by Crymsyn Hart
She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess. I’m still not too sure on what a familiar does exactly.”
“Familiars are loyal to the witch who created them. They will give their lives for their mistress. They’re bound only to you. Will do whatever you say. It’s only up to you to free them from their life of servitude. They are created when the witch’s magick is powerful enough that they become an extension of power. No matter where you are, they can find you.” She and Apollo looked over at the new voice in the room. Standing in the doorway of her bedroom was Lugh, except he was not naked. He was dressed in tight jeans that hugged his hips. If they were any lower, they would have been illegal. He wore a black T-shirt that showed off his abs.
Kalliope’s heart pounded. She thought about how she had nearly slept with Apollo and what she had done with him. It might have only been a few stolen kisses and a couple of caresses, but guilt washed over her. Tears came to her eyes while she looked at the god. Shame filled her. Her hand slid over the stone he had given her. It was warm against her flesh. She lifted her gaze to his, but Lugh’s expression was grim.
He knows! What am I going to do? I can’t hide anything from him. He knows what I’m thinking. I don’t know how often he reads my mind, but—I can’t lose him. I love him too much. I have to tell him the truth. That’s the only way.
“Excuse me guys.” Kalliope followed Lugh into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. She wondered what Theresa was going to do left with a magickal frog and a god. It was probably one of the strangest days her best friend was turning out to have, not counting on finding out her husband was gay.
“Kalliope, I need to speak with you.” Lugh leaned against her bedroom wall and didn’t make an attempt to touch her and he was clothed. That was all a bad sign. A lump formed in her throat.
“Lugh, I can explain. I swear what happened between me and Apollo was a mistake. I was sick. I didn’t know what I was doing. Not really. That was why I jumped you when you—”
“Kalli, what are you talking about?”
Tears started down her cheeks. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She slipped the chain he gave her over her head and put it in his palm. “I don’t deserve this. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.” She headed to the door.
The god caught her arm and pulled her into him. His lips locked to hers. She was putty in his arms. His power surged through her. He controlled it this time because it only warmed her from the inside out until she felt light and airy. Inside that power was an overwhelming sense of love; it nearly broke her heart. It was almost as if he was sharing his soul with her, meshing their two beings together until she wasn’t sure she was even alive any more. She was part of the very essence of the universe. It was even more intense than what he did to her when they made love. After a moment, his power withdrew from her, leaving her with only an echo of what had been. His lips lingered as he licked hers before releasing her. He pressed the necklace back into her palm.
“Kalli, love. I know you weren’t yourself. I could tell. Besides, Apollo already told me what happened. He was under the influence of Cupid’s arrows. You were sick. Did you know that was how Nas got me to fall in love with her in the first place centuries ago? You did nothing wrong. Please don’t cry. It breaks my heart when you do.”
Kalliope nodded, feeling an outpouring of love for him. Her heart swelled. Thank you. Thank you. But if he knows about me, then why is he here? Something has to be wrong!
“What’s the matter?” She slipped the necklace back on. It was warm against her skin and made her feel more secure.
“It’s the Furies. They’ve decided to take over the mortal world. They’ve taken all owners of all the major restaurant chains hostage. They want to serve tofu and faux turkey disguised as the regular menu.”
Kalliope couldn’t help but chuckle. What was so bad about getting rid of all the fast food restaurants in the world? No more grease. No more deep fryers. “What would be so bad about getting rid of oversized hamburgers and fries that stain when you put them on a napkin?”
“Once mortals eat it, they’d be bound to do the Furies’ bidding. But I’m not talking about just pizza or any fast food chain either. They’ve kidnapped the heads of upscale restaurants all across the world. They’re holding them hostage. You have to help put them back in the Underworld before mortals become enslaved.”
“Why haven’t I heard anything about this? Why’s there nothing on the news?”
Lugh guided her to the bed. “Because the gods are keeping it under wraps. We’ve all come together, hence the clothes, and are keeping a lid on it. All Hail has agreed it’s the best way to handle things.”
