by Anne B. Cole
“I’m honored to deliver John’s descendants and humbled you chose me. You did all the work.” Theo patted her hand and gazed at the other spirits present. “You gave them quite a gift. Holding a grandchild is a precious thing.”
“You’re their ancestral grandfather, too. You raised John as if he were your own.” Sadness poured into her heart with thoughts of Sam. Not present, he was unable to share the happy moment.
“Sweetness, your daughter has your dimples and her father’s eyes.” Todd Dobbs cradled the tiny infant in his spiritual arms. “She’s absolutely perfect.” He tickled her chin and the babe clutched his finger with a teeny hand.
“How did she grab your finger?” Sarah Daggett exclaimed, holding her swaddled grandson. “Her brother keeps trying to clutch mine, but his hand comes up empty.”
Gretta watched her son interact with his grandmother even though he seemed unable to touch her.
“Let me try.” Todd wriggled his finger away from his granddaughter and traded babies with Sarah. He tickled the boy’s chin and offered a finger to hold. The boy cooed and batted his fist straight through his grandfather’s hand. “Can’t touch me either, but this little guy watches me like a hawk.”
“With his mother’s eyes. He displays his father’s determination.” Sarah chuckled as the baby repeatedly swatted his grandfather’s finger. “His sister has an amazing grip.” She held up her pinky in the baby’s grasp.
Gretta’s heart swelled with pride and love for her family. Maybe I will be okay raising them. Alone.
“You’re not alone,” Theo whispered.
Gretta swiped a sliding tear and nodded bravely in agreement.
Sarah sat on the bed next to her. “I know one grandfather she will wrap her little fingers around.”
“And a grandmother who will grant this guy’s every request,” Todd added.
“And a father who is head over heels in love with all three of you,” Theo joined in.
“But Sam is—”
“Have you chosen names?” Theo interrupted her.
“I have a few ideas, but I wanted Sam’s input.”
“Names will come to you when you least expect it.” All eyes focused on Hera who had been present the entire time, overseeing the birth of the twins. “Being the Supreme Goddess and Patron of Marriage and Childbirth, I insist the twins be raised by parents in a loving marriage.”
“As they will be,” Asclepius chimed in at Hera’s side.
Todd handed Gretta her son and bowed to Hera. “My daughter loves her husband and will raise her children in a supportive and loving environment.”
Sarah tucked the baby girl in Gretta’s other arm. “My son will do everything in his power to love and protect his beautiful family.” She brushed tears off Gretta’s cheeks with a graceful wave of her hand.
“You make it sound like he’s already back.” Gretta heard the desperation in her own voice.
“Gretta, you must believe it is possible to overcome evil. Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes control. Sam is in your soul and loves you more than you can ever imagine.” Sarah kissed both twins on their cheeks and tousled Gretta’s hair.
“We need to be on our way,” Theo announced. “Take care, Gretta.” He escorted Sarah to Asclepius, giving Todd space to approach.
“I’m so sorry, Dad.” Gretta felt the cool tingle of her father’s embrace. “Your accident was my fault.”
“Shh, not another word. Everything happens for a reason. Humans don’t understand why events happen until they move on.” He placed a hand on each of the twins’ heads.
“Mom misses you. We all do.”
A smile stretched from one side of his dazzling face to the other. “Your mom will soon find her way. I’m with her always.” He squeezed her hand.
“I know, in her heart. Just like Sam is with me in mine.”
“Similar, yet very different. Remember Sarah’s words?”
“Believe it is possible to overcome evil. Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes—” Her mouth dropped open. “Sarah repeated the prophecy Minnie told me months ago in Purgatory-In-Tartarus. I don’t understand. Dad?”
I must go. Be strong. Have faith. Her father’s voice faded into the heavens. The three spirits returned to the Elysian Fields.
“Hades is near.” Hera scooped the twins out of Gretta’s grasp and stood protectively at her side with Asclepius on the other.
A gust of wind blew the curtains off, exposing her to the elements. Red and black clouds blanketed the skies in darkness. Streaks of lightning flashed. The bed shook as if from a violent earthquake.
“Zeus and Poseidon as well,” Asclepius added while torrential rain unleashed over them.
“Enough,” Hera shouted. “Quit showing off and present yourselves.”
Hades hovered in his dragon form at the foot of Gretta’s bed.
Believe it’s possible to overcome evil. Have faith. Repeating the prophecy didn’t help curb her fear of the ferocious god of the Underworld.
“I’m here to collect the children,” Hades roared. Drool sizzled and tongues of fire flickered from behind rows of sharp teeth.
“No,” Gretta gasped, wanting to hold her twins and never let go.
“How dare you deal with my brother behind my back?” Zeus materialized from the clouds overhead.
“I—”
A wall of water slammed next to the left side of her bed.
Poseidon held a palm to each of his feuding brothers. “Silence! The children are most impressionable at this stage.”
Zeus sparked and crackled.
Hades hissed fire.
Both took a single step away from Gretta and narrowed their gazes on the infants.
“Show me my husband.” Gretta made the brave demand, not taking her eyes off the dragon-monster god.
