Forged by Greed

by Angela Orlowski-Peart

  “What do we know about the Amulet, since it seems to be the apple of our Goddess’s eye?” Georgeta turned away from the window and lit more candles. There were many, all half-burned, all close together on a simple metal tray. The wax spilled from each in elaborate shapes.

  “It’s ancient. It dates itself to the beginning of both Races,” said Bogdan, playing absentmindedly with Lusia’s spiky hair. “My folks don’t want to talk about it, but they once told me it was commissioned by our Goddess for the first Winter Prince. He was announced the Prince by Crystal after an especially bloody competition between the candidates for the first Royal Family. They fought to the death.”

  “Savages,” murmured Lusia. “I’m glad we’ve evolved to more civilized creatures. On the other hand, our Goddess seems to be stuck in the past for good.”

  “Wow, careful. You never know who’s listening,” Bogdan chuckled.

  “Oh, don’t tell me she’s got eyes and ears everywhere. Nonsense.” Lusia glowered.

  “Bogdan, since your folks are the Race’s historians, ask them what they think about all this mess.” Erik turned away from the window. “Do you remember the Goddess saying that the Amulet has never left the Winter Shape Shifter’s hands before? Something about our turn of its custody? I can’t stop thinking about it. Our custody? What’s that all about?”

  Lusia and Georgeta shook their heads and shrugged.

  “No idea. Bro, this sounds freaky,” said Bogdan. “When I think about all this stuff… I mean, look guys, we don’t know much.”

  “Hey, do we have power?” asked Georgeta.

  Outside the trees’ silhouettes looked like they were in a battle with the forces of evil. Erik flipped the nearest light switch, but nothing happened. The kids all moaned at once.

  “At least we have enough candles to last for a while,” Lusia said calmly. She pulled her knees to her chest. “The Summer kids!” she exclaimed, startling everyone. “Where is that mansion where all these leopards hang out?”

  “Jasmira. Of course,” Erik said, looking at Lusia. “She might know something.”

  Bogdan’s eyes sparkled in the candlelight when he said, “Yeah, but how do we find her? I have no idea where she—”

  “I know where she lives.” Georgeta clapped her hands, getting everyone’s attention.

  “What?” Erik’s eyebrows met, creating an almost straight line above his eyes. “What do you mean you know where she lives? How?”

  “Ugh, chill, blondie. Let me finish.” Georgeta shrugged, stealing a quick look at Erik’s face, her good-natured features clouded with guilt.

  “Georgeta.” Erik’s eyes widened in suspicion.

  Lusia and Bogdan started to giggle which, in turn, made Erik blush.

  “Oh, come on. Don’t you know any of them from school?” Georgeta stood up, glaring at Erik. She rested her hands defiantly on her round hips.

  “No, I mean we all know Jasmira, but I’m not really familiar with any of the Summer kids. You obviously hang out with them, and I don’t even have a clue.” It was clear that Erik was very protective of his little sister.

  Lusia and Bogdan couldn’t control their giggles, and soon Lusia was dabbing her eyes with her sleeve.

  “Okay, okay.” Erik’s large palms shot up in a gesture of surrender. “Can we please hear your story, dear sis?” He sat down, annoyed.

  Georgeta cleared her throat, and pushed herself deeper into the sofa cushion.

  “You know Penelope Stephanopoulos, Jasmira’s best friend?” she asked.

  “That Greek redhead with an attitude bigger than the Parthenon?” Erik snorted.

  Lusia started giggling again.

  “Yep, the same one,” Bogdan chimed in.

  “What? You too?” Erik’s eyebrows shot up to his hair.

  “I have Social Studies with her.” Bogdan shrugged, grinning.

  “She wants to do everything just like Jasmira. So she got herself an idea to date a Winter guy,” Georgeta pressed forward. “She knows me from school and she asked me about uhm… that… guy—”

  “Who?” Erik interrupted.

  “Well… uhm, you.” Georgeta’s face turned red, like a peony in full bloom. The room was quiet. Even Lusia and Bogdan stopped giggling, but they kept nudging each other. Lusia pressed her lips together, trying hard not to burst into laughter again. Bodgan’s face looked surprisingly sheepish.

