by Anne B. Cole
“With hope and recognition, evil depths they shall evade.” A woman’s voice sounded behind them.
Sam whirled around to Roxana and Katarina approaching.
“Ya Ya?” Anya scrambled to her feet and ran into Katarina’s arms.
“Child, you’re finally free. Thank you, Sam.” Katarina led Anya to a boulder where they reunited.
“‘With hope and recognition, evil depths they shall evade.’ Minnie’s prophecy has come true.” Roxana turned to Sam. “You and Lorenzo were able to overcome evil and bring Anya out of Tartarus.” She touched Sam’s arm. “Where is my brother?”
“He stayed in Tartarus to save Gretta, but she isn’t there. Hades has her and wants to raise our child.” Anger burst from him. “Hades played mind games with me in Tartarus, making me think Gretta was being tortured with the rest of us. Once Lorenzo realizes she isn’t really there, he will come here.”
“Stupid American,” Peter muttered.
“Lorenzo isn’t stupid. He feels close to Gretta because she was entwined within Anya. I have the same attraction to Anya. The mind games are very powerful and make it seem real.” Sam paused in thought. “We have to somehow get Gretta away from Hades.”
“You’re the stupid American.” Peter pointed at Sam. “Hades doesn’t have your Gretta.”
“If Hades doesn’t have her, where is she?” Sam demanded.
“A spirit is coming.” Peter raced to the edge and reached over the side.
Roxana gasped when Peter’s body lurched with the weight of a soul grabbing hold.
Peter grunted and heaved with all of his might. His load suddenly lightened and he fell backward with Lorenzo on top of him.
The two men untangled themselves in awkward embarrassment. Once on his feet, Peter extended a hand. “It’s been a long time, my American friend.”
Lorenzo clasped his hand. “Too long.”
“Enzo, where is the girl named Gretta?” Peter inquired.
“I tried.” Lorenzo faced Sam. “You must believe me. I had her in my grasp. She trusted me, but it wasn’t enough. Evil overpowered us and I lost her.”
“Enzo?” Anya ran to them and jumped into his arms.
“My Anya!” Lorenzo twirled her around in circles. The two wasted no time in meshing their souls into one.
“Come, we can look for Gretta from the edge,” Peter encouraged the others away from the happy couple.
“She’s not there. It’s a trick.” Sam ran to Peter, who scrutinized the depths from the ledge.
Peter pointed to a flash of green. “Kadir’s scarf. I’d recognize it anywhere. Gretta’s father took it from Kadir when he passed through the Unlucky Purgatory.”
Sam stared. Several green scarves and multi-colored bracelets flickered within the tormented souls. A wave of fear crashed over him.
What if she is in Tartarus and I abandoned her?
“No, you must be wrong. It’s a trick. The green scarf is tied to her wrist. She wears a bracelet too. Both were given to her by spirits.” He leaned over the edge and watched the melee. “Several souls in Tartarus look like her, even sound like her. Whenever I touched her, she disappeared.”
“Tartarus is a cruel realm, American. Pain and suffering like no other.” Peter placed a fatherly hand on his shoulder. “I can see through the tricks. There was no way you could have known which soul is the real Gretta.”
In his heart, Sam knew Peter spoke the truth. “I left her. I did what I swore I’d never do.”
Without a second thought or another word to the others, Sam leapt into the swirling abyss.
Chapter 36
Rejection
Sam
“Gretta?”
Sam feared the tortures of Tartarus, but losing Gretta surpassed any physical or emotional agony. Suspended over the churning miasma of suffering souls, he searched for her.
“Sam, go away.” Gretta’s voice echoed far below him.
Unable to see her, he dove into the swirling vapor. Instead of entering burning oil, a force whipped him upward, away from Gretta’s cries. Severe blows to his face and torso from the invisible force pummeled his spirit. When the fierce beating ended, the force catapulted him through the air. His left wrist sizzled under an unseen brand. He hit the ground with a thud, face down.
“Stupid American.” Peter’s voice boomed.
Sapped of all energy, he remained sprawled in the dust at the edge of the entrance to Tartarus.
