The Oracle Series: Volumes 1-3

by Cynthia D. Witherspoon

  "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." I threw my hands up as I turned to Elliot. "No. I'm not going to a horse farm."

  "You must." Leyton sighed. "The gods have decreed it so. You will go. Or you will suffer."

  "I'm going to suffer regardless." I stomped my foot in protest. "Elliot, you know I am a city girl. I don't mess around with horses."

  "Let's check out the file first, shall we?" Elliot gave me a very Connor-esque look as he took up the papers associated with the location. "I'm sure it's not so bad."

  "You cannot force Eva to go into a location where she does not want to go." Cyrus joined in. "If I remember her contract correctly, she has a choice in where filming takes place."

  "Actually, no. She doesn't. Not anymore." Elliot refused to look at us as he continued. "She did last year. It was a stipulation outlined in our old contracts. This year, I will make the final decisions on all filming locations."

  "Wait, what?" I found myself glaring at Elliot for the second time that morning. "You've got to be kidding me."

  "No, I'm sorry, Eva. I'm not." Elliot tapped the folder against the palm of his hand. "You should have read your contract more closely. I have the final say, though I won't put you in any danger. You know that."

  "Do I?" I studied Elliot as if he were the stranger in the room. "I'm not so sure anymore. First, you leave the show without telling me. Now, you're forcing me to go somewhere I do not want to go."

  "It's a horse farm, Eva. What could be so bad about a farm?" Elliot handed the file to Joey. "Take this to Mistie. Have her make copies for everyone and set up arrangements for the film crew. See how soon we can get started."

  "Elliot, wait." I went to snatch the folder from his hand but he was quicker than me. "Can I at least read about this lion's den you are throwing me into?"

  "Yes. When Joey gets you your copy." Elliot passed the folder over to Joey. "There is something else we need to talk about too, Evie."

  "Don't you 'Evie' me." I fumed before cutting my eyes over to Leyton who was muttering something about dramatics under his breath. "And to be honest, Elliot? I'm not sure if I can take anymore news from you today."

  "It's good news. I promise you'll want to hear it." Elliot held open the door. "Let me take you to lunch. I owe you one."

  "You owe me more than one." I snagged my purse from my desk. "Despite my better judgment, I'll go with you."

  "Alone." Elliot glared at Cyrus who awarded him with a crooked smile. "No bodyguards."

  "I can't control Cyrus." I shrugged. "I can only ask nicely."

  "Go. I now have other matters to attend to." Cyrus looked to Leyton with a look of utter disgust. "I will check in though. Have no doubt about that."

  "Yes, yes." Elliot rolled his eyes as he followed me out the door. "No doubt about it."

  Chapter Four

  Elliot was the perfect gentleman as he drove us to some ritzy restaurant downtown with a fancy name and even fancier menu. He tried to make small talk. He even tried to make a joke or two. And I tried to play along. Really I did. But given the morning I'd just been through, my heart wasn't in it.

  Besides, there was something different about Elliot. I'd noticed it within the first week after his rescue from the Erinyes, but I couldn't quite put my finger on how he had changed. He seemed darker. More hateful. I tried to explain it away as my imagination, but despite Elliot's attempts at rekindling our romance, I stayed away from him unless it was absolutely necessary. He made me uncomfortable, though I'd never admit that to Cyrus. It would give my keeper yet another reason to dislike my former flame.

  After the waitress got us seated and took our orders, we fell into an awkward silence until I reached across the table to take Elliot's hand.

  "Eli, what happened to us?" I asked him the one question which had been circling around in my thoughts since we left the office. "A year ago, we were inseparable. There was no such thing as awkward pauses or fights between us. Now, it seems that is all there is. Fights and secrets and..."

  "And you shacking up with a stranger." Elliot shot back. When I moved to release his hand, he tightened his grip on me. "Evie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

  "Yes, you did." I worked my hand free. "I get that you are hurt because you feel rejected. And I get that you and Cyrus don't exactly mesh well together. But don't take your anger out on me through the show. That's not fair."

