Cory and I looked at each other, and then at Chris.
“Don’t look at me.” He told us. “I’m just the transportation, remember?”
“We’re not here to have you read our palms or gaze into a crystal ball, ladies.” Cory snapped and the sister's eyes widened as their lips parted. “We need the ambrosia for a potion.”
“Listen here, missy.” Atropos exclaimed, pointing a finger at Cory and leaning forward. “We are goddesses, and you will respect our authority. Now sit down and shut up, it seems the male mortal here has more respect than you do. We’ll be dealing with him directly.”
Cory opened her mouth and took a breath, but I elbowed her, glaring daggers until her face went from crimson to an embarrassed shade of pink and she sat down on the bench close to the door.
“I’m sorry if what my sister said had offended you. But we’re on a very tight schedule and we really need the ambrosia immediately. A lot of-” I started in.
“You can’t stomach the food of the gods, mortal. We already told you that.” Lachesis said, cutting me off and waving a hand through the air. “If that’s all that you’re going to ask for, then you can all leave now before Clotho and I allow Atropos to keep you for her collection.”
“Yes, the ambrosia is the only thing that we need from you. There is a de-” I started, but was cut off again by Atropos this time.
“No. Mortals have no business with ambrosia.” She said, crossing an arm over her stomach and looking at the nails of her other hand. “I’m inclined to-”
“Will you shut up and listen to me!?” I said, allowing a bit of power to leak into my voice, shaking the marbled flooring and columns, sparks flying from the Madgie mist surrounding me. The sisters' mouths snapped shut, and their eyes grew big again. “Just because you are goddesses, does not give you the right to interrupt someone that needs your help in order to save thousands of lives. Yes, you are all immortal and don’t have to worry about a couple of demons running amok, killing anyone that they can. But that doesn’t mean that mortals are able to get over the fact that they are being manipulated into doing things that they would never do, just to die and have their souls be eaten by the demons. We need the ambrosia to put into a centuries old potion that was able to defeat the main demon before, but we cannot get it without a little help. Now, are you going to be vain, vapid fools? Or are you going to put away your narcissistic tendencies for just a split millisecond in your lives to help others that can’t help themselves?”
The sisters stared from me to each other, looking back and forth between each other before looking back at me again. Then they turned their backs on us and huddled together.
“Do you think he could possibly be talking about that blasted Madgie from Greece?” Clotho asked in a hushed tone, still loud enough for us all to hear.
“He can’t be. The last time that happened, her father had to get help from Hephaestus to trap her.” Atropos said.
“Yes, but her father also needed ambrosia for the potion.” Clotho said.
“There’s a simple way to find out exactly who they’re dealing with.” Lachesis told them. They stared at her for a moment before she rolled her eyes. “We just have to ask them.”
They all turned back around and regarded Cory and me, now standing close to me. Chris had sat down on the bench and put his hands behind his head, waiting until he was needed again.
“What are the names of these demons that you speak of?” Lachesis asked.
“Araminta and Leviathan.” I replied, looking at them warily.
The sisters gasped and looked at each other.
“That can’t be possible.” Atropos said. “Araminta's father trapped her in the void many years ago. There is just no way that she can get out of that unless a powerful Madgie is working from both sides of the void to get her out.”
“Ya, well, it’s happening right now, sister.” Cory said, putting a hand to her hip. “Now, are you going to help us or not?”
“You will need her Anima in order for the spell to bind to her. She will not take it on her own.” Clotho said.
“We know, my Anima is back in Vegas looking for it now.” Cory told her.
“You have an Anima?” Atropos asked, raising an eyebrow. “But you’re just a child.”
“I may be a child, but I’m still a master in Mental Magic.” Cory said, staring at her. “I have solved the puzzle that has plagued most Madgie for thousands of years.”
“And what would that be?” Atropos asked snidely. “How to fly on a broomstick like humans seem to think you can do?”
“How to transform into an animal like a Shifter.” Cory replied.
“That’s impossible. You don’t have the right body for it. It would kill you before you could get even a third of the way through a Shift.” Lachesis said.
“It’s true.” I told them. “She can show you another time, but right now we really do need that ambrosia so we can get this done before more people die.”
“Very well.” Lachesis said. “We will give you some. And our payment will be that you need to give us the Anima of Araminta when you have completed your task of trying to trap her in the void again.”
I looked at Cory, a knot of worry in my stomach. Cory looked back at me, thinking for a minute, then nodded.
“Deal.” I said, holding out my hand.
Instead of a handshake, Lachesis placed a vial of glowing amber liquid into my hand and stepped back.
“Don’t take even a drop of it for yourselves.” She said as she and her sisters turned and walked away.
Cory
“Ok, so we have everything we need so far. The plants, we can use Hephaestus‘ hammer and anvil, the blood of the virtue, and the ambrosia… Now we just need to find the Anima.” I sighed, grasping my cup of coffee. “We’ve been all over trying to find it, but we still don’t even know what it is. And Kalama isn’t sure what to look for either. Aside from stopping and inspecting every single living creature she comes across, do you know how many animals are in a city this big? A shit ton, that’s how many.”
