, but calling to her spirit. Was it the ruins? Her ancestors? This land? She wasn’t sure. Her head turned this way and that, looking for something. A sign? She wasn’t sure what she was searching for.
“You okay?” Eli bent and whispered in her ear.
“Yeah.” She was sure he heard the distracted tone in her voice as she continued to look around. Eventually, she gave up and allowed herself to be carried by the crowd that grew around them the closer they got to the theatre.
You couldn’t help but marvel at the ancient ruin that had withstood time, man and weather. She wondered what the arena must have looked like in its heyday as people filed in and filled the stone seats. Knowing the hunt they were on to locate The Book of Prophecy, kept her from really enjoying the experience.
Hadrian helped her onto a large, flat stone slab that was being used as the stage. Only the two of them had entered the theatre. The Protectors and the others that would accompany her to the Temple of Apollo opted to wait outside. Everyone was concerned a large group leaving at the same time, right at the start of the games would draw suspicion.
“You look lovely.” Hadrian’s compliment helped relax her only slightly.
“Thank you.” She swallowed and looked out at the mass of people. Damaris and Nyssa sat in the front row. Nyssa waved to her like a crazy person. An easy smile broke out across her face. She was thankful for the woman’s enthusiasm. Damaris gave her a demure wave. She waved to the two of them.
Crowds had never made her nervous before. It wasn’t so much the crowd that made her nervous, but what was to come once she stepped off this stage. She shifted from foot to foot while she waited for the noise level to die down. It was shocking that thousands of people could grow that silent, but you literally could have heard a pin drop. She cleared her throat. Once again there was no microphone. Hadrian told her the stage had already been endowed with the spell he’d used to amplify her singing the other night. “Ladies and gentleman...” She forced a weak smile. “I’m honored to be your Mistress of Ceremonies tonight and kick off this year’s Pythian Games.”
Everyone cheered and clapped. This time the smile she wore was genuine. She was humbled by their praise, even if it had more to do with the fact that she was the Oracle. “Thank you.” The noise died down once again. “To all of the participants over the next few days, I applaud you for your bravery, skill and heart. Remember to be honorable and above all have fun. I wish you all the best... Let the games begin.” She threw her arms into the air. When the crowd went wild once more she mused over where her words had come from. She’d been nervous and unprepared. Clearly, there was something to be said about speaking from the heart.
Hadrian escorted he
r from the stage while men dressed in Greek warrior costumes marched into the center of the theatre to perform the ancient Pyrrhic War Dance.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she exited the theatre and laid eyes on Eli and the other Protectors. “I’d really like to change before we head to the Temple.” She stepped away from the group with Morgana and Mathilda so they could shield her from prying eyes while she changed into some black skinny jeans, a black tank top and some boots. She tucked her dagger into her waistband. Once she finished they rejoined the group. They had about a half-mile walk to the first set of ruins, The Tholos.
It was difficult not to stumble over the rocky terrain in her haste to reach the location. The closer they got, the more she felt some invisible force pulling her towards it.
“Slow down or you’re going to hurt yourself.” Eli grabbed her by her elbow when she almost took another tumble. “This place has been here for over a thousand years, it’s not going anywhere.”
She slowed her steps to appease him, but she felt a yearning with every step. Once they passed the Castalian Spring she could see the remaining three Doric columns that made up The Tholos. The sight took her breath away. Even though it was now just ruins, she found it beautiful. She was sure the circular temple that once stood here was magnificent.
Mom, I’m here.
The sense of connectedness she felt to her mother in this place washed over her. For a minute, she just stood there and took it in. It felt like her mother was standing beside her. She blinked back a tear.
Eli came up beside her, breaking the spell. “In your mother’s letters does she say anything about where we might find the book?”
“I actually haven’t finished reading all of them, but so far she’s made no mention of the location of the book.” She felt a little ashamed that she’d been hording the letters like some miser and hadn’t finished reading them. As much as she wanted to hold onto and savor the letters she realized that the information they contained could help them. “I’m sorry.” She looked at Eli.
“It’s okay.” He put his arm around her and kissed her forehead. “Let’s go down and have a look around.”
Everyone walked down to the ruins, doing their best to be respectful. No one knew exactly where to search so they fanned out and started looking around.
Mom, what are we looking for?
Was there a trap door, some secret compartment in one of the pillars or was it hidden here by magic? Maybe it was buried at the actual temple?
“Can you use magic to try and detect it? Or conjure it?” She turned hopeful eyes to Eli.
The optimism she hoped to see on his face didn’t quite reach his eyes when he smiled at her. “I love the way your mind works... I’d thought of that and I certainly intend to try a locator spell... The thing is, if this book has been hidden away for as long as it has, it wasn’t meant to be found or it takes something more than magic to find it.”
It was hard not to be disheartened by his words, but she appreciated that he was always truthful with her.
Stepping away from her, he dropped into a crouch. He looked up at her before he shut his eyes. He placed a hand on one of the broken pillars. Latin spilled from his lips in a low voice. One of the last words she heard him utter was, ‘reperio.’
Ideally, the book would appear with a pop and fall into her hands, but this wasn’t a movie. When Eli fell silent she looked around unsure what she would find or see. Was the ground supposed to glow, shake or spew the book from its depths? Of course, it never was that easy.