  "Will you listen to yourself? Just for a minute?" He resumed studying his silverware as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. "Why would I do anything to hurt the show? You know I want it to succeed. Hell, I sacrificed us for it, didn't I?"

  "No. You didn't sacrifice us. We changed, Elliot. We grew up. We just have to decide if we are going to grow together or apart." I leaned back in my stiff chair as I offered him a sad smile. "I'd rather we stayed friends. Stop hiding things from each other."

  "Me, too." Elliot reached for my hand again. This time, I didn't pull away. "I am sorry about not telling you about the whole producer bit. Connor and I have been discussing it for awhile now."

  "I figured as much. It's a huge step for you." I decided not to mention how his dad - owner and CEO of Theia Productions - would have played a role in such a promotion. It didn't seem right since he was apologizing. So I decided to change the subject. "I did find out some very interesting things about Leyton this morning that you should be aware of."

  "Yeah? That was fast." Elliot released my hand as the waitress returned. When she left us, he continued. "You know, HR did an extensive background on him before he was hired on. What did you find out that they couldn't?"

  "I don't think they have access to this kind of dirt." I picked up my water glass and took a sip. "Cyrus recognized him from a previous time."

  "I'm sorry. Come again?" Elliot leaned forward. "He did what?"

  "Recognized Leyton."

  I went into the abbreviated version of what Leyton had disclosed to me. How his true name was Tiresias. He had been turned into a woman. The argument that resulted in his disability. All of it. When I finished, Elliot whistled.

  "What a great back story." He pulled out his cell phone and started typing with his stylus. "We could really use this. Both of you have a Greek connection. Both of you have supernatural abilities. He could be just what Grave Messages needs."

  "Elliot, there's more."

  "There's more?" He stopped long enough to look up at me. "What else?"

  "I don't know." I frowned. "But whatever it is, Cyrus is on high alert. I don't think he likes Leyton very much."

  "That's because Cyrus doesn't like anybody." Elliot went back to typing on his phone. "Much less any other male in your life."

  "You're being ridiculous." I snapped as I unfolded my napkin. "He likes Joey well enough."

  "Only because Joey is not a threat to the claim he has placed on you." Elliot stopped to point his stylus in my direction. "Don't defend him, Eva. You know it's only the truth."

  "Why did you bring me here?" I twisted my glass in between my hands until my companion returned his phone back to his jacket. "What was so important that you needed to talk to me about it outside the office?"

  "Endorsements and promotion for the show." Elliot leaned back as the waitress put our salads down. "I want you to consider some of the opportunities you have dismissed before."

  "I'm not going to do anything that will make me look like an idiot." I stabbed at a lettuce leaf. "So no bathing suits or sultry poses. I have a hard enough time as it is doing the social media shoots with Joey when we are on location."

  "Can you even do sultry?" He chuckled as I scowled at him. "The truth is we need to branch out our advertising, Evie. I need you to start interacting with the magazines and newspapers that want to interview you."

  "What do you have in mind?"

  "American Gothic Magazine wants you to be a center piece. Interview, fashion spread. It's a good start."

  "No bathing suits?"

  "No. And no sultry poses either." Elliot gave me
his million dollar grin when he realized I was caving in. "We can give them the go ahead today. Work out the details. I'll have Mistie make up a list of appearances for you, too."

  "What else?" I studied Elliot in an attempt to read his motives. Before, he had been so easy to interpret. But I was right when I told him we had changed since coming out to L.A. We had gone from being best friends to strangers so quick, the thought of it made my head spin. "You wouldn't be spending a small fortune on salads if you weren't trying to butter me up."

  "Not everyone has an ulterior motive." Elliot shrugged as he began to eat. "Maybe I just wanted to see you outside the office. Talk about something other than the show."

  "Yeah, well," I pushed my salad plate away to make room for my elbows as I cupped my chin up with my hands. "There's nothing else in my life right now. You know that. Everything circles around being the Sibyl."

  "So let's change that. Go out with me. One date."

  "Elliot, I can't." I raised an eyebrow at his direction. "Weren't we just talking about how slammed my schedule is going to be? Starting today? I have to get back to the office and go over this stupid horse farm episode."

