"Yes, yes! I hear someone!" Brianna whispered.
Alecto looked around, phasing between dimensions. She returned and touched Brianna, and phased again.
Standing between two pine trees, in a prom gown, was a tall blonde woman, about twenty. Her face was thin, barely visible, her eyes ringed in black, her eyes dull and filled with pain.
Alecto pulled Brianna over to the tree. "Now, we can hear her. Ask her name."
"Who are you?" Brianna was almost afraid of the specter.
Barely audible, the answer came from blue lips, "Bobbie..."
"Were you murdered by Kyle Banks?"
The specter nodded and looked from Brianna to Alecto. "Who are you?" she whispered.
"We're friends," Alecto explained as she put out her hand and touched Bobbie.
CHAPTER TWENTY
San Diego, CA
The northern edge of Balboa Park was deserted at this time of night. A chain-link fence ran along the back of the park here, bordering a small golf course. At this time of night, it was peaceful. In the daytime, however, this area of the famous park was under the arrival path of airliners landing about two miles to the west. To the north was a canyon and hiking trail. Wildlife teemed not more than a mile from downtown.
Gaia had dressed in a warm woolen topcoat with a colorful scarf wrapped around her neck. She emerged from the hiking area and strolled along the sidewalk until she spotted a tall man in a dark suit, seated at a small picnic table under a huge oak tree.
Hermes, the messenger of the gods. A rare god. He started out as Egypt's god, Thoth. The god who gave humans writing. Then he appeared in the Grecian Parthenon, as either a youthful, fleet footed messenger or one who escorts souls to the Underworld. His Grecian resume included being the god of herd and flocks, thievery and cunning merchants, language, and writing. If that wasn't enough, he was also the herald to Zeus.
Finally, another make-over and Hermes became the Roman god, Mercury. At least with the Romans, his duties were limited to only being a messenger.
In reality, he was all that and more. After several millennia as a god, Hermes was now an elder god, and looked it: Long jowls, a deeply lined face with a prominent hooked nose. Gray hair protruded out from under the black cap that was pulled down to almost his ears.
Gaia walked across the manicured lawn. She stopped and stood next to Hermes. He was so focused on reading an old leather-bound book he failed to noticed her.
Gaia politely cleared her throat, he looked up, startled. His eyes widened and then soften. He stood, towering a good foot above Gaia. He reached out and they hugged for a moment.
"Mother!" he exclaimed. "So good of you to reach out to me. Please, have a seat."
Gaia seated herself next to Hermes and settled in. "Hermes, how have you been? I don't get to see much of you anymore."
"Ah," Hermes said as he sat again. "I'm here and there. Some on the occult community are learning about me again, so I'm busy showing up when they call upon me. Some are disappointed I don't show up as a bird-headed god. I've never understood where they got that one."
"Mortals have their funny notions." Gaia sighed.
"Then, some nasty things are happening below. I haven't heard from Hades in some time. Not even the occasional 'Hello" or "Bugger off'! But rumors are flying between Mount Olympus and the surface. Now: what can I do for you, madam?" Hermes finally asked.
"I have a favor to ask. I need information on a mortal. I need to find out if any of his ancestors were actually one of our kind, an immortal," Gaia replied. "Specifically, was one of his great-great-great-grandparents an immortal?"
"How the hell would I know?" Hermes grunted.
"You still run the chamber of records, yes?" Gaia asked. "The information would be there."
Hermes sighed and turned himself to look at Gaia. "What's so important with this mortal that you need to know if a god had ever slept with one of his great-great-great grandmothers?"
"This is important. It's for Megaera," Gaia said flatly. “But also, it has something to do with a warning I’ve received. It needs to be looked into.”
"Doesn't we have better things to do besides checking on the lineage of this mortal?" Hermes objected. "I finally have the time to get caught on my reading! Do you have any idea how long it's been since I had the peace and quiet to read? Some god of language I turned out to be! Not even a moment to read a scroll, much less an entire book!" He slapped his book on the table for emphasis.
"Please, you're the only one who'd be able to check." Gaia smiled sweetly, her most disarming tactic.
