Muse Unexpected (18 page)

“What date are you suggesting?” Sophie said.

“Don’t you remember, dear?” Rose said, her placid face frozen in a wide grin. Her red lips were bordering on grotesque and her face was more harsh than pleasant. “During our wonderful discussion about the Mid-Summer Wine Ceremony, we all agreed we should combine the events.”

The slight tan Sophie had acquired over the summer drained from her face. She saw a few of Angela’s dreads hiss and retreat behind her neck.

“But…I didn’t…” Sophie sputtered.

“We’ll see you in a month,” Rose said. “If Georgia has a problem, you have her give me call.”

The three Fates moved away, leaving Sophie standing next to Angela. They turned their backs on the girls, sat back down in the same chairs and returned to their work. Cleo made the thread and Agatha measured it. Before Sophie had the chance to hear the awful little high-pitched sound when Rose cut the thread, she grabbed Angela and rushed out of the villa. Angela jumped into the backseat as Sophie shut the door on her skirt. Aletheria floored the gas, sending a large dust cloud into the Fates’ courtyard. They drove past several workmen, who were repairing a section of wall with a blackened and charred hole in it. The words
filthy Nothos
were painted in red beside the hole.

Georgia knew something was wrong. She could feel it deep in her bones. She suspected the Fates were up to something and it frustrated her not knowing. For the last few hours she'd sat at the large farmhouse kitchen table fretting. She loved the centuries-old table with its huge hand-carved legs. She even loved how worn and gouged the top was. She often came into the kitchen to help Winnie and her team of Hobs shell peas or cut vegetables. It was her way of taking a few moments to escape her daily life and its never-ending demands on her.

Winnie was buzzing around beginning dinner preparation. She announced to Georgia they would be eating roasted chicken with rosemary potatoes, buttered green beans with garlic, a garden salad and chocolate layer cake for desert. The cake had been baking for about an hour and Georgia was enjoying the delicious aroma.

“You’re frettin’, Georgia,” Winnie said as she pulled open a big sack of potatoes and threw them, one by one, into the sink. “Frettin’ will get you nowhere.”

“I know,” Georgia said and frowned. “Do you need help with those potatoes?”

Winnie rolled her eyes as she stood on the step stool in front of the sink. “Grab a knife.”

Winnie eyed Georgia. “You know, I’ve never been a Hob to meddle in anyone’s family situations.”

Georgia laughed. “That’s all you do, Winnie. You order me around like you are head of this Vasilikós.”

“Well…” Winnie said. “Sometimes even the likes of needs a swift kick in the tush.”

“I suppose you’re right, although, don’t ever tell anyone I said that. I’ll deny it.”

Winnie threw a few potatoes into the water and started on another. “Cut the pieces thicker, Georgia. Otherwise, they won’t brown correctly,” Winnie corrected and Georgia nodded.

“I know what you’re about to say, Winnie. You’ve been fretting about it for the past few weeks.”

Winnie frowned. “I was just going to say how lovely Sophie looked. That’s all. You were smart in procurin’ Angela as part of your Vasilikós.”

“Angela is a good girl,” Georgia said. “And I knew Sophia would need a friend.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that the girl is part Gorgon, with a huge dash of powerful witch. Few would dare challenge her. Even a Fallen One knows not to push one of those too far.”

“You didn’t expect me to allow my granddaughter to wander around helpless, did you? Two birds, one stone.” Georgia scrubbed a large potato. “Come out with it, Winnie. You’re holding back.”

“You’re bein’ too hard on the girl and you’re being terrible to Callie. Poor woman just lost her husband and the child is now faced with all of this Fallen One nonsense. Let me also remind you the girl just lost her father and has gone through a major change. She didn’t expect to be mortal one day and a Demigod the next. Push. That’s all you ever do to that poor girl.”

“The child’s lack of preparation was her mother’s fault,” Georgia said. “If I don’t push the girl, who will? She must rise to meet my expectations.”

“Oh, you’re expectations, is it. Well…well, I guess we all better get our arses in line with your expectations. Don’t you be takin’ any sort of mighty tone with me, Georgia. I’ve known you long enough to know you’re steppin into the marsh and not on dry ground. You’ll sink if you’re not careful.”

Georgia didn’t respond. She sighed and plopped another potato into the water.

“All I am saying is that you can’t plan for everythin’ and you’re foolin’ yourself if you believe you can control that young girl,” said Winnie. “I think you’ve forgotten what it was like to be a mother and you have no idea how to be a grandmother. She’s just a child. Don’t forget when dealing with a child you have to be patient.” Winnie took a sniff and glanced over at the oven. “Be a love and take the cake out of the oven.”

