Illusions: A Grace Murphy Novel

by Nicole Hamlett

  I tried again, and again, I was rebuffed.

  Finally, the third time, a backpack hurtled through the opening, smacking me squarely in the chest before closing.

  "Are you freaking kidding me!" I bellowed.

  "Open the bag, Grace and let's get on with this," Medusa drawled, bored.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  "Go on this easy mission for me. It will get you out of the house. You'll be back before you know you're gone, she said." I threw the bag down on the ground and growled. If Diana thought she was going to send me Medusa and nobody else, she had another think coming.

  "I'm sorry, are you talking to yourself?" With her distinctive high-class English accent, she sounded incredibly patronizing. I imagine that is what she was shooting for.

  "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Why? You writing a book?"

  She smirked. "I thought that was your job."

  "Whatever. If you're not going to be helpful, find something else to do. I need to get a message to Olympus, and my mother is being an absolute dick with the portals right now."

  Medusa snorted. "Did you just call your mother a dick?"

  I gave her a mutinous nod. My mom couldn't have picked a worse time to be evasive and ambiguous.

  "Well, you're right. She is a dick. However, there's an excellent reason you can't go back there right now."

  "And that is?"

  She paused and bit the inside of her cheek. It startled me because I did the same when facing indecision. I made a mental note to stop doing that. I didn't need to be any more like Medusa. The anger was enough, thanks.

  "After you left, Olympus became infested."

  "What?" How was that even possible? Olympus was in a pocket dimension. Unless you'd already been there, it was impossible to get to.

  "I don't know all of the details, but Diana contacted me because she simply didn't have any other options."

  "My son. Where's my son?" I slashed my hand and ripped open a Rift. I got my arm through before it could close. Someone on the other end squeezed my hand and gently pushed it back through before forcibly closing the portal. "Gods damn it!"

  I wheeled on Medusa, panic rising. "Do you know what they've done with the children?"

  "As a matter of fact, I was going to tell you before you went into your meltdown mode. Have you ever considered seeing someone about that?"

  Right, because I could just walk up to a shrink and say, "Hi I'm Grace Murphy. I'm a demi-goddess and have cosmic powers unlike anything you've ever seen, and I need therapy." I chuckled at the thought. They'd lock me up in a mental institution.

  "Personal issues aside, I'm calming down. Why don't you tell me what's going on?"

  "They've sent the children on an educational vacation. At least, I think that's what they're calling it. Currently, they're touring the Continent. If this issue hasn't been dealt with before they're done, the group will head over to the Colonies."

  "You realize that they haven't been the Colonies for over two-hundred years," I said it because I was argumentative by nature. She merely rolled her eyes at me. Okay, so the children were safe, but that still didn't explain the infestation. She gave me a 'how did I get stuck with this imbecile look, ' and I waved her off. "So how did it happen?"

  "That's still unknown. But as to what infested it, a better question would be what didn't. It's lousy with all sorts of pests. A godforsaken satyr is setting up Court near the fountain and trees have sprung up everywhere with his sycophantic dryads. It's disgusting. Orgies all day and night. Well," she paused, thinking. "At least that's what Zeus said."

  "Okay so they've got an infestation, and my mother can't deal with that as well as possibly me being a bad guy. But I still need to get them a message. We can't storm the palace without some munitions. I won't have any power as soon as I step across the boundary, and I need something that will blow the shit out of the device that is powering it."

  "On that, we are agreed. If you look in that pack, I believe they included a communication apparatus. Because of my - ahem - transformation while Rifting, we were unsure of whether a kit or any equipment would survive.

  Nemesis, who had given us some space, approached with an armful of wood. "There's a small stream right through those trees. A clearing too. We can stay there tonight in relative safety." She didn't look too sure about the last part, but I didn't say anything.

  "What? I thought we were being tracked?"

  She shrugged. "It's gone now."

  "What? How? Where are Drew and Porkchop?"

  "Who?" Medusa asked.

