Sirenz

by Charlotte Bennardo

  “Hiding, ma Sharisse?”

  I jumped. If I couldn’t find peace in a supply closet, then the world was doomed. I ran for the door, but it wouldn’t open.

  “No need to run away,” said Hades smoothly. “I won’t harm you.”

  I had to face him. There he stood, in his True Religion jeans like they were made for every curve of muscle, and a black silk shirt that set off his olive-toned god looks. It wasn’t the least bit tempting. Okay, a little, until I heard the yip of Persephone’s dog and my spit dried up.

  “Hello, Hades. Nobody left to torture in Tartarus?”

  He held a hand to his chest. “You wound me, Sharisse. I don’t torture anyone because then they can’t serve me. And I would never do that to you. I can think of much more pleasant things we can do together.”

  “I’m sure you can. Do you have Persephone’s permission to play with mortals?” Daddy told me the best defense was a great offense. Charge!

  His eyes grew cold.

  “Just in case you didn’t know, Mr. Omnipotence, she’s in the next room. And she thinks I’m chasing you. When she saw I had the exact same ring you gave her, she had a fit! Bad timing, bad choice, and bad idea! She scares me, Hades. Let me go.” I jammed my fists on my hips.

  He smoothed his countenance and spread out his hands. “Sharisse, calm down. Persephone and I have an open relationship. When she leaves me every spring, I’m so lonely down in Tartarus. She understands I don’t like to be alone.” He made a little pout, which on a different person I’d want to taste.

  “I’m sure you can find someone who doesn’t mind sharing you with the missus,” I retorted. “You haven’t gone through the whole pantheon yet, have you? You could have one playmate here and another down there. As long as you’re cheating on her, don’t stop at one. But don’t think to include me.”

  Hades stepped closer. “Now you’re just being nasty. You’re safe here with me. Here and in Tartarus, Persephone and I are free to come and go as we please, but under the terms of the agreement Zeus worked out, Persephone and I cannot meet each other on the mortal plane. I can’t go into the next room and placate her, but neither can she burst in here to confront me about you.” He licked his lips, so slowly. “If you would simply consent to give me one night, I would give you anything you desire. I’ll get you a different ring. A bigger one. A pink one.”

  We stared at each other for a moment.

  He continued. “I can guarantee that no harm would befall you. Would that soften your heart, my sweet Sharisse? Or perhaps …” Suddenly Hades was dressed in blue-pinstriped superfine wool trousers, a white cashmere sweater, and Gucci loafers. A cream cashmere coat was draped casually over his shoulder. An errant lock of hair slipped down across his forehead. With a deft twist of his head, he flicked it back.

  When I pulled my eyes away from his elegant attire, I noticed we stood outside a marble building.

  “Buon giorno,” said a man strolling by.

  We were in … Milan. In front of Ferragamo’s. The mecca for shoe worshippers, of which I was a devout subject. Was Meg psychic? Or had Hades eavesdropped? My palms sweated and my heart pounded. Was this fear, or temptation? I couldn’t tell the difference, and I was afraid of both.

  “Ooh,” was all I could manage. Hades stepped in front of me and opened the door.

  “Shall we?”

  I just wanted to look. On my grandmother’s grave, I swore I wasn’t going to accept anything.

  “Ah, Signor! E Signorina! Come stai? Prego! Prego! ” The man in the shop bowed, gesturing for us to come farther in.

  “Giuseppe, my friend, how are you? And that lovely wife? Your children?”

  Oh, he was smoother than Swiss chocolate. Asking about the wife and kids! How underhanded! He was just weaving a spell around everyone!

  “Buono, buono.” They conversed while I slipped away to admire the displays. There was gilt everywhere, and each seat was a cream-colored upholstered cloud. The floors were buffed ivory marble. Even Giuseppe was attired in a costly, custom-made suit. His midnight blue shirt, against his pewter suit and yellow tie, created a picture of noble elegance. Soft music, the enticing aroma of leather, and the personal pampering added to the luxurious decadence. All around me were one-of-a-kind shoes, some with fourteen-karat-gold buckles or buttons. The inventory in this place could probably feed a third-world nation for several days. Now I was starting to sound like Meg. But it was true.

