The Emerald Key

by Vicky Burkholder

  “From what I understand,” Cass said, “we’ve all been here before, but in different lifetimes. Our amulets have been passed down through our separate lines. We alone can open the door. We alone hold the keys. Once each hundred years, the door is opened. Now is our time. We each have a job—”

  “We know,” Phoebe said. “I’m not sure how, but we know.”

  Dori stepped forward and focused her amulet on the water. “Be safe.”

  She stepped onto the water and walked across to the island where the others joined her. Each took a stance at one corner of the pedestal. Outside the water, each man took a spot across from his lady, his sword drawn.

  Cass and the others removed their amulets and joined them to form a pyramid. Before Cass could place it in the pedestal, a cold wind blew through the cavern, extinguishing the brands. When Phoebe relit them, a fifth man and woman stood in the cavern.

  “Steve?” Cass couldn’t help the shudder of disgust that ran through her. She had a bad feeling about this. “What are you doing here?”

  Steve turned to the blonde he’d married. “See my dear? I told you they’d have no clue.”

  “You’re William’s lieutenant?” Cass thought fast. The door would open soon, but they couldn’t let him through. He would destroy everything.

  “Not any more. Thanks for taking care of that mess above. Shame William didn’t make it.”

  “You killed him?”

  Steve shrugged. “He was a traitor to his vows. In renouncing them, he lost his power and turned human.” He said the word as if it disgusted him. “Fortunately, I never made such a vow so nothing can take mine away. So many of the people William brought in were completely inept. The talent has been diluted over the generations. So few believe anymore. But not me and my queen. We are the real deal.”

  “So you’re the new leader of the Brotherhood?”

  The woman stepped forward. “Not him. Me.”

  “You?” Cass had trouble grasping all the changes happening. Her brain refused to accept that this overdressed, high-maintenance blonde was the power behind everything. “You were behind the kidnappings?”

  “No. That really was Steve, acting under my direction.”

  “William had great plans for you,” Steve said. “Told Sheila here all about them—his first mistake. But I did direct the others.” He shrugged. “The deaths of those involved will be blamed on a drug deal gone bad. I left just enough there for the narcs to find. I have to thank you for that. Although I do regret losing the cash the sales of the entire stash would have brought, you saved me the trouble of dealing with them later. Unfortunately, their need for self-gratification and immediate greed outweighed their duty to me. They didn’t even get the amulets.”

  “What did you do? Kill everyone in this club of yours?”

  Sheila stepped forward, pushing Steve to the background. Cass watched his face. Steve didn’t take kindly to being put down and, from the look on his face, he didn’t appreciate Sheila’s push to the forefront. So, not everything was rosy with the newlyweds. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.

  Sheila continued the story. “Under William’s direction, we spent a long time putting people we trusted in positions of power. It seemed William’s money and influence were good for something.

  “You were behind the e-mails?” Cass asked Steve. She watched Sheila’s face. Not happy. The woman wanted to be noticed, not play second fiddle.

  “Nice touch, wasn’t it?” He turned to the altar and ran his hand over the smooth surface. “This served William well in the past, but now will serve Sheila and myself.”

  Sheila pushed him aside. “And I am the only one who knows the spells to bring it to life. William shared them only with me.”

  “But we will perform them together, right?” Steve said.

  “Of course we will, darling. But I am the one who needs to handle the death ritual. It’s a very special spell. Rest assured, Cassandra, your death will be glorious.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  She tilted her head at Cass. “Please, continue with your ritual. Don’t let us interrupt any further.”

  “No,” all four women said.

  Sheila waved her hand and Greg flew from his position to a niche in the wall where heavy chains wrapped around him. “Steve will kill him.”

  Steve pulled a heavy knife from his waistband and moved to where Greg hung. “I will do as she says.”

  “He was your friend!” Dori cried. “We had you over to our house.”

  “I know. And the food was good, if somewhat bourgeois. Do your job and he lives. It’s as simple as that.”

  Cass gripped Dori’s shoulder. “It will be okay. We found the right tunnel. Just imagine what would have happened if we’d found the wrong one. We’ll get Greg free. I promise.”

  She saw Dori’s eyes widen and knew she’d understood Cass’ hint. She’d sensed the tunnels, all of them, including William’s mistake. She heard Nic’s questions in her mind and told him what she planned to do. She hoped he’d be able to tell the others. Timing was critical. When they nodded at her, she knew they understood.

  Cass placed the pyramid in the center of the pedestal with the emerald side down and joined hands with her friends. A beam of light burst forth from the pyramid and focused on a spot on the rock wall in front of Greg. A green glow surrounded him like a bubble.

  “Now!” Cass called. The remaining men jumped forward to stand in front of Greg, within the bubble of green, their swords out. When Steve attempted to get to them, sparks flew and he stumbled back. Sheila turned to the women and raised her hands.

  “Now!” Cass cried.

  A wall of fire built up on top of the water surrounding the women.

  “Now!”

  A hole opened up in the wall exposing a tunnel at Sheila’s back.

  “Now!”

  A whirlwind forced Sheila and Steve into the tunnel. The dirt showered down, closing them in. With a horrible scream like that of tortured souls, the altar broke apart and reformed over the tunnel opening, sealing Sheila and Steve in. A triangle surrounding a diamond shape appeared in the wall.

