Chasing Terpsichore (Muses Across Time) (10 page)

His lips twitched with mischief. “Maybe… Maybe not.”

James bristled and his grip on Corey’s hand increased. “This is not a game. We need to get out of here. Now, do you know where to go or don’t you?”

“All right, I have an idea of where we need to go.”

“Then lead on. I want to get back home.”

Corey sighed. Did he want to go to her home, or his? With or without her? The grip of his hand was reassuring, but could he handle the truth that was Olympus?

She shrugged and realised both men were waiting for her. “What?”

“We’re moving on. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

* * * *

They stopped to rest a few hours later. Eros shared his wineskin between the three of them, although there wasn’t a lot left. They needed to find water soon, but Eros warned that the water from the rivers in the Underworld contained magic, so they had to be careful. James and Eros hardly seemed out of breath, but Corey was exhausted. Although physically fit from her dancing, the last few days had taken their toll. If she sat down for too long, she knew she would not be able to stand up and get moving again.

“How much longer until we reach this place?” asked James.

“I can see the Palace of Hades in the distance now. It is very near.”

Dragging herself to her feet, Corey groaned. “I hope we can avoid Cerberus. Our powers do not work here—it took the strength of Heracles to subdue him in the past.”

“Cerberus? The three-headed dog? Oh great. This is becoming more and more like a sappy episode from
Hercules
.”

Eros narrowed his eyes. “That production bears no resemblance to the truth.”

“I hope not, but from what I’ve read about Hades’ dog, we might be in big trouble here”

Placing her hand on James’ forearm, she reassured him. “We will avoid the dog—” She looked over her shoulder at Eros. “Won’t we?”

“Of course. No one in their right mind aggravates Cerberus. As you mortals say…a piece of cake.”

A roar of mammoth proportions filled the air and the ground shook beneath their feet.

James spun around, his eyes darting from side to side, scanning the fields that surrounded them. “Fuck! What was that?”

“Um…that would be Cerberus,” said Eros.

James stopped walking. “Shit. How do we get past him?”

“We don’t need to.” Eros led them to a large rock at the side of the pathway. “Help me move this, James. If memory serves correctly, the portal lies on the other side.”

“How do you know this is the right place?” James asked.

Eros pointed to the rock where some symbols had been scratched. “Heracles told me about some markings near the ground, and this is the only rock I see here with anything like what he described.”

Corey moved to the side of the rock and braced her hands against it. “Come on then, let’s do it.”

All three of them pushed and shoved, working up lots of sweat and producing much colourful language. It took all of their combined strength to do it, but finally the rock shifted and a large dark hole appeared behind it. James removed a flaming torch from the wall beside them and flashed it across the opening, revealing a staircase hewn into the rock that led upwards through the mountainside.

James patted Eros on the back. “It looks like we lucked out. Let’s get moving before that creature gets us.”

“Not so fast, Terpsichore.”

Oh no!
James pushed Corey behind him, shielding her from the man who threatened her.

“Prometheus, I presume.”

Corey touched his arm as soldiers surrounded them, blocking their escape. “James, be careful.”

Prometheus smiled, his cruel face lined with age. “My, my, my, the mortal has some fire. Who would have thought?”

Corey came out from behind James and stood tall. “Let them go, Prometheus. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

He snickered. “You must think me an idiot, Terpsichore. Why would I let them go and allow that mortal to get to your father? You all stay.”

He turned to the soldiers and nodded. “Take them to the caves and this time tie them up.”

“What harm can a mere mortal do? Let him go!”

Prometheus turned back to her. “Nice try, but I know better. He means something to you so I’m keeping him. Eros, however, is just an annoying git and locking him away will be a great pleasure.”

“Huh! I am deeply offended by that remark.” Eros took a step towards Prometheus before being hurled back by two of the soldiers.

“Enough of this nonsense,” bellowed Prometheus. “Take them away!”

