by Ashley Ladd
“Good, good.” The stars were talking, revealing his presence. He was the one in distress requiring her help. Despite her contrary assertions thus far, it seemed she was destined to lend him assistance.
She had a most important period that began the twenty-second of July of this year and would continue through the second of December. Certain dates and periods stood out very strongly during this astrological configuration. The third and sixth of September were two particularly important dates.
The end of the period would also be significant, as it would be at this time that she should put her plans and actions firmly in place and start to feel the positive impacts of the period.
This interlude would be intense and beneficial, allowing her to really take off and make great strides. He chuckled. But of course. She was taking over her aunt’s business and she was about to find her very special inner power.
It would mark a moment of victory for her on a professional level. He could have told her this without aid of the stars, but it was excellent confirmation as he sensed she did not believe taking over the shop would be a prudent move. This project would greatly evolve despite her grievous misgivings.
This powerful time would allow her to reach a turning point in her career on many different levels, and it was extremely important that she be fully active and ready for changes. He could see that this all had a lot to do with new cultures, and that she should be ready to adapt herself to another way of life.
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Again, he could have told her this without aid of the stars. Surely he represented the different culture and heralded her awakening to a new life, one her aunt had set into motion by willing her half of the magic shop.
Thoughtfully, he rubbed his chin. Clestie was already encountering these concerns, doubting her abilities, fighting against her role as shop proprietor and her role in helping him return to his rightful place. If only Zeus wasn’t so hardhearted, Leo wouldn’t need Clestie’s help. But then he wouldn’t have met her, and he was beginning to think that fate had preordained their meeting.
He shook his head to clear his mind of personal thoughts. This reading was about Clestie. He forced his concentration back to the job at hand.
A very important encounter would be vital to begin the evolution between the thirtieth of July and twelfth of September, and she should be ready to seize any opportunity that came her way. Her planets would guide her in the right direction.
He frowned. There seemed to have been a single element which prevented her from entering into the higher spheres of power before, and he could see that she had been relegated to the ranks of the forgotten for some time, but here was a chance for her to show her worth.
He took this to mean an inattentive or undeserving man in her life. Or perhaps one who tried to hold her under his thumb. He didn’t like the sound of this and wanted more information.
She had been living under a very unfavorable aspect, but this was all set to change after this period. The planets were preparing to smile upon her.
“Ah, good. Very good.” A smile curved his lips. The connection he felt with Clestie grew deeper as he learned more about her.
Confused and exhausted, Leo needed to sleep on this wealth of information so he could provide as much guidance as possible to Clestie. So he placed the reading on the nightstand and rolled over. He hoped to awake with a clearer vision of what the reading meant.
* * * * *
“Thank you.” Clestie accepted her astrological analysis from Leo with fascinated dread. She had to read it to see if it appeared genuine. Of course, not being familiar with these things, she wasn’t really a good judge. She’d have to take it to another reader and ask their opinion.
“I went over this very carefully and I am sure this is correct. I hope the old man who did the translation to your language was as diligent and talented as he claimed. It contains directions—and some warnings that would be most beneficial for you to be aware of.”
“Warnings?” She didn’t like the sound of that one little bit. The thick sheaf of papers crinkled in her hand as she clutched them tighter. “What warnings?”
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He pointed to the reading. “They are all in there. Read it carefully and then I will be happy to provide clarification. However, much of it will be a great deal clearer to you and your circumstances than it could be to me. I do not know all the nuances in your life. You are your own expert.”
Perplexed, she stared down at the reading. “But I thought this was a complete analysis. That you could see all.”
An amused smile lit Leo’s face. “Not at all. I can only see and interpret to a certain degree. Only you can apply the guidance to your life. Only you can make the decision which direction to take. I am merely your guide and counsel if you so wish.”
What kind of psychic double-talk was this?
“Okay, this will take some time to read. Check back with me tomorrow about this time and I’ll give you an answer.”
Leo shook her hand and let himself out. He stood in the crook of the open door, sunshine dancing upon his glorious mane. “I look forward to your answer. I hope it will be favorable for both of us.”
She waved the sheaf in the air. “I’m sure it will be. This is just a formality.”
He bowed regally. “Until tomorrow…”
“Tomorrow.” God, but she couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Brazen hussy…
She filled a glass full of ice and poured a diet cola, grabbed a bowl full of grapes and strawberries and took the booty to the privacy of her bedroom. She curled up under her covers, pulling them off her feet so that the soft breeze from the ceiling fan would cool them. Then she hunkered down to her reading.
First, she was curious to see if the character analysis was on target or if it was generic dribble like fortune cookie sayings that could apply to just about anyone.
She looked down and began to read the chart with great interest.
