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

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  “I only want to ensure the puncture wound to your side has remained closed.” He showed me his hands. “I won’t touch you, Sibyl. But I must bear witness to your wellbeing.”

  I glared at him and raised my arm over my head. He gasped loud enough to concern me.

  “What?” I looked to Cyrus who knelt by the witch. “What is wrong?”

  “The scar changed, Little One.” Cyrus traced his finger along my side. “It is no longer the straight line that was there before.”

  “Yeah?” I twisted my head to try and see it. “Did it disappear completely?”

  “No.” Medusa must have decided to join in our little conversation. She had propped her chin on the top of her staff. “You have come into your own. Thus, the gods have marked you as what you are. The Sibyl. A phoenix rising.”

  “The symbol on my sword.” I dropped my arm when Cyrus lowered my shirt. “A phoenix rising is engraved on the handle.”

  “It is time to return to the Academy. Hecate must be made aware of this development.” Medusa gave me a smug smile. She seemed to be quite pleased with herself. “Be proud, child. It is not often a pupil does so well against the daimons.”

  I waited until she and the witch were out of earshot before I tugged on Cyrus’ hand to pull him to a stop.

  “Why didn’t you go with me?” I frowned up at him. “I needed you.”

  “Little One,” Cyrus tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Your personal demons are your own. I can only do so much to help you fight them.”

  “You do more than you could ever imagine.” I brought his hand up to kiss his knuckles. “Just being near you chases the ghosts away.”

  Cyrus gave me a sad smile before he brought my hands up to brush his own kiss across my upturned palms.

  “Eva, you must come to terms with your fears. Fears that are so strong, you won’t even share them with me. I can only hope to prove them false. But as long as you believe in them, your own mind will work against you.”

  “Medusa knows this.” I wasn’t asking. I was making a statement. “That’s why she brought me to Hallows End.”

  “Yes.” Cyrus nodded. “Dear One, it is no secret that you are not happy with this life.”

  “I’m happy with you.” I whispered. “I know that.”

  Cyrus glanced down the trail. He must have been satisfied that we were alone because he leaned in to kiss me. Suddenly, the heartache left behind from my encounter with my doppelgänger faded. I felt the ice that encased my heart crack as my love for the soldier holding me rushed forward. When we broke apart, I smiled.

  “You gonna take me on a date tonight, Keeper? A good one?”

  My beloved grinned and trailed his fingertips along my back. I shivered when he nodded.

  “I do believe you have earned a night off, Little One. We will make the most of it.”

  ***

  Hecate was sitting in front of the main hall when we returned. She petted the head of a very large black dog and stood as we approached her.

  “Mistress.” She nodded at Medusa. “Did the exercise go well?”

  “The girl retrieved my necklace.” Medusa pulled the trinket out of cloak. “She did an exceptional job.”

  “But there is more.” Hecate studied me with her lavender eyes for a moment before she continued. “The gods have marked you.”

  “I guess. I haven’t seen it for myself.” I shrugged. “I’m still waiting for my reward. Two granola bars and a bottle of water were not enough for what I had to go through.”

  “Hallows End is not for the weak.” The goddess gave me a small smile. “Were you able to conquer yourself?”

  “Stabbed myself numerous times through the chest.” I kept my tone dry. “It was quite the experience.”

  “And Hera’s pet? Did you encounter him?” Hecate took something out of her pocket and offered it to her dog. “Did you defeat him?”

  “Elliot didn’t stick around.” I kept my eyes trained on Hecate. “I am not surprised though. He is quite the coward.”

  “You call him a coward, yet he has attacked you time and time again.”

  I nodded. “Yes. A coward. He won’t face me in person now. Only in my nightmares.”

  Suddenly, I became the center of unwanted attention. Both Cyrus and Medusa stared while Hecate put all of her focus on me. She tossed another dog biscuit out to her pet before she spoke.

  “You have seen the Skinwalker in your dreams?”