Hermes looked at Gaia. She widened her smile. Hermes looked away, his nostrils flaring. "Damn!"
He finally slapped his hands on his thighs and snorted. "All right! Give me this mortal's name and where he's living. I'll see what I can find."
"His name is Dan Lanahan. He lives in San Marin. He's a police detective."
Hermes stood up and pulled a white handkerchief from his coat pocket. He blew his nose. "I'll be a few minutes," he said as he faded from view. She looked at the book he left behind. The collected works of Ray Bradbury. Hermes's hand reappeared and snatched the book off the table and disappeared again.
Gaia smiled to herself as she settled in to wait. She looked around the park. She saw a young couple walking a large dog on the sidewalk. She watched as the woman beamed up at the handsome man walking with her. The dog abruptly jerked and pulled, making the young man let go of the leash. The dog gleefully bounded across the grass towards Gaia, dragging its leash.
The male Black Labrador dashed like a puppy, skidding to a stop a foot away from Gaia and sniffed at her. She reached out and began scratching the dog's head. He sighed and closed his eyes as his head was scratched. The young man arrived, breathless.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," the man said. "I have no idea why he did that."
"No need to apologize. He's a handsome fellow," Gaia said, reaching out to rub the dog's ears. "Animals act a little strange around me I'm used to it."
The man looked up and noticed all the animals that had appeared around the picnic table: Cats, rabbits, squirrels, and several racoons. In the shadows lurked a skunk and a possum, their eyes reflecting in the streetlights.
The young man pulled his energetic dog with him to the sidewalk, still glancing back at the gathering of animals around Gaia. She gave him a wave as he rejoined his companion and started walking away. Gaia heard snatches of him telling her about all the animals.
Gaia pulled a wrinkled sack from her coat, and for the next half-hour, she fed the gathered animals, each waiting it's turn politely.
When Hermes returned, the gathered animals now included an owl in the tree, a family of coyotes and a small fawn, separated from his mother.
"Alright now, you lot need to run along, I have business to attend to," Gaia said as Hermes approached.
"I'm sorry, this took a bit longer than I had anticipated. Seems this man has a unique past. And he's unaware of more than three-quarters of it," Hermes apologized and watched the menagerie move off into the dark park. "I can't comment on his chosen future, you understand, but here's all I was able to fathom out of his records." Hermes offered a small scroll.
Gaia unrolled it and looked at the symbols and writing. "That's very interesting. Yes, he is a unique man."
Gaia stood up. She handed Hermes the wrinkled paper bag, and said, "This is for that fawn, he's separated from his mother and needs looking after for a while."
Hermes took the bag and scanned the area. In the edge of a copse of trees was the small deer. "And you propose that I feed damned the thing?"
"Oh, just keep the fawn nearby." Gaia looked back towards the street and sidewalk. "A young woman will be by shortly, she works for a wildlife rescue group. Just flag her down. Tell her a car hit the fawn's mother an hour ago, the body is on the park's road behind the woods, there." Gaia pointed to the woods just past the small deer.
Hermes sighed again. "Yes, mother."
"The
n, go and check on Hades. Let him know that Sorath has appeared on the surface and he's sacrificing young women to gain strength."
"That's troubling news, mother. Quite troubling. I'll go check on him and let you know what is happening in his domain. I fear I've spent too much time among mortals."
"No worries. Just keep in touch and let me know what is happening," Gaia said and faded.
Hermes looked at the frightened fawn, and shook the bag. "Come on, you. Get out here where people can see you."
The small fawn cautiously stepped forward. It slowly approached Hermes and stuck its nose into the sack.
It was eating quickly when Hermes heard a woman calling to him.
"Is that a wild deer? Why are you feeding it?" A young woman was walking across the grass towards Hermes. She was in black jeans, combat boots and wore a gray hoodie. She wasn't happy one bit. Humans shouldn't be feeding wild animals.
"I don't suppose you know anyone with animal rescue?" Hermes asked.
"I work for a wildlife rehabilitation place down the street." The woman stopped and looked at the fawn.