Georgia stabbed her knife into the potato she was working on and placed it down on the cutting board. “What would you do without me to help you, Winnie?”

“Oh yes,” Winnie said with an air of sarcasm as she threw down another finished potato. “Thank goodness you’re around. I wouldn’t know when I needed to wipe me bum without you to remind me to do it.”

Georgia heard someone enter the kitchen and turned to see Sophie and Angela walking in, followed by Callie. As she listened to the details of their visit, Georgia flew into a fury.

“What do you mean a change of date? That event isn’t some barbecue we can move at a moment’s notice. Why did you promise anything to those women?” Georgia said through gritted teeth.

I am so disgusted with you, I could just scream. You stand there, girl, cowering like a wounded animal. How could such a weak woman come from my bloodline?

“She technically didn’t agree to anything,” Angela said.

“What, may I ask, does technically mean?” Georgia said, turning her attention to the Gorgonian.

“Well, I…I mean,” Angela said as she winced. “We didn’t agree to anything. We were told.”

“You were told?” Georgia’s voice went into a higher octave. “I’ll tell you what happened. You allowed them to trick you. You two allowed them to charm you right into this mess. You were given specific instructions. You were to have tea, maybe eat a pastry, even get a tour of the villa, and then you were supposed to leave. Not ask questions. Not engage in tit for tat. And, most importantly, not agree to change this Vasilikós’ society calendar. The invitations for the Wine Ceremony have already gone out with a save the date card for your presentation to the supernatural community. We will now have to completely regroup. To think of the extra work you have given to Winnie and the rest of the household.”

“Don’t be throwin’ me into the middle of this, Georgia,” Winnie yelled, as she threw the now-seasoned potatoes into the oven and slammed the oven door shut. She grabbed her dishtowel and rubbed an invisible smudge off of the big table. “It doesn’t matter when these parties take place. They’re
all
the same to me. And if I might be so bold as to say, gettin' both of those parties done at once is a dream come true. Two birds, one stone.”

“You knew we were taking a risk by sending the girls,” Callie said. “And if this is the worst to happen from the visit, well, we should count ourselves lucky.”

“I won’t have any of it! The nerve of that witch, Rose, thinking she can push me around. I just know it was all her idea. Those three women are nothing without our help. Nobody pushes this Vasilikós around. Not even the Fates.” As her fury grew, red splotches broke out all over Georgia’s face.

“Well, Georgia,” Callie said. “I suggest we get to work, because sitting around, bitching isn’t helping us prepare.”

If I don’t leave this kitchen, I will either kill each of them or burst a blood vessel and I’m afraid I’m leaning more towards the first choice.

Through gritted teeth she attempted a smile, and with a burst of energy she made every kitchen cabinet fly open sending pots, pans and utensils clattering to the floor. She walked towards the back door as Winnie’s final words reached her ears.

“Oh, that’s just fine, Georgia. Make a big, fancy exit and leave the rest of us to clean up the mess! Well, you better get it out of you or you’ll have me to deal with. And you burned the cake!”

After Winnie insisted the mess be left for her to clean up, Sophie made a point to steer clear of the orchard and stood with Angela under a tall almond tree. In the far distance ominous dark clouds were gathering and Sophie shivered. She watched Angela close her eyes for a few seconds, as she extended her hands towards the clouds and mumbled what Sophie guessed was a spell. A whoosh of wind caught Sophie off guard and nearly lifted her off the ground as it swept upward and dispersed the clouds.

“Why did you do that?” Sophie asked. “Do those clouds mean something?”

Angela didn’t bother to look into the sky. “No… not everything has to do with you and the Olympians. I’ve already torn my dress's strap. I’d prefer not to ruin it by getting caught in a rain storm.”

And I’m supposed to believe you?
She’s worried about getting her dress wet? It has something to do with the Olympians. I know it.

“Georgia was pissed,” Sophie said. She didn’t know why, but she laughed and Angela joined her.

“Yes, I’m guessing you’re right about that one,” Angela said. “I’ve lived here for almost a year and thanks to you I have witnessed the first time Georgia blew her top like that.”

Sophie was about to ask Angela how she ended up at the Vasilikós, but she lost all thought when she saw Bennett walking towards them carrying a blanket.

“Hi,” he said, smiling at Sophie.

“Hi,” Sophie said, smiling back.