  “Yes.” I folded my arms over my chest. “We fought in the last one. That is how I ended up at the Academy.”

  “Explain.”

  I jumped when she barked at me. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and explained to my new audience how Elliot had appeared in my dream. I told them how I had been at my parents’ house right after they were murdered. How we fought and he kicked me in my injured side. I told them how he promised to continue torturing me until his fun had run out. When I finished, it was Drew who broke the uneasy silence which had settled around us.

  “This explains how her stitches became undone.” His clipped accent seemed stronger as he bowed his head to Hecate. “But it is odd, is it not? The dreamscape cannot meld into the physical one.”

  “One would hope that is the case, dear Son.” Hecate tugged against the hood covering her hair. “While such a merger is uncommon, it is not unheard of.”

  “Like the saying that if you die in your dream, you die in real life?” I interrupted. When the others turned to me again, I shrugged. “What? I’ve seen horror movies before. I know how it works.”

  “Something to that effect.” Hecate nodded. “Sibyl, you stated your true enemy is Hera, correct?”

  “Yeah.” I tilted my head to the side. “Why? I didn’t think Hera had anything to do with dreams.”

  “Perhaps it can work both ways.” Medusa tapped her fingers against her chin. “If the beast can harm you through the dreamscape, then you can harm him as well.”

  “Don’t think I didn’t try.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I didn’t just stand there and let him kick the crap out of me.”

  “I’m not so sure about that, Sibyl.” Medusa gave me a cold smile. “After all, didn’t you tell me yourself you wouldn’t fight without cause?”

  “Elliot has given me plenty of reasons to fight him.” I responded. “Look, I’m tired. I’m starving. And I haven’t had a shower in god knows how long. Can we take a break?”

  “Yes.” Hecate nodded. “I believe you need a chance to replenish yourself. Medusa will bring you to my office this afternoon to further discuss the matter of your dreams.”

  “Can’t wait.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “See you then.”

  I waved behind me as I left them. It wasn’t long before I returned to the room I was staying in. This time, I didn’t crash on the bed. I went exploring instead. The first door I opened led to a massive closet where the clothes I had traveled to Charleston with were hanging up. I ran my hand over the sleeve of a blouse with a smile when Cyrus came up behind me. He put his arms around my waist and rested his chin against the top of my head.

  “I figured you would need more options than the jeans and t-shirt you woke up in.”

  “You know me so well.” I leaned against his chest. “Shower?”

  “Next door over.” He ran his hand down my arm. “Eva, tell me the truth. Are you alright?”

  “I don’t know.” I sighed. “Everything has happened so fast. Too fast. I haven’t had time to process it.”

  “Take all the time you need, Little One.” He released me. “The show can wait.”

  “No, it can’t. I haven’t forgotten how important Grave is to Apollo or to me.” I frowned when I faced my beloved keeper. “Where’s Leyton? He said he was going to meet me.”

  “Tiresias is still in L.A.” Cyrus shook his head. “Do not worry about the Seer. He knows all too well what you are doing.”

  “Yeah? Well, what is he doing?” I bit my lip before I continued. �
�The research I asked him to do?”

  “Among other things.” My keeper ran his hand through his hair. “He promised to have a folder sent to you by tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Good.” I offered Cyrus my brightest smile. I didn’t know why I was so excited. Perhaps it was the prospect of being connected with the world I knew instead of the madness here in Washington. “So what am I going to do about food, Stick? Take-out?”

  “Drew and Teresa are working to prepare something for you now.” He grinned. “You know, there is hardly a kitchen at the Academy. None of the students eat often enough to need one.”

  “Times change.” I gave him a light shove in the chest. “Ok, Keeper. Out. I’m going to shower. Get dressed in real clothes and become human. If you’re in here with me when I do that, all sorts of rumors will get started about us.”

  “It is only a rumor if the words spoken are lies.” Cyrus traced the slope of my ear before trailing his fingers along the side of my throat. “Eva, I must ask you something.”