"Of course, you do," Hermes muttered before taking the bag away from the fawn. "I believe this little guy's mother was run over not too long ago. He needs your help."
He gave the bag to the woman and started walking away. "You'll find his mother on the other side of those trees, the park road. A careless speeder, I'm afraid."
"Who are you?" the woman demanded.
"Oh, just the messenger."
She sighed, and reached for her cell phone. She looked back up, and Hermes was nowhere to be seen.
***
Shri Lanka
The small walled-in garden was a riot of green. Flowers bloomed everywhere: Vines flowered, the trees flowered, bushes drooped with heavy blooms. Spread out on one wall was a soft tan cat who wore a collar of flowers.
The cat was busy sleeping when something disturbed it. He rolled over and watched as the foliage parted to allow Gaia to step into the garden.
She took a deep breath of the fragrant air. At a small table in the walled garden sat a small framed woman with pale olive skin. When she saw Gaia enter, she stood quickly, and bowed, her bright pink and gold sari flowing around her as she raised up and smiled.
"Goddess Mother!" The young woman said with a smile. She held out her hand, "I am Saumya. Welcome to our humble home. How may I be of assistance?"
"I was hoping you'd be able to connect me to your mistress, Kalika."
Saumya simply smiled, and her eyes twinkled in the sunlight of her garden.
"All you need to do is ask, Goddess Mother," Saumya said, and bowed again, deeply. She backed away from Gaia, and disappeared into an alcove.
She reappeared in a few moments and beckoned Gaia to follow. Gaia followed the small woman through a set of hallways, leading deeper and deeper into the building. Saumya stopped next to a doorway and held back a fabric curtain. Gaia looked into the brightly lit room. She nodded to the young woman and entered.
Kali was in her most stunning form, dark almond-shaped eyes surrounded by flawless skin. Her scarlet lips parted in a brilliant smile. She was dressed in a dark red sari, decorated with gold patterns that lined the flowing material.
Kali was seated at a small table covered in flowers and a tablecloth edged in gold. Kali stood and bowed slightly.
"Mother Goddess, so wonderful you grace me with your divine presence. What brings you here?" Kali asked.
Gaia stepped forward and took Kali's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet with you, after all these years. I come seeking answers to a pressing question. I'm hoping you can help me with a few matters regarding a birth many decades ago. The child was demi-goddess."
"Please, let's sit and I shall try to answer," Kali motioned to a chair. They both sat and Kali turned to Saumya. "We'll have some tea, and then we can talk."
Saumya left the room. Kali turned to Gaia and asked, "How are things in your world?"
"I'm on the surface now, with my immediate daughters," Gaia answered.
Saumya returned with a silver tea setting and placed a cup on the table for both goddesses.
"How to you like your tea?" Saumya asked Gaia.
Gaia laid her hand over the cup and took it away. The cup was now filled with a green clear water.
"I prefer the herbal tea found in my garden," Gaia explained.
"How may I assist you, mother?" Kali asked.
"About 125 years ago, a baby girl was born. Quite a special little girl, fathered by a man in the American west. A girl whose mother was a deity," Gaia said after Saumya had left. "I only ask to confirm what I was suspecting. That little girl grew and flourished. She has a great-great-grandson, and some goddess in your pantheon has a great-great-great grandson, to be exact. It's a goddess of your acquaintance, perhaps?"
Kali stirred her tea a moment longer than necessary. "I may know who you speak of. Many goddesses love to spend time as incarnated mortals. It's rather common among our large group. But you speak of someone who may have left some divine spark in her offspring, yes?"
"Oh yes. Even diluted, the spark exists and in this one, it exists quite strongly." Gaia point out as she sipped her tea.
"Saumya, please fetch Lakshmi," Kali ordered. The young woman silently left the room. Kali held up a plate of cookies. "Biscuit while we wait for this goddess who may be this child's ancestor?"
Gaia nodded and picked out a small cookie. "Thank you, dear."
A few minutes passed in peace, Gaia sipped her tea and looked around the room. A tall ceiling capped off a plain room, but it was filled with offerings to Kalika. In one corner was a huge offering of red roses. In another, strong floral incense wafted up. In a third corner was some red hibiscus flowers in full bloom. The aromas mixed to create a heady scent.
