The Oracle Series: Vols. 4, 5, & Grave Endowments

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  “I just love that phrase.” I glared at her. “Now, I would really appreciate it if you two would stop talking about me as if I’m not in the room.”

  Neither Cyrus or Hecate responded, so I continued.

  “And just when are you going to fill me in on how I got here?” I stood to put some distance between them. “Because I’m pretty sure I would have remembered flying to Washington.”

  Cyrus glanced over to Hecate. The goddess nodded before she headed to the door.

  “I will see if the mentor assigned to you is ready to be introduced to her newest pupil. Please answer the Sibyl’s questions.”

  She was gone before I could respond. Cyrus closed the distance between us in an instant to crush me in his embrace. He buried his face into my hair and began to whisper words I couldn’t hear. My anger melted the second he touched me.

  “Cyrus, what happened?” I forced myself to release him, but I didn’t go far. I glanced up to study his face. “How did I get here?”

  “I brought you.” Cyrus brushed my hair behind my ear. “I had no choice, Little One. The doctors in Charleston said there was no hope. But I knew that if I could get you to Hecate, her understudies could bring you back.”

  “How? The transport thing you do?” I pouted. “The one time I get to experience it and I’m unconscious.”

  Cyrus chuckled. “At any rate, I brought you to Hecate. Her witches are some of the most powerful beings in existence. I knew they would help you where the humans could not. I am pleased to see you well again.”

  “Did you just say ‘witches’?”

  I tilted my head to the side as he began to check me over. His fingers traced over my face. He stepped back to examine my once burnt wrist. Finally, he lifted my arm, then my shirt to take a look at the wound on my side. I shivered as he traced his finger over my skin.

  “Remarkable.” He gave me a small smile. “There is a scar, but the wound is closed.”

  “I have a scar?” I twisted around in an attempt to see it. “How bad?”

  “Not bad at all.” Cyrus lowered my shirt back down before he turned me to face him. “I am sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. I thought it best to let Joey and Jaclyn where you were.”

  “Is Joe mad that he wasn't able to come with you?" I smirked. "This will be the first time he hasn't been able to tag along."

  "So Hecate has told you about the no-humans policy then." Cyrus lowered me down into the chair I had vacated. He knelt down in front of me and studied my hands. "What else did she say?"

  "Nothing really. It was all pretty basic." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why? What is this big revelation that you are so worried about?"

  Cyrus opened his mouth speak, but before he could answer my question, a woman spoke up from the far corner of the room. I whipped around to see the new arrival step out of the shadows. She was almost as tall as Hecate and just as thin despite the heavy cloak she wore. I waited for Cyrus to bow his head to her, but instead, he tightened his grip on my hands.

  "Stand, child. Allow me to take a look at you."

  I released Cyrus to do as I was told. Not because I was in the mood to follow orders, mind you. I wanted to get a better look at the one who would dictate my life for the next week. The woman examined me much like Cyrus had done. She tilted my head back, checked over my arms, and turned me in a circle. Before I could ask her just what the hell she was doing, the woman stepped back and removed her hood to reveal dark blonde hair twisted into the longest dreadlocks I'd ever seen.

  Unlike Hecate, my new mentor seemed cold. Standoffish. I waited for her to say something. Anything to break the silence that had fallen between us. But in the end, I was the one who spoke first.

  "I suppose I should know who you are since I'm stuck with you all week." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm Eva."

  "I know who you are, girl. Although I am surprised that you do not recognize me. I am known as Medusa, daughter of Phorcys."

  "Medusa. The Medusa." I started laughing before I could stop. "If that's true, you've lost your touch. Shouldn't I be turned to stone or something by now?"

  "Ah, yes." She gave me a cold smile. "The infamous fable. Did you read the one where I was beheaded as well?"

  "Not really. Mythology wasn't my thing in college." I shrugged. "I'm curious though. Why you? You don't seem like the teaching type."

  "Leave us, slave of Apollo."