  “What?” I closed my eyes at his touch as the memories of our nights together danced in my mind. “I’ve already accepted our date.”

  “Do you regret your decision to be with me instead of Lancaster?”

  My eyes flew open to see the concern on my beloved’s face. I cupped his jaw with my hands and pulled him down into a kiss that left me breathless. It seemed to have the same effect on Cyrus because when we parted, we didn’t go far. I kept my forehead against his when I responded.

  “Cyrus, I will never regret what we have. I love you. I adore you. You are my sole purpose for existing. Please know that.”

  “You are mine, Eva.” He closed his eyes and swallowed. “I must know that is true.”

  “I am yours.” I caressed his beautiful face. “You have more than my heart, Cyrus. You have my soul.”

  My beloved didn’t respond with words. He caught my hand against his cheek, held it for a moment then released me. He gave me one last look of longing before he headed towards the shadows. I waited until he faded before I snagged my shampoo and a clean set of clothes. You would think that I’d never had a simple shower before. But I wasn’t kidding when I had told Hecate it had been awhile. During my time at Bon Secours, I had been too hurt and too drugged to do much of anything on my own. So the second I stepped beneath the scalding water, I let out a sigh of pure contentment.

  It was a feeling that didn’t last for long. Memories of the encounter at Hallows End began to flicker in the back of my mind. I knew why Medusa forced me to go into the town alone. I understood her reasoning that I had to face my weaknesses before I could consider myself strong. But what I couldn’t understand was Elliot’s role in my nightmare.

  Was I still in love with him despite everything that had transpired between us?

  I laughed out loud at the thought of it. No. I had come to distrust him not long after I had rescued his soul from the Erinyes. His subsequent actions and dark nature severed any feelings I may have had for him. Yet, he was a very large part of my past. Elliot was responsible for bringing me onto Grave Messages in the first place. He was the sole reason I had met Kathy Carter in the first place. It made perfect sense that he would be featured in my mind’s twisted view on reality.

  “It is because you miss the girl you used to be.”

  I froze beneath the water when a familiar voice spoke up through the steam. I reached out, turned the faucet off, and stood there as I tried to remember where I knew that voice from. A moment later, I heard the voice speak up again.

  “Come out, Sibyl. I have very little time to waste on you.”

  I grabbed my robe and threw it on before I stepped out to see a woman’s outline in the mirror against the back wall. I leaned forward to wipe the fog away before I gasped. The wild woman of Cumae stared back at me. It had been over year since I had heard from her. Her features were almost identical to mine; same thin nose, narrow jaw, bright golden eyes. But her beauty was hidden behind the dirt that covered her skin.

  “Delphine.” I whispered. “What are you doing here?”

  Why hadn’t I noticed the mirror? I chided myself for not being more careful. Thanks to my abilities to talk to the dead through reflective surfaces, I wasn’t supposed to be around glass unless I intended on contacted the spirit world. I took a step back without thinking. Just as I could contact the dead through mirrors, they could reach out. Grab me. Pull me into the Underworld to suffer along with them.

  “How are you here?” I tightened the belt around my waist. “Why now? God knows, I could have used your help numerous times over the past year.”

  “Be quiet.” She snapped. “Are you so dense you have forgotten my history? Why should I help the likes of you, a thief who steals the hearts of men only to leave them broken.”

  I closed my eyes and let her words ring in my ears. See, Delphine was the first Sibyl. She had been cursed with the immortality she had wished for. But along with that immortality, she got Cyrus as well. He had tried to save her from Apollo only to die for his efforts. My beloved’s punishment for going against the will of a god?

  Eternal servitude to Apollo’s Sibyl. I was the seventh and presumably, the last girl who would have to bring followers to the Golden One. And although Cyrus had served as both guide and protector to each Sibyl, there were only two he had fallen in love with.

  Delphine. And me.

  “Is this the part where you tell me to meet you in the back parking lot at school for stealing your man?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “If you came here to pout about my relationship with Cyrus, I’m the one who doesn’t have the time to waste. If you haven’t heard, I’ve been handed a whole new burden of responsibilities.”

