Harvest of the Gods

by Sumida, Amy

  “Your child is going to be so beautiful,” I whispered as I let go of Sam.

  Samantha's eyes filled with tears and she launched herself into my arms. I. caught her with a whoosh of breath leaving me. Then we were both crying, and for the first time since Odin's death, it was tears of joy.

  “Hey now,” I finally pulled back. “You'd better get to getting busy. Go make love to that fine lion cause I can't wait to see those hazel eyes in person.”

  “Hazel eyes?” She smiled wistfully.

  “Yeah, I know, right?” I laughed. “Fallon's going to be impossible. I can just hear him now going on about how the kid's got his eyes.”

  “Thank you, Vervain,” she kissed my cheek and stood. “You've been a good friend to me but this,” she shook her head, “this is beyond anything that anyone has ever done for me. I felt the bond form and I know that you've essentially taken magical responsibility for our baby. Thank you.”

  “You're very welcome,” I gave her a little push. “Now go get your man, that baby's waitin'.”

  She ran out of the room and as she did, I felt the magic inside me expand. It was the first time I'd used Demeter's magic and it was like it had been waiting for that moment. Like all my magic had been waiting. My ears started to ring, my head spun, and I fell to the floor disoriented. My body was shaking, vibrating like a chord had been struck inside of it, and I couldn't make it stop. Then I realized that I didn't want it to stop.

  It was like the last piece of the puzzle clicked into place, the final bolt tightened down. My three types of magic came together inside my chest, three spokes of white light meeting at the center. They connected with a resounding clang that set me to shaking all over again as light flared through my body, through every cell I had and even into my soul.

  It seemed to hover in my chest, waiting like a star in the sky for something to shine down upon. Then from the shadows came my three beasts, running toward one another with such speed that they blurred into light. That light connected, forming another three-spoked symbol and then the light flared out again into me. When it finally softened, the symbol lifted up and turned till it was aligned with the first, then just kept flowing forward until it melded with the one in front of it, turning just slightly so that the spokes remained separate.

  Then this new symbol flew backwards toward a third three-spoked symbol that hovered above my heart. I felt like it was the foundation for everything, that it had been there already, formed and waiting. My three aspects; Goddess, Human, and Faerie. Faerie had helped me accept that I was one being made up of three different races and that acceptance had melded them together, as everything inside me should have been.

  The six-spoked symbol turned and aligned itself with the last so that all the spokes would be separate and when it melded with the foundation, they all brightened to the point where I would have been blinded if I'd been using my physical eyes to see. As it was all inside of me, I could see clearly the separate spokes and how they widened and tapered, finally forming a nine pointed star.

  The star settled back into my heart, beginning to pulse with each beat before sinking into the organ and disappearing completely. I knew it was still there though, that all of the pieces which had helped to form it were still alive individually inside of me. I could call them forth one at a time or use their combined force together. Melding hadn't changed them, it had changed me. Nine is the number of completion and the star was just a representation of what I'd become.

  Complete.

  I was Human, Goddess, and Fey. I was Wolf, Lioness, and Nahual. And now I was finally the Goddess of Love, Lions, and the Land. Three triple aspects. The power of three times three.

  I started to laugh, rolling on the floor in merriment, until Trevor walked in and looked down at me with a horrified expression. Then I laughed some more.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  So what did being complete mean? Was I more powerful? The supreme being? Insert laugh clip here. Hardly. I mean I had a new magic now but beyond helping Sam and making things grow, I really didn't know what to do with it. Were there responsibilities, things I may be overlooking like with Love? Demeter had hurt people with her power and I knew I didn't want to do that.

  I had nightmares about her sometimes, nightmares about torturing her in which I'd remember all those little details that I'd blocked out. I'd see her kill Odin too, again and again but the worst thing about Demeter's death wasn't the nightmares, it was her daughter.