“If it’s the best way to handle things, then why don’t you and the other gods put them back in the Underworld where they belong cooking at UFC or whatever grease bucket they were working at?”
“If only it were that easy. You are now bound by universal law to get them back into the Underworld because you accepted Dagda’s task. No god can get involved because a mortal is in involved now. It’s a—”
“It’s a stupid law. That’s what it is.”
“I agree with you. I’d take them with my bare hands and send them back, but I can’t. Zeus washed his hands of them. The quest now falls to you. That was why I was at the council. All Hail is not pleased that there’s another witch in the human world. He hoped to wait for the second coming before he reintroduced magick, but there’s nothing he can do about it now.”
“So even he can’t rain down a flood or a plague of locusts to try and kill me? Is that another kind of universal law?”
Lugh nodded. “Now you’re getting it. Once a god, no matter who it is, gets involved with a mortal or gives the mortal something to do. It automatically becomes bound by universal law. No other god, no matter how high up, can interfere.”
“So you can’t help me at all? What if I fail? What if they take over the world? I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do.” Kalliope started to panic. Her heart was going a mile a minute, pounding in her chest and causing her to be light headed. Lugh grabbed her arm. She calmed down. Her arm came back into view again. When she glanced at her reflection, it grew more solid. Her near panic attack had almost driven her invisible. Whoa. I gotta get a hold of myself.
“You won’t fail. Apollo and I are here to help. I ran into Nas. She said you two had come to a truce. Is that true?”
Kalliope nodded. “Yeah, she was waiting on Zeus. When she saw me, she went nuts. She shot Apollo with an arrow and then saw the necklace you gave me. She realized then you and she were over. She was devastated. We came to an understanding. I felt bad for her. She really loved you. I’m not saying she’s not crazy, but I can relate.” To hear herself say that, Kalliope was pretty shocked. Of course she had not forgiven the goddess for putting her into a vine prison. But from the goddess’s point of view, she was the other woman cheating on the man she loved. Kalliope knew how she felt when she had walked in on Quince. She wanted to kill the tits with legs, but she never actually did it. Then she had wanted to turn the chick into something with pus, warts, and six hundred legs. Thank the gods she didn’t have her powers then. Hell would have been rained down on the church secretary, but that was the past.
Lugh leaned in and kissed her quickly. “I’m glad you’re getting along. You’ll not fail. I’ll be there to help you. You and Apollo should make your way to the Delphic Oracle. She can help you. First, I think you’d be better in this before you go.” The god snapped his fingers.
Kalliope was dressed in a long black dress that could have been a toga. Over that was a black leather corset with red stays. To top it off she had on red fuck me pumps that matched the laces. Her hair was jet black and braided down her back. Around her neck was a black leather collar set with Lugh’s gift in the center of it. Her lips coordinated the shoes. Her eyes were outlined in dark black. Looking at herself in the mirror, she assumed Lugh wanted to get into something kinky. The smile
on this face said he desired her to be dressed like that for one of their dates. She didn’t understand why she was made up as a dominatrix to go see an Oracle. She did admit that she kinda enjoyed the look. The black hair fit her the best. Kalliope had never liked her red hair. “Why do I have to be this way to go see an Oracle? I thought I’d go and ask a question. Then poof. I’ll have an answer.”
Lugh shook his head. “It’s not that easy. Del lived in your world for a long time. Like Avalon, when magick retreated from this realm, so did the Oracle. Apollo wanted to keep her as an asset in case something happened in the future. So he granted her immortality. She’s changed over the years. Del got involved with the centaurs and satyrs. They’re rival gangs. She runs a bar that’s neutral territory, but a lot of fights break out there.”
“Fun. I’m going into a lion’s den. Aren’t satyrs things you play?”
Lugh laughed. “No those are sitars. They’re played in India. And you’re not going alone. Apollo’s going with you. I’m not allowed.”
“Why?”