“Woman, I condemn your soul to an eternity in Purgatory-In-Tartarus for dealing with Hades,” Zeus spat.
“Where is Sam?” Gretta ignored the lightning god’s threat, scrambled out of bed, and stood toe to claw to Hades.
“Answer the mortal woman, brother.” Poseidon raised a protective wall around Hera and the babies. “Where is the mortal man?”
Hades tilted his warty, horned head and exhaled a horrendously foul smelling, fiery breath. “I don’t know.”
Gretta’s bottom lip quivered. Biting it hard, she spun to confront Zeus. “What did you do with my husband? I have no allegiance with any of you until I get answers.”
Lightning blasted through the air in response.
Poseidon began to chuckle, dripping water over the group in a light shower. “Obviously, the human has outwitted both of my brothers.”
“The mortal is a coward.” Zeus gritted his teeth. “Show yourself, for I have your offspring.”
Gretta stomped an angry foot in front of Zeus. “Sam is no coward.”
“All three of you swore to never sire children. I believe fostering children falls within the realm of the agreement,” Hera mused.
Gretta breathed a sigh of relief and moved to Hera’s side. Her eyes widened in horror when the goddess rose into the air, with a baby in each arm.
“Don’t take them,” Gretta pleaded. “I’m their mother.”
“A single parent is unfit to raise such powerful offspring.” Hera dismissed Gretta and focused on the brothers. “None of you know of the mortal man’s whereabouts?” After a moment of grumbling she continued, “Shame on all of you. How dare you claim the right to raise the children when you’re repetitively outsmarted by their mortal father?”
Gretta watched her son squirm while her daughter snuggled in the crook of the goddess’s arm.
Aphrodite popped into view at Hera’s side. “Oh, he�
�s gorgeous,” the goddess of love drawled as she gently plucked the boy from Hera. “And your sister is lovelier than I expected.”
Gretta frowned when her son instantly settled against Aphrodite’s breast. “Traitor,” she muttered.
Asclepius touched her shoulder and a sudden burst of courage poured from her heart.
“I will raise my children.” Gretta heard herself vow. “No one is more qualified than their birth mother.”
“Absolutely not,” Zeus bellowed.
Hera’s deep blue eyes narrowed.
Gretta felt the stare penetrate her entire being. She stood her ground as the Supreme Goddess flinched ever so slightly before glancing at Asclepius for the briefest of seconds.
“In light of new evidence, I changed my mind. This mortal woman is more than qualified to raise the children,” Hera said.
“I doubt it,” Zeus scoffed.
Poseidon leaned to Hades. “Take cover, brother. The wrath of Hera is about to be unleashed.”
Hades scuttled on his giant clawed feet and ducked behind Poseidon’s trident.
Hera shoved the baby girl into Asclepius’ arms.
“Women are smart and strong. I’ll prove it now. Where is the mortal man?” Hera glared at each of the three most powerful gods. “Anyone?”
Silence.
Hera straightened her shoulders. “I am the only Olympian who knows the whereabouts of the human soul, giving me the right to decide who rears the children.” A golden scroll appeared in her hands and she handed it to Zeus.
Zeus opened his mouth to counter when Aphrodite slithered to his side.
A dazed look passed over the mighty god’s face.
Aphrodite flashed an intoxicating smile among the gods.
“Approach, mortal woman,” Zeus sneered.
Gretta swallowed hard and hesitantly stepped forward until she stood in front of the greatest of Greek gods.
“This declaration awards the children to the gods.” Zeus offered Gretta the golden scroll. “If you find your mortal mate, the scroll will disappear and you will earn freedom for your family.”
Determined, Gretta accepted the scroll. As her fingers wrapped around the parchment, it disappeared.
Chapter 55
The Essence Within
Gretta
“Where did the scroll go?” Zeus frowned in disbelief.
“I don’t know.” Hades shrugged.
“Looks like you’ve been outsmarted by a woman, brother,” Poseidon laughed. Hades and Hera joined him.
Aphrodite giggled before blowing into Zeus’ ear.
Hera stepped in between Aphrodite and her husband. “Zeus, even though you are proving my point, I don’t like seeing the way Aphrodite controls you.” With a snap of her fingers, Zeus’ anger returned.
“Trickery is grounds to send the mortal woman to Purgatory-In-Tartarus.” Zeus threw his hands into the air, blasting bolts across the sky.
“Wait,” Asclepius cried. “Has anyone considered the scroll may have disappeared because the mortal woman can’t begin searching in her human form?” He grabbed Gretta by the arm and moved her away from Zeus’ wrath. “Perhaps her spiritual form will be able to accept the scroll.”
“Remove her spirit, Asclepius,” Hera commanded.
“Of course.” He drew his jeweled handled dagger from his robes.
Gretta took a final breath and closed her eyes, not wanting to know when or how he would kill her.
“I believe Gretta wants her body to be placed beside her husband during this time.” Hera’s voice rang inside Gretta’s head.
“Um, I—” Gretta blinked and searched Asclepius for direction.
The grip on her arm tightened.