  I waved her off and waited for Nemesis to tell me where my pet porcupine had gotten off to. "Porkchop wants to circle around and check for any more traps or nests. He's the one that suggested the clearing. Drew is scouting as well."

  "Great. Let me help you with some of that wood."

  "My, aren't we getting cozy with the enemy," Medusa mused. Her tone was a little snide, but I didn't respond. I wasn't going to pick sides until I found out why these two had issues with each other.

  The fire crackled, sending sparks flying up into the night, and spreading a glow of heat around our little circle. Porkchop had returned shortly after we'd started the fire and circled until he found a good spot to settle for the night. I watched with amusement as he pawed at the ground like a cat, kneading the ground cover to create a comfy spot to nap.

  "He's like a cross between a cat, a dog, and a grizzly bear."

  "Yes," Medusa drawled. "The perfect pet."

  "Hey, I think he's awesome. I'm totally bringing him home with me."

  She chuckled, and Nemesis snorted and shook her head. "I told you, he belongs in this world.

  Medusa replied with, "Please do make sure I'm there when your mother first sees him. I can't wait to see the look on her face."

  Porkchop was coming back with us. There could be others of his kind left here, but he'd been alone and lonely for too long. He didn't deserve this sort of fate when he'd be loved and cared for back on Olympus. Yes, I know, you're not supposed to bring wild animals back home with you. But, I wasn't leaving him here.

  Drew had settled down about fifty yards from our camp, saying that he was going to take first watch. There was something wrong with him. He wasn't acting like himself, and the bossy-take-charge guy that I knew was gone. I'd tried to get him to engage in conversation, but he'd brushed me off and said that someone needed to keep watch. He'd given Medusa a brief nod and ignored Nemesis entirely before walking into the brush. That left me with the ladies. I scowled in the direction that he'd headed. When we got home, Drew was getting an earful.

  "Okay, let's get serious," I said pulling the pack closer and rummaging through the supplies inside. "There's not much here, and we're going to need more clothing, food, and weapons."

  "Can I say something, Grace?" Nemesis threw another branch into the fire and watched it spark and spit.

  "Can I stop you?"

  "You are a fool. You've got freedom in your grasp. You could just Rift home and forget this place. Why do you insist upon getting yourself killed?"

  What would be more difficult? Getting myself killed or going home and telling my son that I'd let a megalomaniac enslave an entire planet of innocent people? There was no way I'd be able to look Dylan in the eye if I didn't at least try. Our relationship right now was in a touchy phase, and he spent much more time with Drew than me now. I tried my hardest to be understanding. They were catching up. But now I wasn't the cool parent anymore. I certainly didn't want to also look like a coward in his eyes.

  "Everyone needs to take a stand at some point in their lives." I shrugged.

  "What if this is where you get killed? What will happen when my mother rises? Who will fight her?"

  Throwing a nod at Medusa, I said, "She could probably swing it."

  Medusa threw her head back and let loose a full throaty laugh. "Oh, that's rich. Like I'd be so foolish."

  She continued to chuckle as I glared at her. "Regardless, it doesn't matter
. I'm not leaving without Aliana. She was the mission. She's coming home with me."

  Nemesis smiled and ducked her head. "Well, at least you're loyal even if you're utterly stupid."

  "Whatever. Let's see what kind of communication device Diana has sent along. I need to order some supplies."

  "Do you have an idea of what you'll need?" Medusa asked.

  "Guns. Lots of guns and ammo. Maybe a rocket launcher? I'd rather not get into close range battle. I've seen these guys, and I may be faster with my enhanced powers, but it's doubtful if I'm in human mode. I'll ask Georgie to send over some real Kukri, though, to be on the safe side."

  "Hmm, a rocket launcher is going to be a one trick pony. I've got a better idea."

  "I'm open to suggestions." I started digging through the pack, pulling out spare clothing, a bag full of Snickers bars (Oh thank God), and finally a smaller version of the case that held the tablet we'd brought. "Gosh, I hope I don't get roaming charges for this."