You will find that the interpretation of your chart is written in simple language, uncluttered by astrological jargon. If a statement appears to contradict another statement, then you exhibit these opposite qualities at different times in your life. For example, a statement that you are highly sociable and gregarious and a statement that you prefer solitude seemingly contradict each other, but this means that you vacillate, and need both sociability and solitude at different times.
Clestie shook her head to clear it and bit back a smile. These formal, astute words had come out of that charming man’s head? He looked to be more interested in his glorious blond mane than his brain. Obviously, she’d not given him enough credit.
Cautious, prudent and rather self-contained, you are a person who approaches life realistically and who is not inclined to take foolish chances or get carried away by the overly optimistic or idealistic schemes of starry-eyed dreamers. In fact, you frequently have a jaundiced
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view of such things. You are rather worldly-wise at a fairly young age, even something of a cynic.
She chuckled. Maybe this wasn’t all fiction, as she had presumed. Or maybe he’d gotten lucky or had better perception than she’d given him credit for.
She found her place and started reading again.
Often the world doesn’t seem like a safe, friendly place to you, and you tend to approach life in a guarded, conservative manner. You are generally calculating and careful, and are rarely spontaneous, fluid, open or childlike. You are pragmatic, shrewd and an excellent strategist, carefully planning your moves for maximum effectiveness and advantage. You are willing to work long and persistently for what you want and you often do things the hard way. To others you seem mature, serious, quiet, reflective and emotionally detached. You dislike sloppy sentimentality and won’t openly display your feelings, especially the softer ones. You like to always appear poised and in control and hate to show any weakness or vulnerability.
You respect tradition and the time-honored way
of doing things, and you feel there is much to be gained from studying history and also by learning from older, more experienced people. A wise mentor or father is often your guide in life, and you in turn develop a great deal of hard-earned wisdom which you like to impart to younger people.
You have a stern, authoritarian, no-nonsense aspect to your personality. You expect much from yourself and may not give yourself enough room to experiment and make mistakes.
You also have a powerful need for deep emotional involvement and you form very intense love bonds and attachments. When you commit yourself to someone or something, you are wholeheartedly devoted and expect complete loyalty in return. You merge with or “marry” the person you love at a very deep level and therefore separations are extremely painful for you, and often stormy and nasty.
Clestie winced at the reference to stormy and nasty breakups. She hated that and had worked very hard to overcome that part of her personality. She’d thought she’d done quite well in turning the other cheek, of being more mature. She hated that Leo saw this aspect in her personality, however deeply buried. She vowed to bury it forever and never let it be resurrected. She popped a grape in her mouth and read on.
Whatever you do, you do with passion and fervor, and you often go to extremes. You are hot or cold, never lukewarm about anything. You have a fanatical streak. You are also immensely strong-willed and your tenacity in pursuing your objectives often borders on being obsessive. Fierce pride, courage and emotional strength are yours in abundance.
Clestie scowled again and shook her head. Dancing, or anything worthwhile, necessitated total focus, drive and ambition. One hundred and ten percent was called
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for or she might as well give up before even starting. That was only common sense, not just a Scorpio’s domain.
This was becoming increasingly difficult to read, mainly to due with the fact that it was surprisingly and shockingly true. She pushed her reading glasses further back on her nose and tried to refocus on the words.
You love mysteries and are deeply attracted to the hidden, dark, secret side of life. You never take things at face value and are always probing beneath the surface of people and situations to discover what is really going on. You tend to be more of a cynic than an idealist.
You are warm-hearted, kind, generous and very popular, especially with the opposite sex. Your happy feelings rub off on others and everyone enjoys being with you. Due to a protective and encouraging upbringing, your relations with your parents are good.
Clestie tried to sniff away tears. Her relationship had been wonderful with her family for the short time she’d been blessed with them—even with her conservative father. Her mother had died young and her father only a few years later. Now even her beloved aunt. Only Elizabeth and Richard remained.
Clestie blinked. Her moon was in Leo. Ah, so she wasn’t a full Scorpio.
You are likely to be known for your drive, energy, ambition and competitive spirit. A successful career based on your ability to take initiative, be a leader or excel in physical strength and prowess is likely. You most definitely want to be a winner and will work hard to achieve that.
You have many artistic talents as well as the ability and creative energy to express them. You also are quite passionate and enjoy physical activity.
Wow! So dead-on. She couldn’t wait to return to her dancing and get her career back on track. It was so intense as to be almost a physical hurt.
Patience is your ally.
A growl rose in her throat. Patience had never been her ally. She wasn’t a patient person. Every day she couldn’t dance, she chafed unbearably.
Reading on, she popped a strawberry into her mouth, delighted when its sweet juice squirted into her throat.
Whatever your choice of profession, you are apt to pursue it with great zeal and intensity.
So true.
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You are capable of hard work and persistent labor, but you may lack joyfulness and the ability to play. You often feel burdened by life’s demands and responsibilities, and may envy those who seem to attract what they want in life without a great deal of personal effort. You may be rather confused about your place in the world.
