by K. T. Tomb
K.T. TOMB
The Spear of Destiny
Published by K.T. Tomb
Copyright © 2014 by K.T. Tomb
All rights reserved.
Ebook Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Dedication
The author wishes to dedicate this book to the late
Ray Bradbury.
The Spear of Destiny
Chapter One
Phoe awoke in a panic.
Beads of sweat decorated her forehead.
She had dreamt of her brother, Eric. Again. It was the fourth time in as many days.
The dream was always the same: Eric was being chased by one of the mafias. In each dream, Eric had barely escaped with his life.
The last time she had seen her brother was years ago. The last thing he had said to her was that he was going after The Spear of Destiny.
The Spear of Destiny.
Phoe walked into the bathroom and decided that her quest for a full night’s sleep would again go unfulfilled. She loaded her toothbrush and ran the water in the sink as she stared in the mirror.
For the first time in a long time, she really saw herself. She saw the worn-out t-shirt that she had slept in for years and the men’s boxer shorts that she wore because they were comfortable.
Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders. It contrasted with her piercing blue eyes.
She’d gotten her Greek nose from her father. It was a little bit larger than she would have liked, but at least she was always compared to a singer, Idina Menzel…the woman who had been cast as the Wicked Witch of the West in the musical, Wicked.
Phoe hated her nose though she was fascinated by dissecting her reflection. Her mouth was too small. She had always wanted big pouty lips. Her ears were thin and almost came to a point, which was why she wore her hair longer.
She had one bright spot. Her body. Despite the bruises and scars, of course. Her wrist had almost completely healed. She had injured it in Iquitos City, Peru, where she had performed a near-Olympic feat to save Jonathan Kessler.
Never again.
She worked long hours and had trained hard to keep her athletic build. Her mother had put her through so much training that she couldn’t help but become an Olympic-level athlete.
Mom.
Phoe hadn’t called her in a while. Maybe it was time.
* * *
She went to her dresser, grabbed a rubber band and put her hair in a ponytail.
The Head of Olmec sat in an alarmed display cabinet in her bedroom. The emerald eyes shone brightest during the dawn.
Phoe picked up her phone and sighed heavily. The phone rang several times before she heard a click.
A female voice answered, “Hello.”
“Mom? Hi. It’s me,” Phoe said reluctantly.
“Me? I don’t know anyone by that name. If you happen to be my daughter, then I’m not sure what to call you since my daughter hates her first name.”
“Nice, Mom. Thank you for making me regret calling you. It only took thirty seconds this time. I think that’s a new record.”
“I’m not stupid, Thalia. Don’t treat me as such,” her mother scolded.
Thalia.
She’d said it! The forbidden name!
“Thanks again, Mom. You know I specifically asked you—”
“—to never call you by that name. You’re my daughter! I named you after your grandmother but, for some reason, you want nothing to do with it. We made a big deal over it. I got it.” Her mother’s tone was sarcastic, yet firm. Almost uncaring. “I also know that I am your mother and I am exempt from your childish rules. You wouldn’t have called me unless you wanted something. Your name is Thalia. End of story. Are you eating?”
Phoe took a moment to gather her thoughts. She always had to practically have her conversation written out when she talked to her mother. “Yes, Mother. I’m eating.”
“Are you healthy?” Her mother was blatantly changing the subject.
“Mom, I didn’t call for this…yes, I’m healthy.”
“Are you seeing anyone, Thalia?”
Phoe tried to curtail her impatience. “Mom! Come on! I want to talk to you! I shouldn’t be interrogated like a common criminal! And no! I’m not seeing anyone!”
There was a brief silence. “You are my daughter and you are anything but common. As for the criminal part, I can’t comment since you don’t keep in touch.”
Phoe placed her hand over her cellphone and tried to calm herself down as she took deep breaths and blew them out. She moved her hand. “Mom. Can you possibly understand why I don’t call you more often? I mean, seriously! You know I don’t like to be questioned!”
“When are you coming to see me, Thalia?”
Phoe always made up excuses not to see her mother. “The store is keeping me really busy since—”
“That Thor nonsense,” her mother interrupted.
“That wasn’t nonsense, Mother! In fact, that’s the reason I’m doing so well! I even had to hire more people to handle the overflow!” Phoe tried to control her anger, but her mother knew which buttons to push.
“I received a postcard from your brother,” her mother said without changing her tone.
Phoe’s mouth dropped. Her mind raced to find a response.
Nothing.
Phoe’s mind went blank. Then anger washed over her. “Why the hell didn’t you call me with that information?”
“There it is. Now you know how your mother feels when you don’t call. Charlotte doesn’t tell me everything. She tells me small things. I should know everything about what my daughter is doing and who she is doing it with.”
Phoe hated it when her mother used psychological warfare. “I…I can’t do this right now. I can’t do this with you, Mother.”
“I’ll make you a deal, Thalia. You let me in on everything that’s going on with you and I’ll tell you everything about your brother.”