“Yes!” Aphrodite piped up. “Two lovers, holding hands as their souls fight for their children and their happy ever after.”
“I bet she doesn’t find him.” Hades tossed coins into the air and morphed back into his human likeness.
Poseidon tossed his own coin to cover the bet.
“Asclepius, you have one minute to return her spirit to me.” Zeus flourished a new scroll in hand.
“Agreed.” Asclepius transported Gretta to Sam’s resting place with a snap of his fingers.
“Please, kill me quickly.” Gretta heard her voice hitch when she caught sight of Sam’s body.
Asclepius raised a hand in warning and pressed his index finger to his lips.
Gretta nodded in understanding, knowing the gods could hear them even at this distance.
“It’s important to concentrate. Think about where you want Sam to be.” The minor god paused and held both of her shoulders, forcing her to focus on him instead of Sam’s soulless body. “A meaningful touch is necessary.”
“A meaningful touch?” Gretta remembered Roxana’s instructions from many months ago. “A meaningful touch will return our spirits to our bodies,” she whispered. Her heart began to race at the prospect of Sam’s soul entwined within Asclepius. She wrapped her arms around the minor god and squeezed.
“Gretta,” Asclepius’ voice, not Sam’s, sounded in her ears. “We don’t have much time.”
Disappointment sliced through her when her arms moved through Asclepius’ spirit, unable to make a connection.
“I thought maybe Roxana entwined him within you.” She felt her lips quiver.
Asclepius pressed his finger back against his lips, smiled, and nodded once.
Gretta sniffed in confusion. “I really thought he was entwined within you,” she whispered. “It feels as if he’s right here.” She knelt beside Sam’s body.
“He is.”
Gretta whirled. What? She mouthed the word in silence.
Asclepius tilted his head. He pointed to Sam’s body and then, very slowly, he tapped his finger on her chest.
The chill of his touch cut to her inner being.
“Sam is entwi—”
“We must do this quickly. Ready?”
Could it be possible?
A crash of thunder rolled, snapping her out of her stupor.
“Hurry, a meaningful touch. Now.” Asclepius didn’t bother whispering. Lightning streaked across the sky.
Gretta clutched her chest over her heart with one hand, grabbed Sam’s limp hand with her other. When she pressed a kiss to his lips, her body lurched twice. An essence deep within peeled away from her soul, leaving her crying out in despair. Her body slumped to the ground in exhaustion.
Chapter 56
Sign Here
Gretta
Strong arms encircled Gretta, pulled her close, and stroked her hair. Lips nibbled behind her ear, sending shivers through her body. Hands smoothed over her back and pressed her body against the curve of his chest.
Sam’s chest.
He sat on the flat stone and cradled her in his lap.
“Is it really you?” Gretta touched his face before she ran her fingers through his hair.
Rather than answering, he flashed a grin and devoured her lips with his own. Real lips, not the tingly sensation of a spiritual touch. She melted into the familiar, comforting embrace of his muscled arms and woodsy scent.
A bolt of lightning flashed between them.
Gretta flew through the air and crashed hard to the sandy beach. Before she could push herself to her knees, Sam collected her in his arms, crushing her to his chest.
“Keep your emotions in check, Sam. You don’t have to prove anything to me or anyone.” She watched his forehead wrinkle and eyes darken. “Please, if you anger Zeus he will split us up again.”
“I never left you, even though it appeared I did.” He lifted her chin with one hand. Chocolate brown eyes met hers. “I’ll never leave you again.”
A
shriek escaped her lips when their bodies lifted off the ground in a tornadic wind. She buried her face against Sam’s chest and clung with all her strength. They catapulted through the darkness and skidded across the sand, rolling to a stop near shore. He raised his weight off her and propped himself with his elbows.
“I’m not letting go of you.” He gently pressed the length of his body against hers. “You and the twins are my love, my entire life.”
Gretta crushed his lips and her hands slid beneath his shirt. She wanted to touch every inch of his body before she’d lower her wall of self-protection and believe the gods would allow them to remain alive. Buttons flew through the air. She tossed torn remnants of his shirt to the sea.
“Gretta.”
“No talk,” she murmured. Her fingers attacked the snap on his jeans.
He groaned and shifted to grant better access.
“Ahem.”
Gretta froze at the sound of Hera’s commanding voice.
Their heads turned in unison to their audience.
With a sigh, Sam eased her hands off his body and helped her to her feet. His protective arms encircled her waist.
“Ah, true love,” Aphrodite cooed at Zeus’ side. “Please, continue. Don’t let us interrupt.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Zeus grumbled. “Asclepius? I ordered you to return the mortal woman’s spirit. Instead of two spirits, you present me with two mortals.”
“My apologies. When I saw the mortal man’s spirit had returned to his body, I brought him to you as quickly as possible. Removing the woman’s spirit, uh, slipped my mind.” Asclepius gawked at the goddess in white. “Aphrodite, you radiate loveliness today.”
Gretta frowned at the minor god’s obsession and glanced at her husband whose glazed eyes ogled the goddess. With a groan, she poked an elbow in his ribs. “I found Sam’s spirit and returned him to his body.”