  "You're cheesy." Medusa chided.

  "It's the best way to be," I replied.

  "What are roaming charges?" Nemesis asked, confused.

  We both laughed at her, which she did not appreciate.

  "You are both arseholes," she mumbled.

  Yeah, we probably were. I took the phone out of the case and pushed the icon named, 'dial me.'

  "You have reached Rescues R Us. You flounder, we founder! How may I help you today?"

  "George, that's the worst one yet. You gotta stop pretending you're a muse."

  She scoffed at me through the phone. "Whatever, I'm creative. I can do this."

  "You're better at operations and saving my ass."

  "That I am," she parried. "So, what can do I do for you?"

  "Well, you can stop closing down my Rifts for one."

  "That wasn't me, Tiger. That was your mom. She's been camped out in the ops room for the last day and a half."

  "Damn. I was told that there would be a time difference. I just hoped that it wasn't true. My watch seems to be broken, but I think I've only been here a little over sixteen or seventeen hours."

  "The mission clock in the room shows thirty-four hours down. Anyway, Diana just stepped out to grab food. Want me to have her call you?"

  "Um, yes. But I also have a list of supplies that I'm going to need. You want me to text that to this number?"

  "I don't think that the texts work. Just give me the list, and I'll record it all on this end. How soon will you need the stuff?"

  "It's dark now, and I need to get some sleep. No wonder I'm so god-awful tired if my internal clock thinks I've been going for thirty-four hours. So, we'll try to get some rest. Let's say eight hours?"

  "Your eight hours or my eight hours?"

  "Your eight hours will be all right, George. Have Diana call me around then as well?"

  "Okay sounds good. Now, gimme that list."

  I rattled off all the things we'd need and Medusa piped in with her list as well. The people at the palace didn't stand a chance. We were going in loaded for bear.

  After hanging up, I felt wrung out. I needed sleep, and I needed it now. But - and there's always a but - who knew what was hanging out in the area? I didn't want to wake up with some monster eating my face off.

  "Aren't either of you worried about what may live in this forest?" It was darker in here, and I could hear low growls in the not so distance.

  Medusa drew my eye and then nodded into the darkness. "Grace, do you really believe that anything out here is more dangerous than I am?"

  I swallowed hard. "Nope."

  Okay, I lied. I didn't know what was in this forest. I didn't know what kind of creatures this planet hosted. There could be a thousand things out here that were more dangerous than Medusa. They had bloody porcupines that shot fiery quills covered in poison out of their butts for Christ’s sake! There were SNAKES with badger heads!

  My imagination ran wild. Man-eating spiders. Giant snakes that didn't kill you before they digested you. Millipedes that injected venom that paralyzed you before they ate the soft tissue of your face. I WAS A WRITER! It was my JOB to come up with scary scenarios. Oh, gods, I wished she hadn't even asked me that. Moreso, I wished that I could build a fire ring around our camp and keep it blazing through the night.

  "We're going to get violated with pine cones and then cannibalized by a tribe of feral pixies. It's going to happen. That is my luck."

  "Don't be ridiculous, Grace. Pixies are vegetarians." Medusa threw her pack on the ground and slithered down into a graceful slump. "We'll be okay. You should rest now. We may not get another chance for a while."

  "Both of you are infinitely more experienced than I am. What say I take a nap, and you two come up with a plan, and I'll follow it?"

  Medusa snorted. "Really? You're just going to follow along?"

  "Sure," I said a tad too defensive. "Why wouldn't I?"

  "I heard that she was an alpha bitch," Nemesis interjected. "I haven't seen it thus far, but I've only known her for a day. She leans towards more suspicious than bossy."

  I didn't mind getting called an alpha bitch. Bitches got things done. But they wouldn't know who I was, would they? Neither had spent more than a few hours in my company. It's possible that I'd get bossier with food and rest.

  "Sleeping now," I said drowsily.

  "What if your mother calls back?" Nemesis asked with a touch of panic in her voice.

