by Davis, SJ
Canvas after canvas revealed the other woman. She walked naked through the snow, languished in a field of violets, gathered fall’s first leaves, and made love to a towering Neptune in the waters of Blackwater Pond. Her face was both familiar and a stranger’s. Lena replaced the paintings and backed away from the closet. It was the face of the missing girl from Corinna, the face of Aurora Nixon.
Chapter 36
The God listened to the sound of Lena’s footsteps overhead. He glanced at his watch and gave her ten minutes alone before he climbed the stairs. As he entered his studio, she stood in the middle of the room with her back to him, unaware of his presence. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, she startled.
“So here you are,” he said. “I trust you’re feeling better this morning.”
He could feel her body recoil, but, to her credit, she recovered quickly.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You slept well?”
She nodded. “You were right. I was exhausted.”
“Luminal works wonders for me. I thought it might help you relax.” He bent to kiss her. She pulled away. “Selene?” he said. “Are you alright?”
He studied her face; in the dim morning light it was pale and drawn. He could feel her trembling when he gripped her arm.
“I, um…excuse me,” she said, pushing him away as she bolted from the room.
The God watched with amusement as she raced down the steps and into the yard. Standing at the window, he listened to her retching by the side of the cabin. Turning away from the window, he retraced her footsteps and opened the door of the studio closet. The canvases had been moved, just as he’d known they would be. The scraps of the painting that had depicted Annie Janson as The Goddess Artemis were pieced together in orderly fashion. Her face smiled up at him from the floor.
“She knows!”
He shut the door and locked it behind him. She’d been close to the truth for days, but now that she’d seen the paintings, she’d no longer be able to deny it. He ticked off his requirements one by one: she had the name, she had the face, he’d given her the necklace and earrings, and, most importantly, she’d told him she loved him. On top of that, within hours, she’d be implicated in her best friend’s murder. The timing was no less than perfect; it had all come together just as he’d planned. He rubbed his hands together as the call to take her grew stronger.
The God returned to the first floor, inserted a CD in the boom box, and pushed ‘Play’. Accompanied by the first strains of music, he threw his backpack over his shoulder as dawn broke over Breakneck Ridge. Drawing a deep breath, he smiled and stepped outside to welcome her to his world. Within the hour, Selene Walker would take her rightful place as the Moon Goddess alongside Aurora Nixon, the Goddess of the dawn. His beautiful lover would become his newest Goddess. The Goddess of Blackwater Pond.
***
Lena heard Odin’s feet on the porch as Madame Butterfly welcomed in the morning. She wiped her mouth and got to her feet, staggering around the side of the cottage.
“Selene,” he called. “I think we need to have a little chat, don’t you?”
She held onto the corner board and heaved again.
“Lena?” His voice was close; just around the other side. “We can deal with this in a civilized manner, don’t you think?”
Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she turned to face him. He was only ten yards away with Zephyr panting happily beside him. She took a step backward and he smiled.
“There you are, my love. Come on inside. You must be starving. You never got your dinner last night.”
Lena backed away. “You killed her, you son-of-a-bitch.”
“Selene,” he said, his tone wounded, “how could you think such a thing? I didn’t even know your friend.”
“Bullshit!”
Anger and grief overwhelmed her. She wiped her eyes as tears spilled onto her cheeks.From the window, Cio-Cio San echoed her pain as she lamented love and life’s sudden loss.
As the music reached a crescendo, Odin took a step toward her. Lena backed away. Another step forward, another step back. She reached the far edge of the cottage and darted around the side, where a rock sent her sprawling.
Thump came from the bunkhouse. Thump, thump, thumpthumpthump.
“What have you got in there?” she said. Regaining her feet, she turned to stare at the small building as Odin rounded the corner.
Thump.
“I told you, Selene, it’s an animal. Come…stop this nonsense. I’ll make you some breakfast and you’ll feel better. You must have had a reaction to the sedative. I’m told it can make some people - how do you say it? Paranoid.” He extended a hand and smiled again.
“Stay away from me!”
Scrambling backward, her eyes darted to the black Forerunner parked a few meters away.
“It’s locked,” he said, following her gaze with an easy smile. “And the kayaks are without their paddles. Would you try to swim across the pond?” He shook his head. “I’m a much stronger swimmer than you. I would catch you within minutes.”
Lena felt the first cold fingers of panic as she searched the property for an alternate escape. There was nothing. Her only possible choice was on foot. She touched her pocket and fingered the keys to the Jeep. If she could beat him to her cabin, she had a chance. With another quick glance at her surroundings, her eyes lit on the rock she’d tripped over moments earlier. It lay just two yards away, her only hope.
“You didn’t kill Annie?” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady.
“Of course not!” Odin laughed. “The very idea is ridiculous! I haven’t killed anyone, certainly not your friend. I don’t know why you’d accuse me of such a thing.”
She rose to her feet and took a tentative step toward him, then another. The rock was one footfall away.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “You must be right about the Luminol’s side effects…I don’t feel like myself today.”
He smiled and opened his arms.
Thump, thump came from the bunkhouse.