  Hades came up behind me. I knew he was there; I could feel him breathing down my neck. I ignored him, but he wouldn’t allow it.

  “See anything you like?”

  “Well, that’s a really stupid question. Ask if there’s something I don’t like.” If I die, I want to go to shoe heaven.

  A finger trailed down my arm. Since when was I dressed in a lovely emerald green silk sheath?

  “You can have them all. Just say the words.” His breath tickled my ear. I shifted away a bit.

  “And those words are?”

  “One night.”

  Here we go again.

  “Will Persephone tap me to relieve her when it’s my turn to go into the ring? I don’t do tag team sheet wrestling, Hades. Much as I would love to slip my feet into one of these babies, your price tag is too high. But wait, I can’t slide one on my foot because I have talons!” I gave him my dirtiest look. It didn’t faze him, not that I thought it would. Meg’s warning notwithstanding, even I knew when I was being led down the garden path.

  The mention of his wife’s name didn’t bother him. Without looking away, Hades snapped his fingers and two sales clerks hurriedly brought over expensive upholstered armchairs. Right behind them was Giuseppe with a footstool. The clerks rushed away, only to return a few moments later with iced champagne and a platter of cheeses and fruits.

  We sat. I gave Hades my this won’t work disinterested look, but I was savoring every second and every detail. I wanted to remember it when I was home, crying over my ugly feet.

  “Signorina, please.” Giuseppe gently lifted my foot and before I could cry fowl!, he removed my shoe.

  My foot was normal. My toes even had my favorite color pink polish. I breathed a sigh of relief. Giuseppe measured and chatted in Italian with Hades. I would let them go through the motions, fully aware he was trying to seduce me through my feet. It was a plot worthy of James Bond, but I was onto him.

  Giuseppe hurried away and I turned to Hades.

  “Doesn’t he get upset you’re wearing Guccis in his store?”

  Hades crossed his long legs as he sipped the last of his champagne, which was instantly refilled by a hovering sales clerk who then moved back a discreet distance.

  “It reminds him that I share my friendship and wealth with others. He makes sure I get the best he can give. The fact that I am bringing you here is something he will brag about to his competitors, who then will do anything to curry my favor.”

  “What does Persephone like? I mean, I wouldn’t want to be caught wearing the same shoes. We’ve already got the same ring. How gauche.”

  His laughter was rich and warm and deep. A number of women cast admiring glances in his direction. The threat from Persephone and warnings from Meg still bolstered my resistance to his charm, although the bribes were killing me.

  “Her taste runs more to a less inhibited style.” Hades pointed to a pair of long black leather boots, the kind that go up over the knee, with sharp studs on them. I think hookers wear them with black pantyhose, micro miniskirts, and bustiers. Or maybe it was tacky pirates.

  “Not surprised.”

  Giuseppe returned carrying a shoe I would have worked the rest of my life to pay off. A sleek three-inch-heeled pump, in alligator, with black onyx buttoned buckles. I didn’t care that the terrifying, man-eating beasts were endangered—they made beautiful shoes. And bags. Si
gh. I had to get out of here. I jumped up and ran out the door …

  And landed in the supply closet again, in my own clothes and with talons digging into my transvestite shoes. With ragged breath, I sat back down on the carton. Hades didn’t follow. I had to calm myself before anyone saw me. I looked at my watch; fifteen minutes had gone by. I stood, put my glasses back on, smoothed out the wrinkles in my pants, and peeked down the corridor. Cautiously, I scooted out while it was clear and snuck back to the Yellow Salon. There was no light under the door now, and it was very quiet. First, I put my ear to the door, and when I heard nothing, I carefully opened it. It looked like Persephone was gone. Wearily, I made my way to the copy room. Meg stood there, attacking a stack of paper almost as tall as she was. She looked me over.

