by P. J. Hoover
“Ah, but you see it was all in good fun,” Apollo said. “We were enjoying ourselves, making wishes in the fountain when, the next thing I knew, somebody splashed me.”
“I didn’t do it,” Heidi said.
“Neither did I,” Iva said.
“As I wasn’t sure which of the ladies had splashed me, I pushed them both in. But then I couldn’t let them run around in soaking wet saris, now could I?”
Ananya sighed. “No, I suppose not.”
“And you just happen to have spare clothes?” Andy said.
Apollo chuckled. “In a city full of female oracles there’s never a shortage of clothing. But I must apologize for taking so long. The time somehow just, oh, you know. It just got away from us.”
“There’s so much to see,” Heidi said. “You guys should have come along.”
“I don’t think we were actually invited,” Benjamin said.
Apollo feigned shock. “Oh, my, did I forget to invite you? I’ve been a rude host, I’m afraid. Would the gentlemen like to go on a tour?”
“And get dunked in the water?” Andy said. “No thanks.”
“Shall we eat then?” Whatever his true intentions, Apollo played the perfect host. Too perfect. He was obviously stalling.
“Enough games, Apollo.” Ananya no longer smiled at the golden god. “You know why we’re here.”
Apollo sighed. “Ah, yes. I know why you are here. And the lovely ladies have been so kind in helping me to understand your plight. It seems the five of you have a problem.”
Anger flared up inside Benjamin. What had Heidi and Iva told Apollo? Everything? Taking a deep breath, he forced his face to be calm.
“Thanks to the trickery of your grandfather Kronos, your guests are currently confined to this time,” Ananya said.
“And is there something wrong with this time?” Apollo motioned around with his head. “You would all be more than welcome to stay forever in my city.”
And it was about here that Benjamin noticed Iva dropped her arm from Apollo’s. She looked at Heidi, something passed between them, and they both walked over to join their friends.
“I’m afraid that’s out of the question,” Ananya said before Benjamin could speak.
“But why not?” Apollo asked. “And Cory could happily return to fighting in the war. In fact, Cory, you could work for me. I have a debt to pay. I need someone to assassinate Achilles.”
If Cory was shocked by the request he didn’t show it. But his face did darken. “I’m no assassin. If you have a vendetta against Achilles, it’s yours to pay. I want no part in that war.”
“But why? Fighting over women, land, and power. Isn’t that what life is all about?” Apollo said.
“Not my life,” Cory said. “My destiny lies in the future. And that’s where I need to go. With Benjamin.”
“So true. So true.” Apollo clucked his tongue. “But what could I possibly do to help?”
“You can allow the Navel of the World to be used to temporally phase all five of them back to their own time.” Ananya wasn’t asking.
“Yes, I suppose I could do that,” Apollo said. “But why should I?”
“Because you care for Kronos even less than I do,” Ananya said. “It’s his fault they’re stuck back here at all.”
“I thought it was the fault of Nathan Nyx,” Apollo said. “Who as I mentioned before is banned from Delphi.”
“Why?” Benjamin asked.
“It has to do with the visit he paid to Delphi just a couple weeks ago,” Apollo said.
Benjamin’s mouth dropped open. “He came to see you? Why?”
“Why does anyone come to Delphi? To get their future told of course.” Apollo sighed. “Yet the quality of oracles I am finding just isn’t measuring up. He, like so many others, was disappointed.”
“Was it untrue?” Iva said. “I mean, was the oracle wrong?”
“That moment has not come to pass yet,” Apollo said.
“So the oracle wasn’t wrong.” Iva narrowed her eyes. “Why was he disappointed then?”
“I would like the oracles who serve me to be able to give more than one possible future,” Apollo said. “Too many times all they deliver is bad news. Aside from not creating many return customers, it causes very bad press outside of Delphi.”
“Maybe they are telling all they see,” Iva said.
“Perhaps,” Apollo said. “But that isn’t good enough.”