  Persephone finally came to see me about two weeks after Odin's funeral. She said she'd been there but I honestly didn't remember. I hoped I'd said something nice to her and not been hurtful. She didn't deserve it and I didn't feel any anger toward her but sometimes grief made you say stupid things. She didn't seem to be upset with me though, so I figured it was alright.

  To tell the complete truth, I didn't want to see her. I didn't want to feel guilt or anger or both, and I knew one of those would surely come along with Persephone's arrival. I was wrong though, something totally unpredictable happened instead.

  She'd come in and hugged me, whispering that she was so sorry. I'd wanted to comfort her, my friend had just lost her mother after all, and when the thought entered my head, Demeter's magic rose in response. It rushed up to the surface and into Persephone like it had been waiting for her touch. She gasped and pulled back a little and there between us hovered this golden light. She ran her hand through it and it seemed to cling to her. It disappeared into her hand and we both watched it flow under her skin and go straight to her heart.

  “Mommy,” she whispered and smiled.

  Demeter had a long time to accept her fate and she knew where her magic would be going. She'd imprinted her love for Persephone into it, so that when I took it, I carried that message of love with me. I'd filtered all of the evil out of Demeter's magic but this wasn't evil, this was her last message to her daughter, Demeter's loving goodbye to Persephone, and I'd delivered it for her unknowingly.

  A little of my anger towards Demeter eased with the transfer and so it was healing for me as well as Persephone. It's hard to move on, to get over such a strong emotion as anger once you've killed the subject of your fury. Once someone is dead, they're dead. There's no bringing them back to kill again. There's no hunt to focus on, no drive for vengeance. It's done and you're left feeling deflated and a little cheated. Seeing Demeter's love for her daughter helped ease that away.

  “Thank you, Vervain,” Persephone whispered after she processed the message.

  “You're welcome,” I smiled sadly at her. “Have you gone into her territory yet? Claimed your home?”

  “No,” she sighed. “I can't go back there. You take it, it's yours by rights.”

  “Sephy,” I put a hand to her shoulder and squeezed until she looked up at me. “I would never take your childhood home from you. Demeter's territory is yours, you should have it. I want you to have it. You have a power with growing things too, you'll be able to care for it just fine.”

  “The memories there...”

  “I think you'll find some good ones,” I bit my lip. “When we first went in to find her, we looked through her office and I found a picture of you when you were little. I think Demeter did love you very much, she just got twisted around and it affected her perspective.”

  “It's hard to remember those days sometimes. Hard to think about her as the same woman who raised me.”

  “When Torrent took me through the Inter Realm to follow her trail, we had to go through the Aether as well and I saw you there as a child. It was Demeter's memory, her payment to the Aether and it seemed to me to be a very fond memory. I think the Aether takes a copy of the best parts of us when we go through, like a catalog of dreams, desires, and happy memories. I think it's fueled on these positive things and when Demeter passed through, it made an imprint of the best part of her. Persephone, that was you. You were the best part of Demeter and no matter how evil she became, she still had you inside of her. Go claim your home and ho
nor that.”

  “I...” she sniffed and hugged me hard. “I'm so glad you have her magic, that part of her lives on in you.”

  “And in you as well.”

  Persephone had left Pride Palace and went straight to Demeter's territory to claim it. I was relieved that the beautiful place wouldn't be lost because as much as I appreciated the beauty of it, I could never have claimed it, never have owned the place where Odin had been murdered.

  So back to the subject of my completeness. Supreme being I was not, Milla Jovovich can safely retain the title. I felt pretty much the same as far as power goes, just more right, more me. Though I did feel a little stronger in the way that unity can create strength. I felt like I'd been waiting for that final piece for a long time and if I hadn't had Odin to mourn, I think I would be walking around in a happy haze.

  But I did have Odin to mourn and not only that, things weren't finished yet. There was still the matter of Andrasta to attend to.

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  “Why aren't you getting ready?” Azrael said as he walked into the library.

  “For what?”

  “For the Halloween party,” he looked at me like I should know what he was talking about. “The one at Moonshine. I had a special costume made for you to wear.”