In a few minutes Saumya reappeared, escorting a younger woman, dressed in gold and pink. Lakshmi was as beautiful as Kali, lighter skin, brighter eyes, and wearing a similar sari.
"Lakshmi, this is Mother Goddess, Gaia," Kali indicated Gaia.
"What can I do for you, Mother Goddess?" Lakshmi asked while she bowed to Gaia.
"Come, sit next to me," Gaia said while patting a third chair.
Lakshmi took a seat and faced Gaia. She glanced over at Kali then back to Gaia.
"Dear, I am here about when you incarnated some time ago, and after the marriage, you traveled to the American west. You recall this one?" Gaia asked.
"Oh yes, Mother. I recall it well." The young goddess remembered. "It was an incarnation for both myself and Vishnu, but he never arrived. My father refused to allow me to wait, and gave me to a rich westerner. I knew it was a mistake, I should wait for my Vishnu, but I was married off anyway, against my wishes. My father in that life had four daughters and treated us all like so much property."
"You also became pregnant, didn't you?" Gaia was smiling even wider now.
Kali's eyes narrowed as she heard Lakshmi speak.
"Yes, but my plan then was to die in childbirth, taking the child with me. You see, I had incarnated for my Vishnu, and any children I might have had with him would be other gods incarnating. I knew shouldn't have a child with a mortal." Lakshmi looking at Kali.
"The child lived," Gaia said flatly.
Lakshmi's eyes went wide at the news.
"You had no idea that child survived? Why was I not told of this development when you returned?" Kali demanded. Her tea cup rattled on its saucer.
"I had planned for her to die, as most children did back then. That's also when I made my exit," Lakshmi explained. "I had no idea."
"She lived. And thrived. You have a great-great-GREAT grandson," Gaia said with a smile.
Kali's eyes narrowed as she looked at Lakshmi. "It appears you left that area before making sure the child did not live," she said, through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry Kalika, I really am. I'm not as used to human incarnations like some of the other gods," Lakshmi tried to explain.
"So, th
e child survived, and lived to have a family of her own," Kali grumbled.
"I have a grandson!" Lakshmi was unable to let go of this. She was bright and happy, in bold contrast to Kali's demeanor. "I suspect you've met him. What is he like?"
"Yes, we've met. I have talked to him at length. He's an atheist," Gaia said quietly.
"Atheist? He doesn't believe in Gods? If I were to meet him, he'd say I did not exist? Lead me to him, I'd MAKE him believe in me. You can count on that one." Kali narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not sure about that. I do know he managed to spot one of my Furies on the job. And now I know why," Gaia said and turned to Lakshmi. "He's a direct descendant of yours. So of course, he spotted her!"
"I'm curious to know, how much of my immortality does he possess and did it come from his father or mother?" Lakshmi asked.
"He possesses some abilities. Looks like his immortality passed from his mother. She's gone, died when he was a child," Gaia answered. "Now to figure out how or if this will effect Megaera."
"The elder gods were always making babies with the mortal women." Kali sniffed and poured another cup of tea, then looked at Gaia. "You say this man has the ability to see one of your daughters? How is that possible? Traditionally, only the mother passes along these talents to their daughters."
"Impossible as it may be, it happened," Gaia explained. "This is a new one, isn't it? Plenty in my pantheon have had demi-gods as a result of a liaison with a mortal, but they were always on earth as a goddess, but never as a mortal human."
All three women paused a moment. Lakshmi was trying not to smile at the thought of a living grandson.
Gaia then stood up. "Now that I know about this mortal's past, I can be ready for what might be coming. Between this and Sorath, life is suddenly too interesting."
Kali frowned. "What's this about Sorath? Isn't he imprisoned?"
"It appears not," Gaia explained. "He's taken control of a human and has spent the last fifteen years killing, regaining his strength. Hades has disappeared, and I have heard rumbles of another uprising."
Angels of Vengeance: The Furies, Book 1 Page 20