  Erik fell back into the sofa cushions, his long legs stretched in front of him. “You guys are unbelievable. You all knew, and you wouldn’t even mention it?”

  “Dude, why are you so worried?” Georgeta slapped Erik’s thigh. “You should be happy, you’re a popular guy. Besides, I told her you’re unavailable.”

  “Well, thank you.” Erik’s brows furrowed again.

  “You’re welcome.” Georgeta grinned at him. “The point is I’ve been to the mansion. By the way, I must admit, I’m impressed,” she added quickly.

  “I didn’t know that part of the story. You’ve never said you went there.” Lusia exclaimed.

  Bogdan nodded in agreement.

  Georgeta looked taken aback. “Give me a break, you two. I didn’t think it was such a big deal. Come on, I was curious.”

  “Never mind then. How can we get there?” Erik got over his initial shock.

  “We drive.” Georgeta shrugged.

  “I know that much, smarty pants.”

  “In this weather?” Lusia asked.

  “I’m afraid so.” Erik stood up and walked toward the door.

  “Bogdan, should we get the others? Logan, Ian, Juliana? Anyone else? It wouldn’t hurt to have more Winter Shifters with us,” Georgeta said breathlessly.

  “Not now. Let’s just go. We can call them later, if necessary.”

  CHAPTER 20

  Human World, November 16, evening.

  Amber walked quickly to the escalator. She liked the airport atmosphere—the rush, a colorful, multi-lingual crowd, and the duty-free shops. As an ancient Goddess, she usually moved from place to place by means of her magical powers. Or used her private jet. But occasionally, she liked to catch a commercial plane. She found it entertaining to mingle with humans.

  Her insanely high Christian Louboutin stilettos made a click-clacking sound on the airport floor. Amber rolled a small luggage bag behind her. She wore a baby-blue skirt suit, which made her look like an elegant celebrity. Her hair was long and blond today and pinned up into a perfectly smooth up-do. A pair of gold earrings in the shape of four-leaf clovers and a matching pendant completed the outfit.

  Amber took an escalator down and strolled to a black limousine waiting for her by the airport entrance. The driver opened the door and helped her inside. His large hands were covered in white gloves.

  “I trust your trip was pleasant, ma’am”, he said in a thick Southern drawl.

  “As pleasant as a plane trip can be. Thank you, Mitch.”

  Soon they drove toward downtown Santa Barbara. Amber rolled down her window to feel the warmth on her skin. The temperature that evening was a record high for mid-November, and the Summer Goddess had something to do with that. She closed her eyes.

  “Can I get you anything, ma’am?” the driver’s gentle voice came from a small speaker by Amber’s seat.

  “Thank you, Mitch. I’m good.”

  “Are you staying longer this time, ma’am?” he asked, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

  Amber sighed. “I never stay anywhere long. I’m leaving in a week for Texas, and then to Hawaii. Later on I will go to Africa.”

  She traveled excessively to observe different societies, with people practicing different religions and traditions. She liked to blend in and pretend she was one of them. Amber had watched human civilization since its beginning, and it fascinated her.

  As she thought about her Summer Shifter Princess, Jasmira, her cell phone rang. She knew it was Jasmira calling even before she got the phone out of her purse. Her Shifters didn’t need human technology to communicate wi
th her. But Amber felt Jasmira was so distressed, that she couldn’t concentrate well enough to establish a mind connection with her Goddess. That was very unusual for a confident and composed Jasmira.

  First thing Amber heard was a sob, small and heartbreaking.

  “Jasmira.” Amber’s voice was gentle but her face was angry. “You and Jatred disappeared from the Summer Realm before I could help.”

  “He freaked out. He wanted to return to the Human World. And now he’s gone.” Jasmira cried quietly. “I think the Winter Goddess took him and he will be punished. He might even be dead by now. All because of me. I took that Amulet, like you told me to.”

  Amber didn’t say anything for a long moment. Finally she spoke, her voice soothing but her narrowed eyes cold, “Jasmira, you should have kept him in my Realm, just as I instructed you. Now I need a new plan.”

  “Please help him, my Goddess! Help him and tell me what to do,” Jasmira pleaded.

  “Calm your mind, my daughter, so we can talk without using a cell phone. Get on my private jet. I will call the pilot to fly you here right away.”