“What happened to him?” Lorenzo demanded.
Sam felt a gentle tug on his head and shoulders. Pain ripped through his chest when they rolled him over.
“Will he recover?” Anya’s words sang inside Sam’s head. Her soothing voice seeped into his soul.
“Aye, the boy was rejected. Anyone who attempts to return to Tartarus to retrieve a soul is brutally turned away.” He picked up Sam’s limp arm and showed Lorenzo and Anya the smoldering burn. “Those who leave Tartarus are marked.”
Sam forced his eyes open and watched Lorenzo and Anya reach for each other’s left arm. They found tattooed marks in the same shape as his burn.
“Souls who attempt to return are branded.” Peter gently rested Sam’s arm across his chest.
“The letter A?” Anya questioned.
“It’s the mark of Asclepius. His blade, the jeweled handled dagger, enabled us to leave the wretched hell hole,” Peter explained.
Sam watched Lorenzo raise her wrist to his lips and kiss her mark.
“It doesn’t hurt,” she breathed and edged closer to him.
Lorenzo’s kisses trailed her arm to her neck. Neither shied away when their lips connected. The two lovers immersed themselves in one another until they became one spirit.
A small leather shoe nudged into Sam’s ribs.
“Get up. I need answers,” a raspy voice sounded in his ear.
“Give the boy time, Katarina. Rejection is not a pleasant experience. When Lorenzo entered Tartarus I went after him, like this stupid American,” Peter admitted. He shoved his sleeve above his elbow. Unlike Lorenzo and Anya’s blueish marks, Peter’s ‘A’ scarred deep into his spiritual wrist. “I don’t know what would happen if a fool entered Tartarus a third time.”
“Roxana,” Sam gasped. “Don’t.”
All eyes moved to Roxana who stood next to the entrance, peering over the edge.
Katarina fled to her and latched onto her arm. “Just because Sam survived Tartarus doesn’t mean you will.”
Sam pushed himself into a sitting position. He watched Peter and Katarina lead Roxana away from the ledge.
“You’re right.” Roxana smoothed the front of her forest green gown. “We need to review the prophecies and devise a plan.”
“The ring’s curse is broken. Gretta and I fulfilled the sacrifice of two.” Sam watched Roxana’s face pinch in sorrow.
“I’m not sure. Gretta and her unborn child may complete the sacrifice of two,” Roxana murmured.
“I died too, making it a sacrifice of three,” Sam blurted. “I don’t understand.”
“The gods don’t care about the death of an extra mortal.” Peter looked from Sam to Roxana. “Or two.”
Roxana frowned at him.
“It’s our child the gods are after.” Sam’s statement created an eerie silence.
Peter shifted his gaze around the area as if on watch.
Everyone tensed.
Sam concentrated on his gift of foresight. “We’re safe, and alone, for now.” He watched Roxana nod in agreement. “Where is Minnie and Lucy?”
“When Zeus destroyed the ring he broke the curse, enabling them to move on to the Elysian Fields. Anya and Lorenzo will also need to leave very soon,” Peter announced.
Anya snuggle
d into Lorenzo’s side.
“Wait, Gretta’s in Tartarus. Lorenzo may help me find her and get her out before six days pass,” Sam cried.
“Six days?” Roxana asked. "Time doesn’t exist in this realm.”
“I don’t understand it either, but when Hades tossed me into Tartarus he had plans for Gretta. She probably ticked him off and he threw her in Tartarus for safekeeping. When Persephone is granted leave from Hades, he will keep Gretta in her place. We don’t have much time. Hades plans on raising our child as his own.” Anger raged within Sam and he stepped to the edge of Tartarus.
“Don’t allow your emotions rule your actions,” Katarina warned. “Remember the prophecy?”
“Minnie also said knowledge will be complete upon Sam’s return.” Roxana approached Sam and took his arm. “We need to think this through to save Gretta.”
Sam shook as fear, anger, and sorrow consumed him. Roxana led him to the others on the boulders.