  “Oh, right,” I did know what he was talking about. He'd told me over a month ago but I'd been so consumed with researching both the void and a way to defeat Andrasta that I'd completely forgotten. Plus, it felt kind of strange to be celebrating a holiday just three months after Odin's death.

  “Come on,” he pulled me to my feet. “You need to get out and have some fun.”

  He yanked me down the hallway to my bedroom, where a costume was laid out on the bed.

  “What is that?” I went over to the critter sitting next to my costume. “Is this a dragon?”

  It was a little stuffed dragon but it had been made so lifelike, I half expected it to start moving. It was in a seated position, its feet curved a little and its bottom attached to a piece of leather.

  “That will secure it to your shoulder so that it appears to be perched there,” Azrael pointed at the leather piece, looking so pleased with himself and I realized that this would be the first Halloween he'd actually be celebrating with people instead of just watching from the sidelines.

  “This is great, Az,” I gave him a quick peck on the cheek and he grinned broadly. “Who am I supposed to be?”

  “Who are... Vervain!” He gaped at me. “We watch this series together, it's like your favorite show.”

  I frowned, then looked at the blonde wig lying next to the gauzy garments. “Oh no fucking way,” I started to laugh. “Are you seriously dressing me up as Daenerys Targaryen? The Mother of Dragons! Trevor and Kirill are going to throw a fit.”

  “It's funny, right?” He giggled evilly. “Arach wanting you to birth all his dragon babies and all. Maybe you should get used to having a little dragon perched on your shoulder like a parrot, Mommy Dragon Queen.”

  “You're so wrong,” I groaned even as I shed my clothes so I could get into the costume. It was perfect and I needed a laugh.

  It also looked fantastic. The wispy light blue clothes actually concealed all the bad bulgy bits(or the triple Bs as I liked to call them) while revealing the good bulgy areas and it came with a sort of metal harness that strapped across my waist, lifting my boobs while giving the dragon a firm place to be attached to. With the blonde wig on I even kinda looked like Daenerys. Okay I looked like a much curvier version of Daenerys but whatever.

  “Hey, Az did you see...” Trevor stopped short when he entered the bedroom and just stood gaping at me. “Holy... wow.”

  “You like?” I twirled around.

  “Yeah that's awesome... wait, is that a dragon?” He narrowed his eyes on my pet/baby. “Who are you supposed to be? Don't tell me you're that chick from Game of Thrones, the one who breastfeeds dragons.”

  “Okay, my lips are sealed,” I giggled and looked at Azrael, who was already laughing his ass off.

  “You got her a costume encouraging her to make baby dragons?” Trevor turned his horrified gaze to the angel. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “First of all, it's never a good idea to talk about Hell with the Angel of Death,” Azrael gave Trevor a grim look which lasted all of one second. “Secondly, it's a joke. This costume is hardly going to impact Vervain's decision.”

  “Whatever,” Trevor groaned and sighed all at once. “What are you supposed to be?”

  “Hello?” Azrael gestured down his striped outfit, which I'd amazingly enough hadn't even noticed. He was in a black and white striped cotton shirt and pants set. The stripes aligned perfectly, getting larger toward the outside and the center black stripe had a white dot in it. Azrael's hair was slicked down from its usual bad boy disarray and he looked a little geeky.

  “Oh Bazinga!” I exclaimed. “You're Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory in his Halloween costume, the Doppler Effect.”

  “Oh,” Trevor nodded and then started to chuckle. “A Halloween costume of a Halloween costume. That's so brilliant I'm a little envious.”

  “Thank you,” Azrael beamed. “Are you going to get ready?”

  “My costume is at Moonshine,” Trevor grinned, “and no, I'm not telling. You'll have to wait and see. Come on, let's go.”

  “Wait,” I looked around like my lion might be hiding under the bed. “Where's Kirill?”

  “Oh, he's meeting us there,” Trevor shrugged. “Something about a group costume with Vidar and some of the Intare. He wouldn't say anymore.”

