“All right. Well, you be a good Muse and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Miranda said over her shoulder.
“I’m guessing you’ve left me with a long list of nasty things to do.” Sophie mumbled to herself. As she walked along the shop-lined streets she couldn’t stop thinking of the poor animals lying dead at the shrine. She eyed a café and thought a cup of coffee was in order.
In spite of the horrible beginning of her day in town, Sophie admitted it was a beautiful morning. She sat by herself, reveling in the quiet, watching a group of old men play chess in the shaded area of the square’s park. A small boy wandered in front of her table, walking the family dog with the help of his mother, and Sophie’s knotted neck and shoulder muscles relaxed a little and she smiled, enjoying the peaceful moment.
A young woman walked by, so preoccupied with the tall stack of magazines she was carrying she didn’t notice the gap in the sidewalk. Her high stiletto heel caught in the crack sending the woman falling face forward and her magazines flying everywhere.
Sophie immediately jumped up to help the woman.
“Are you okay?” Sophie asked, helping her back to her feet and retrieving her magazines. The woman had a cut on her leg that started to bleed and Sophie offered a napkin.
“Thank you. I am so sorry to burst into your morning. I am such a klutz,” the woman said, brushing herself off. A piece of gum from the sidewalk was now stuck to her hair and Sophie pointed it out.
“That is just great,” the woman said. “I can’t think of a better beginning to my day. I can only imagine what tonight will bring.”
“Would you like to sit down with me? I’m waiting for someone, but I’ve got plenty of time.”
“You know, I really could use a break. You are the sweetest. Thank you so much.”
Sophie handed back the woman’s Restoration Beautiful and Pottery Farm catalogs. They settled into their seats and Sophie ordered the woman a cup of coffee.
“Decaffeinated, please,” the woman said. “Doctor says I have to lay off the caffeine. Apparently, it makes me a bit crazy.”
After the waiter brought their coffee, Sophie took a sip and noticed the many catalogs the stranger had been carrying.
“It looks like you are buying some beautiful furniture,” Sophie said.
“You like Pottery Farm?” the woman asked, wide-eyed.
“They have some great stuff. We could never afford it, but I used to look through their catalog and cut pictures out, as a kind of wish list.”
“I do the same thing, except I don’t cut them out. I use little sticky notes. Red is for the stuff I have to have. Blue is for the stuff I have to have but only after I get all of my red items. Yellow is the stuff I really like but it won’t kill me if I have to wait. And green are the items that, well, I really, really, really want.”
“You really like Pottery Farm.”
“I do. So, you said you were waiting for someone. Is it a boy?”
“Yes.”
“A boy you like? Someone you have a crush on?” the woman egged her on.
“We’ll see,” Sophie said. “My name is…”
“Oh, please, I know who you are, Sophie.”
Alert lights went off in Sophie’s head. “Do I know you? Have we met before?”
“No, I rarely make it up to topside. I know your father?”
Major alert lights were now flashing.
Get away, get away from her.
“I’m sorry, I should go,” Sophie said, throwing some money down on the table. She got up to leave when the woman grabbed her arm. The petite woman was stronger than Sophie would have guessed and she winced at the pressure of her grip.
“You’re hurting me,” Sophie said, pulling on her arm in an attempt to wrench it away.
The woman let go. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m such a klutz and I don’t know my own strength half the time. Please sit down. I’m not going to harm you. I just want to talk.”
Sophie knew she had a chance to leave, but something in the woman’s manner told her she should remain.
“You said you know my father. That’s impossible, my father is dead,” Sophie said.
“Well, of course he’s dead. That’s why you’re here in Greece, at least that and your recent change.” She motioned for Sophie to lean closer and with caution the girl did so. “But when your husband is Hades, you get to meet some of the most interesting people. Just the other day, I had the most wonderful chat with Mary Todd Lincoln. Now I’ve met crazy before – but she was too far gone to be an interesting guest at my dinner parties…”
“Oh wait… I know who you are. Don’t tell me, umm, you’re Persephone? You have dinner parties for the dead?”
“Call me Saphie. All my friends do. And who else would come to a dinner party thrown by Hades? People aren’t exactly lining up for an invitation to the Underworld.”
I can’t resist. I have to know.
“What do you serve at your parties?” Sophie asked.
“Barbecue. Strangely enough, the dead can’t get enough of barbecue. But let’s not talk shop. Let’s talk about your father.”
“How… is he?”
“He misses you very much. I have seen love in many forms. Married couples that have been married eighty years dying within hours of each other. So touching. And the love a parent has for a child. You do understand just because someone has passed onto the Underworld it doesn’t mean they lose the capacity to love or that they forget their past loves? Your father is such a handsome man and he is so kind and so much in love with you. He begged me to give him a moment to see you as you are now and I didn’t have the heart to say no. So, I allowed him to appear to you.”
“You mean it was him in the garden?”
“Yes. Well, it was just a shade of him.” Persephone took a sip of her coffee.
“A shade?”
“Yes, a shade. A shade is what the dead turn into when they are traveling through the Underworld. He was able to remain for a few seconds and then he had to return. I wonder if they have any of those sweet Greek cookies I love,” Persephone said, picking up the menu to scan it.