Katarina took a seat on his other side and patted his knee. “Knowledge is complete. We just need to figure it all out. Never give up, my son.”
“Minnie’s first prophecy to Gretta told her to be strong and believe it is possible to overcome evil. ‘Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes control.’ We all must have faith in Gretta being strong enough to endure the torments of Tartarus.”
Katarina began pacing. “Part of another prophecy stated, ‘Escape from Tartarus through trust and forgiveness spoken.’”
Sam remembered and recited the entire prophecy, “‘Sacrifice of two, the curse will be broken. Escape from Tartarus through trust and forgiveness spoken. Challenged by the gods, victory cannot be the goal. A truce must be made to save her soul.’ The first parts have been proven true. Gretta and I were sacrificed. In Tartarus, Anya and Gretta forgave me for leaving them in Milos.” He pushed his fist to his forehead. “I don’t understand the rest.”
“Trust and forgiveness isn’t the prophecy about Anya’s rescue,” Katarina snapped. “The correct prophecy is, ‘With hope and recognition, evil depths they shall evade.’ Anya recognized you, giving her the hope she needed to escape.” She beamed a grin at the spiritual tangle of arms and legs a short distance away.
Sam peered in the lovers’ direction. Completely immersed in one another, they appeared oblivious of their onlookers. He watched Anya’s essence playfully entwine with Lorenzo’s. Their love for each other filled Sam with hope.
“Ahem,” Peter cleared his throat.
Lorenzo disentangled without letting go of Anya. She giggled in realization of their audience.
“You may resume your activities in The Elysian Fields. But first, we need a plan for Gretta’s escape.” Peter’s forehead creased in a frown. “If we don’t get her out of Tartarus in the next six days we may lose her for six months.”
“And lose our child,” Sam added.
Roxana touched one finger to her lips. “Trust and forgiveness must be Gretta’s escape prophecy. Who does Gretta need to trust and forgive?”
“I left her in Milos. I am the one she needs to forgive,” Sam exclaimed.
“You’re not going back to Tartarus.” Katarina’s fingers dug into his bicep with surprising strength.
“Katarina’s correct. There must be another who can help.” Roxana began to pace.
“No one can leave the depths of Tartarus unless they’ve been cut by the dagger. Damn it! Asclepius tried to stab Gretta and I pushed her out of the way. It’s my fault so I have to go back.” Sam bolted to the cliff. His feet left the ground.
“Not so fast, American.” Peter caught him by one arm.
“You’re letting your emotions rule your actions.” Lorenzo grabbed Sam’s other arm.
“Peter,” A snide voice echoed in the distance. “Prepare to duel.” Kadir Haty stepped from the shadows, wielding a fine sword. “What have we here? An assembly to witness your demise?”
“Lubber, now is not the time,” Peter warned.
Lorenzo dropped Sam’s arm and clenched his fists.
Sam wrenched out of Peter’s grip and stood directly in front of the nineteenth-century pirate he despised.
“Drop the sword and fight like a man,” Sam ordered.
“Gentlemen fight with swords. Any other way would be considered a dog fight.” Kadir Haty touched the tip of his blade to Sam’s chin. “Peter, remove this filth so we can commence a proper duel.”
“Gentlemen don’t blow up ships, kill good men, and kidnap my wife,” Lorenzo spat. He knocked the sword from Kadir’s hand and punched him in the face.
The pirate landed at Sam’s feet, holding his bleeding nose.
“Gentlemen don’t force themselves on women,” Sam added. “Gretta continues to have nightmares from the attack.” He picked Kadir off the ground and punched him in the ribs.
“What did he do to Gretta?” Lorenzo demanded. When Sam didn’t answer he grabbed the pirate’s shirt and pummeled his face. “What did you do to her?”
“I don’t know this ‘Gretta.’ I swear.”
“You attacked Anya while Gretta’s spirit resided within her,” Sam accused bitterly.
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed on Sam, yet his hands gripped Kadir’s throat. “Tell me you didn’t touch Anya after I left.”
“I—”
“Anya, what did he do to you?” Lorenzo roared.