And then Benjamin looked at Iva. She still stared at Apollo, but her eyes had gone from moonstruck to intense. Benjamin felt like at any moment, she’d begin to challenge his control of the oracles. Heidi must’ve noticed, too, because she shuddered, just a bit, and moved closer to Benjamin.
“Regardless,” Apollo went on, “threatening my oracles with death is not acceptable.”
“Death?” Heidi said.
Apollo nodded. “Nathan Nyx has a bit of an evil side, it seems.”
That was putting it mildly.
“We aren’t here to discuss the abilities of oracles,” Cory said. “We’re here so we can time travel.”
“Yes, Apollo,” Ananya said. “Cory is right. We are here because they need your help to get home.”
“Ananya. Ananya. Why is it I have such a hard time saying no to you?” Apollo brushed something off the golden hair on his arm.
“Because you owe me plenty of favors?” Ananya said.
“Yes, there is that,” Apollo said. “But I can’t just let them use the Navel and leave Delphi.”
“Why not?” Andy asked.
“Why that wouldn’t be right.” Apollo pretended to look sad. “I would be getting nothing in return.”
“And what is it you want in return?” Ananya asked.
But then Apollo’s fake sad look vanished. “I want her,” he pointed directly at Iva, “to remain here in Delphi.”
Benjamin heard Heidi suck in a deep breath. He turned to look at Iva and saw the color drain from her face.
“Out of the question.” Andy took a step forward, moving so Iva was behind him.
“Iva has important responsibilities back in the future,” Ananya said. “That’s just not possible.”
“No way,” Benjamin said. Why had he brought Iva back in the first place?
“Yes way,” Apollo said.
Heidi stepped forward. “Iva can’t stay here. She has things to do.”
Apollo pursed his lips together. “Nothing that can’t wait. I mean this is time we’re talking about here. I’ll send her back at some point.”
“No,” Andy said.
Benjamin glanced at Iva. She’d been silent this whole time.
“Then I’m sorry to say the Navel of the World is off limits.” Apollo crossed his arms. “Either Iva Marinina stays with me here in Delphi, or you all stay with me here in Delphi.”
“I’ll stay.” Iva’s face had drained of every bit of blood, but she held it steady.
Andy shook his head. “No, you won’t.”
“I would only ask for, oh, let’s say, a year.” The golden smile began to creep back onto Apollo’s face.
“I’ll stay for a year,” Iva said again.
Andy whirled on her. “Iva, you are not staying here in Delphi. There’s no way.”
“Andy, you heard Apollo. If I don’t stay, then Benjamin and Cory can’t get back. And they need to. That’s what’s most important. There’s no other choice.”
“I would of course need you to serve me as an oracle,” Apollo said.
Iva nodded. “I know.”
“You can’t stay,” Heidi said. “We need you.”
“You need me to stay here,” Iva said. “It’s the only way.”
“Iva, come to your senses,” Andy said. “Listen to yourself. You are not living in Delphi for a year to be an oracle.”
Benjamin turned to Iva. “You don’t have to do this. We could find another way.”
“No, Benjamin,” Iva said. “There isn’t going to be another way.”
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br /> “Wonderful,” Apollo said, clasping his hands together. “Iva Marinina will stay with me here in Delphi for one year, and the sooner the rest of you leave, the better.”
Benjamin looked at Iva and saw it in her face. There was to be no changing her mind. She was going to stay.
“So it’s all settled?” Apollo beamed. “Then I believe we can head down to the Navel of the World.”
“It’s not quite settled,” Andy said.
Benjamin turned quickly to look at his friend, knowing before Andy opened his mouth, what he was going to say.
“What part of it isn’t settled?” Apollo asked. “Iva’s made her own decision to stay. What else could there be?”
Andy looked Apollo directly in the eyes. “I’m staying, too.”
CHAPTER 30
Phase of the Navel
“Absolutely out of the question,” Apollo said.
“I stay, or there’s no deal,” Andy said.
“Andy!” Iva said.
Andy turned to her. “You’re not staying alone. That’s all there is to it. If you stay, then I stay.”
Benjamin watched Apollo closely, unsure what the Greek god would do. Apollo looked at Ananya who raised an eyebrow in return.