  ***

  Winter Realm.

  Crystal stood motionless, looking like a glittery ice statue. Her eyes rested on Jatred’s frozen form covered by mounds of snow. She was deep in thought, and her face mirrored the turmoil inside her. Two huge ravens—the first Royal couple, Freki and Geri—sat in one of the trees on the edge of the clearing. The Goddess turned her head to look at them. They made a series of clicking noises, then cawed loudly, and sailed down to circle above her head, still croaking. She made an impatient gesture. “You’re annoying.” Her voice sounded clear in the frosty air, although her mouth didn’t move.

  The ravens plummeted toward the ground, shifting in mid-air into two huge wolves. The animals landed on their paws. A low growl rumbled in the back of their throats. They walked slowly around Jatred’s frozen shape, their lips curled back.

  Crystal watched them in silence for a while. Finally, she said, “I should listen to you and simply eliminate him to remove the danger of the ten-thousand-year mark. The Shifters could choose a new King or a Queen, and the world would be safe again. At least for a while. But I’m getting soft in my old age. ”

  One of the wolves, Geri, quietly growled and snapped his jaws dangerously close to Jatred. Freki snarled much louder. Her muzzle wrinkled as she exposed her sharp canines. The Goddess shook her head. Reluctantly, the two animals moved away from Jatred. They walked toward the woods and disappeared between the snow-covered trees.

  The Goddess closed her eyes and raised her arms to the sides. Her palms were up, and there was a luminescent moon shape on each of them.

  “Jatred, my child,” she said with her mind.

  Something in him started to awaken, as if from a deep sleep. Various images began a sluggish parade through his mind.

  “Rise.” Crystal moved her arms up.

  She became completely visible, looking like a regular young woman—a stunning young woman. Her dark hair glistened in the sun. Small, almost heart-shaped lips stayed motionless. The Amulet around her neck reflected sun rays, sending hundreds of tiny blue specks to dance on her half-covered breasts, bare shoulders, and neck.

  She wore a white, knee-length sleeveless cotton dress. The hem was embroidered with tiny, glittering snowflakes, reminiscent of those coming down from a cloudless sky. The top of her white boots’ shafts were turned out, revealing thick silver-white fur. The shafts were embellished with white decorative inlays and stitching.

  A thick pillow of snow, covering Jatred’s body, cracked and large chunks started to slide off. Like an ancient warrior, he rose in a slow but determined motion, uncurling his arms and lifting his head. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and looked at Crystal. Jatred tilted his head back and shook his hair, then knelt on one knee.

  “My Goddess,” Jatred said in a raspy voice. “Did you summon me?”

  Crystal smiled and touched the Amulet. “Do you know what this is?”

  “It’s the Amulet.”

  “Do you remember you are the one to keep and protect it with your own life?” Crystal continued her investigation.

  Jatred’s brows drew together, forcing his smooth forehead to crease. “Yes, I remember. Our Race has it in their possession right now, before it must pass back to the Summer.”

  “Do you remember fighting one of my Garhanans?” Crystal’s smile disappeared.

  “A Garhanan?” Jatred said the name slowly, shocked. “No. Did I do something wrong?”

  “Yes, my child. But you are forgiven.” She looked at him sharply. “Actually, I want you to forget that Garhanan for now.” She slowly moved her hand in front of his face.

  Jatred felt as if something cold stabbed at his brain. He winced and squeezed his eyes, staggering to the side.

  Crystal seized his wrist and touched her other hand to Jatred’s cheek, making his icy pain subside. She smiled and took his hand in hers. “Now I will send you back to the Human World.”

  They walked together, not leaving any tracks in a deep undisturbed snow. From behind, next to the tall broad-shouldered Jatred, the Goddess looked like a slender teenage girl. Soon their bodies started to shimmer and dissolve in the cold, winter air.

  CHAPTER 21

  Human World, November 16, evening.

  Erik killed the engine and parked the car a few paces north off a huge wrought-iron gate, along a solid-looking fence. The four of them got out slowly and glanced around. In the distance they saw a breathtaking mansion, encircled by manicured gardens. A wide path stretched toward the house from the gate. Tall, well-maintained shrubs framed the path on both sides. Mature trees stood in a compact row behind the hedges. Cool wind attacked their branches, tearing off the last batches of yellow and brown leaves. Antique bronze lanterns cast a soft milky light along both sides of the pathway.