  Medusa didn't take her eyes off of me. I felt Cyrus squeeze my hand one last time before he followed the order he had been given. I started to refute her. Tell her that she had no right to talk to Cyrus like that. But the goddess didn't give me the opportunity. She slammed her hand against my shoulder to knock me back into the desk. I caught myself against the edge of it just before she grabbed my shirt to pull me to my feet.

  "Hey, watch it!" I snapped. "I just got off of the injured list. I have no plans to get back on it anytime soon."

  "Come on, Sibyl." Medusa released me. "Show me what you know."

  "I have no reason to fight you, Medusa." I crossed my arms over my chest. "So, no. I don't think so."

  She slapped me. The bitch actually smacked me in the face. I gasped as she shoved me again.

  "Then allow me to give you a reason." She grinned when I brought my head up to glare at her. "Or are you afraid? Are you so certain of your defeat?"

  I grabbed a marble ball off the desk and smashed it across her cheek. The goddess grunted as she landed in a heap at my feet. I willed my sword into my hand as I circled around her. I had to put some distance between us.

  I needed room to move.

  And this office had plenty space. I watched my opponent get to her feet. I waited for her to strike out again. But she stood there and stared at her hands until they began to glow a pale blue.

  "Seriously? A light show?" I snapped. "I thought you were legendary. A monster that men feared. Seems to me you are nothing more than a joke, Medusa."

  "Oh, men do well to fear me, Sibyl."

  The goddess thrust herself towards me. I had to admit, she was quick. Medusa caught hold of my throat and I dropped my sword as she began to cackle. I tried to claw at her hand, but the stupid gloves Hecate forced me to wear protected her from me.

  "Allow me to show you just why."

  Medusa tightened her grip just before a shock of electricity flowed through my bones. I clenched my teeth together to keep from screaming, but it was hard. I felt as if my very blood was on fire. After several agonizing moments, Medusa released me. I dropped down onto the floor and willed my bones to stop shaking. I fought to catch my breath as I struggled to my knees. The woman did nothing but smile as the soft blue light from her hands began to fade.

  "You do not utilize your strongest asset, dear Sibyl. You have allowed it to weaken you."

  "What weakness?" I wiped the sweat out of my eyes as I glared at her. "I'm just getting started."

  "Hate." She knelt down next to me as her smile widened. "Your hate should be focused. It should be nurtured. Do not be afraid of the darkness in your heart, child. For if you are fearful, you will be blinded when you are forced to face your greatest enemy."

  "Elliot is not my greatest enemy."

  "No." She chuckled. "I believe that is an honor you have reserved solely for yourself."

  I knocked her hand away when she offered it to help me stand. "Get away from me."

  "Ah, the sore loser." Medusa stood and brushed at the sleeves of her cloak. "It's not much, but I suppose I will have to start with something."

  "What was the point of that little exercise?" I glared at her when I stood up. "I'm sure it was meant to prove something."

  "I needed to know how you would respond in a fight." The goddess shrugged. "There is much for you to learn, that is true. And the first lesson is simple enough. You never need a reason to fight someone, child. You can justify your actions after your victory. Never try to do so before."

  "Wait. I'm confused." I picked up my sword and watched it fade away. "T
he girl in my room told me that I couldn't bully everything. And yet, here you are telling me to do just that."

  "One of Hecate's witches." Medusa pushed her hair off her shoulders as she returned her hood over her head. "You must not pay them any attention. They are only good for healing. Nothing more."

  "Right." I narrowed my eyes at her. "Going somewhere?"

  "Yes, we are. It is time for your tour around the Academy, Sibyl." Medusa stepped to the door. "Come along. We've only got a week to improve you. And I fear I'm going to have to make every second count."

  Chapter Seven

  "Who is Elliot?”

  Medusa kept her head straight as she led me down the hallway I’d been in earlier with Hecate. When I didn’t answer, she turned to stare at me until I shrugged.

  “Nobody important.”

  “Important enough to be considered an enemy.” She pointed at me. “You said Elliot wasn’t your greatest enemy.”