It was the distraction she needed. Odin’s eyes shifted away from her for a split-second and she took the last step, grasping the rock in both hands. As he turned back, she bolted forward holding it high. Too late, he spun away as she propelled the makeshift weapon forward. It hit him with a dull thud.
Odin staggered. A trickle of blood appeared on his temple and dripped down his nose. His eyes clouded over as he raised his hand to his forehead, then flashed with fury.
Lena didn’t wait for his reaction; she spun around and raced for the trail.
Another thump came from the bunkhouse. She ignored it and ran faster, slowing only slightly as she turned onto the trail and negotiated the treacherous footing. In the still of the morning, the only sounds in the forest were the twigs that snapped beneath her feet and her ragged breathing. Ahead of her, the trail left the woods for a short stretch. She pushed her way through the grass and picked up speed.
“Selene!” Odin’s voice followed her, gaining steadily.
Lena risked a glance back. He stumbled after her, crashing through the underbrush at the wood’s edge, so close she could see the blood as it dripped down his cheek. Reentering the woods, she pushed a branch aside and ran faster.
A mile down the path, he was still behind her. She passed the place where they’d seen the moose and her calf. The water was clear and undisturbed. On a happier morning, only weeks before, Odin had told her they’d moved into the high country for the winter. Skirting a downed spruce, Lena left their feeding grounds behind. It was only one mile more to the Jeep and safety.
“You should stop, Selene,” he called. “You can’t escape. You’ll only wear yourself out.” His laughter rang through the woods with the crash of branches as he followed her in quick pursuit. “You should save your strength. You’ll need it for what I have planned.”
“Bastard!” she screamed.
“Suit yourself,” he yelled.
&n
bsp; By the time she reached her driveway, she was close to collapse. Lena reached for the Jeep’s keys and grasped them tightly as she took the last turn. He was closer now; she could hear him just behind her. Rounding the last corner, she emerged from the woods into her meadow. There was the Jeep, with Zephyr waiting beside it. Thirty yards, twenty, ten. She reached forward, keys aimed at the door.
As quickly as her hopes had been kindled, they were extinguished. Lena felt the impact of Odin’s body against her back an instant before she hit the ground. His left hand grabbed her hair and yanked it hard. Her neck snapped back as he kneeled above her, pinning her down.
“Get him, Zephyr. Sick him!” she cried.
The Golden Retriever whined and licked her arm.
Odin shoved her face into the mud. “I told you to save your strength,” he said as she struggled for breath. “You’ve got a long day ahead of you. But first things first…” He removed a length of rope from the backpack and bound her wrists while Lena twisted beneath him fighting for freedom.
“There, that’s got it,” he said, trussing her hands to one of her feet.
Her right knee bent double. It popped painfully and she winced. She tugged at her wrists and the rope grew taut. Defeated, she stopped struggling.
“That’s better, huh Lena?”
Lena turned to eye her captor. Odin’s accent was gone. He sounded every bit as ordinary as she did.
“How about a little eye-opener to start the day off?” he said.
She struggled ineffectually as he pulled her jeans and underwear around her knees.
“What’s the matter?” he said, unzipping his shorts. “You always liked a good fuck in the morning…don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.”
She grunted as he forced her head against the muddy ground. Without the use of her hands, she was helpless.
“Hold still, or I’ll hurt you,” he said as he entered her.
She didn’t doubt it. His hand moved beneath her sweatshirt. He took her nipple between his thumb and finger and pinched it viciously. She cried out and his fist slammed against her buttocks.
“Do you know who I am today?” he asked.
She bit her lip and closed her eyes, whimpering.
“Answer me, Lena! Do… you… know… who… I… am… today?”
“No,” she whispered.
“I’m Mars, the God of War. You’re my trophy… the spoils of my battle.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” she said through her tears.
“Why?” He bent close, whispering in her ear. “Because I can.”
“I thought you loved me.”
Odin laughed. “Haven’t you heard the old saying, Lena? You always hurt the one you love?” His hands wrapped around her neck and tightened as her body thrashed beneath him. Slowly, he released her, continuing his momentum as she gasped for breath. “I feel pretty strongly about you,” he said, “so prepare to hurt.”
Five minutes later, it was over. Lena lay still as he rose to his feet and zipped up his shorts.
“There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he said, wiping the dirt from his knees before pulling her underwear and jeans into place.
She didn’t answer. With a tug, he dragged her up until she stood on her free foot before him.
“Who are you?” she asked, hating the way her voice shook; hating that she was afraid.
“You know who I am, Selene,” he replied, pushing her toward the Jeep.
“I know what you want me to know,” she said, wobbling unsteadily. “Who are you really?”
“That remains to be seen,” he said as he opened the door. “I could be your best friend or your worst enemy…it’s your choice. It all depends on how you play the game.”
Pushing her into the passenger’s side, he removed another length of rope and lashed her to the seat. A pair of green latex gloves came out of the backpack. He pulled them on over his long fingers and bent to pick up her keys. “I’ll just be a minute,” he said, heading for the dock.