“You said you allowed him. Does that mean you could do it again, for a longer visit?”
“I’m not supposed to. Hades would have an absolute fit if he knew. My husband in a bad mood makes a complete hell of the Underworld.” She called the waiter over and ordered a dish of cookies and more coffee.
“Oh,” Sophie said, disappointed.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry. I wish there were something I could do. I mean, I could make it happen, but the risk comes with a price tag I’m not willing to entertain. And you must understand that everything has its price... Unless—”
“Unless, what?” Sophie said, dabbing her eyes with her napkin.
“I would have to be there. You see, my power is so limited and he would have to be in contact with me or else the connection would be broken and he would sink back into the Underworld. It would have to happen at the right time…like…well, I’m almost embarrassed to suggest this like during the night of the Mid-Summer Wine Ceremony. The stars are lined up perfectly on that night.”
“It won’t work,” Sophie said, disappointed. “I’ve got a big event, a ball, happening that night and I’m pretty much the guest of honor, so sneaking off isn’t an option.”
“Oh!” Persephone cried with joy. “A party? I love a party. I never get the chance to attend a ball. The dead have the worst time deciding what to wear and they can’t dance to save their lives. But, how can we make this work? We can’t parade your dead father in the middle of the ball. It would be too shocking.”
“Unless he wore a disguise,” Sophie said.
“A masquerade? Oh, what fun.” Persephone clapped her hands. “A masquerade ball with ladies carrying masks on sticks. You have to suggest it. That way, I can get your father there and you can have a long visit with him.”
“Well, I could suggest it to Georgia.”
“Yes, please do. I am so excited. What will I wear, oh, what will I wear?” Persephone paused. “Then, it’s a deal?”
Sophie thought for a moment and remembered what Angela had said. She had a whole army of people behind her.
“Sure,” Sophie said. “It’s a deal.” Persephone extended her hand to Sophie and Sophie shook it.
Why do I feel like I just made a deal with the devil? Stop it, Sophie. She’s too focused on catalog shopping to be a danger to anyone.
“Okay, here is the catch. No one can know about this. People in our circles are such gossips.”
Sophie nodded her head in agreement.
“Is your boy really tall and…part Minotaur?”
Sophie saw Bennett standing by the fountain looking at his watch. “Hey, over here.” She called out to him and then turned to say something to Persephone, but she and her catalogs were gone.
Bennett jogged over to where Sophie was sitting. “No fair. You started without me.”
“I was just talking” Sophie stopped, remembering what Persephone had said, and decided to keep her end of the bargain. “with the waiter and he was rude and pushy. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Good, because this wasn’t the place I was talking about. They have the crappiest pastries. Total tourist trap.”
They walked along the shops, stopping here and there along the way to glance at various storefronts that caught Sophie’s eye. It was the first time since she arrived in Greece that she was starting to feel like herself again. Sophie was enjoying each and every moment. She dreaded reaching the restaurant, knowing it would mean they were closer to the moment their time together would end, so she walked even slower and stopped at every storefront she came close to.
“How do you like Greece?” Bennett asked.
“It’s nice. I haven’t had the opportunity to explore the island, with everything that’s been going on.” Her mind drifted to the shrine and she pushed the image out of her head. “Were you born here?”
“Me? No, although I have lived on the island since I was twelve. My mother, Caronwyn, was a Scotswoman who one day decided she wanted to leave the wee village of Blair Athol and find adventure. But, fortunate for me, she found a bit too much adventure. Or, as I like to often say, adventure found her in the guise of my father. I’m embarrassed to admit I was the tragic result of a drunken evening and a short courtship. My mother lived on a neighboring island and was seduced by a Demigod who, once he found out my mother was preggers, promptly left her. When it became apparent I was different, my mother had met Georgia a few years prior, Georgia thought it was best I come and live here. Georgia was in the right place at the right time and she saved me.”
“What gave your mother the clue you were different?” Sophie asked.
“Well, for one, on certain nights, depending on the alignment of the stars, my pajamas would be torn to shreds. When most boys were terrified about the boogieman, I was terrified of waking up, butt naked in my mother’s garden with a dead possum clutched in my hands like a teddy bear.”
“Ewwww.”
“You know I’m a—”
“A Minotaur. Yeah.” She was about to say Miranda told her, but decided otherwise. “I have an app on my tablet that scans a person and says what they are. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize a person’s Demigod status was a sensitive topic.”
“Hey. It’s okay. It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with who I am. Some of us have the ability to inspire, throw the occasional energy ball, and blush whenever I’m around her.”
Sophie blushed.
“Then, there are some who turn into big, hairy, strong Minotaurs who can throw a bus.”
“You can throw a bus?”
“Well, maybe a small one. I need to workout some more. But understand I would never hurt you, no matter what form I was in.”
“I think you should be worried I would hurt you,” Sophie said, with a smirk.
“I think you both should be worried about Georgia hurting both of you,” Callie said, appearing in front of them. “I have been looking all over for you, Sophie. I’m all for whatever this is, but it needs to be put on hold until we get through the next few weeks. Okay?”
