She walked to the stairs and held firmly onto the bannister and she carefully walked down. She stopped at the bottom and looked around. Almost all the weapons were gone from the front wall, except for her breast plate, and her bow was where she'd left it.
She started to walk to the wall, but another wave of nausea hit. She shuffled as fast as she could and made it to the downstairs bathroom just in time.
The sound drew Gaia from the kitchen. She carried a china cup with a string from a tea bag draped over the edge. She carefully sat it down and waited for Megaera.
Megaera exited the downstairs bathroom, her face wet with sweat. She walked carefully to the couch and sat, then started crying. Gaia slid next to her and held her head on her lap, smoothing her matted hair.
"What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I so sick suddenly?" she whined.
Alecto and Brianna walked in from the back of the house.
"Maybe it was that damned bird you brought back from Egypt," Alecto remarked. "Then you had to cook it and serve it to that mortal."
"It's not the bird," Megaera growled.
"You look really bad," Alecto observed.
"I feel bad." It was all she could manage. "I can't even phase shift between atoms, I had to open my bedroom door and walk down here. Like a mortal!"
Gaia turned to face Megaera and peered into her eyes.
"Oh dear. I had not anticipated this," Gaia said, her eyes twinkling.
"What?" All three women asked at the same time.
"You, dear Megaera, are pregnant."
Alecto stared in horror at Megaera, who's own eyes were wide with shock.
Brianna stared at Megaera, then gasped. "I'm going to be an Aunt?"
Alecto finally managed, "How did this happen?"
"The usual way, Alex." Gaia was beaming.
Megaera stood up and rushed to the downstairs bathroom.
Tisiphone walked in with an armload of weaponry as Megaera rushed past.
In a few minutes, Megaera reappeared and staggered to the couch.
As Tisiphone was sorting through brass short swords and spears, she eyed her sister. "Still sick from that stupid bird, I see."
"Ugh, no." Megaera wiped at her eyes with a tissue. "Mother says I'm pregnant."
Tisiphone's shouts echoed around the living room.
"How in the hell did that happen?" Tisiphone folded her arms and her eyes flashed in anger. "What did that mortal do to you?"
"I'm pregnant and powerless," Megaera sobbed. The tears began to flow and Tisiphone was beyond anger. It bypassed incensed and went straight into rage.
"Sorath is loose, gathering up his demons to attack, out for revenge, and you're powerless?" Tisiphone turned her anger towards Alecto. "What can we do about this?"
"Does Dan know about this?" Brianna asked.
Silence.
"No. Oh shit," Megaera gasped. "I need to tell him," she gasped as she slumped back into the couch.
"The room is spinning. Someone please make it stop," Megaera cried.
"I understand this passes in a few weeks," Gaia said softly. Megaera only groaned. Then she slowly sat up and Gaia offered her the tea. "It's some herbs to settle your stomach. Honey and some flowers."
Megaera sipped it, then tried to smile. "The last day has felt like two weeks. I can't go through any more of this. What can we do?"
"Just push through it," Gaia said, trying to hide her smile.
"I need to get over to Dan's, let him know. And soon." Megaera sighed, then continued, "I have no idea how to tell him."
"Take a bath first," Gaia suggested. "The tea will help with your morning sickness."
"Morning? I'm sick all the time! Not just in the morning," Megaera complained. She wobbled a bit when she stood up, then she shuffled to the stairs, the started up slowly.
It took her a good half hour to shower and get dressed. The tea was working, so she was feeling better, but still without her powers. She walked slowly down the stairs and found Gaia waiting.
"I'll take you over, or do you wish to take Sally?" Gaia suggested.
"Please, get me over to his house. It's early, he might still be home." Megaera tried to smile, but it turned sour almost as soon as she started.
Gaia placed a hand on Megaera's shoulder, the room shifted, blurred and they were on the sidewalk leading to Dan's house.
"Go on. He needs to know," Gaia gave Megaera a gentle push towards the house. As she turned to walk up the stairs, Gaia faded from view, just as Dan was opening his door, backing out. He carried a stack of files and was busy locking the door. He stood and turned, then froze.