* * * *

Terpsichore rubbed her temple as she sat on the cold, hard floor of the cave. At least the ties on her wrists allowed her to do that. Her feet were losing feeling, and so was her behind as she sat there. It had been a long night and none of them had got much sleep. After the obligatory attempt to wriggle out of the ropes, they’d all given up and taken turns to doze. Beside her James lay against the wall, his face deep in thought. She was racked with guilt for dragging him into this. If they ever got out of here she would spend the rest of her life making it up to him. He turned and smiled at her as she took her hands away from her face.

“How can you be smiling at a time like this?”

“I was remembering a scene in
Xena
where Zena and Gabrielle were trapped in a cave, not unlike this one.”

Eros snorted. “You actually watched that ridiculous show?
Hercules
was bad enough…”

“I might have caught one or two episodes. It was a long time ago now. It was research,” said James, laughing.

“Ha… I bet it was the girl on girl action.”

It was James’ turn to snort now. “Maybe it was, but they escaped a lot of places just like this. I say we try some of their tactics.”

Corey smiled at both of them while they discussed tactics. She sat up straight as she listened. This was getting interesting. “You know, guys, this might just work!”

Eros huffed at her. “Of course it will work. My plans always work.”

“Oh really? I can remember that time…”

“Never mind. Okay, not always, but this one will!”

“Shh, folks. We don’t want the guards to hear us!”

“He’s right. Let’s keep the noise down and go over it a few more times so we’re all on the same page.”

An hour later they’d agreed on an escape plan, but as they needed to wait for an opportunity they decided to fill in the time getting the kinks out of their muscles.

Corey rocked forward on her ankles until she gained her footing and pushed down, thrusting her body upwards. Sometimes she was so glad she was a dancer. Her leg muscles burned, but the effort to stand wasn’t too bad. She wasn’t sure how James and Eros were doing. James at least had the advantage, being a mortal used to doing things for himself. Eros, on the other hand, usually waved his hand to get anywhere…and although she knew that, as a god, his muscles would be in good condition, still, making an effort was alien to him so she guessed it would not be easy for him. Just as she had thought she should offer her help, she saw James offer his arm to Erie. No doubt about it. James was amazing. He’d adjusted to the events of the last day as if he’d been dealing with this all his life. Now he was offering a hand to a god and not even batting an eyelid.

“Careful, mortal. I don’t need any more bruises you know.”

“Cut it out, Erie. He didn’t need to help you. You could show a bit of appreciation.”

“It’s okay, Corey, I can stand up for myself.”

Eros stood back and leaned against the cave wall. “You two are funny.”

“What do you mean?” said James.

“What are you talking about?” said Corey.

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

Corey shuffled back and forth on her feet, forcing the blood back into her partially numb limbs. “You can’t say something like that and not explain it, Erie.”

“I can say whatever I want. I’m a god, remember.”

“Don’t get huffy with me—you didn’t have to come here.”

“That’s right. I could have left you here all alone.”

“Children. Please stop bickering!”

They stopped and turned.

Corey shuffled forward. “What do you want, Prometheus?”

“It seems I’m having a bit of trouble finding your sisters,” he said.

She laughed. “As if I’m going to help you.”

“Don’t be too hasty, Corey,” whispered James. “Get him to give you something in exchange.”

She nodded slightly, hoping with all her heart that Prometheus hadn’t heard.

“Soldiers—take the mortal.”

Corey jumped towards him, almost tripping up on her tethered feet. “No! I’ll tell you everything I know!”

Prometheus held up his hand, stopping the soldiers. “That is better. Tell me where Hera sent them.”

She stood up straight and gestured to the ropes with her head. “First, how about you untie my hands and feet. I can’t think straight when I’m confined.”

He nodded to one of the soldiers. “Loosen her ties, but don’t remove them.”

She gave a dazzling smile to the soldier who was working on her wrists. “But, Prometheus, what can I do with all these big, strong soldiers around?” He winked at her as he finished and stood back. She looked down at the other soldier, who was busily untying the ropes from her ankles, and moved her feet apart, falling forward and tripping over him as she landed.

“What are you doing, woman?” bellowed Prometheus.

