by Anne B. Cole
Zeus abruptly let go of the goddess. His hands flew to the air, lighting the sky with blinding bolts of electricity. “Enough!” His glare centered on Sam and Gretta. “I override Aphrodite’s curse with one of my own.”
The ground trembled.
“The sacrifice of two will be fulfilled by the unborn. Upon Sam and Gretta’s death, I will collect the sacrifice and the mortal parents will meet my brother, Hades. If, by chance, he allows either of you to speak, tell him his brothers are raising your unborn. He can decide whether or not he wants you to return to life and mate so he can raise your next child.”
“What if Hades doesn’t let them speak?” Asclepius asked.
Zeus and Poseidon exchanged impish grins.
“His loss.” Zeus slid an arm around Aphrodite’s waist.
“Wonderful idea. May I make a request?” Aphrodite batted her lashes. “My ring?”
“You’ll get it back after I take the unborn to a surrogate.” A ball of flashing light formed between his outstretched hands. “Say your farewells, mortals. It’s time to end the curse.”
Sam held Gretta’s head with both of his hands so she couldn’t see the gods. He pressed his forehead against hers. “Zeus lifted Aphrodite’s curse. You’re not going to Purgatory-In-Tartarus. I’ll be with you when we face Hades.”
She watched him focus on the gods behind her.
“When is he going to kill us?”
“I don’t know. I can’t think of a better way to die than in your arms.” He lifted her chin and chocolate brown eyes met hers. “This may be Asclepius’ chance to save you from Tartarus.”
Gretta leaned into his hold and pressed her lips to his, somehow knowing Zeus wouldn’t interrupt a good-bye kiss.
Sam groaned when her tongue parted his lips. She took a breath and caught him looking beyond her.
“Don’t be kissing me and ogling Aphrodite.” Gretta clutched his cheeks and attacked his mouth.
He ended the kiss and gave a quick nod. Pressing her length against his, his hold on her tightened. “I love you, Gretta.”
A sharp sting pierced between her shoulder blades and ran clear through her chest. She watched Sam’s eyes widen. His face riddled with shock.
And pain.
Chapter 29
To Break a Curse
Gretta
“Zeus,” Asclepius cried. “Where is my dagger?”
“Confiscated.”
Gretta saw Sam’s eyes roll as the large blade exited his chest and ripped through hers. Her mouth filled with blood and she collapsed to the ground within his arms.
“This spear is not mine,” Asclepius cried indignantly.
“I should have believed you, Gretta. Everyone saw a dagger except you.” Sam’s body began to tremble.
“I—” Blood spilled from the corner of her mouth. Unable to talk, she clutched the front of his shirt.
Sam lifted her chin and grazed quivering lips to hers. “We die together.”
“My daughter Athena killed a mortal accidentally with this spear.” Zeus reclaimed the weapon from Asclepius. “His name was Pallas, I believe.” He tapped his chin with one finger. “Killing two mortals with a single blade? I’ve seen it happen many years ago on this very island.”
“Brilliant, Zeus. You knew Asclepius would attempt to save the girl’s soul from Tartarus with his silly blade so you made the switch.” Aphrodite squealed in delight.
“Allow me to retrieve the ring for you. But first, I must gather the unborn before the mortal dies.” Zeus stretched his arms wide. Flashes of lightning danced through the sky.
“Quit showing off or I’ll have you dressed in pink for the next millennium,” Aphrodite muttered.
Zeus tipped his head back and roared. With a single snap of his fingers, Gretta’s right hand shot into the air.
“Um, I believe he heard you.” Poseidon frowned.
The goddess bit her bottom lip.
Sam’s hand inched across Gretta’s raised arm. A sizzling force surrounded her hand. He flinched and forced his fingers over hers. She felt his body jerk from surges of energy.
Protecting me, to the very end.
She took in a final breath.
I love you, Sam.
Lightning pierced the air and struck the garnet ring.
Forcing her eyes open, she watched lightning sizzle around her finger. The red stone shattered into thousands of brilliant pieces. Her hand dropped to the ground in front of her face. The gold setting shone brilliant against her charred finger.
We did it, Sam. The curse is broken.
With determined strength, she twisted to face him.
The edges of his face blurred.
The silly grin on his face relaxed and his hold slacked.
Everything darkened a final time.
Chapter 30
Into the Darkness
Gretta
All pain vanished.
Gretta’s soul meshed with Sam’s. United in death, their spirits became one. With him, she felt confident, ready to move on, and face the Underworld.
Stay, Sam’s voice urged within her. This may be educational and entertaining.
Happiness surged.
Never again will I be away from you, Sam. Gretta relaxed in peaceful content.
With you, Gretta, I believe anything is possible.
Together, they hovered over the gods.
“What did you do?” Aphrodite shrieked. She tore the ring off Gretta’s finger. “It’s destroyed, my beautiful garnet is gone.”
“Small price for threatening to change my robe color.” Zeus knelt beside their bodies and withdrew a blade from his pocket. “Step aside, there will be blood when I take the unborn from the girl.”