Megaera tried to smile, then her face became a frown.
"Megaera? Where have you been?" Dan snapped out of it and dropped the files on the porch, and rushed down the stairs. "I realized I had no way of calling. I mean, do you even have a cell phone? I don't even know if you've tried coming by. When you left sick, I had no idea what was happening."
Megaera simply embraced Dan and held on tight. She buried her face against his chest. He held her tight and rubbed her back. He began walking her up the steps to the porch.
"I have some news..."
"Wait, hold on. Are you okay?" Dan interrupted. "Let's get inside, I don't have to really leave for my shift for another few minutes."
Megaera leaned against him as he unlocked the door and led her inside.
He helped her to the couch and then sat beside her. "I'm sorry if I wasn't here if you tried coming by earlier. You see, we've had a huge break in the serial killer case, the guy who killed my niece," Dan explained.
"That's great!" Megaera started. "No, I haven't been by, I've been sick all night. Mother told me why."
"Ah, ok. But first, I have to confess," Dan paused and took a breath. "I tested all the food you brought over, I figured there is no way that actually all that demon and gods happened. Good news, though. It all tested fine, no hallucinogens."
"Did you think I drugged you?" Megaera's eyes flashed.
Dan shrugged his shoulders. "What can I expect after all that happened? Especially the other night? One minute we're in the dining room, and the next we're in Greece? In ancient times? Then a black demon from hell is in my hallway..."
"So, you thought I had given you some – what? What did you think I gave you? Why would I do a thing like that?" Megaera would have displayed her wings if not for her current condition. "You idiot! That demon was REAL! As real as my hand!"
She swung at Dan, who managed to get further back into the couch to avoid the hit. He grabbed her hands and tried to restrain her. She pulled free.
"Now, you made me forget what I can over here to tell you!" She stood, glowering at him.
"I wanted to tell you that you were right," Dan said quietly.
"About what?" She wasn't going to be mollified that easily.
"There was a photo taken of the killer the night my niece died," Dan explained, softly. "We know it was. Except he's dead. Someone else killed him."
"Oh?" Meg softened and sat on the edge of the couch. "That explains why the demon was in your hallway. He was released. All by accident, of course. He was possessing a human - the one who killed your niece. My sister was petitioned and you see --"
Dan interrupted, "Who was petitioned?"
"My sister, Tisiphone. And as soon as she found him, she was on him, bam! Guy never had a chance, not with Tisiphone. Then Alecto was too late, of course."
"Wait. Hold on. Her killer was that FBI agent. So, your sister killed that FBI agent?"
"That is her purpose. It's what a Fury does!" Megaera felt the anger rising again.
"Is this how your justice works? Just go out and kill someone? Leave me in an impossible situation?" Dan was almost shouting now. "That man, killed my niece! I wanted him brought to justice - our way. The mortal way."
"The mortal way? And let your niece and all the others wander in limbo until your system takes care of him, or he escapes again?" Meg stood now, nose to nose with Dan
. "You flaming asshole! You have no idea how wrong you are!"
Megaera wheeled and headed to the door, forgetting her pregnancy, and slammed face first into the door, reeling backwards.
"Fuck! I forgot! Gods dammit! That fucking hurts!" She held her nose as blood began to drip down her face. She fumbled for the door knob and stormed out of the house.
"Wait! Megaera! Hold on!" Dan shouted, running after her. He ran down the stairs and froze. Megaera had disappeared. He turned in circles, scanning the area.
No Megaera. The entire street was totally quiet.
Dan tried to control his breathing, then turned to go back inside. As he shut the door, Dude ran spitting and hissing into the hallway.
Dan followed and saw a back shape dissolving away. Dude slid to a stop and looked at the top of the ceiling. Whatever it was, it was gone now.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Tartarus
Megaera slammed down onto a hard surface in a completely darkened room. She pushed herself up and wheeled around to face whoever had grabbed her, thinking it was Dan.