Was this another mind game? Would she really tell Phoe everything?
Phoe had no choice.
“Okay, Mom. I agree to your terms. How are we going to do this?”
“You come to me. We can sit down like adults and really talk. I want to know all about your life, Thalia. It’s only because I care.”
Chapter Two
Phoe left Charlotte in charge of the new recruits. She trusted Charlotte to train them. Jason and Kim showed the most enthusiasm out of all of the applicants. The siblings were working their way through college, which was the main reason they had been hired.
They reminded Phoe a little of her and Eric.
Eric.
Phoe had her travel bag packed and was ready to go when she saw a familiar limousine parked outside of Simple Treasures.
It was the same limo that had carted her off to the airport to begin her greatest adventure.
It was Simon Kessler’s limo.
She hesitated before she approached the tinted driver’s window. She heard a slight electronic hum as the window lowered.
Phoe’s eyes widened when she saw a young woman with blonde hair that was pulled back into a ponytail. She couldn’t see the driver’s eyes because of the sunglasses. She smiled at Phoe.
Phoe had all but forgotten her first question. “Where’s Bob?”
“He’s not here. I am.” The driver’s tone was as sarcastic as it was condescending.
Before Phoe could react, the back door of the limo opened. Phoe knew who was inside. She walked over and looked into the back seat to see a familiar pair of overpriced slacks. They were attached to her benefactor. The rest of him was hidden in the shadows.
Simon leaned forward and smiled at her. His brown eyes hid his emotions well. His salt-and-pepper hair was styled as usual. Phoe was impressed by the fact that despite Simon’s wealth, he chose to age naturally. Without chemicals or plastic surgery.
<
br /> Phoe was still upset about the new driver. “Hello, Simon. I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re here. Although I would like to know how you knew I was going somewhere.” She tried hard to feign surprise.
“Greetings to you, my dearest Phoe. It breaks my heart to hear these suspicions. I thought we had an amazing working relation—”
“Did you bug my phone?” she interrupted.
“Well, so much for formalities.” Simon’s smile faded. “I must admit that I may have increased my awareness of your whereabouts.”
Phoe made no attempt to hide her anger.
“How dare you! You have no right to spy on me! Do you have cameras, too?”
Oh, hell no!
“Do you have cameras in my shower?”
Simon remained expressionless through Phoe’s rant. “What an odd thing to be specific about. If I am nothing else, I am still a gentleman, Phoe. I have put no cameras anywhere within your domicile or place of business. How interesting that you would consider me a peeping tom.”
Phoe’s paranoia increased as she pulled out the rubber band and started to twirl her hair with one finger. “Did you pay someone to put cameras in my house?”
Simon had never developed a taste for being accused of anything. “No. If there are video devices of any kind where you do not want them, I had nothing to do with it. If we are finished with the accusations, may I continue with the reason I am here?”
“You’re ignoring me! Why did you bug my phone?” she persisted.
“Please get in the car and I will explain everything, Phoe.”
She stopped twirling her hair long enough to reluctantly enter the car. “I want answers!”
“And answers you shall have. Would you care for a drink?” He opened the panel to the wet bar behind the seat in front of him.
She shook her head.
Simon proceeded to pour himself a drink. “If I wouldn’t have found out about your trip to visit your mother, then I wouldn’t be here to offer my jet for you to use.”
Phoe looked puzzled. “You’re just going to lend me the jet? Out of the kindness of your heart?”
Simon’s laughter seemed to mock her. “Oh, dear! That is a good one, Phoe! Actually, there is one thing that I would like in return.”
“I knew it! What is it?”
Simon’s eyes locked with hers. “I want what you will eventually find.”
“My brother?” Phoe queried innocently.
“No, my dear. Even you know what must interest me. You are going to visit with your beloved mother. She may tell you things you want to know concerning your long-lost brother. She may even give you clues as to his whereabouts. You will then feel the need to reunite with your sibling, so you will go to whatever far-off land dear Eric has traveled to. All the while, you will become part of a miraculous quest for something that he has been searching for.” Simon felt quite satisfied after his monologue.
Phoe didn’t feel intimidated by his knowledge. However, she did feel intimidated by how he might have obtained it. “You want the Spear of Destiny. Well, at least this time you want me to retrieve something that actually exists.”
“See? You are as smart as you are beautiful. I did, however, hire you for more than just your looks. You have my cars and my jet at your disposal, if you bring me back the Spear of Destiny.”
Phoe cringed. “You know that my brother is looking for the Spear.”
“Yes, Phoe. I do. Your brother has been looking for it all these years to settle a debt of his. He’s really not very good at this treasure-hunting business. If you bring me the real Spear and not one of the ones confused with it, I will clear Eric’s debt and I will set him up with a nice little house of his own. I might even give him a job.”
Phoe remembered having almost this same conversation with Simon. She had previously bargained herself out of a paycheck.
Not this time.
“You will also give Eric one million dollars with absolutely no strings attached,” she said confidently.