Az sat his muffin down and pulled out the potion book.
“I’ve been scouring everything, trying to figure it out. But it doesn’t say anything about what it is. Just that her Anima will be a regular wild animal until she starts gaining power again, then it will change color to match her sinful colors. So we only know that it will be green… Or at least partly green.”
“I just wish we knew what it was instead of just knowing that it will be green.” I huffed.
“Maybe it will be an animal with her characteristics, like how she is literally Envy incarnate? Do you think an animal can be envious?”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“They’re animals, they don’t have the same emotions that we do.” I downed my coffee and went to get another.
After I ordered, I turned around and bumped into a tall guy with messy dishwater blond hair and the glasses only a nerd would wear.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was standing so close.” He said as he caught me in my stumble. “I’m Scott. I overheard your boyfriend saying something about trying to figure out what type of animal can be envious and wanted to see if I could butt in a little more. I’m-”
“Sorry, we’re on a case for the Council and can’t really give any details. And he’s my brother.” I said blushing. His hand still held my elbow, and I could feel the smoothness and rush from his closeness.
“Oh, no. I was going to say that I’m a zoologist and can help with a list of animals that have envious tendencies if you’d like.”
Pappy walks in and orders a cup of coffee with sea salted caramel added and sits at their table.
“What have we got you two?” He asks as I got back to the table, leading Scott over and having him sit next to me.
“There you are. We’ve been trying to reach you for hours.” Az said, looking at Pappy after giving Scott a once over. “We got all but one of the ingredients we need. Cory and I w
ere just talking about the last one when she went to get a new drink. And now apparently has a lost puppy dog of a man.”
“I’m sorry to intrude, I don’t mean to be a nuisance. My name is Scott. It’s nice to meet you.” Scott said, reaching across the table and shaking Az and Pappy’s hands. “I had overheard you guys talking about envious animals and figured I would see about lending my expertise in the matter.”
“Your expertise?” Az asked, eyebrow raised.
“Yup. I’m a zoologist. I can help you pinpoint the exact type of animal you’re looking for.” Scott said.
“I think it’s really nice of him to offer his help.” I said, raising my cup of coffee and taking a drink.
“Well, Scott, let’s hear it. What animals show the tendencies of being envious?” Az asked him, rolling his eyes.
“Stop being a troll, Az.” I shot at him.
“It’s ok. He’s just protecting his sister. I don’t blame him at all.” Scott said, smiling. “There actually can be quite an extensive list of animals that could be considered envious. It really depends on what you’re looking for. But just a generalized list I would say a snake is one that a lot of people associate with envy. Probably from that whole snake and the apple thing, got jealous of the two humans in his garden and wanted it all to himself or something. A crow, they can be pretty fierce little buggers. They’ll steal a lot of shiny objects just because they want to. Monkeys can exhibit signs as well. If you give a monkey a piece of fruit they’ll be happy, but if you give another monkey two pieces of fruit, the first one will now try and take the extra from the other one. A raccoon is a good one as well, they-”
“A raccoon!” Az exclaimed, looking between Pappy and me. “That’s the one we’re looking for. Cory, you said that the one you found for your trial was kind of sickly looking, right? Maybe a bit green?”
My eyes widened as I remembered the colors on its fur, the same colors that appeared when I changed.
“Oh my god!” I said. “You’re right. We need to be looking for a raccoon. I can’t believe I had it in my hands before. If only I had known, I would have tried to keep it.”
“It’s alright, Cory. We didn’t know that we even needed it until now.” Pappy said. “The important thing is that now we know what we’re looking for. Call Kalama and let her know, we need to get back to the hotel and get a few other things ready.”
“Thank you so much, Scott. That was a huge help.” I said to the man as we got up and gathered everything to go.
“Of course. I know you said you’re doing work for the Council, but if you ever need any more help with animals, give me a call.” He said as he handed me a card.
Taking it, I put it in my purse and gave him a smile.
“Thank you. I’ll do that.” I said.
A phone rang across the table, and both Az and Pappy pulled theirs out. Az gave a sullen look and put his away.
“This is Jimmer. Well, hello Mayor. How can I help you…?” Pappy said into his phone, his expression going from annoyed to dark. “This is the exact reason I told you to allow the Council to run the raid. How many…? You stupid son of a troll loving worm! Why the bloody hag wart would you send that many in? You know what, never mind. I’ll take over from here. You just go home for now. I’ll deal with you when this is over.”
“What happened, Pappy?” Az asked.
“Araminta is free.” Pappy said, walking briskly out of the cafe door.
Levi/Araminta
The small hand mirror on the coffee table in the middle of the room glowed a dark green for a moment before shattering, erupting with a dark green mist. Once it cleared, a short woman in a flowing white toga and golden leaves in her long hair stood in the wreckage of the table, looking around until she saw Levi. Her eyes brightened, and she smiled warmly.
“You, my love, are the moon and I the stars. You wake me with your bright soul and are full of light for me to see the entire universe that you lay at my feet. I will always love you.”