  Every thirty feet, the hedge broke into a clean-cut gap occupied by an old, stone statue of a warrior. Some were depicted wearing short tunics and tall boots. Others had long sweeping capes over their body armor. All the sculptures held at least one weapon: a sword, a pike, or a bow. An image of a sun face was visible on each warrior’s breast plate. It was a copy of the sun face carved into the pendants on the gate leopards.

  “Holy shit,” Bogdan said under his breath, his eyes scanning the area.

  Lusia whistled, and Erik exhaled loudly.

  “Told ya.” Georgeta smugly crossed her arms over her chest.

  The statues stood tall as if guarding the grounds. Although there were patches of an old, attractive patina on them, they were scrubbed clean of any dirt and moss. Only delicate, thin vines were left to sparsely encircle their squat bases. Tiny white flowers marched up the vines, ignoring the little brown ants that busily ran over the stony surface.

  Bogdan approached the gate and examined it closely. He ran his long slim fingers over it and pushed, but the gate didn’t budge.

  “Looks like we have to climb,” Bogdan said in a hushed voice.

  The rest of them moved toward the fence, in complete silence. Each of the teenagers jumped swiftly onto the iron spikes. With blurry speed, they climbed up onto the sharp finials, and leaped down to the other side.

  Everyone landed lightly on the grass and stayed in the crouching position. They looked around for a sign of any movement, but all was still and quiet. Only the bitter wind was proving its vicious powers, tugging on their hair and clothes.

  Erik nodded to the others. His long, muscular body was tense and ready to react. The soft light of a lantern outlined his shape. He swiftly changed into a huge golden wolf, looking as impressive as he did in his human form. The shape-shifting resulted in the rippling and quivering of the air around him, as if a giant soap bubble encircled him.

  The others transformed too. Bogdan became a dark-brown lean wolf with an elongated muzzle. Lusia stood next to him, sniffing the air. Her coat was a lighter shade and shinier than Bogdan’s. She was the slimmest of them a
ll, just as the gray-coated Georgeta was definitely the roundest. Georgeta’s jet black eyes sparkled with joy. It was apparent that, despite the situation, she immensely enjoyed her wolf form. Her bushy tail swished from side to side, thumping on Erik’s muscular leg.

  They slowly walked forward, observing the area and sniffing the air. When the smell of the other species hit their muzzles, all of them let out a low growl. Seconds later several leopards ran toward them from various directions. The wolves were surrounded, but they didn’t show any signs of panic. They expected to be discovered by now. The leopards slowed down and were cautiously closing in. There were more than ten of them.

  When they came to a halt, a bright-red leopard leisurely came out from the circle, and moved closer to the wolves. She stopped directly in front of Erik, lifted her head, and smelled the air around him. She unhurriedly circled him, not taking her eyes off of his massive body. He followed her with his gaze and then looked at Georgeta, who, even in her wolf form, was able to frown.

  “Is this a social visit?” the red leopard posed a question with her mind. It was directed at Erik.

  “I wouldn’t call it that,” he answered calmly in the same mind-reaching manner.

  “But you realize you’re trespassing, no? This is private property,” the she-leopard said matter-of-factly, peering straight into Erik’s blue eyes.

  “Erik, this is Penelope Stephanopoulos,” Georgeta interjected calmly.

  “I know,” was all he said.

  Erik’s eyes didn’t leave Penelope’s. They stood gazing at each other while the other leopards started to look uncertain and fidgeted.

  Bogdan moved closer to Erik and said, “We need to talk. Jatred is in trouble, and we have to speak with Jasmira. Is she here?”

  “No, Jasmira just left for Santa Barbara.” Penelope pulled her eyes away from Erik and looked, with no apparent interest, at Bogdan. After a short moment she returned her gaze to Erik. The air around her shook and rippled, and she changed back to her human form. She wore a pair of tight ankle-length jeans and a red long-sleeved Tory Burch sweater that hugged her upper body. Slowly, she put her hands on her hips and raised her chin. Her lips curled up at the corners, and her perfectly shaped eyebrows gently lifted.