“Dan, dammit! What the fuck is wrong with you?” She stopped and stared into Sorath’s red eyes dancing in amusement.
His huge clawed hands reached out and lifted Megaera. He smashed her against the wall, and pinned her. She struggled and kicked, throwing her head side to side. She tried to bite his huge hand. Sorath filled the small cell with his laughter.
“You’re weak,” he growled.
“You smell,” Megaera said as she tried to bite his hand. Then she suddenly stopped, her eyes went wide.
She projectile vomited into Sorath’s face. He flung her down and stepped back slamming the door shut, closing out all light and sound, leaving Megaera in inky darkness.
Meg tried to rise, but fell on her face. She was weak. She was mortal, and at the worst possible time.
Outside the cell, Sorath ripped a tunic from a goblin and began wiping his face.
“We should destroy her, now, before the others know we have her,” Bune advised, standing well back, observing with a reptilian coolness. “I suggest we bide our time, amass more arms and weapons, then attack Hade’s palace.”
“No,” Sorath ordered and continued to wipe down his torso. “I will keep her as a hostage. Then we deal with her sisters and that scheming old woman. On the surface.”
He tossed the soiled tunic back to the goblin, who dodged it, kicking at the filthy fabric.
“They’ll be easy to destroy now. Separated, and without their mother, a small number of us can defeat them easily. Then we attack Asphodel, saving Elysian for the final assault. I’ll take care of that old woman myself.”
“Can you kill a goddess like her?” Bune asked.
Sorath grinned. His red lips spread to reveal teeth like daggers. “I have never tried to kill a goddess, and I owe it to her for birthing the Furies.”
“I want to know why that one is so weak. Maybe it’s the surface, maybe it’s something else,” Bune mused, and started walking with Sorath down the long corridor. “It’s unusual for a god to be ill or weak. Something else is going on. Something we can turn to our advantage.”
Sorath pulled up short and eyed the lizard demon. “I don’t care why she’s weak, I just care that she is. Find me some nasty little lizard-fuckers like yourself to accompany me to the surface, I know the best spot to begin the destruction of the rest of her kind.”
***
Furies Domain
Gaia was making tea in the kitchen when Tisiphone found her.
“I’ve been looking all over for you,” she said, joining Gaia at the table.
“I’ve been here all morning,” Gaia replied.
“Really? Why is it I looked everywhere and just now found you here?” Tisiphone demanded. “Where did Megaera get to?”
“I left her at her friend’s house, they have a lot to talk about.” Gaia poured the tea. She stirred the cup and sat, looking up at Tisiphone. Her soft brown eyes masking a hidden smirk. Gaia was enjoying this.
“And, how long ago was that?” Tisiphone asked, one eyebrow arching up.
“Just a few moments ago,” Gaia said.
“Any chance you are wrong about her carrying a child?”
“Tish, dear, this is something I know a great deal about. Megaera is carrying a demi-god, it’ll be a boy and he’ll be quite a handful.”
“So, tell me why she is weakened, a mortal,” Tisiphone asked, dreading the answer.
“Simple. A goddess needs to be a mortal to carry a mortal’s child. She’ll be a normal human until she gives birth,” Gaia explained, the added, “Before you ask, the humans take thirty-four to thirty-six weeks to carry a baby to full term.”
“And Sorath’s on the loose, with revenge on his mind,” Tisiphone reminded her.
“You’ll make do, you have to,” Gaia said.
“Thank you,” Tisiphone said as she headed out the backdoor.
“You are most welcome, Tish,” Gaia muttered.
Tisiphone found Alecto in the training gym, deftly slicing bamboo poles with her katana. Pieces of bamboo were flying in all directions. Tisiphone walked through the maelstrom, untouched by shrapnel, and stood behind Alecto.
“Megaera’s been gone all damned day,” Tisiphone complained.
“Is she still with that mortal?” Alecto asked without stopping.
“I supposed so. I need to talk with her,” Tisiphone replied.
More bamboo poles succumbed to Alecto’s efforts. She paused and looked back at the workout space.