“Winnie sent me out to bring this to you. She thought you might need it. She was concerned you would get some dirt on your dresses.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I really should fix my dress strap,” Angela said, showcasing her strap was indeed broken. “See you later, Soph.”

Sophie liked her new nickname. She also made a mental note to thank her friend for a speedy exit. She turned back to Bennett, who had already spread the blanket on the ground and was getting up to leave.

“Don’t go,” she said.

Wow, that’s really smooth. Could I sound a little more desperate?

“I should,” he said, then took a few steps and turned to leave.

“Why do you do that?” she asked.

He stopped. “Do what?”

“Run away. Every time I run into you, you literally trip over yourself to run away.”

“No, I don’t,” he said. “Look, I don’t know what they’ve told you, and I don’t think I should have to defend my actions to someone I barely know.”

“Nothing. Nobody has told me anything,” Sophie said, growing frustrated.

This is so not going the way I wanted it to.
“Oh, why don’t you go run away and leave me alone? At least it will be the one thing consistent in my life.” She sat down so suddenly part of her skirt flew up into her face and she had to smack it down or risk displaying more leg than she cared to.

Bennett chuckled.

“What?” Sophie said looking up and fighting a smile. She lost the battle and Bennett sat down while Sophie tucked her legs underneath her skirt.

“Miranda,” Bennett said picking up a fallen almond and flinging it away.

“Miranda?”

“She was a Muse, out of your grandmother’s Vasilikós. We were an item for about a year.”

“Oh,” Sophie said picking at a blade of grass.

“One day she up and left, transferred to the Vasilikós in Italy. Not a word to me, except a Facespace posting that said, ‘Sorry.’”

“Wait,” Sophie said. “She broke-up with you on Facespace? That…is…ouch. Wow… that really sucks for you.” She laughed a bit at the ridiculous nature of the situation. “Breaking up on a public Facespace posting is so not right.”

“Tell me about it,” Bennett said, flinging another almond into the yard. “And to make matters worse, she “liked” her own posting, along with fifteen more of my friends who later said they were sorry for not reading the post more carefully. They quickly ‘unliked’ it.”

“I’m sorry for laughing, but you have to admit”

“It hurt? Yes, it did. It hurt like hell.”

“Well,” Sophie said. “It’s apparent she wasn’t the right girl.” She thought for a second. “So, let me guess, you’ve sworn off dating Muses?”

“Yep,” he said, cracking open an almond and handing the shelled nut to Sophie who popped it into her mouth. “I was warned that Muses can be somewhat…”

“Somewhat what?” Sophie said, the color rising in her cheeks.

“Fickle.”

“Well,” Sophie said getting to her feet. “That’s good to know.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…I shouldn’t have said that. It was so incredibly stupid and mean of me.”

Sophie stood for a moment and glanced away to hide her hurt feelings. She knew her rollercoaster emotions weren’t Bennett’s fault, but she couldn’t help the way she felt. She was pissed.

She noticed a man standing in the distance. He wore all black and his skin, devoid of any sort of color, had a grayish glow to it.

He looks a lot like my father.

A chill ran down her spine, as goose bumps broke out all over her skin.
That is my father.

The vision stood there, looking at her. It raised its right hand and placed it over its heart and then reached towards her.

He’s crying. Oh daddy, I miss you so much.

She wanted to run to him, call out, scream for him not to go, but something stopped her. The memory of the vision in the woods back home made her wary.

If only it were really you, daddy. I would do anything for it to be you. Just another freaky example of my ‘normal’ life.

Bennett said something and Sophie began to respond to him, but stopped when she saw her father was gone.

Flustered, Sophie shook herself mentally and realized Bennett was looking concerned. “No…,” she said. “It’s fine. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed and you certainly have your reasons for lumping Muses into a single, fickle category.” She brushed her skirt and glanced again to see if her father had come back. He hadn’t, and she was both disappointed and confused.

“It must have been my mind playing tricks on me,” she said to herself. “He was never there. My father is dead.” Much to her relief and dread, her mother called from the Vasilikós. “Excuse me.” Sophie walked away.

Sophie found her mother in the Entry Hall, leaning against the large library table with the registry book.

“Hi,” Callie said. “Georgia asked me to show you something. She’s a bit preoccupied right at the moment.”

“She’s a bit pissed,” Sophie said. “Mom, it wasn’t my fault.”

“Language, Sophie,” Callie warned. “She knows it wasn’t your fault and doesn’t blame you. Georgia may have anger management issues, but she isn’t naïve. A good portion of her anger wasn’t even directed at you. She and Rose have a difficult history. Suffice to say they aren’t the kind of women who chat on the phone and exchange recipes. So, let’s forget about it, because the next month of preparation is going to be one long experience in hell. All right?”