  “What happened to you? Luckily Reynaldo came in before she could really start interrogating me and whisked her off somewhere.”

  “I was hiding in the supply closet. It was only supposed to be for a minute. Meeting Persephone really rattled me. But then Hades found me and took me to Ferragamo’s. Tried to buy my body with shoes.”

  Meg inhaled sharply, although she barely looked alarmed. “What did you do?”

  I started to rub my face, then thought about smeared makeup. My hands dropped. “I’m still here, so obviously I refused. Even though he dangled custom-made alligator pumps in front of my nose. By Ferragamo. In Milan.”

  “Italy?! No!” She slapped a hand over her mouth.

  I bobbed my head.

  Fear crossed her face. “Persephone will kill you. You didn’t …”

  “Over shoes? Please.” I laughed bitterly. “Nothing happened. If anything, I told Hades I was afraid of her and wanted no part of his offer. He said he could guarantee my safety. I didn’t buy it, and I’m not interested. Even if he dangles the most darling alligator pumps, with real gold and onyx button buckles!”

  Meg looked doubtful. “You and your shoes. It’s an unholy obsession.”

  “Trust me, not even I love shoes that much. He’s really starting to make me nervous.”

  “Good.” Meg scratched and a pin feather popped out. I sneezed.

  “Come on,” she sighed, tucking it back in. “Let’s grab our lunch and sneak out. You need some antihistamines.”

  My bird feet took me out the door behind her.

  Stairwell to Heaven

  Shar sat across from me at the vast obsidian-topped dining table that was positioned in front of the glass wall in the apartment. Outside, the morning was clear and probably cold. If we didn’t have a deadline to deliver Arkady to Hades, I might have enjoyed the view a bit more.

  She took a sip of chai out of a huge mug. We’d stopped going out for food or anything else; the apartment had everything we could need, including an industrial espresso machine. It didn’t take us long to figure out how to operate the milk steamer. Soon we were pumping out hot chocolate and chai tea lattes like professionals.

  “I’m so sick of all of this,” Shar said, running a talon around the rim of her cup.

  “Agreed.” I put down my spoon. I’d developed a taste for cereal with nuts and berries, yet another sign that the Siren persona was taking hold. It crossed my mind that if my new look became permanent, I might be able to get a job handing out flyers for a greasy chicken restaurant. But it didn’t matter. If I turned into a Siren, it would mean we’d failed the mission—and I could be the mascot for team Underworld. Go Cerberus! Rah!

  “The thought that he can whisk you off anytime frightens me,” I added.

  “Try being on the receiving end,” Shar muttered.

  “You need to make him clearly understand the meaning of ‘leave me alone.’ ”

  “Hello? Him, all-powerful god. Me, mere mortal. I read in the mythology book that the gods pull pranks like this all the time, and it’s not like I can call up his wife to complain. She’s after me too.”

  Anxiety lined Shar’s face as she pushed her tea away. She could say no as much as she wanted; it wouldn’t matter if Hades was that determined.

  “I know you’re in a bad place,” I soothed her, trying to offer what comfort I could. “Let’s concentrate on our next move. It might help you get your mind off him.”

  Shar looked up and nodded morosely, then stared at me.

  “Are you all right?”

  She didn’t answer, but flicked her gaze back and forth, from my face to my cereal bowl and back, her lower lip starting to quiver.

  “Hey, it’s not that bad, not yet,” I said, getting up and moving closer to her. “We can still do this.”

  “It’s not that,” she started. “Well, it’s that, but there’s something else.”

  “You didn’t—”

  “No way! No, nothing like that. This has nothing to do with Hades. It has to do with … Jeremy.”

  My stomach did a flip. “What do you mean, with Jeremy? Did you use … it … on him?”

  She shook her head. “No, no … its just that, well, I admit it, I tried to get him to talk to me, I wanted him to, you know, like me. But instead—”

  “He liked me.” I finished the thought for her. “Shar, I didn’t try—”

  “I realize that. It was a shock. I mean—” Shar faltered. “When it comes to that, I … usually win.”