“So what’s your answer to that, Apollo?” Ananya asked, and Benjamin saw the smile she hid.
Apollo looked from Ananya to Iva to Andy, then back to Ananya. “Delphi is not accustomed to male residents.”
Andy crossed his arms. “I guess you’ll just have to become accustomed to it.”
Apollo glanced once again at Iva. And then Benjamin knew. Apollo would agree. He didn’t want to risk losing Iva. “Fine. But there will be no special privileges made for you. And you cannot—and I repeat—cannot interfere with her work as an oracle. Iva will serve for a year as the high oracle of Delphi.”
“High oracle!” Iva said. “I’m not qualified for that.”
“You are more than qualified to be high oracle of Delphi,” Ananya said.
“When will Iva and Andy return to our time?” Benjamin asked.
Apollo waved dismissively. “They will return when they return. You cannot expect me to be bothered with such petty details. And now if there is nothing else—which I certainly hope there is not—I suggest we head down to the Navel of the World.”
Apollo took the lead, not waiting for anyone to join him. Ananya joined Iva and Heidi, and Benjamin, Andy, and Cory took up the rear.
“Are you really gonna stay?” Benjamin asked Andy.
Andy let out a half-hearted laugh. “Yeah, I am.”
“But you don’t know anything about this time,” Benjamin said. “What if you get into trouble?”
“How much trouble could I get into?” Andy asked.
“I can’t imagine my time is much different than yours,” Cory said. “And I think it is a very courageous offer you are making.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Benjamin said, and he felt a weird sense of pride for Andy well up in him. “I have to admit, I am surprised.”
Andy shrugged. “I just don’t think Iva should stay back here alone. And if no one else is around, what’s to say Apollo doesn’t just keep her here forever?”
“That’s a good point,” Benjamin said. “But with her busy being the high oracle of Delphi, what are you going to do for a year?”
“I haven’t quite figured that out yet,” Andy said. “But I’d have to guess there’d be plenty to explore, even just inside the city. And with the way all this time travel stuff works and all, we’ll probably get back to Lemuria a couple minutes after you guys.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” Benjamin said. “And a year older.” Talk about weird.
The crowd was gone when they reached the bottom of the hill. Visiting hours were over and the sun had sunk low on the horizon. The blindfolded oracle still sat upon the dais in front of the Navel of the World.
Apollo walked directly over to her and stopped. “Leave us now.”
The girl quickly rose and hurried away from the area. Even with her blindfold intact, she didn’t stumble. Benjamin could sense her fear as she walked away. Would Iva feel the same fear in the year to come? Benjamin didn’t know what he could do for her now. The decision had been made, and he needed to get back to Lemuria as soon as possible.
“Do you speak to all your oracles so?” Ananya asked Apollo.
“Only those who displease me,” Apollo said. “Which seem to be all of them these days.” He walked directly to the Navel and placed his hand palm down on top of its intricately carved surface. It sprang to life, light emanating from a seam around the center of the stone. “Quickly now. You three must gather round. If you need to say goodbye, then I suggest you do so immediately. The Navel of the World acts quickly. There will be no time for goodbyes once you touch the stone.”
Benjamin turned first to Iva. “I’m not sure what to say, Iva. Thank you for doing this for me. For me and for Cory.”
“There’s nothing to thank me about. You know as well as I do that this was my destiny. You saw me here in Delphi. Remember?”
Benjamin immediately remembered the vision. How could he have forgotten? He had seen Iva. He nodded. “I remember. Just be careful. I don’t trust Apollo.”
“I will. I promise. Plus I’ll have Andy here to take care of me. I’ll see you before you know it.”
He next turned to Andy. “Seriously. Try not to get in trouble. And take good care of Iva.”
“It’s the only reason I’m staying,” Andy said.
When Benjamin turned to Ananya she smiled at him. “So we say goodbye again, Benjamin Holt, but once again, not for the last time.” He noticed Chaos, her monkey, still sat on her shoulder.
“When will I see you next?” he asked.
“I cannot say,” Ananya said. “I can only say that it will come to pass.”