  “Really?” I brightened.

  I just might have a good time yet.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Moonshine was all decked out for the holiday. The floor was covered with a layer of fog, jack-o-lanterns glowed from dark corners, and the trees were strung with cobwebs. Bats hung from the ceiling, cheesy Halloween music was playing, and the employees were all dressed up in their own costumes to serve the signature Halloween drinks; Moonshine Madness, the Werewolf Bite, the Hairy Eyeball, Blood of the Vampire, and Witch's Brew.

  The waterfall was boiling like it was a cauldron, producing the fog that was snaking across the floor. I took my glass of Witch's brew and headed up the stairs beside it to the VIP lounge so I could get a really good view of everyone. I wasn't really much for crowds so the reserved area was an oasis for me, allowing me to be out and experience the throng without actually being a part of it. Most of the time I spent in Moonshine was spent on the upper floor but roaming through the dark corners on the first floor could be fun too. Trevor and I have had a few adventures after hours and there are several spots I enjoyed thoroughly.

  Speaking of Trevor, he'd disappeared to put on his costume and handle some last minute things but Azrael came upstairs with me. Instead of perching myself on a fake hill/couch like I normally did, I leaned against the railing with him to gawk at the colorful crowd. He looked like he was already enjoying himself, his eyes darting over everything gleefully.

  It was truly spectacular, the way the gods celebrated holidays. They went all out and Halloween was no exception. They pretty much had the means to be whatever they wanted to be on Halloween and so the costumes were elaborate and beautifully made. It was also fun to see what gods secretly fantasized about being, a little peek into their personalities.

  So I was glad all of my god friends had RSVP'ed, I was curious about what they'd each chosen. My human friends were coming too and I was excited to share this with them. So when I saw Tristan and Jackson make their way through the crowd, I called out and waved at them happily.

  They waved back and headed up the stairs toward me, expertly maneuvering the press of people. Tristan ran his hand happily through the misty red haze the waterfall was producing thanks to a few well placed red lights. Then he pranced over to us, tapping bats and stroking cobwebs as he came. Tristan was a very touch-oriented kind of person but even I had trouble keeping my hands to myself
when it came to the decorations, they were just really cool.

  He actually had a blonde wig on as well. It was long and straight and he flung it over his shoulder before striking a pose with his elven bow. His ears were pointed, his armor was leather, and his cloak had a filigree silver leaf holding it on.

  “Legolas!” I exclaimed. “You're the only character I've ever thought Orlando Bloom looked sexy as.”

  “It's the blonde hair,” he flicked it again. “I tried to get Jax to be Gimli so we could be a matched set but he flat out refused.”

  “I'm hardly a troll,” Jackson sniffed.

  “For the thousandth time,” Tryst glared at Jackson, “Gimli is a dwarf not a troll.”

  “Indeed,” Jax came forward and hugged me, giving me a little wink. He just loved torturing Tristan. “How are you, Miss V? You look good.”

  “Thanks, Jax,” I nodded, “I'm doing a little better.” Then I got a good look at him. “Are you Miss Piggy?”

  “You got it,” Jax touched his pig snout, right on the nose.

  He was in a glittering pink gown with pink satin opera length gloves, a pink feather boa, a curly blonde wig, elaborate make-up, and rhinestone jewelry everywhere. Oh and of course the pink pig's nose and ears. He batted thick lashes at me.

  “If Tristan wouldn't be Kermie,” he whined in a perfect Miss Piggy impersonation, “then I don't see why I should have to be Gimli.”

  “That does seem reasonable,” I laughed. “Hey, where's Krystal? I thought she'd be coming with you guys.”

  “Oh, no,” Tryst grinned. “She's got a date.”

  “A date?” I glanced over at Azrael, thinking maybe he'd come through for her with an angel friend but he shook his head no.

  “There they are,” Jackson pointed downstairs and started laughing.

  “No freaking way,” I gaped. “Is that Rain?”