When their eyes met he shook his head at her in apology. He’d told her it wouldn’t be that easy. “We tried right?” She offered before she turned away and began picking her way through the ruins. Everyone had their heads down, looking among the stones and weeds for some sign, something that would tell them if they were even looking in the right place. After twenty minutes, she found herself near the three remaining columns. She looked up at the pillars and admired them again.
In her mind, something prodded her to touch the column. She wasn’t sure where it had come from, because the thought hadn’t been there a moment ago. The closer she walked the stronger the urge became to reach out and touch the structure. Her pulse quickened and she swallowed and stepped forward with her hand outstretched. Even though this urge propelled her forward, her steps became slow and uncertain. What would happen when she touched it? She looked up at the top once more before she placed her hand against the sun-warmed stone.
The minute she touched it, that inner voice she’d only heard one other time before said, ‘Show me.’ Her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell into a trance.
She expected to be shown glimpses of the future, but she saw something else instead... she saw her mother. For a moment, she felt jerked off balance at seeing her dead mother. She thought she could only see the future. So many thoughts about her abilities were manifesting in her head, but she refocused her attention back on her mother.
There her mom stood, in ripped blue jeans and a white peasant blouse, gazing up at the columns the same way she had been. Looking at her, she realized how young her mother was when she died. She was beautiful.
Willow found herself looking around. From the things her mother said in her letters, she hadn’t come here alone. That’s when she saw a younger looking Hadrian staring at her mother. The only reason she knew it was Hadrian and not Lysander was because of the smile he wore. She had yet to see Lysander crack a smile at all. He walked over and put his arms around her. She leaned into him and he whispered something into her ear and they both laughed. The scene looked so carefree, like two lovers out sightseeing and enjoying a summer day. In all the letters she’d read so far her mother never mentioned a love affair with one of the leaders of the Greek coven.
She spun around and kissed him. When she pulled away, she could see the genuine happiness on her mother’s face. Even Hadrian looked giddy. He took her hand and they walked off.
The scene of the two lovebirds dissolved and the ground shook slightly. Elements seemed to swirl, change, shift and move around her. The air whipped and cracked, similar to loud claps of thunder and lightening.
The columns that were once discolored, crumbling and aged were being restored to their former glory and the circular building began to be rebuilt. Her mouth dropped open in surprise when she realized she was going back even further in time to ancient Delphi. In a matter of seconds, when the elements stopped moving, the ruins were reconstructed and she stood in fourth century Greece.
In the brief fashion lesson she’d requested from the women that dressed her the night of the Bacchanalia, she knew the men were dressed in chitons made of light linen and the women wore peplos made of heavier wool but draped, fashioned and decorated with brooches and pins. The male and female tunics and garments were dyed vibrant shades and colors. Some of the people wore sandals while quite a few walked barefoot.
It should have been impossible, but from her vantage point she suddenly had a bird’s eye view of everything: the splendor that once made up the thriving metropolis of Delphi. The Sacred Way zigzagged its way through the Sanctuary of Apollo. The Treasury of the Athenians was now whole. She wondered at the treasures and riches it would have held in this era. The theatre was even more spectacular than it was earlier when she’d opened up the Pythian Games. The pools of the gymnasium sparkled and glistened as people frolicked in the water. Athletic statues dotted many areas, paying homage to the feats and strengths of many brave souls.
When she returned her attention to The Tholos and looked through the doorway of the vaulted temple she could see pilasters that jutted from the wall and rested on a stone bench. She took a few steps back and looked up at the dome of the circular temple. It was covered in intricate decoration and depictions of Centaurs in battle. It was amazing to see the structure intact and pristine.
She turned her attention back to the people. Everyone seemed to be heading to the larger temple that sat another half a mile away. Using
her hand as a shield from the sun, she was able to get a better glimpse of the Temple of Apollo. She began to walk in that direction when she heard her name being called and suddenly she was jolted back into the present.
She blinked. Eli stood in front of her.
“What did you see?” He looked at her anxiously.
“Nothing that could help us... I didn’t see the future.” She looked at his confused expression. “I saw the past... I saw my mother.”
“Retrocognition?”
“What?”
“That’s what it’s called, the ability to see the past. I’d been doing more research on your Oracle abilities, trying to learn what else you might be capable of. I wasn’t sure if you would be able to or not. It could be a good thing.”
“I don’t think I have any control over it... it only seemed to happen because something was telling me to touch the column. The minute I did, it showed me my mother. She was here.” Willow looked towards the Temple of Apollo ruins. “I think we need to head there. In my vision, I was walking towards it before I heard your voice...” She turned back to Eli. “I think we’ll find our answers there.” She was sure he wanted to know what she was shown of the past, but there would be time for that later. Right now, she just wanted to get to the other ruins.
He didn’t push for answers. “Let’s head over to The Temple of Apollo everyone. Willow believes we’ll find what we’re looking for over there.”
They ended their search of The Tholos and began the hike towards the main ruins. In the distance, the rumble of the spectators in the theatre could be heard and she wondered what was taking place at this moment.
CHAPTER 8
Eli
He couldn’t help wondering what the past revealed to her. Either she was still processing it or she didn’t want to talk about it. He did his best to never push her before she was ready to share. They walked side by side and it was clear she was lost in replaying whatever it was she saw.