She watched as he retrieved her kayak and paddle, carrying both easily under one arm. When he reached the Jeep, he released the back gate and pushed them inside. The kayak hung out of the back, teetering precariously, until he tied it down. Satisfied, he checked her bindings and returned to the cabin. When he came back the second time, he carried a stack of clothing, a notepad, and a pen.
“I’m going to untie your hands for a minute,” he said. “You’ll write what I tell you and you will not try to escape, do you understand?”
Lena nodded slowly, her mind working frantically. He was going to untie her. There was still hope. It faded abruptly when he pulled a serrated hunting knife from his backpack and removed the cover. Tucking it out of her reach, he worked the knots that bound her hands. When she was free, he brought it back to rest against her neck. “Don’t think I won’t do it, Lena…one wrong move and you’re dead.”
She rubbed her wrists. The blood began to circulate.
“Pick up the pen.”
She did as she was told. The knife nicked her skin; she gasped.
“Write these words,” he said. “You will find what you’re looking for in the old outhouse pit. I’m sorry. Lena.”
“You will find what you’re looking for in the…”
“Old outhouse pit. I’m sorry. Lena.”
When she was finished he took the pad and pen from her hands.
“Find what?” she asked.
Odin cocked his head and regarded her, his surprise unfeigned. “Don’t you know? Haven’t you figured it out yet? I have to say I’m surprised… I thought you were smarter than that.”
“What’s in the outhouse pit, Odin?” Her throat was raw and swollen. Lena barely recognized her own voice. She held his gaze until he answered.
“Annie’s head, of course. That’s where you hid it. That’s where you put your trophy.
Lena felt her mind sideslip. His face split and split again. There were six of him dancing in the pinpoints of light before her eyes. He smiled and six men grinned. The perimeter of her sight went black. She didn’t fight it. She slipped into the deep comfort of darkness.
The Jeep was moving when she regained consciousness. “Where are we going?” she asked.
Odin brushed his fingers across her cheek. “Home,” he said. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet. After that, I’ve got a busy day.”
He slowed and Zephyr caught up, trotting along behind as the Jeep traversed the roads that led to his cottage. Five minutes later, he put the truck into park and helped her out. She shivered. The cool temperature of early fall persisted in the early morning air with thick clouds overhead promising inclement weather. Lena’s sweatshirt was soaked through with sweat and mud. She was cold.
If he noticed her discomfort, Odin ignored it. He put an arm around her waist and helped her hop from the Jeep to the porch. “Wait here,” he said, heading toward the bunkhouse.
She almost laughed, then. With her hands tied behind her and one leg hobbled, she was scarcely a flight risk. Leaning against the railing for support, she watched as he fished the key from his pocket and disappeared inside.
When he returned, he was leading a young woman toward her. She was painfully thin, Lena noticed, and followed him with the defeated grace of a circus animal. The metal clasp around her neck added to the bizarre effect. Auburn hair hung in tangles past her shoulders; her feet were bare. Every bone and angle of her body was accentuated by the costume she wore: a simple white toga. When he stopped before Lena, she stopped, too.
“Selene Walker,” Odin said, “I’d like you to meet Aurora Nixon. Aurora, say hello to your new roommate.”
The woman raised her chin and Lena’s despair plummeted to new depths. Never before had she seen such hopelessness in the eyes of another creature. She turned to stare at Odin in shock. Never before had she seen such cruel anticipation.
Chapter 37.
The God held the power of life and death in his hands. He could see the fear
in Lena’s eyes as she watched him cross the room to where she knelt upon the narrow bed. The sight of her, bound and helpless, excited him. He didn’t know how he’d kept up the pretense for so long. Five months! From the time he’d first seen her to the moment he’d taken her it was the longest he’d managed to control his impulses yet. He pushed the syringe into the bottle and drew out the plunger. It filled with clear liquid.
“There’s enough here to kill you,” he said as he gripped her arm. “If I were you, I’d stay very still.”
“What is it?” she asked, cowering into the corner.
“Something to help you relax. I have a very busy day ahead. I don’t have time to babysit. You can’t get away, and you need to sleep. I’m going to touch your arm, now, Lena. Don’t move, okay? You don’t want to overdose by mistake.”
She nodded as the needle pierced her skin. A minute later, she swayed and her knees buckled. The God lowered her to the narrow bed. Deftly, he gagged her, locking the cloth into place with a band of steel before clipping a second band around her ankle. It was cool in the shed; he covered her with a wool blanket and turned to his other captive.
Aurora was lying with her face to the wall. When he reached her side she extended her arm without protest. The God shook his head. Her will to live, once so strong, was waning. It was a pity. He’d enjoyed her. He loaded a second needle and shot the drug into her system. She was unconscious in seconds. Covering her wasted body, he secured her neck ring and left the shed, locking it behind him. The drug would remain in their systems for twelve hours, more or less. He was free to go.
With his goddesses incapacitated, he returned to the Jeep and whistled for Zephyr. The dog jumped into the passenger’s side and waited while he filled his water bottle and gabbed his knapsack. When he was ready, he pulled down the driveway to the main road, locking the gate behind him. Taking a right, he traveled two miles and took another right toward Bald Mountain Pond to complete the next stage of his plan.