  "Nemesis, if you're still awake, answer the phone. I'm sure she'd be pleased to talk to you."

  Now she was snorting. "Bloody unlikely."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Outside of the barrier, our powers worked. More specifically, my ability to regulate my body heat worked and I was able to create a relatively comfortable nest. A stream gurgled nearby and further away sounds of animal life filtered through the trees. I'd slept in worse places.

  "Rise and shine slacker. We've got a busy day ahead."

  I rose, but there was no shining happening with this girl. I flipped Medusa the bird and shimmied out of the burrow I'd made. My bladder was calling, and nothing was going to stop it from bursting if I didn't hurry.

  Marisol told me once that you're not supposed to write about the call of nature in your books because it's indelicate. I'd given her a blank stare and a snort. What? Do heroines, not pee? If that's the case, sign me up.

  I set up behind a large tree and called out, "Did my mother call back while I was comatose?"

  "Are you talking to me while you pee?" She sounded a little offended, and that made me smile. Obviously, Medusa didn't have a best-girl-friend.

  "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you had delicate sensibilities. I don't suppose there's coffee."

  "Stop. Talking."

  "Toilet paper?"

  She growled, and something whacked me in the back of the head. I beamed when I saw the package. Praised be for mothers who knew how to pack for a woman on the go. I finished my business and then ambled down to the stream to wash up. It was cool but not too cold. In a perfect world, this would have been the best camping spot.

  The scenery was gorgeous, and I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. I hadn't felt this peaceful in forever. I shook out my hands and looked out across the water. Then, I burst into an eruptive volcanic flame. Nemesis and Hephaestus were standing in the middle of the stream. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, and her lips were sucking on his face like she was trying to devour him. Were they doing it? Peace. Gone.

  "Oh, for fuck's sake," Medusa muttered before shoving me face first into the water.

  I hit with a splash, and steam hissed around us, creating a dense fog. Stay in the water, or get far, far away? The decision was hard. The water would keep me from burning down the forest. Running away would make me feel better. Have you ever looked at someone and felt a melting in your soul because you could see the potential for your relationship, but as soon as they opened their mouth, you wanted to smash their nose in with your fist?

 
; No? Oh. Well then, I must have incredibly violent tendencies.

  Heph and I have this demented chemistry, and if I didn't loathe him for being a ham-handed asshole, I'd love him so passionately that we'd be incinerated. And apparently, Nemesis felt the same. I dragged myself out of the water and trudged up the bank. What was left of my clothing, hung in limp, wet patches on my body. "I need a change of clothing."

  "This happen often?" Medusa asked as she pulled me up the bank.

  "More than I'd like." I wrung out the bottom of my tattered shirt and shook the water off my hands. "So, yeah. Didn't know they were a thing."

  "How do you think he got that lovely scar?"

  "That was her?"

  "Oh yes. Hephaestus and Nemesis had quite the passionate affair. But well, as pretty as he is…" She trailed off and stared at his broad back and shoulders.

  "He's a right, bloody asshat. Yeah, I know. I've been tempted to gut him myself."

  "I heard."

  "I'd be surprised if you hadn't." I shimmied out of scraps that were my pants and tromped over to my pack in my underwear. "At this rate, I'm going to end up storming the castle naked."

  "He brought over your wish-list as well as a few changes of clothing."

  "Why did they send him?"

  "Why don't you ask me?" His baritone voice broke through the clearing, and I jerked to a stop.

  Slowly turning around, I finally replied with, "Well, you looked like you were busy.” I made air quotes to emphasize my point. “I didn't want to interrupt."

  "Hard to stay in the mood when suddenly everything smells like boiled fish."

  My eyes narrowed, but I didn't spout the first thing that came to mind. Point for me! Yay! "So? You're here because?"

  "Your mother sent me with supplies. She wanted to make sure you had everything on your list. I also need to check for any lingering effects from Hecate."

  I spun in a pirouette and ended with a bow. "I'm peachy, thanks. If you could point me in the direction of what you brought, you can go."