Just like she’d felt overburdened and confused when Petunia’s will had revealed her inheritance, her duty.
She reread her chart three times and pondered it. She dreamed about it that night.
When Leo walked into her shop the following afternoon, she greeted him with a welcoming smile. “We’d like for you to come work for us.”
Elizabeth stepped forward and pointed at Clestie’s reading. “I thought you didn’t know English?”
Leo said matter-of-factly, “I had it translated.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Did you find your driver’s license, social security card, green card? If not, I have a friend who can help with that.”
He smiled and nodded. “Yes. My sister Aphrodite provided those. But should our father Zeus find out, we shall be dodging lightning bolts.”
“Aphrodite? Zeus?” Clestie and Elizabeth exchanged worried glances.
“I told you I would explain. I feel now is the time.” He motioned to the table and pulled out a chair and held it for Clestie.
Oh brother! “I’m all ears.” Clestie took a seat and folded her hands atop the table. Intrigue mixed with a good dose of trepidation bubbled up in her. “Zeus as in the head god, right?”
Leo nodded, completely sober, without a hint of mischief lurking in his brilliant golden eyes. “My father. He overthrew his sire Cronus to take charge.”
Clestie’s eyes widened. “So that makes you a god?”
Leo snorted. “Not precisely. I’ve known death.”
Clestie’s gaze raked over him. “You don’t look like a ghost.” Not in the least.
“I was immortalized after Hercules murdered me.”
“Just why are you here?” Clestie held her arms wide. “You said only Petunia or I can help you. But how? If you’re a god, can’t you just blink your eyes or wave your hands or think yourself wherever you want?”
He reached across the table and captured her hand in his. He stroked the back of her hand and held her gaze fast. “It’s not that easy. I might be what you’d consider a demi-god—a half-god. But I don’t possess the full range of godly powers—and Zeus has stripped me of those I did possess. You have innate power—magic—flowing
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through your blood. You have the kind of magic that can transport me back to the stars, to my rightful place in the heavens.”
Clestie tried to recall if even Samantha in Bewitched had put a constellation in the night sky. “For the sake of argument, let’s pretend I do possess such powers—”
His thumb moved hypnotically over her knuckles. “You do.”
She ran the tip of her tongue over her suddenly dry lips and cleared a lump in her throat. “Uh, if I do, I have no idea how to use them. Petunia’s gone and we don’t know anyone else who knows magic.”
Elizabeth tapped her chin and looked heavenward. Then dawning lit her eyes. “Surely we can find help on the web.”
Clestie shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t trust the internet.”
After a few seconds, Elizabeth said, “You need to move into the twenty-first century, cuz. In the meantime, why don’t you look in the phone book?”
Clestie nodded as desperation coiled in her stomach.
Elizabeth’s cell phone rang. She pulled it off her waistband and peered at the caller ID. “I need to take this in the other room.” She jabbed a finger at Leo. “Behave. The police station’s on speed dial and I know tae kwon do.”
Leo spread his hand over his heart. “On my honor, dear lady, I would never do anything to cause harm.”
“I’ll have my eye on you.”
“You are a loyal friend.”
Clestie liked the rich timbre of Leo’s voice even more than the quiet but p
owerful ripple of his muscles—if that was possible. She found herself getting lost in it, could easily let it lull her into a dangerous complacency…
She shook herself. Stop it! She reclaimed her seat and tried to focus on his eyes. As his almost-employer, she had no business ogling his awesome pecs, or firm, sensual lips, or those large, powerful hands… Just the eyes. They were safe.
Safe?
With their thick, sooty lashes and their dreamy sensual depths, they were anything but safe. So she lowered her gaze to his nose. What could be dangerous about a nose?
Nothing—if it was a normal, ordinary nose. But his was a long, perfect, aristocratic nose. It crinkled ever so slightly in amusement.
Dang! Was no part of the man safe to look at?
Focus, focus, focus, she ordered silently. She steepled her fingers on the table. Reminding herself she was a business owner—his potential employer—she forced a professional tone to her voice. “So tell me your story. Start at the beginning.”
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“Zeus had his eye on my mother, Selena, a comely mortal. They had my three older sisters and then me. Then she fell madly in love with Endymion and gave birth to his daughters—all fifty of them—while he lay in a deep slumber.”
Although she hadn’t meant for him to impart his genealogy, she was fascinated nonetheless. Not that he could possibly be telling the truth.
“…then Hercules, my half-brother, murdered me and split my beautiful pelt with my own claws.” He held his clenched fist to his face and gazed woefully at his nails.
“How horrible. I’d always thought of Hercules as a hero.” Her fingers itched to sign on to the internet and look up this story. She’d only learned a bit of mythology in school. She preferred tangible things that she could see, touch and control, like her dancing. She could work out. She could practice. She could study. She could diet.
