by Anne B. Cole
“Is this necessary, Zeus?” Poseidon exclaimed. “Kadir can’t read. He knows he has to make a sacrifice.”
“A what?” Kadir demanded.
“A sacrifice. Zeus clarified it in writing to make certain there is no confusion, ‘A sacrifice of two, you must make. If not, the gods will forsake.’ Make it a worthy sacrifice, Kadir. I have a thousand drachmas bet on you acquiring the treasure. If any other mortal claims the treasure before you, they will be sent to an afterlife in Tartarus. Don’t disappoint me.” Poseidon tossed the black book at Kadir, slapped him on the back, and disappeared.
“Longworthy, the gods are making me out to be a fool. Tell me where the treasure is buried,” Kadir begged. “I never intended to kill your wife. My sincere apologies. I tried to retrieve the dagger to bring her back.”
Though James resented the gods, he felt a touch of pity for his murderer. “My friend, I wish you luck in finding the treasure.”
“Tell me which island, the location, a landmark, anything?”
James felt his soul pulling away from his spent body. Despite a strange desire to help Kadir, he had no strength to speak. He took in a final breath and pressed his cheek against Gretchen’s while torrents of rain burst from the skies.
Chapter 25
A Sacrifice of Two
Gretta
“Sam, please wait a moment longer.” Gretta’s soul clung to his, hovering above James and Gretchen’s bodies.
“We must hurry back to Roxana,” Sam urged.
“Just another minute.” She stared at the couple they had been entwined within. “We have time. Their souls haven’t left yet,” she pleaded. Something within compelled her to remain with Gretchen until the very end. She felt Sam swirl around her soul in uneasy agreement.
“Longworthy, look at the pages,” Kadir held James’ head in one arm and the black book in the other. “Tell me where you hid the treasure.”
A bolt of lightning slashed the sky and a massive wave pitched the ship. Together James, Gretchen, and Kadir slid across the deck to the rail. Another wave crashed into the vessel and washed all three overboard. Kadir burst through the surface next to the unmoving Longworthys. A third wave lifted the pirate to the ship’s deck. Dripping wet, he watched James and Gretchen drift slowly into the depths of the sea.
“Wasted lives.” Kadir removed his hat and bowed his head. Black eyes shifted to the skies and he raised his voice, “A sacrifice of two. The sacrifice has been made so the treasure is rightfully mine.” He tripped over his own boots, scrambling in a frantic search. “Where is that book?”
“Looking for something?” Asclepius appeared beside the ship’s wheel with Kadir’s crushed capitano hat in hand. He attempted to reform the black wool into place.
Kadir jerked to attention. “Ah, good to see you haven’t abandoned me. The sacrifice has been made and I intend to claim my treasure.”
“Zeus declared the passing of the Longworthys an unacceptable sacrifice. The two must be pure of body and soul. Untouched. Worthy.” Asclepius offered the hat to Kadir. “Besides, many gods have sizable bets on you finding the treasure or not,” he added with a smirk.
Kadir grabbed his hat and shoved it on his head with a sigh. Seawater dripped off the bent rim.
Asclepius began to fade into mist.
“Wait, I lost the black book.” Kadir rushed in front of the disappearing god and sank to his knees.
“Good luck, Kadir Haty.” With a slight bow, Asclepius disappeared completely.
Kadir’s shoulders slumped in defeat. A gust of wind tossed the ship and slid the pirate across the deck. The featherless hat flew off his head. Skidding on wet floorboards, he clambered after it.
“Damn storm,” he grumbled as the ship pitched. The hat escaped his clutch by mere inches. Several attempts later, the sea calmed, allowing him to snatch his hat. He stuck it farther on his head than normal.
“Ouch.” His frown turned into a sly grin. He extracted the black book from inside the hat and began to laugh. “A treasure hunt. What more could a pirate want?”
Gretta felt the essence of Sam’s spiritual lips graze her cheek. She concentrated on returning to Roxana and Katarina. Within seconds, their souls transported to the island. Sam’s warm embrace erased her lingering fear and hatred of the pirate. She leaned into his soul and found comfort.