Corey struggled to right herself only to be hauled back upright by her captors. Prometheus’ face was a thundercloud. He hated unpredictable behaviour but bad luck. That’s what she had planned for him. It drove him nuts and she hoped it worked.

“Tell me where your sisters are!”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea.”

Prometheus charged forward and slapped her across the cheek “Don’t play games with me, Terpsichore. You will not win. So tell me—where are your sisters?”

Her cheek was hot and it stung. She covered it with her hand to soothe it. “I’m telling the truth. We all disappeared at the same time. I have no idea where they are.”

“Liar! How did Eros find you then?”

Oh crap. She didn’t want him to turn on her friend now. “He found me by accident. Everyone knows he comes to Earth to play. It was a lucky coincidence is all.”

He turned to Eros, who was trying his best to look nonchalant as he sat tied up on the cave floor. “Is this true, spawn of Aphrodite?”

Eros yawned. “I don’t know if I should answer you after you insult my mother.”

The soldiers turned and kicked him in the side.

Corey screamed. “Erie!”

He coughed, sat up straight and glared at her. “Don’t worry about me, cuz. I’m fine.”

“You won’t be for long if you continue to defy me. Answer the question, you
kopros eater
!”

“All right. Jeez. Yes, it’s true. I was scanning the area looking for a new love couple to play with and
bam
there’s my Terpsichore dancing up a treat in downtown Sydney. No one was more surprised than I.”

Prometheus shook his head. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of either of your mouths.” He started walking away from them. “Tie her up again, and make sure none of them can get out.”

“Wait!” Corey called after him. “I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I told you what I know!”

He laughed. “Yes but you didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear.”

Ouch!
The soldiers had made quick work of retying the ropes and one of them shoved her back to the ground. James just stared at her, confusion in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hands to stop him, while Erie just rolled his eyes.

When she was certain they’d understood, she turned her head towards the mouth of the cave and listened. After about fifteen minutes of silence she shuffled closer to James and turned her back on him.

“Quick. Grab the knife and cut me free,” she whispered.

“Holy shit—where’d that come from?”

“I grabbed it when I faked falling over.”

He laughed. “Good thinking Ninety-nine.”

“Huh?”

“I think he’s referring to an old TV show.”

“Never mind,” said James. “Let’s just get out of here.”

“Can’t disagree there,” said Erie as he shuffled closer to the others.

James took the knife from her trembling hands and started hacking. It took him a few tries to get it in the right direction to start cutting. “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” he said.

“Just do it. I can cope.”

“Not something I’m used to hearing from you, sweetie.”

She grimaced. No, it wasn’t.
What a selfish self-centred prat I was.
“I guess my priorities have changed a bit lately.”

“I hate to interrupt, but can you spread your hands out a bit more, Corey, so I don’t cut you?”

She did as he asked, her hands straining against the rough rope as he scissored the knife back and forth. Finally she felt it give and fall away and she pulled her hands free.

She turned and took the knife from James to untie her feet. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before starting on the ropes at his wrists. As she worked, she heard a sound.

Someone was coming back.

She gave the knife back to James, who slid it under his sleeve as she returned to her place and wrapped the rope around her feet and hands, hoping like hell they wouldn’t notice she wasn’t tied up anymore.

She held her breath as the footsteps got closer. The soldier who had winked at her earlier came in and headed for James, indicating that he should stand.

In an instant she was on her feet and tripping him over with her outstretched foot, before grabbing his arms behind him. As he struggled she stood on his back placing her whole weight on the back of his neck to keep him from moving. She’d seen soldiers in her father’s army do this in the training yard, and oh my goddess, it worked!

But her victory was short-lived as another soldier entered the cave and headed straight for her. Just when she thought their escape was doomed, James jumped up with a speed she would never have guessed he had and he tackled the second soldier to the ground. He must have given Erie the knife too, because he also appeared at her side with rope and started tying the soldier up. In minutes both were tied and gagged and sitting in the exact spots their prisoners had been.