“You killed them all,” Tisiphone observed.
“It’s easy in practice. The key is to do that while the other guy is hitting back,” Alecto replied.
“One of us will have to go to Elysian and assemble an army,” Tisiphone said.
“They won’t be too eager to help us,” Alecto pointed out.
“I had to sleep with Agamemnon last time,” Tisiphone recalled. “At least it was over with quickly. With Megaera weak, until the kid shows up –”
“Or she miscarries,” Alecto added.
“That won’t happen,” Tisiphone said. “That baby is part immortal, she will carry him to term.”
“I have to wonder who all is behind this. It almost seems as if mother is wanting all this to occur,” Alecto suggested.
“I hate it when gods get bored, all sorts of shit starts up.”
“I may make a short trip to ask around who is behind all this,” Alecto said.
“Meanwhile, I’ll go have a talk with that damned mortal,” Tisiphone snorted and disappeared.
***
Dan opened the front door and entered. He looked around, checking the dining room, kitchen and was on his way back to the hallway when he spotted Tisiphone standing in the doorway to his bedroom.
“Excuse me! May I help you?” Dan demanded, his tone in contrast to his words.
Tisiphone turned around and eyed Dan, walking up to him, and then around him, examining him from all angles.
“I have no idea what she sees in you,” Tisiphone said, walking back to the living room. “If you’re looking for my sister, she isn’t here, and she’s not at our house, either. So, where did you take her?”
“Where did I take her?” Dan followed Tisiphone into the living room. “She stormed out the front door this morning after she shouted at me. She was gone by the time I got outside, like the way she always disappears.”
“Impossible. She’s powerless, thanks to you,” she growled. “Just when we need her the most.”
“What are you talking about?”
Tisiphone blurred and she was nose to nose with Dan. “She didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“You are going to be a father, and that’s a big problem!”
Dan was speechless.
“She never said,” he managed after a moment.
“Probably because you never gave her a chance to say anything,” Tisiphone hissed as she continued to inspect Dan.
The wrinkled shirt, the sagging trousers, brown belt with black shoes in need of cleaning and polishing. “You humans are always about yourselves. Meg’s sick, powerless and had to have Gaia bring her over here. Or didn’t you notice?”
“I had no idea,” Dan said softly, his head spinning with the implications.
“How the hell did she fall in love with such a man?” she said to herself, shaking her head.
“Hey, I’m right here, lady!” Now Dan’s anger was rising.
“She is carrying your child, and she has lost her abilities. If she’s not here, where did she go?”
“I have no idea!”
Tisiphone looked Dan in the eye, peering into the depths of his soul. “Yes, I can see that. It’s a wonder you can tie your own shoes, much less figure out where my sister went to.”
“Which sister are you? The ‘eye for an eye’ sister?”
“Yes,” Tisiphone eye’s narrowed. “They call me Tisiphone, which means ‘vengeful destruction’, so watch your ass.”
“You’re the one, then!” Dan pulled out his handcuffs and approached her. “I’m placing you under arrest, for the murder of a Federal Agent.”
He grabbed her arm and tried to turn her around.
Tisiphone froze. She took a deep breath. “If you value future use of that limb, you'll release me right now.”
“You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to—” but Dan was talking to air. Tisiphone was behind him and lifted him by the neck. She turned him to face her, his feet off the floor. Like a spoiled puppy lifted by the scruff of its neck.
“You have no clue who you are dealing with, human.” Her eyes drilled into his eyes. “No prison or manacles can hold a Fury. It’s only because of my sister I’m not dispatching you into the spirit realm right now, because it would pleasure me to no end to see you suffer.”
She tossed him onto the couch and vanished with a soft pop of air rushing to fill the sudden vacuum. Her voice rang out, clear as a bell. “If you care for my sister, you will go find her.”
Dan sat heavily on the couch and just started at the empty house. It felt so very empty now.
“She’s pregnant? Powerless?” He looked around helpless. Where does one begin to hunt for a lost immortal?
Angels of Vengeance Page 25