  “Don’t make me tell this story again.” I sighed. “I’ve already told Hecate. I’m not ready to rehash it.”

  “Fine. I’ll talk to the Great Mother in the morning.” Medusa lifted up her cloak as we headed down a staircase. “At any rate, this is the main building of the Academy. Residence Hall. Offices. There is an arena where you will spend a majority of your time. The lake. And beyond our border, the forest.”

  “This is not much of a tour.” I frowned at the back of her head. “Where are we going?”

  “Outside. I attest the indoors.” Medusa reached the end of the staircase and pushed open the door. “There. That’s much better.”

  “When do I get to hear about your wretched history?” I followed her over to a white bench. “And what was all that about your head being cut off?”

  “Dramatics.” The goddess chuckled, but it wasn’t a good sound. I felt a shiver run down my spine when she patted the seat beside her. “Sit, child. I will tell you everything.”

  “Yay.” I muttered. “Give me the abridged version, please. Cyrus is my walking Wikipedia for all things Greek.”

  “The slave?” Medusa raised an eyebrow at me. “You appear close to him.”

  “I thought we were supposed to be talking about you, not me.” I leaned forward, rested my elbows on my knees, then studied her. “And don’t call him a slave. I don’t like it.”

  “Fair enough.” She nodded. “I won’t bore you with the particulars of my creation. My story truly began when I became a priestess for Athena.”

  “Athena.” I breathed out the name. “The goddess of war who just happens to run a kid’s store in Phoenix?”

  “The very same. I’d heard the tale of your meeting with her.” Medusa smirked. “Despite her temper, Athena can be extraordinarily kind.”

  “I wouldn’t know about her temper.” I turned my focus onto the manicured grounds spread out before us. “But I interrupted you. Go on.”

  “As a priestess, I swore an oath of celibacy to Athena. A vow I broke after I fell in love with Poseidon. I ran away from the temple. Married him. It wasn’t long before Athena came after me with a vengeance.”

  “Did she curse you with the ability to turn people into stone?” I bit my lip. “And no offense, but I thought your hair style would be much more slithering-snakes instead of deadhead-dreadlocks.”

  “Athena did transform me.” Medusa admitted. “She turned my pale skin green. My golden hair shifted into snakes that fell out over time. But no, child. It was not the men themselves that were changed into stone. I turned their hearts to stone instead. Those who came in contact with me became hard. Cold. They turned away from their loved ones to seek out the vilest pleasures their pitiful lives had to offer. For a final insult, Athena turned my touch into one of electricity so that I could never have a lover.”

  “I’m all too familiar with your electric ability.” I muttered. “Did she forgive you after a century or two? Is that why you appear to be normal now?”

  “No. I must credit Hecate’s witches for my current appearance.” Medusa sighed. “The Great Mother took pity on my plight. She offered her assistance if I agreed to mentor the students who came to her Academy.”

  “Why is Hecate called the Great Mother?” I sat up when three figures dressed in robes walked past us. “I don’t understand.”

  “You know Hecate as the goddess of the hearth, correct?” Medusa tugged at the sleeve of her cloak when I nodded. “Well, she is also the mother of witchcraft. Her followers – both at the Academy and beyond it – use her knowledge of nature to influence the world around them.”

  “Her ambassadors.” I shook my head when she looked surprised. “I met two of them when I woke up earlier.”

  “Ah. Drew and Teresa.” Medusa nodded. “Fascinating creatures. Would you like to hear their stories?”

  “Sure.” I shrugged. “I’m not supposed to question what you want to teach me, after all.”

  “Drew Carmichael was once a doctor in Europe during the Black Plague. He turned to Hecate after so many of his patients died. She was amused by his courage to practice magick during such a dangerous era for her people. When he finally succumbed to the disease he worked so hard to fight, she had Hermes bring him here.”

  “And the girl?” I stifled a yawn against the back of my hand. “What’s her deal?”