“And I will always love you too, darlin’.” Levi replied.
“Why have we been released?” She asked.
“A Madgie that’s stuck in the void is trying to free herself. And she needs the help of some powerful people before she can leave.” He said. “I was released just over a couple weeks ago and have been working on getting you out. I’ve had to borrow your power and make people murder each other to collect their souls so I could free you.”
The woman gave him a pouty look, “You saved one for me, right?”
“Of course I did darlin’. I have him waiting in the next room. I just wanted to see my beautiful Araminta before I brought him in. We have many more souls to collect after him as well, so you have plenty of time to have some fun.”
“Good, it’s been far too long. I can’t believe I have been trapped in that horrible prison for hundreds of years!” Araminta said with a dark look.
Levi embraced her from behind.
“Well, you’re out now, darlin’. All we need now is to kill and trap about a hundred more souls so you can become immortal on this planet once again. And then we can find the rest of our family and rule these useless humans forever.”
Araminta inspects her gun and waves her hand over it to create different bullets that help her torture instead of intensify someone’s envy. While Levi kisses her neck and strokes her arms.
Levi calls out to one of the Ashen in the other room to bring in the mayor he had tied up.
“Here you go, beautiful. Ready for a little fun before we get started?” He asked Araminta as he walked over and grabbed the mayor's arm to bring him closer.
The man struggles and is able to break free by accidentally hitting Levi in the face, giving him a bloody nose.
“Well, I was going to start small. But you just hit my husband. That blood will cost you.” She said as she strode forward.
A bright yellow string shot out from the end and wrapped around the man's neck. She pushed a button on the side and watched the man squirm and smirked as he screamed, his back arching as the electricity wove deep into his body, the Armani suit smoking as he writhed.
Tineva/Az
“Yes! My plan is working. The first of the seven is free!” Tineva said happily while looking in her silver liquid.
She sprinkles a bit of the purple orchid that she created Aveline with into the bowl and starts talking.
“Make sure Araminta continues killing. We only need 100 more souls for her portion to be complete and then we can focus on the others.” She pauses while Aveline speaks incoherently. “Just keep her under your control. I don’t care if she’s trying to fight you. Do what you need to keep her doing the tasks you can’t.”
◆◆◆
I set the potion book down.
“You know, getting the zoologists' help was great. But how are we going to find a raccoon in this city?”
“Do you think maybe the local animal control will have it? The raccoon I had was pretty tame and trusting to humans. I only had to lure it to me with a sandwich and it let me pick it up and hold it while I started trying the spell.” Cory said. “We should go check it out.”
On the way there, Pappy calls and reminds us that Araminta has been released and we need to hurry before she can complete her spell to regain immortality.
“We better hurry and get there, Cory.” I said as I opened google to find the shelter. “Hopefully they have it there. Or will be able to give us pointers on where to find it. Here’s the address.”
About ten minutes later, the cab we hailed pulled up to the shelter and the mutant driving turned to us and gave us the total. His antenna waving wildly around and bulbous eyes shifting everywhere. Cory handed him her card, and we got out after he swiped it.
We run into the facility and find a man slumped over at the reception desk.
“Um… Hello, sir?” I said as we stepped up to the desk. “We were wondering if someone here could help us about a raccoon?”
The man didn’t st
ir. Cory walked around the desk and hesitantly put her hand on his shoulder, joggling him.
“Sir?” She called. “Hello?”
“Is he breathing?” I asked when he didn’t move.
“I’m not sure.” Cory said. “I’ll check his pulse.”
She bent down and shifted his sleeve up his arm a little and gasped.
“He has a big bandage on his arm. And it’s soaked with blood.” She said. “Should we call an ambulance?”
As I was pulling out my phone to call, I felt a huge weight knock into me and I fell over. Looking to the side, I saw a man pushing himself up and crawling quickly over to me, anger in his eyes.
“You shouldn’t have that, give it to me!” He shouted at me.
I scrambled backwards away from him, but stopped when he stopped where I had been before and picked up my phone.
“This is far too nice of a phone for a child like you.” He said. “I’ll just keep it nice and safe for you.”
“Oh, hell no.” I said, getting up and going over to him, raising a hand. “I’m expecting a call, and you will not make me miss it.”
My Madgie mist shot out from me and enveloped his hands, forcing them together and making him struggle. My phone dropped to the ground, and I picked it up. Letting my mist dissipate, I left a rope tied around his wrists and looked over to Cory. She had a woman bound as well behind the counter, screaming something about her hair and ripping it off to use as her own.
“Looks like we came to the right place.” I said as I noticed that they each also had bandages on their arms and legs. “Come on. Let’s get this guy and hurry back for the potion.”
We go into the back and find the raccoon with green stripes on its tail and a green mask, and carefully get him into a cat carrier and head back to the hotel to finish the potion, calling an ambulance and the police on the way. Once back, we find Pappy has returned and is urging us to complete the potion to avoid more deaths.
Stone Cold NV: World of Sin, Book 1 Page 21