“Enough. Roxana cannot keep time still much longer.” Katarina’s harsh voice cut through the air. “Relay what you can in the minutes we have.”
“Where are we?” Sam asked.
“Delos,” Katarina replied.
“Where’s Roxana?” Gretta scanned the ancient ruins. She recognized the lion statues and the pillars where Gretchen and James had found the key to the treasure chest.
“Over there.” Katarina pointed to the sea.
Gretta squinted to see a figure hovering several feet above the water.
“Where? I don’t see her.” Sam searched.
“You can’t see her, Sam. Her soul is in a state similar to a ghost. We’re attempting to avoid being spotted by the gods,” Katarina explained.
“I can see her,” Gretta whispered.
“Yes, you can see spirits in any form. Visibility of spirits is your gift,” Katarina replied without her usual snappish tone.
“My gift is telling me danger is very near,” Sam warned.
Katarina squared her shoulders to him. “Tell me what you learned.”
“Kadir and Longworthy tricked the gods by using Asclepius’ dagger to heal James in a duel to death. Zeus didn’t appreciate being deceived by mortals.”
“Zeus?” Katarina shuddered.
“Don’t forget Zeus was also angry with Aphrodite because she tricked him into changing the color of his robes to celadon,” Gretta added.
Katarina’s eyes narrowed on her. “Celadon? Aphrodite? We were unable to follow you into the past. You must explain quickly. Keep to the important facts.”
Gretta felt Sam’s spirit encircle her with reassurance.
“Make sure I get this right.” His essence reformed in his human likeness at her side. “Three gods and one goddess are involved with the treasure Lorenzo found. Zeus confiscated Aphrodite’s jewels because she tricked him into wearing celadon for a thousand years.”
“Don’t forget the three strangers and the gold,” Gretta added.
“Thanks.” He inched closer to her. “There were three men. Kadir Haty, an Ottoman pirate named Jabir, and Captain James Longworthy. Together, they found gold hidden on Delos. Longworthy wanted the gold to support the Greek War of Independence. The two pirates wanted the gold for themselves. Kadir killed the Ottoman on the island of Delos. The gods interfered at this point because the island is sacred and no one is supposed to die on the island. Zeus declared the gold, Gretchen Longworthy, and Aphrodite’s jewels to go to the winner of a duel between James and Kadir.”
Sam paused and Gretta took over the story. “The gods took sides and placed bets while James and Kadir selected their weapons. Kadir chose Poseidon’s trident and James picked Asclepius’s dagger. It was the same jeweled dagger Kadir used to stab Lorenzo years later.” Gretta swallowed hard. “It’s also the dagger Theo used to kill Kadir when he attacked Anya. I saw a waiter try to stab Sam with it in present time.” She turned to Sam. “Why is Asclepius trying to cut you with his dagger? You don’t have a wound to heal.”
Sam’s spirit shrugged.
“Go back to James and Kadir.” Katarina’s focus returned to Sam.
“Zeus took some of Aphrodite’s jewelry. There were three rings, three necklaces, and two diamond bracelets in all. Gretta’s ring is one of them. He did this to punish her for tricking him into changing the colors of his robes.”
“I know, celadon. What color is it?” Katarina pressed.
/> “Light green,” Gretta answered.
A crack of lightning flashed through the still air.
“Do you think Zeus heard?” Sam whispered.
“I don’t know. Time remains still. Hurry,” Katarina exclaimed.
“Long story short, James found out Asclepius’ blade can heal wounds so he made a deal with Kadir and tricked the gods into believing Kadir won the duel. When the gods realized they had been fooled by mortals, they forced James to hide the gold and Aphrodite’s jewelry. He wrote clues to the location in a black book, the same book Peter and Lorenzo stole from Kadir five years later.” He paused when Katarina winced in confusion.