“Will you be able to stay here and help Iva and Andy?”
“No. The path they have chosen is their own to tread. And they will do fine. I will, however, come back in a year to make sure Apollo keeps his end of the deal. Try to stay away from Kronos. He is only trouble.”
“Thank you for everything,” Benjamin said. “I’ll look forward to the next time we meet.”
“As will I, Benjamin Holt.”
“Is everyone ready?” Apollo asked, not waiting for a reply. “Place both hands on the Navel as quickly as you can.”
Benjamin didn’t hesitate; he did exactly as Apollo instructed. The Navel of the World flared out, casting light the entire way across the dais. In his mind, Benjamin felt the presence of Cory and Heidi. And the crunching began. But no sooner had it started that it stopped, and the light from the Navel began to dim.
Benjamin looked up across the Navel to the new presence he felt there.
“Nathan.”
Nathan smiled. “Benjamin. Did you really think you were going somewhere?”
Benjamin pushed his hand down harder on the Navel, hoping that might help, but it remained lifeless.
“I’m telejamming it,” Nathan said in answer to Benjamin’s unvoiced thoughts.
Near him, Benjamin saw Apollo step forward. “Get out of my city. You are not welcome here.”
Nathan turned to Apollo. “This has nothing to do with you. I suggest you stay out of it.”
“In my city, everything has to do with me,” Apollo said. “You have been banned from ever setting foot in here again.”
Nathan laughed. “Your ban won’t keep the oracle from dying. How dare she tell me such a future?”
Iva stepped forward. “The oracle wouldn’t lie.”
Nathan turned his head slowly to look at Iva. Benjamin willed her to silence. Why had she drawn attention to herself?
“Now what do we have here, Apollo? A new oracle?” His eyebrows went up. “A new high oracle?”
Iva glared at him, even as Andy stepped in front of her. “Leave her alone, Nathan.” And then Andy lunged for Nathan.
Nathan lifted a hand off the Navel an
d extended it, trying to push Andy aside with an invisible force. But Andy’s telekinetic strength didn’t fail him. He stopped in his tracks and put up his own hand, and there they fought pushing one against the other.
Under his own hands, Benjamin felt the power of the Navel flare. With Nathan distracted, there was a chance he’d take his other hand off it, and Benjamin, Cory, and Heidi could use it to get out of here.
“I think when I’m done killing the oracle who gave me such a horrible future, I’ll kill your new high oracle, Apollo. What would you do then?”
Iva. He was talking about killing Iva.
“I would kill you, of course,” Apollo said, and energy sizzled through the air.
“We can’t let Nathan stay back here,” Benjamin said to Cory and Heidi in his mind.
“I know,” Cory said.
“But what can we do?” Heidi said. “He’s telejamming the power of the Navel.”
“But if he stays he’ll kill Iva,” Benjamin said.
“If there was only some way to stop the telejamming,” Cory said.
Benjamin wracked his brain, going through everything he’d learned in telejamming this summer. With as strong as Nathan was, there was no way Benjamin would have the power in his own mind to stop it. And then he remembered at the start of summer when he’d joined minds with Iva. In addition to sharing each other’s thoughts, their powers had been combined.
“Yes, Benjamin,” Heidi said in his mind. She’d apparently followed along with his line of thought. “I think it will work.”
“What?” Cory said.
“We combine minds,” Benjamin said. “We combine minds and fight Nathan together.”
Outside of their minds, the electricity cracked in the air. Benjamin felt the battle between Andy and Nathan, between Apollo and Nathan. And felt Nathan’s still unwavering hold over the power of the Navel. But if this was going to work, Benjamin needed to force everything else from his mind. To focus only on Cory and Heidi and the hold Nathan’s mind had on the Navel.
He reached out with his thoughts and found Heidi and Cory there. And within seconds he’d been able to join with Cory’s mind. But as soon as he tried to grab for Heidi’s also, the link severed. So he tried again, first grabbing Cory’s mind, and then trying for Heidi’s also. And again it fell away. The energy from Apollo sizzled around him, but still Nathan fought it.