  “Yes. The new golden girl of the gods. You are the talk of Olympus, girl.” The woman glared at me through the glass. “As for the reason for my presence, I am not here for you. My words are meant to protect my dearest Cyrus. You can burst into flames for all I care.”

  I felt my heart pound at her words. A warning meant that Cyrus was being threatened. I leaned forward until my nose was touching the glass. I watched as my breath fogged up the mirror once more when I responded.

  “Tell me.”

  “You are protected from the monsters Hera controls while you are on these hallowed grounds.” Delphine’s image shifted. “They cannot cross through the magick her pupils have put into place.”

  “Then he is safe.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “What did you mean about protecting your dearest Cyrus then?”

  “On these lands, he is safe.” She snorted. “But his affection towards you has made him weak. My darling had never lost a fight until you came along. His reputation was of a warrior. The soldier he was meant to be. Now, he simply sits back and allows you to fight the battles he once relished.”

  “How is that a bad thing?” I frowned. “Look, I know things were different back in your day. But the times? They are a ‘changin’. Women have no problem taking on the roles men dominated for so long.”

  “Cyrus has become a target, you stupid girl.” She hissed. “Thanks to you, he has relinquished his immortality. If you were to cross into the Underworld, he will perish.”

  “I know that.” I snapped back. “Why the hell do you think I let them drag me to this stupid school to begin with? I need to become stronger. I need to be able to protect him. I won’t let him die because of me.”

  “Death isn’t real. Only transformation.” She sighed. “You will learn this soon enough.”

  “Tell me how to protect him.” I was two seconds away from stamping my foot in frustration. “Stop talking nonsense and tell me something that makes sense.”

  “Let him go. If you truly love Cyrus, you will harden your heart against him. You will allow him to resume his role as your protector.”

  I started shaking my head before she finished her spill. Delphine’s image was fading away when I found my voice to respond.

  “No. I won’t. I can’t. My heart won’t allow it.”


  Chapter Ten

  Let Cyrus go.

  Had Delphine gone insane? I pulled at the gloves I wore as my predecessor’s words remained at the forefront of my thoughts. Maybe she had. She had been dead for over a millennia, after all. It was plausible her mind had become twisted by the spirits in the Underworld.

  “What happens to the Sibyl when she relinquishes her oath?” I broke into the conversation I hadn’t been paying attention to between Medusa and Hecate. I was back in the headmistress’ office after three hours of blissful, normal activities. “After she dies, that is.”

  “You have no fear of perishing, child.” Hecate leaned forward on her desk. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just curious. Cyrus has told me a great deal about my role. But I tend to ignore the parts that aren’t relevant.” I shrugged. “I mean, can a spirit go insane?”

  “Many have.” Medusa tugged at the blonde dreadlock. “Those who are sentenced to Tartarus especially.”

  “Like Kampe.” I sat up as I recalled the woman who had worked with Elliot to throw me to my death. “The dragon lady.”

  “No. Kampe was never sentenced to Tartarus. Thus, she never experienced its more charming aspects.” Hecate tapped her fingers against the wood they rested on. “Although, she is no longer a concern for you. The Drakaina was returned to Tartarus after Hermes revived you.”

  “What on earth is a ‘drakaina’?” I held up my hand with a quick shake of my head. “No. You know what? I don’t want to know.”

  “Then perhaps we can return to the matter at hand.” Hecate nodded towards Cyrus, who had taken up a post behind my chair. “Keeper, you said the girl spoke of the Skinwalker visiting her twice in her dreams?”

  “Only once, Great Mother, until earlier today.”

  I could feel Cyrus’ dark eyes on me. I knew he didn’t like for me to keep things from him. Especially when those things had a direct impact on my safety. But to be fair, it’s not like I was in any condition to have an in depth discussion when I woke up from the second attack. I started to defend myself when Medusa interrupted me.