“Sorry, I strayed a bit. James and Kadir dueled a second time and the gods made sure it was a duel to the death.” Sam paused in respect. “James and Gretchen both died from a single strike of Kadir’s sword. He didn’t intend to kill Gretchen. Her death was an accident when she ran to protect James. The gods had placed bets on who would win the duel. They also bet on whether or not Kadir would be able to decipher James’ clues and find the treasure.”
Gretta touched the garnet ring on her finger. “Aphrodite cursed anyone who wears her jewelry with a life of tragedy and an afterlife in Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “Zeus cursed the gold too, demanding a sacrifice of two before Kadir could lay claim to it. Poseidon is the protector of the seas. Sailors worshiped him for good luck. He bet Kadir would be able to find the treasure. When Lorenzo found it instead, Poseidon lost his bet. Lorenzo certainly had his share of bad luck after he found the treasure.”
“Asclepius is the protector of mortals.” Gretta’s voice rose with excitement. “He’s trying to help us.”
“But Lorenzo was stabbed with Asclepius’ dagger and believe me, it didn’t feel like a healing blade when it struck him,” Sam countered.
“Maybe it’s because Lorenzo and Peter took the gold and jewelry without a worthy sacrifice.” Gretta tilted her head in thought. “Lorenzo, Tatiana, Anya, and Peter all died within months of acquiring the treasure. They shared the treasure without a sacrifice.”
Katarina gestured impatiently. “Stop focusing on the past. We now know Aphrodite placed the curse on the ring in addition to Zeus’ curse on the treasure. A sacrifice of two must be made to appease Zeus and your ring needs to go back to Aphrodite.”
Gretta tried to pry the ring off, but it wouldn’t budge.
“It won’t release while you’re in spirit form,” Roxana informed them.
Gretta spun and faced her ancestral grandmother. She flew from Sam’s side and embraced her.
“Our time here is dwindling,” Roxana warned. “You will soon return to your bodies. Prepare yourselves to be near Delos and face the gods. I believe they are responsible for your trip to the islands.”
“How did I not see it before? Aphrodite was the woman who gave me the trip tickets.”
“Was she drop dead gorgeous?” Sam asked.
Gretta glared at him.
“Be careful around Aphrodite. She cannot be trusted,” Katarina warned.
Roxana’s burgundy floor length dress began to shimmer at the hem. “Quickly, there is little time. Katarina, tell them Minnie’s latest prophecy.”
“‘Sacrifice of two, the curse will be broken. Escape from Tartarus through trust and forgiveness spoken. Challenged by the gods, victory cannot be the goal. A truce must be made to save her soul.’” Katarina paused. “‘Angry gods. Powerful and great. With hope and recognition, evil depths they shall evade.’”
Gretta gasped when Katarina’s spirit began to blur. “Don’t go. We need your guidance.”
“We believe in you.” Roxana disappeared.
“Good luck.” Katarina’s slight form vanished.
Sam’s essence protectively encompassed her as their spirits soared back to their bodies within the depths of the sea.
Chapter 26
The Dolphin Rider
Gretta
“Sam!” Gretta’s scream muffled when water surged into her nose and mouth. She watched Sam swimming not to the surface, but deeper into the sea. He continued his frantic search for her in the wrong direction.
Salty water trickled down her throat as she plummeted to him. She overcame the urge to surface and clear her lungs. Unable to scream to get his attention, she clapped her hands together.
He spun to his right.
With her lungs screaming for air, she inverted and swam in his direction. Still a distance away, her hands and legs felt detached. Her mind reeled.
I can’t get to you. Please, look up.
As if he heard her demanding thoughts, he tilted his head and started to swim to her. The sea around him sparkled with thousands of stars until nothing but a dazzling light surrounded him. Her fingers tingled and it became increasingly more difficult to concentrate. She relaxed, knowing he had found her. Dead or alive, they would be together.
Darkness replaced all light.
“Breathe, Gretta.”
The voice sounded far away.
Lips pressed against hers, forcing air into her lungs. She felt her body flip to the side and she expelled volumes of salt water. A hand pounded her back and more water drained from her nose and mouth.