  “This wasn’t a contest.”

  “I know, and everything that’s been going on with Hades, I can accept it, sort of. But still, I’m confused.”

  I stiffened. “Why, because someone like Jeremy would want someone like me?”

  “No!” she protested. “You two seem made for each other. You have the same interests …” She trailed off.

  “But you don’t understand how he could be attracted to someone like me,” I pressed.

  Shar looked at me intently. “Meg, I don’t know why you’re so down on yourself. You look amazing, at least when you’re not half bird.” She patted my feathers, then sneezed. “Ugh! I thought I could go five minutes without doing that! Anyway, you turned lots of heads the night at the Met. Didn’t you notice?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No.”

  “You should pay more attention.”

  “I guess I’ll take your word for it,” I said. “But Jeremy can’t get between us, not now. Are you mad? Tell me the truth.”

  “I was at first, not so much anymore. Only—” Shar turned away.

  I touched her shoulder. “Tell me what’s bothering you, get it off your conscience. I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

  She heaved a sob. “I’m sorry, Meg!”

  “For what? You said you didn’t do anything!”

  “Well, I did. I got you all made up and everything, but it wasn’t for you. It was … for me. I hoped maybe you’d hook up with someone else and that I would get a chance with Jeremy. It wasn’t because I was being nice.”

  “But it was nice.” I put a hand over her talons. “And I understand. I knew you liked him too.” I laughed, low and mirthlessly. “That day when we went to the office to actually start working, I just figured he would go after you. When he started talking to me, well, I was waiting for him to start asking me where you were and how you were doing.”

  “Like he did with me about you.”

  “He did?” I brightened.

  “Oh yes,” Shar huffed. “Then he moved away like I was contagious. Are you mad at me?”

  “Not in this lifetime.” I grinned at her. “Sirens have to stick together.”

  “Good.” She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. “That was bothering me more than anything, except for maybe getting Arkady to the portal.”

  “And the wrath of Persephone and her mother, and Hades stalking you.”

  “Thanks for reminding me. All right. Our next move—what is it, getting to work early?”

  “Yes, w
e should get a look at Arkady’s schedule. When he has appointments out of the office, Jeremy goes with him. When they’re out, we can slip into his office or maybe Jeremy’s.”

  “Sounds like you’re on a roll.” Shar waved a hand for me to continue.

  “We’ll look for his schedule, then figure out where he’s going to be and where the nearest portals are. There are lots of them all over the city. I figured out how to map them out on the iPhone.”

  “Impressive, young padawan!” Then Shar’s face sobered. “You do remember that the next time we try to get Arkady to a portal, we’ll have to use the Siren gifts. On other people. Maybe lots of them, including Jeremy.”

  “I know.” I didn’t want to use the gift on Jeremy, but there would be no choice if he was at Arkady’s side, and that looked like the one thing we could count on. Or else I could try to explain what was going on: Jeremy, I realize this might sound … odd, but, Mr. Romanov? He made a deal with Hades, the Greek god of the Underworld. No, it’s not a myth. No, I’m not on any kind of medication … No. And I couldn’t do it anyway due to the nondisclosure thing. So Jeremy would hear my Siren voice, then hopefully, after I released him, we could both return to being absolutely human.

  I went to my bedroom suite to get ready. I dressed as quickly as I could, but it wasn’t easy. My thighs, torso, and upper arms were completely covered in feathers, and dressing usually resulted in them getting ruffled and tangled. Pulling on them smarted.

  So far, the gift had left my feet, hands, and face alone, which was pretty much the opposite of what was happening to Shar. Our transformations had to halt here, or Shar wouldn’t be able to be in the same room with me, and she might sprout a beak. I wound a long scarf around my neck. I’d keep it on all day and say I was in the midst of a relapse. That would keep Reynaldo away, and with any luck, Jeremy wouldn’t mind playing text messenger a bit longer.

  When we clocked in, Reynaldo put us to work finishing the thank-you notes for the runway show.