  "We can find time if you want to find time." He winked at me. "Mix business with pleasure."

  "We'll see." I heard my phone buzzing in my purse and reached for it. "I'm still determined to stay single for awhile. I wasn't kidding when I told you that I want to find out who I am before I jump into a relationship with somebody else."

  "Then we'll just hang out on your couch. But no Cyrus." Elliot finished his salad in less time than it took for him to get it in front of him. "Who was that?"

  "Cyrus."

  I muttered as I studied the screen in my hand. When I first became the Sibyl, Apollo had sent me a cell phone so he or Cyrus could stay in touch if they needed to. Since I hadn't heard from Apollo in ages, and Cyrus was always with me, I had forgotten all about it.

  Until now. With a message that made my heart stop.

  Get home now. Emergency.

  "Tell him you are fine."

  "This isn't a check-in call, Elliot." I tossed the phone back in my bag. "He said it's an emergency. I've got to get home."

  "Home?" Elliot frowned. "Eva, I thought you were heading back to the office to go over the Montana case."

  "The horse farm is in Montana? Fantastic." I stood up so fast; I almost knocked over my chair. "Look, I'll come in later. Cyrus doesn't use the word 'emergency' without good cause."

  "Give me a second to pay the bill and I'll go with you." Elliot waved the waitress over and passed her his credit card. "This should be interesting."

  "Interesting because you're concerned? Or because it could be good for the show?"

  I tapped my foot until the girl came back. When Elliot was finished, he looped his arm into mine to lead me out to the car.

  "Both. Maybe I should call Joey. Have him stop by with his camera."

  As I got settled in for the twenty minute drive home, I found myself wondering what could be so wrong that Cyrus wouldn't come to my side for. He was always popping in and out of the shadows. It was all part and parcel to do with his whole mysterious existence. I felt my stomach tying itself into a knot as I pulled out the cell phone to type out my own reply.

  On my way. You ok?

  Fine. There is someone here who wishes to see you.

  Not my folks. Please, God, not them. I studied the screen with a frown. They were always threatening to come to California from South Carolina. But I'd been all but ignoring them since I became the Sibyl. I couldn't handle my mom's gushing praise mixed with my dad's obvious disapproval over my decision to be on television in the first place.

  Parents? Demons? A rogue spirit who wishes to be captured on film?

  Cyrus went silent and my anxiety skyrocketed. So when Elliot pulled his car into the parking space next to mine, I jumped out as if I were on fire. I didn't stop until I reached my condo. I took a deep breath, shoved the front door open, and stopped in the threshold.

  A man was sitting on my couch swiping his fingers over a tablet screen. His wavy blonde hair matched my own. So too did his captivating golden eyes. He looked up to me with a grin that told me exactly who this stranger was.

  Apollo. The god of the Sun and creator of the Sibyl. Sitting in my living room as if he lived here instead of me.

  "Eva, I presume." Apollo tossed the tablet onto the sofa and stood. "Welcome home."

  "I," I swallowed before searching the room for Cyrus who was nowhere to be found. "I'm sorry. This is quite unexpected."

  I shook my head as I tried to remember how to speak. I put my purse on the table beside the door before stepping into the living room. "I have to say, I'm not sure how to properly greet you. Am I supposed to bow? Kiss your ring? How does this work exactly?"

  Apollo chuckled as I caught sight of Cyrus stepping out of the shadows. His face was blank as he stayed behind the Golden One. "There is no protocol, child. A simple hello will suffice."

  "Hello then." I clutched the back of a chair as he moved around the room. I couldn't help but notice how the sunlight filtering in from my windows seemed to follow his every move. It gave him a strange halo effect. "I didn't think I was allowed to meet you in person."

  "I meet whomever I choose to." Apollo stroked the corner of my television with his long fingers. "And you met Athena, have you not? She is still raging about how you tricked her."

  "That was different." I frowned. "I needed her help. She refused. Not to mention you were all too willing to ignore me. How was I supposed to know I wasn't supposed to touch her?"

  "Such rudeness in humans today!" Apollo exclaimed as he turned towards me. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of the suit he wore. "Where are your manners, girl? Do you grab at everyone you meet?"