  “Teresa Smythe was burned at the stake for her beliefs.” Medusa gave me the first genuine grin I’d seen since I’d met her. “She was sixteen at the time. The girl had been adopted into a household who were devotees of Hecate. Teresa and her new family burned less than a year later.”

  “Let me guess. Hecate took pity on her too?”

  “No. The girl was truly gifted in the ways of healing. She could discern the medicinal properties of an herb just by looking at it. When she died, Hecate felt she would be quite useful to her little school.”

  “How many Ambassadors are here?”

  “Thirteen total. The proper number for a coven of witches.” Medusa stood up. “Yet, they will be quite useful to us. It is my plan to have Teresa teach you about poisons.”

  “And the doctor? What of him?” I stood with her. “Is he going to teach me about the plague?”

  “Wrong again, Sibyl.” Medusa began to move towards the stone path that led away from the main building. “I can see you are getting tired. Allow me to show you around.”

  I didn’t respond. I was too busy trying to memorize my surroundings. The Academy wasn’t large, but it was big enough to get lost in. The buildings themselves were unremarkable. You could find them on any college campus here in the U.S

  . But the grounds were stunning. Fountains and marble dominated the thick green landscape. So much so that I began to use them as landmarks. I’ll admit, Medusa did all the talking. She chatted about her former students. She told amusing antidotes about her days in Africa. But I had stopped listening about halfway through our little walk. I was healed up, but my side was sore. By the time we returned to the main building, I wanted nothing more than to crawl into the bed next to Cyrus and sleep the rest of my life away.

  “I want you to report to the Arena before the sun rises in the morning.” Medusa spoke up, but I barely heard her. “We will begin with a sparring match.”

  “Great.” I continued walking. I was too close to the door to stop now. “I will see you then.”

  “Be ready, Daughter of Apollo. I have quite the day in store for you.”

  I ignored her as I went inside. Two wrong turns and two flights of stairs later, I found the room I had woken up in. I slipped through the door and collapsed on my bed.

  I was asleep in seconds.

  ***

  “Sibyl, it is time to rise.”

  I threw my arm over my eyes with a groan. I did not want Medusa’s voice to be the first thing I heard in the morning. No, what I wanted was to tell her to go away. I wanted to find the covers I had fallen asleep on and hide beneath them. I started to do just that when her next statement jolted me out of the sleep I so desperately
wanted.

  “We have a problem, child. One I intend on rectifying.”

  “What sort of problem?” I opened my eyes to see her standing over me. A quick glance at the massive window told me that it wasn’t sunrise yet, so I wasn’t late. And despite her cold demeanor, I thought we had parted on good terms. “I don’t understand.”

  “There is no time for explanations.” Medusa started tapping her foot against the floor. “Put on your shoes and let us depart.”

  “I am not awake enough to have this conversation.” I sat up to see Cyrus standing in the corner. I hadn’t seen much of him the day before, so I was relieved that he was here now. “Will you please tell Ms. Electric Shock that I need coffee before I can think?”

  “No.” Medusa turned on her heel. “Our plans for today have changed. It is time to prove yourself to be a hero.”

  “That’s not fair.” I huffed as I brushed my hair out the best I could with my fingers. “Can I at least get the sleep out of my eyes before you have me going off to save someone?”

  I could hear her grumbling when she stormed out of the room but I couldn’t make out what she said. Cyrus waited until she was out of sight before he planted a quick kiss on the side of my head.

  “That’s all I get?” I pouted. “After not seeing you at all yesterday?”

  “For now.” He squeezed my hand. “We must be careful, Little One. Relationships such as ours are not forbidden, but they are not well received.”

  “Fine.” I huffed for the second time in less than five minutes. “I’ll play along. But you owe me, mister. Big time.”

  “I have a few ideas on how to do just that.” He grinned. “But only if you don’t pass out too early again tonight.”

  “I can make no promises.” I had to restrain myself from looping my arm through his as we walked down the silent hall after Medusa. “Where are we going?”

  “I am not allowed to tell you.”

  “You have become very unhelpful since we got here.” I frowned up at him. “Is there a rule about Keepers I need to know about?”