“Is that all, my dear?” Simon expected more from her after their deal for Mjolnir.
He did it again!
He made her think that she hadn’t covered all of her bases.
Could she add something else to the deal?
Would she be so bold?
She looked confidently at Simon. “I also want unlimited use of your limo. I don’t ever want that to be thrown into any more deals in the future to sweeten the pot.”
Simon waited to see if she was finished. It appeared that she was. “Done! Well done, Phoe! You are ever the negotiator! I will have my lawyer draw up the contract and then—”
Phoe’s interruption was expected this time. “No, Simon. I’m going to trust you to keep your word.”
He smiled at her. He knew what she did and he almost applauded her for doing it. “In other words, you will not relinquish the Spear to me until I fulfill my end of the bargain.”
It was her turn to mock him. “Well done, Simon! You also have to remove all the bugs and video devices in or near Simple Treasures and my living space in the back!”
Simon’s forced smile made Phoe nervous. He maintained control over the conversation, while still being considerate. “You are really hung up on me videotaping you, aren’t you? I have never videotaped you in any capacity. Nor will I ever do such a thing. I will make sure that any listening devices that quite possibly might be lurking somewhere nearby will be deactivated at once as well.”
“Why, Simon? Why did you put bugs in my home? I thought we worked really well together on the Hammer of Thor.”
He took another sip of brandy. “I don’t like admitting this to you and you won’t hear me saying it often, but I need you, Phoe.”
Phoe felt the power switch from Simon to her.
She liked being in control! “You have a funny way of showing it, Simon.”
“On the contrary, Phoe. I have shown it the only way I know how. You have provided me with an excellent employee in Jeremy Riddick and retrieved an artifact that could actually be the real Mjolnir, except for the lack of Thor’s thunder god powers. And I’m sure it wasn’t made in Asgard. The fact is, you have made me a lot of money. There’s no reason for us to part ways now.”
“Seriously, Simon? I have no idea how much more money you will need to accumulate before you become happy.”
“Answer the cell phone I gave you when I call and all will be well. If you agree to that one small request, then we will both be happy,” he said nonchalantly.
That didn’t seem too much to ask.
She had been ignoring it.
“We have a deal, Simon. Oh, and one other thing. I want another limo driver. That girl you replaced Bob with? She’s a real bitch.”
Chapter Three
Captain Sampras broke the silence as the plane descended. “We are touching down in Portland, Oregon. The weather is a cool 42 degrees.”
Pam approached Phoe as she sat back in her seat, waiting for the jet to come to a complete stop. “I hope everything goes well with your visit, Phoe. I know when I visited my mother for Christmas, it wasn’t pleasant. I have to stay away for almost a whole year before she shows any kind of love toward me. You let me know if you need to talk. Take care!”
Phoe’s mouth dropped with surprise. Pam walked back behind the curtain that separated the flight attendant area from the passengers.
Simon had told his crew who she was going to see?
Phoe shook off the discomfort of having everyone knowing her business. Especially since she liked Pam, but not as a friend.
She liked her as a flight attendant.
* * *
The long drive to her mother’s condo felt equivalent to a prisoner’s walk to the death chamber.
Phoe hadn’t talked to her mother in a while, but it had been even longer since they had met face to face.
Phoe tried to prepare herself for the third degree from her mother. It was always the same when they were together.
&nbs
p; She vowed she would never be that way if she ever had children.
The limo entered the Q2 or second quarter section of Portland. If you owned a house or condo there, it meant that you were far higher than middle class.
Phoe never understood why people flaunted their wealth.
Her mother lived modestly in a condo. The only time she had ever flaunted her wealth was when she had invited herself to the Mayor’s Ball.
Somehow, she had never gotten asked to leave.
The limo pulled into the condo parking garage. Phoe glared at the elevator as they pulled up to it. The driver lowered the glass between Phoe and him. “I’m afraid they have no parking place available for the limousine, so I will have to drop you off here.”
He handed her a business card. “This is my private number. Please feel free to call me when your business here is finished. I won’t be far.”
Business.
It was always similar to attending a business meeting when she visited her mother.
* * *
Phoe arrived at the door to her mother’s condo. She lowered her head and took a deep breath as her hand balled into a fist. Her fist reluctantly banged once against the hard wood.
And again.
Phoe leaned against the door as if it would somehow assist with her mother answering.
The door opened suddenly. Phoe had to keep herself from falling forward as her mother stared at her.
Phoe had always thought that her mother was beautiful. Angelica Phoenix stood before her daughter. Her long black hair flowed perfectly over her shoulders. She was dressed in a navy blue business suit with a white blouse underneath. She wore black heels, which completed the ensemble. She carried a small Gucci bag. Phoe realized one thing as she looked at her mother.
She had gotten her nose from her father.
Her mother would often look at Phoe as she would a lost puppy. Angelica intimidated the younger Phoenix.
Without blinking an eye, Phoe’s mother calmly said, “I have an appointment. I can’t stay. You should have called.”