Bennett and Sophie nodded to show their agreement. Sophie didn’t know when they began holding hands, but was surprised when she looked down and saw her hand in his.
“Can you give me a minute?” Sophie asked.
“Sophie, you’ve got fifteen seconds. Make it count,” Callie replied.
Callie walked away and waited near the old men playing chess.
“She’s right,” Bennett said.
“I know,” Sophie said. “Now we just need to figure out how to make it through the next few weeks. I guess you being my date for the ball would be a start.”
Bennett leaned down to where his face was only a few inches from her.
Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God… He’s going to kiss me. Remember, go slow. Not too much tongue.
He angled his head, clearly moving in for a kiss on the cheek.
Oh, to hell with that. Sophie twisted her head and their lips met.
His lips were soft, warm and she felt a hunger coming from him that overwhelmed her.
She tingled all over and the sparks jumping inside of her chest made her heart ache and beg for more.
He pulled away and gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go. The look on his face told Sophie he was feeling the same thing.
“See you around, Muse,” Bennett said, backing away, smiling.
“Catch you later, Beast,” Sophie said before turning to run towards her mother. She caught up with her and together they walked back to the Vasilikós.
Callie waved goodbye to Bennett and then roughly grabbed Sophie’s arm.
“You can’t wander around this island, by yourself. It isn’t safe.”
“I saw the shrine, mom.”
“Then you understand. No more wandering off.” Callie let go of her arm. “Okay, he’s cute and a really nice kid. You do realize Georgia will give you a hard time.”
“Well, I guess I’m my mother’s daughter after all,” Sophie said, putting her arm around her mother’s waist. “Mom, I was wondering. Do you think we could make one change to the party? I want it to be a masquerade ball.”
“Jeez, Sophie. Are you kidding? Don’t even attempt to suggest it to Georgia.”
“You and Georgia are always saying I need to stand-up for what I want. This is my party. This is my introduction into Demigod society and if I want it to be a masquerade, then it should be a masquerade. Considering what is being asked of me, it is the least Georgia can do.”
“I’m not saying you don’t have a point,” Callie said. “But let me approach Georgia about it. If she explodes again at least I’ll make sure Winnie is around to pick up the pieces.”
“Do you think she’ll agree to it?”
“I’ll do my best, but I think I have a few favors to bring up that will make it impossible for her to say no.”
Chapter 29
A week had passed and all the Gorgon-sewn dresses were completed. Sophie watched from the staircase as Euryale stood with Angela in front of a large mirror in the Entry Hall.
“I’ve enjoyed our time together, Angela,” Euryale said, tucking a stray dreadlock behind Angela’s ear.
“Me too, mother.”
“Did you like the dresses I made for you? I thought you looked incredibly beautiful in them. Your Aunt will be so disappointed she couldn’t be here for the ball.”
“You took a million pictures and then there was the video.”
“Well, you can’t blame me for being so proud of you. Living here in the Vasilikós, being a close friend to Georgia’s granddaughter and becoming such a strong Gorgonian woman. Well, let me say we both are so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Angela said and hugged her mother.
“Okay, I’ve got to run. Your Aunt is capable of creating some more garden statuary and I can’t stomach another
stone bunny.”
Euryale gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and waved goodbye to Sophie.
“Goodbye, Euryale. Thank you so much for the beautiful dress. I love it.”
“Any time, Sophie. Please say goodbye to your mother and grandmother.” Euryale took a last look at her daughter and stepped through the mirror.
“Where have you been?” Sophie asked Angela.
“Sorry. Things have been kind of crazy. My mother wanted me to assist her with the dresses.”
“How did that go?”
“Let’s just say I take after my Aunt. So I ended up doing a lot of the running around and various menial tasks. She told me to remind you, no dessert until after the ball. She said the built-in corset can only do so much. How was your date, Soph?”
Sophie laughed.
“That good? Did he kiss you? Oh my God, you kissed him? Details woman, I must have details.”
Sophie slugged Angela’s arm. “It was a sweet kiss.”
“One kiss?” Angela asked.
“Well, it couldn’t be anything more, with my mother showing up. I could have died.”
“Yeah, I’m guessing it killed the moment. So where’s your BFF, Miranda?” Angela asked.
“I’m guessing running around, her heart all aflutter as she fans herself and says “fiddle-de-dee” while looking for a piece of shoofly pie.”
“You had me at “all aflutter.” I heard about your idea to change the ball. A masquerade? How did you get Georgia to agree to it?”
“My mother did. She and Georgia had a huge fight and my mother threatened that neither of us would attend the ball unless Georgia gave in. Georgia threw a fit and smashed the huge table in the morning room and threw two chandeliers against a wall. When she saw my mother wouldn’t budge, she relented.”
“Girls!” Winnie yelled from across the room. “It’s time to harvest the grapes and Georgia is waiting for you. Now, go get changed and get out to the vineyards before she skins both of you and has me doing catacomb duty.” A crash from behind Winnie caught her attention and she closed the door, screaming. “Neville, did you drop those platters? I swear on all that is holy. If you weren’t my cousin’s second cousin twice removed, I would have gotten rid of you. Well, don’t just stand there.”
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