“Hurry, before the mortal dies. The soul of the boy needs to be nurtured. I feel a strong sense of the sea in him,” Poseidon encouraged.
“The girl won’t set foot on a ship with the likes of you,” Aphrodite spat. “Her beauty mustn’t be scarred.”
Gretta hovered while Zeus cut the shirt from her body and prepared to make an incision.
They think you’re still alive. Sam’s spirit guided her a safe distance from their bodies. His hand lingered on her abdomen.
Gretta?
Did you feel her kick?
Yes! Our baby’s soul is strong. He can’t be taken by Zeus because he remains with us. Sam’s soul sang with pride.
She is with us, Gretta corrected. The sheer joy of knowing their child’s soul remained with them began to fade. It’s time for us to go to Hades. I can feel it.
Stay strong. I won’t leave you. Together we’ll figure out how to escape. Katarina may be able to help. Sam returned her confidence and their souls continued to hover.
“I sense the unborn is no longer with us. Step aside,” Asclepius boldly demanded. He touched Sam’s neck. “Dead.” Quickly he moved a hand to Gretta’s wrist. “Both are gone.”
“A worthy sacrifice is required.”
Asclepius rose and faced Zeus. “Do you know what you’ve done?” He shook his head. “In your wrath over the colors of your robes, you destroyed the stone and broke the curse. A sacrifice is no longer needed. You sent the couple to Hades and the unborn is with them.”
Zeus lifted Asclepius by the throat and held him at eye level. “You haven’t seen the beginning of my wrath, minor god.”
“Brother, he has a point.” Poseidon grabbed Asclepius by the belt and lowered him to the ground. “The young man and woman are indeed dead. In your haste, you killed them without taking their unborn. If Hades senses the power of the unborn, he could—”
“Hades wouldn’t dare raise a child,” Zeus growled.
“You dared.” Asclepius accused Zeus a
nd turned to Poseidon. “Both of you were determined to raise the unborn in your likeness.”
“Stop squabbling. Their souls are on their way to Hades. I doubt any of you will go after them. If you do, you’re fools.” Aphrodite glared at each of them. “It will raise your brother’s suspicions and he would most certainly notice the child you so nicely gift wrapped. Never mind this mortal mess.”
Asclepius melted in her presence. “I will find a solution to our troubles, Aphrodite.”
She kissed his cheek and he disappeared.
Poseidon rolled his eyes and walked into the sea.
“Lovely goddess, I understand your need to move forward, but the danger is far greater than you realize.” Zeus sighed.
She stood on her tiptoes and adjusted the front of his robes with an admiring eye. “Oh, Zeus. Celadon is definitely your color. Gives you a powerful glow that no goddess could possibly resist.”
Lightning slashed and thunder rolled. When all commotion ceased Zeus swept Aphrodite off her feet and cradled her in his massive arms. “Accept my apologies, beautiful one.” He slipped an identical garnet ring on her finger.
“My ring. It’s back!”
“A new ring, one without a curse attached.” Zeus kissed her hand. “I will send a search party to find your other two rings when the mortal situation is under control.”
Aphrodite smiled coyly. “And, in the meantime?”
“I can think of a few things to occupy our time.” Zeus tickled her chin.
A flash of lightning struck the ground and the two disappeared.
Don’t let go of me, Gretta. No matter what happens. Don’t let go. Sam’s soul surrounded hers.
Gretta scanned the sea. Roxana and Katarina’s spirits shimmered in a small rowboat off shore. Katarina stood, supporting Roxana’s arms. A second later, their ancestral spirits collapsed to the bottom of the boat. A chilling force split Sam’s soul off hers.
Apart, they spiraled into complete darkness.
Chapter 31
Fear of Falling
Gretta
Falling.
I’m a spirit, yet I feel pain. I feel fear.
Gretta repeatedly grasped for Sam in the emptiness of an immense abyss. Twice she glimpsed him drowning in the sea far below her flailing spirit. She smacked into frigid water and his muffled cries surrounded her. Suddenly, sound ceased. His spirit drifted inches from her touch. Dead.
No!
Invisible forces catapulted her spirit out of the water. She hovered thousands of feet above the sea for a brief moment. Sam’s cries for help resumed far below. She found herself falling again. This time she spiraled out of control and hit the water face first.
Sam appeared within the depths of the churning sea. He reached for her as she swam desperately in his direction. Just before their hands touched his eyes glazed over. His body went limp and began floating to the surface.
Don’t leave me.
Water rushed past her body. She found her spirit rocketing into the sky.
Falling.
Crashing into the water.
Unable to reach Sam.
Repeat.
Fear compounded on itself with each heartbreaking repetition. She lost track after seventeen. Each and every time, she failed to save her husband.
“Enough.” A strange voice startled her spirit.
Suspended above the rippling waters, she watched Sam’s unresponsive spirit rise. Unable to speak, she followed his gaze to a crater in the middle of the sea. The tickle of a frozen breeze grazed her essence. They remained hovering over what appeared to be a spiral staircase leading to a pit filled with mournful spirits.
Purgatory-In-Tartarus.
Gretta scrambled to get away. Icy chill followed.