“He broke my hand and threw me to the ground.” Her eyes darted from one man to another. “I don’t remember what happened next.” She sidled closer to Katarina.
Lorenzo’s right fist landed in Kadir’s stomach. He followed with several uppercuts to an already bloody face. Shoving the pirate to Sam, he approached Anya who cowered in her grandmother’s embrace.
“Anya, my love. No matter what happened in the past, I will always love you. I’ll never leave you again.” Lorenzo collected her soul within his own.
Torrents of anger burst from Sam. He hit Kadir until his knuckles throbbed. Not satisfied, he grabbed the beaten pirate by the shoulders and kicked him in the groin.
Doubled over, it took several minutes for Kadir to regain the ability to speak. “Who are you?”
“Your nemesis,” Sam growled and slammed a sore fist into the side of the pirate’s face.
“Enough.” Peter’s walked to the disoriented man and yanked him off the ground. “Kadir is a changed man.”
“I swear, I didn’t have time to do more than tear Anya’s dress. Theo slit my throat before I—”
“He’s lying.” Sam threw a punch at his head.
Peter deflected the blow. “Back off, American. Kadir’s a scoundrel, not a liar.”
“How can we trust scum of his sorts?” Lorenzo questioned.
“Purgatory changes a man. I would trust Lubber with my life.” Peter slapped Kadir on the back.
“How can you forgive let alone trust the man who killed you?” Sam cried.
“Trust and forgiveness.” Roxana clutched Peter’s sleeve.
“I have grown to trust Kadir. He’s a worthy opponent and fights like a gentleman. I won’t forgive him for killing me because he’d—” Peter’s jaw dropped. His gaze moved to Roxana who nodded.
Sam understood their silent exchange. “No!”
“Quiet, American.” Peter stared at Kadir. “You took my gold after you killed me. The gold was part of the cursed treasure.” A smile spread across his face. “If I forgive you for killing me, your soul will be sent to Tartarus for sharing the cursed treasure.”
Fear surfaced in the whites of Kadir’s eyes. “Don’t forgive me, Peter. I killed many during my life. I killed the Longworthys. Since I allowed harm to come to Gretchen Longworthy, the judges will condemn me to Purgatory-In-Tartarus.”
“The judges cannot override Zeus’ curse. You’
ll be sent to Tartarus. Bring Gretta out of Tartarus and I will ensure your safety in the purgatories.”
“It won’t work. Gretta is terrified of Kadir,” Sam shouted. “He’s the last person she would ever trust.”
“Escape from Tartarus through trust and forgiveness spoken. Sam, it has been prophesized,” Roxana encouraged.
Katarina stormed to Kadir and spat in his swollen face. “Don’t you dare come back without Gretta.”
Kadir cringed and wiped his cheek. “How do I escape from the dreadful place?”
Lorenzo stepped forward. “You will feel a burn where the dagger pierced you. Concentrate on leaving and you will rise out of the torturous depths. Look for Peter’s hand and grasp it. Understand?”
Kadir bobbed his head once.
“Bring Gretta out or I’ll toss you back in. Trust me. Returning to Tartarus is not a pleasant experience,” Peter added.
“I don’t know this Gretta. How do I find a girl I don’t recognize?”
“She wears your green scarf on one hand and a woven bracelet on the other. Find her and bring her back.” Peter dragged Kadir to the ledge.
“Wait,” Sam shouted. “Wear this.” He quickly removed the gold watch and handed it to Kadir. “She may trust you if she sees it.”
Kadir accepted the timepiece and placed it on his left wrist. “What do I tell her?”
“Repeat the prophecy. She’ll remember it,” Roxana suggested.
Sam shook his head. “Gretta’s terrified of Kadir.”
Katarina touched Sam’s arm. “‘Without faith, love may not exist. Without love, evil takes control.’” She faced the group. “We all need to have faith in Kadir. Do it, Peter.”
Peter let go of Kadir’s shoulders. “I forgive you, Kadir Haty.”
Kadir’s spirit hovered above the entrance of Tartarus. Three figures in black hooded robes surrounded him.