“Zeus has forbidden anyone not under his rule to enter Olympus until the Furies are put back in the Underworld. Since you’re technically doing something for him, you’re under his rule. If you need me, I’ll be there for you. I don’t care what the ramifications will be. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Lugh took her in his arms and hugged her.
In the heels, her chin was even with his nose. She stooped to kiss him. How was she going to walk through grass in the six-inch spikes? All she needed to complete the outfit was a red bullwhip. A naughty smile spread on her lips. She imagined herself using the whip on Lugh. Having him blindfolded, spread eagle, and handcuffed in velvet restraints hanging from the ceiling. She would snap the whip, slicing the air with it. The crack would make the god jump. The very end would touch his back and tickle him. She licked her lips at the image. I could get used to that.
Maybe, when you get back, we can experiment, Lugh answered her. The same look of mischief she felt over the whole dominatrix scene reflected on his face. Knowing he had read her mind, she turned crimson. Normally, she didn’t mind if he read her mind. She kind of liked it because he knew exactly where to touch her and got her whatever she wanted—she was so spoiled—and that was fine. Neither of them had brought up the bondage stuff before.
“I have to save the world. All humans could be enslaved and eating tofu if I don’t get my butt in gear.” Kalliope took a few wobbly steps toward the door.
“I love you, Kalli.”
She smiled at Lugh. “I love you too.”
She walked out the door and fell flat on her face.
Chapter Eight
When Kalliope got up, Theresa was reclined on the couch with Apollo rubbing her feet. The frog was perched on her stomach, feeding her strawberries from a bowl. She blew a piece of hair away from her face and watched the scene. A few minutes ago her best friend had fainted at the sight of the god and freaked out because of the size of the bullfrog. Not to mention the whole ordeal with her husband. She wondered why the others didn’t notice her. When she tried to cross the threshold into the living room, she found an energy barrier. The circle had been activated.
That’s odd since it should respond to me and no one else. Kalliope put out her hand, feeling the barrier. Once her palm touched the circle, the energy collapsed in on itself. The occupants of the couch looked over at her.
“Hi, Kalli,” Theresa said in a bubbly voice. Her friend seemed happy and calm which was a good thing. “What’s with the outfit?” She ate another strawberry from Humphrey.
Her familiar looked over and his jaw dropped. The frog fell to his knees on the floor and clasped his webbed feet together, wringing them in front of her. “I’ve been a bad bad froggy. Punish me. Please punish me.!”
Kalliope reached down and scooped up the frog. “If you don’t hush, I’ll punish you and turn you into a tadpole.”
“Kalli, be nice to Humphy. He means well.” Theresa blushed when she looked at the frog. Was it her, or did the frog have some power over women?
“Dear, Kalliope, you look wonderful. A vision comes down from heaven.” Apollo came toward her. She put out her hand to stop him.
“Apollo, I know you’re under the spell of Cupid’s arrow. Thank you for healing me. It’s great. But I’m with Lugh and I just need—”
The god bowed and brought her outstretched hand to his lips. “Dear lady, the affects of the spell wore off when I found myself fighting your teapot. You were appetizing when I was under the spell of love, but now you’re delicious. If you were not with my best friend, then I’d sweep you off your feet and make you mine. That is the look that suits you best.”
Kalliope was confused. If the god was not under a spell when they first got to the apartment, then he why was coming onto her? “So, the thing in the bedroom with you and me where we—you know. That was all an act?”
The god smiled. “Sorry. I wanted to be sure you actually had feelings for Lugh. If you slept with me, then you wouldn’t care about him at all. After hitting you with the lust arrow, only true love can break its spell. I wasn’t anticipating the side effects of you being able to levitate furniture with a sneeze. I guess you were allergic. I also wasn’t thinking I’d get attacked by Nas either and hit by one of Cupid’s arrows. But in the end, it proved my point.”
Kalliope was livid. If it were possible her hair would be on fire. She turned to Lugh who was in the doorway. “Was this your planning? To see if I was faithful to you? Was this all a test?” Hot tears of anger streamed down her cheeks. Her heart felt like it was broken all over again. Her mind flashed back to when she found her ex sleeping with his devout overdeveloped paramour.