“Okay, Mom,” Sophie replied and her mother gave her a hug, kissed her on top of her head and patted her shoulder.

“Come with me,” Callie said as she led Sophie towards the large, ornate mirror Sophie remembered Angela had avoided during one of their endless tours.

“Remember how we told you the mirrors were used as a form of transportation?” Callie asked. Sophie nodded. “Well, they are also used to hide or protect things. Give me your hand, take a deep breath, and follow me.”

“Through the looking glass?” Sophie said.

“Yes, Alice, like I’ve never heard that one before,” Callie said with a smirk. “Follow me.”

Sophie watched her mother take a deep breath and walk into the mirror. The mirror’s surface took on a liquid form, rippling as if a stone had been skipped across it. Her mother gave a tug at Sophie’s arm and she fell into the mirror’s watery surface with a yelp. It was much colder than she’d expected. Her mother gave her arm a stronger yank as she pulled her through to the other side. The mirror she stepped out of was a duplicate of the one found in the Great Entry Hall, except this mirror’s frame design was reversed.

“It’s a mirror image of the other one?” Sophie said, touching the frame.

“They are sister mirrors. There always have to be two. Any more than two and they become extremely temperamental and hard to control. This mirror and its sister were created by an Elf clan Georgia has on retainer.”

“Elf?” Sophie said.

“Who else would you choose to make your transference mirrors? Granted, it’s a complicated process. They subcontract with a group of water nymphs that gather and trap the mirror’s surface off of a hidden lake in the Elfin highlands. I once got a tour of their factory when I was in grade school. It was fascinating.”

“Yeah,” Sophie said. “I got a trip to Lollipop Farm.”

Callie laughed. “Hey, I liked Lollipop Farm.”

Sophie glanced around, realizing she didn’t recognize the room they were in.

Even the catacombs were more welcoming than this place
.

The room was cold, dank, and, except for the light coming from a few torches, very dark. The chamber had stone walls, stone floors and ceiling, no windows at all and a prevailing stench of mold. It had a fireplace with a roaring fire in it, but the flames gave off little warmth. Although not feeling chilled, Sophie still continued to shiver and Callie told her she would get used to the temperature in a few moments.

“The cold feeling is an illusion, a defense mechanism,” Callie explained. “Had you broken into this room, the cold would have continued until you became incapacitated. Stay close to me. There are many other traps found throughout these rooms.”

The room they stood in was a maze of spiral staircases connecting upper and lower floors. Each staircase was stranger than the first. Sophie took a step toward one of them and it disappeared through the ceiling as if it had been shot out of a cannon. She did the same to another, but this one fell through the floor only to reappear in the spot vacated by the first.

“These aren’t right. A person could spend an eternity chasing after them.”

“Sophie, get away from those! The last thing I need is for you to end up in another country.”

A sort of gnawing feeling in the back of Sophie’s mind drew her towards a different section of the room.

She went with her gut and stood in front of the fireplace. She reached down to warm her hands by the flames and realized they gave off no heat at all.

“It’s not real?” Sophie said.

Callie’s footsteps echoed in the room as she approached Sophie and the fireplace. She knelt down and without hesitation Callie thrust her hand into the fire beneath the wood and exposed an iron ring hidden in a trap underneath. She gave the ring a yank and something clicked.

“All-consuming fire created from the Sun Chariot. Yet another trap, created by a Norwegian witch friend of your grandmother. The same witch created the spiral staircase trick. A person who does not know how to bypass this spell is burned to a cinder.”

A few other clicks followed the first and the stones around the fireplace shook a little as they retracted out of sight. The fireplace slid upward about ten feet, exposing a hidden downward staircase.

“Stay close to the wall and grab onto the railing,” Callie continued. “The stairs get very slippery this time of year.”

“Is that another trap?” Sophie asked.

“No, smarty, it’s just common sense. But when you get ready to step off of the last step, skip it. Step on it and the entire floor collapses into a deep pit. I won’t tell you what’s down there. Let’s just say it isn’t pleasant.”

Sophie followed her mother’s direction, gripped the handrail and descended deeper into the Vasilikós. As they made their way down the stairs, other torches sparked, sputtered and lit themselves. Five minutes later, they reached the bottom of the stairs and, as her mother told her, Sophie avoided the last step.

The room they entered was about the size of several large auto-manufacturing plants combined and it was full of mirrors of different sizes and shapes.