Strong arms tossed her on her back. Someone lifted her chin and pinched her nose. Clean air rushed through her body.
Gretta opened her eyes to Sam bending over her. Water dripped off his hair and splashed on her cheeks. She sputtered and coughed until she took in a dry breath.
“I’m okay. I thought I died and we both went to heaven.” She relaxed within his steel grip. “Sam, you’re hurting my arms.”
“Hold on to me and try not to be afraid. When we fall off, we’re going together.” He tucked her within his arms and shifted his weight when a spray of water cascaded over his shoulders.
“Fall off what?” Gretta peered through his arms and saw nothing but the endless sea. More water hit her cheeks and she felt movement beneath her. The surface proved slick and they slid a few feet to the left.
“Hang on. This is completely insane.” Sam tightened his hold on her waist.
Gretta lifted her head enough to see the horizon moving. Too close to the water to be in a boat, she assumed they had to be in some type of rubber raft. She craned her neck to see exactly what they were riding. Instead of sides holding them in, the rounded edge of the floor dropped off to the sea. To her right, a huge fin broke the surface and smacked the water. Behind Sam a whoosh sounded.
“Ugh, my foot slipped into its blow hole.”
“Slipped in what? Oh my God, we’re on the back of a huge whale,” Gretta gasped. “How did you get us up here?”
“I have no idea. Just hang on. When he decides to go beneath the surface we’ll need to jump. It’s hard to see through the spray so I have no idea if we’re moving closer or farther from land.” He patted the whale gently. “Gretta, he swam under you and helped both of us to the surface. He lifted me with the edge of his fin. You took in more water than I did. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Rescued by a freaking whale?
“Look, I see land,” Sam cried and pointed to an island partially hidden by fog.
“It’s as if the whale is taking us there. Thanks for the ride, big guy.” Gretta smoothed her hand over its slick skin. “What kind of whale do you think he is?”
“This one is bigger than a bus. Maybe a blue whale, but I didn’t think they lived in the Mediterranean Sea.” Sam wiped water from his forehead with the back of his hand.
Their ride suddenly stopped.
Sam’s grip tightened. “Stay close. I’ll swim right beside you.”
The whale dropped into the depths, leaving its riders treading water.
“Sam, watch out,” Gretta cri
ed when a dolphin leapt out of the water and dove head first within inches of him. The creature surfaced and chattered a series of chirps and whistles.
Sam seized a curved dorsal fin. A second dolphin nudged under his other arm. “Here’s your dolphin, Gretta. She wants you to take hold of her fin. They’re willing to help us to shore.”
She continued treading water, keeping a safe distance between herself and the dolphins. “Sam, dolphins don’t speak English.”
As her comment registered, Sam’s forehead crinkled. The dolphin chattered again and he laughed. “You’re absolutely right. I must be the first human to understand dolphin. Sounds crazy, but so is everything else we’ve been through lately. I don’t sense any danger.” He rubbed the back of the dolphin and it chirped in return.
She cautiously touched the dolphin. It wriggled alongside her body with a friendly nudge.
Sam’s dolphin took off.
“Wait for me.” Gretta grabbed her dolphin’s fin and it swept her through the water at an incredible speed.
“This is awesome,” Sam hollered.
Gretta watched his dolphin plummet into the water, taking Sam along. A moment later the two surfaced. He waved and shook water from his eyes, displaying the impish grin she loved.
“Don’t worry, he promised me your dolphin will give you a gentle ride. See you on shore,” he shouted over the rushing water.
Gretta laughed and watched Sam zigzag through the sea in a series of playful dives. “As much fun as my husband is having, I prefer your peaceful tow.” She gave the dolphin an appreciative squeeze. “Thank you for helping us.”
The dolphin whistled a series of chirps and bobbed its head.
“Sorry, I don’t understand dolphin.” She watched the shoreline grow from a darkened line on the sea into a rocky beach. A lone man sitting on a boulder came into focus. Dark robes flapped in the wind and ended at his dangling bare feet. “Do you know him?”