  "I wasn't being rude. I was desperate." I released the chair. "But surely you aren't here to chastise me over what happened in Phoenix. You could do that well enough over the phone."

  "I could." Apollo nodded. "However, my presence here has nothing to do with Athena. My only desire was to meet the Sibyl who is driving followers to my temples in droves."

  "Droves? Really?" I watched him as I sat down on the sofa. "I had no idea Grave Messages was going to be so effective."

  "How could it not? Humans have always wished for the one thing they can't have." Apollo smirked as he sat down next to me. "You give them hope. Knowledge. And all through my name! It is quite the sight to behold."

  He reached out to caress the side of my face but stopped just before he made contact. Even at a distance, I could feel the warmth of his fingertips. I wanted to pull away. I needed to pull away. Yet, I found myself unable to respond as he continued.

  "I wanted to thank you for what you have done for me, Sibyl." Apollo dropped his hand as a box appeared in his lap. "By giving you the same hope you have given to others."

  "What," I cleared my throat as the spell he had over me faded. "What is that?"

  "Open it."

  Apollo handed me the box. I looked to Cyrus who had stepped forward. He was standing next to Elliot who had followed me inside the condo. Both were watching Apollo with matching dark looks. I sighed, tugged the yellow ribbon free, and opened the box.

  Inside was the mirror used to transfer the abilities of the Sibyl from one woman to another. The very same mirror I thought had been destroyed during my fight with Allison Thompson back in Illinois.

  "I don't want this." I replaced the lid and handed it back to Apollo. "You keep it."

  "You refuse?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "How can you refuse such a gift? This is the key to your freedom, girl. To your power."

  "Power that I want to keep for myself." I pressed the box towards him. "Please, understand. I destroyed the mirror on purpose. I don't want to pass it onto anyone else."

  "How can you make such a declaration so soon after you were changed?" Apollo sat the box aside. "You are too new to immortality, Eva. Some day, you will wish for death. A death which
cannot occur without the relic you are dismissing so carelessly."

  "Listen, I appreciate the offer, but since I have no plans on dying anytime soon, please take it back."

  I didn't want to tell him about the dream I'd been having or the fear now gripping my heart. If I kept this mirror, then my immortality was threatened. I knew that. He knew that. So I tried again.

  "Please. Keep this with you. I'm sure it's safe in Olympus or where ever you call home."

  Apollo studied me for a moment, his golden eyes laced with pity and confusion. Thankfully, Cyrus came to my rescue by changing the subject.

  "Tiresias of Thebes has returned, Great One." He stepped forward to rest his hand on my shoulder. "He has found a way to become a part of Eva's show."

  "Tiresias?" Apollo frowned as if he were trying to remember. "Hera's pet? What is he doing here?"

  "I do not know." Cyrus released my shoulder as he faced his master. "But if you recall, death follows him like a plague. I believe Eva may be in danger if you leave the mirror with her."

  "Indeed. Well," Apollo took the box as he stood. "I will do my part in Olympus if you do yours on this plane. Keep her safe, Cyrus. The Sibyl is far too valuable to be lost to some plot the witch has hatched."

  "The witch?" Now it was my turn to be confused. "Hera? Or are we talking about some other danger here?"

  "Yes. Hera. Wife of Zeus. Queen of the Gods." Apollo smirked as he shifted the box in his hands. "She is not to be trusted. No matter what you are told."

  "Sire, the rules regarding Tiresias." Cyrus crossed his arms over his chest. "Which ones do I have your permission to break?"

  "All of them." Apollo bowed at me. "A pleasure, child. Despite your stubborn manner, I feel Kathy made an excellent choice in her replacement. I will contact you soon enough."

  I watched as he faded into the sunlight just as Cyrus did in the shadows. When he was gone, I turned on my heel and went straight to the kitchen.

  "Eva?" Elliot called after me.

  "Little One?" Cyrus followed me. "What are you doing?"

  "Getting as drunk as possible as quickly as possible." I didn’t turn away from my refrigerator until I had the largest bottle of wine I could find. "And then you are going to explain to me just what the hell is going on."