Don’t give into your fear. Don’t look down. I won’t let you go there. Trust me.
She obeyed Sam’s voice. He floated in front of her. Concentrating on his swirling spirit, she forced herself into a semi-calm state until she realized they were not alone.
“How are we to judge the mortals?” A faceless, black hooded figure rose in front of her.
“It’s not a decision for us to make,” A second identical ghoul replied.
A third hooded soul approached. The sleeve of its robes rose in her direction.
Gretta felt the soul touch her chin, then slowly trace below her navel where their child’s soul stirred.
“Spirits affected by others’ decisions.”
Gretta shivered. Warmth brushed a wisp of hair from her face. Sam’s spirit pushed between her and the third ghoul.
“Never mind the unborn,” the leader of the trio said. “The mortal man is sentenced to the Unlucky for he died accidentally.”
The second ghoul nodded. “True. I sense a curse on the woman. Her spirit will reside within Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”
The third tilted his hood and studied Gretta. “You both fail to see the truth. The curse on the woman has been broken, yet I feel strength residing within the unborn.”
The other two murmured in agreement.
“The power of Poseidon adjacent to the beauty within,” the second added.
“True. The unborn, protected by powerful influences, cannot be fairly judged.” The leader stepped away from the group, focusing on a shimmering light beyond them.
Gretta watched the jeweled handled dagger sparkle in the distance. It floated closer, aimed directly at her. The leader of the ghouls raised a hand, blocking the blade from piercing her belly.
“Show yourself,” the leader commanded.
Asclepius materialized in front of Gretta and Sam. His grip on the dagger tightened. “Zeus sent me to claim the unborn.”
“You have no rule in our domain.” The leader disarmed the god. “Leave at once.”
Asclepius bowed his head. “I have a decree.” He produced a scroll and handed it to the third. “Zeus cursed the parents to Tartarus, not the unborn. I’m here to return the premature souls to him.”
The leader read the information. The scroll snapped closed. “So be it. Remove the unborn.”
The dagger reappeared in Asclepius’ hand.
The third snatched the blade. “No. The unborn must remain.”
“Zeus may not claim children. It is against the agreement of the Three Brothers,” the second added. “He acted in haste when he cursed the parents. A mistake. One he may regret.”
Asclepius bowed to them with respect. “You are wise. Zeus cursed them under the influence of Aphrodite’s charm. The unborn has her traits and—”
“Poseidon’s qualities as well as yours,” the leader announced. “Quite remarkable. The unborn remains mortal in spirit, yet potentially more powerful than any human. We cannot declare a destination for the unborn. The curse Zeus placed stands and all will enter Tartarus.”
“Ruling is complete.” The third looked from the first to the second. The three each raised one hand and grasped one another’s wrists. Fire poured from their joining.
“Please, reconsider,” Asclepius begged. “Allow me to raise the unborn. I will ensure the safety of—”
“Silence,” the leader boomed. “Mistake or not, Zeus cursed them to Tartarus.”
Tongues of fire flickered and danced. Sparks ignited Gretta and Sam’s spirits, engulfing them in a fiery blaze.
Gretta felt Sam wrap his essence around her middle in an attempt to protect their child.
Together they burned.
Chapter 32
Wall of Fire
Gretta
Flames sizzled.
Sam?
Gretta desperately searched for him. With their spirits burned, she didn’t know if she would recognize his presence. Surrounded by fire, she felt invisible
and alone.
Gretta, I’m right next to you.
She realized he had wrapped himself around her in constant protection. Sifting out of his hold, she gathered him into her essence. He nuzzled within her being and garnered strength from within her. Strength not from her, but from their child.
The fires ceased. Leaving them floating like smoke. Gretta latched herself on Sam, not knowing when they would depart for Tartarus. The moment she noticed a river far beneath them, she felt herself begin to plummet.
We’re falling. I’m afraid.
Hold on. Sam’s presence filled her with courage.
Instead of hitting water, they landed in a tangled heap in the bottom of a narrow boat. No longer essence, Gretta’s arms and legs wrapped around Sam with his head cradled to her chest.
“You’re absolutely beautiful.” Sam snuggled.
“Are we in spirit form? It feels as if we are back in our bodies.” Gretta stroked her fingers through his hair.
“I have no idea.” Sam’s hands ran up and down her body. “I like what I see and feel.”
“Sam, we’re dead and on our way to Tartarus,” Gretta replied with a nervous laugh while he trailed kisses from her chin to her navel.
“Dead, yes, but you are strong, gorgeous, and carrying my child.”
When Sam caressed their unborn, she watched him strengthen. His lips found hers, wiping away her fear. In his arms, hope replaced all uncertainty. Courage to face the unknown flowed within.
“Prepare yourselves. We’ve reached your destination.”
Gretta bolted upright and Sam tightened his hold. At the back of the gondola style boat, a black hooded figure held a long pole which he used to propel the boat forward. She recognized the third faceless ghoul who had judged them before setting them ablaze. He placed the pole in the boat and entered the water. Instead of sinking, he walked two steps on the surface to a mist-enshrouded shoreline.