“Kalli—” Lugh started.
“No. I don’t want to hear it.” She ripped off the collar. It landed at his feet. She clutched her familiar closer. “I don’t need either of you! Theresa, hun, I’ll be back. I have to save the world from three greasy goddesses without the help of these two jackasses!”
The witch walked towards the bathroom. Her mind was focused on the Delphic Oracle. From the description Lugh had given her, she had a pretty good idea where she would be going. Dark, loud, seedy and filled with drinking, leather clad creatures.
“Kalliope, wait!” Lugh called behind her. She put up her free hand and felt power move out of it. Her carpet writhed and split open. From the crevice came vines and braches that wove themselves into a thorny wall that echoed the state of her heart. She didn’t want to see what the gods did to get through it. She stepped over the threshold of her bathroom. When she opened her eyes, she was standing outside of a building. The time had changed in the other realm. It was night now.
“I think those wings of yours would be handy now. For a frog, you sure are heavy, Humph!” Kalliope set the frog down. After a second, the wings folded out of his back, and he was flying on white feathery angel wings. All he needed was a top hat and his look would be complete. Kalliope studied the building in front of her. It was beautifully carved out of marble with columns reaching to the sky in two even rows along the outside. Large torches were in between the columns, giving enough light to see by. It was balmy. She was starting to chafe in the leather outfit. She was not used to the corset and the metal boning was digging into her ribs. It was tied a little too tight. No matter how much it pushed up her boobs, she could barely breathe. Kalliope noticed several steps leading underground in the middle of the open air temple. She heard rather soothing flute music. Whatever she had expected was not at all what she thought.
“Come on, froggy.”
She made her way downstairs concentrating on not falling with her heels and also trying not to let what had just happened get to her. I am a strong independent woman. I am a powerful witch. I run my own life and my own business. I don’t need a man who is going to test my love. I am a strong and powerful woman who is going to kick some ass if anyone gets in my way.
She kept repeating the mantra while she made her way d
own the spiral staircase descending further underground than she would have liked. While she ventured downward, recessed torches sparked to life when she got close to them. Motion censored lighting! I need one of these when I get home. The deeper she went, the quieter it got with only her echoing steps, the swishing of Humphrey’s wings, and the crackle, snap, and pop of the torches springing to life. A sense of dread came over her. Was she in the right place? She had not seen a soul. It felt like she was descending into a secret labyrinth. Maybe I’ll be a feast for the Minotaur. I can see the headline now. Witch trespasses into maze stalked by half-man, half bull creature who decided to use her for a personal sex slave.
Kalliope shook her head. She was losing hope. Her heart sank. The litany of all powerful witch woman faded fast. At the end of the stairs, she was met with cranking disco music. Instead of a torch lighting her way, a blue neon sign hung crooked over a wooden door set in the stone. Above it was a disco ball and a track full of different colored lights. Once she stepped off the last step, the mirrored ball began spinning. The lights bounced off the walls, hitting the ball and spreading rainbows all over the small chamber.
“Psychedelic.” Humphrey swayed while he hovered in the air.
Kalliope watched the lights a little bit more and looked at the sign. It said Del’s.
She swallowed and poked the half-tranced frog. He seemed to snap out of it when she opened the door and stepped into the bar.
Inside, she was greeted by a receptionist sitting behind a desk made from white marble. Her hair was perfect blonde set back in a French braid. Covering a perfect body was a hot pink toga. Everything inside was brilliant white. Kalliope had to blink to keep the glare off. Above the receptionist’s desk was a sign carved in marble that read Del’s Spa.
“Hi, welcome to Del’s! What can I do for you today?” Her voice was high pitched and squeaky. Kalliope winced. Either she was in the wrong place or someone didn’t want her to get to the Oracle. If the Oracle knew the future then she wouldn’t want me to find her. Unless this is all a test and she’s messing with me.