  “Nice touch,” Nic said as the flames died down and the green bubble faded.

  “Can you get Greg free?” Cass asked. She held Dori’s shoulder. “Are you all right? Can you handle your part?” Her terse nod told her Dori knew where her duty lay, even if her heart lay across the cavern.

  The men tried but the chains held fast. “No. Can you?”

  Cass picked up the pyramid and focused on Greg. The chains burst apart and he jumped down to join the men.

  “Are you all right?” Dori asked.

  “I’m fine. What you need to do is more important.”

  The women once more turned to the pedestal, but before Cass could place the pyramid, they heard footsteps echoing in the tunnel.

  “What now? I thought we took care of everyone,” Phoebe said as all four men surrounded the women, swords out.

  To their surprise, Minerva, Alma, and Chloe appeared. Each wore a long, white sleeveless gown with scooped neck and back and trimmed in gold. And each carried a large bag.

  “Aunt Minerva?” Cass held the pyramid over the pedestal.

  Minerva grinned at her. “You four have accomplished much. You have made us so very proud.” She glanced at the sealed tunnel. “I’m afraid the town will need a new police officer and the judge will mourn his lost daughter. That tunnel goes nowhere but down.”

  “To where he belongs,” Chloe said, and Cass shuddered.

  “Before you fulfill your true destinies, we thought you might want to dress the part,” Minerva said.

  Each guardian produced white gowns identical to their own but trimmed in the colors specific to each Keeper. They also brought out black suits trimmed in silver and a long capes lined in the women’s colors for each of the men.

  Cass glanced at her friends. All of them had grins showing through the soot and dirt. “Whatever you do, don’t use the
water to wash in,” Cass said.

  “We’ll take care of that,” Minerva said. A wave of her hand had the eight of them looking as fresh as if they’d just showered.

  The women strode across the water and took the gowns into the tunnel where they changed, while the men changed in the cavern. Minerva, Alma, and Chloe stood with their backs to the men at the tunnel entrance. When everyone was ready, they returned to their positions.

  “Now?” Cass asked as she held the pyramid over the pedestal. This time, she held it with the diamond side down.

  “Now,” Minerva said. She faced the wall where the altar had been.

  The four women’s voices rose in a chant. “From earth we come, from fire tested. From water crossed and wind arrested. The power belongs to all the four. To Lemuria’s realm, we open the door.”

  Cass placed the pyramid in the pedestal. Brilliant white light and chiming song filled the cavern. In the spot where the altar had stood, the rock shifted and drew back, revealing a wide opening. Bright sun shone on green lawns planted with flowering trees and fragrant shrubs. Central fountains flowed and a light breeze set everything in motion. To one side, she saw a small forest that mimicked the one surrounding the cabin.

  In one garden, Cass saw winged horses and unicorns grazing. High above in the sky, she thought she saw what looked like a dragon. But that couldn’t be true. Could it? She pulled her vision back to something she could understand.

  Beyond the opening, four women waited on a small stone dais surrounding a pedestal identical to the one Cass and her friends stood at. At the base of the dais stood four men, swords in hand. Behind them, a small crowd of men and women dressed in gowns or tunics and hose watched.

  Minerva, Alma, and Chloe stepped forward, hands folded into pyramids at their waists. They bowed to the assembled group.

  “As foretold in ancient times, the way to our realm is once again open,” Minerva said.

  An elderly man stepped forward, his hands also tented. He bowed to Minerva. “We welcome you home as we welcome all those who are lost.”

  He stepped forward with a smile and hugged Minerva. “It is good to have you back where you belong. Welcome home.”

  “Teodore, I have missed you.” She turned to Cass and the others. “You may leave the pyramid and come forward. Trust me when I say it is safe.”

  Cass and her friends glanced at each other, then stepped forward with their men.

  Minerva drew them forward. “Teodore, may I present the Keepers of the keys and their Protectors.”

  “We welcome you to Lemuria. Please, come. We have much to talk about.” He glanced at Phoebe’s spiked hair and tattoos. “Yes, much to talk about.”

  Chapter 19

  Cass stood on the balcony of her room looking out at the white beach and ocean beyond. She’d seen things over the last two days that went so far beyond her imagination, she’d stopped thinking. Even her room was different from anything she’d ever experienced. The bed that floated above the floor molded to the individual, giving comfort and support so soft, it was like sleeping on a cloud. One corner held a small pool she could step down into, and she could fill it with water or a gel that supported her and eased aches and pains. Lights brightened or dimmed at her spoken command and the windows opened, shut, or darkened according to her wishes. The flooring was comprised of some kind of stone, warm and soft to the feet, yet solid and easily cleaned.

  “You’re pretty far away.” Nic came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. “Problem?”

  “You can ask that after everything we’ve seen?”

  “You forget, I’ve had more than a week to get used to strange things happening. You grew up with your powers, so what you can do is nothing new to you, but this is. Me? I never knew anything beyond when my next move was coming so I guess I’m a little more adaptable.”

  She chewed her lip as his hands brought shivers to her. “About moving. We’ve been invited to stay here. What do you think?”

  “The decision is yours. I go where you go.”

  “Because you are my Protector?”

  “No, because I love you. What is it you want to do?”

  “Phoebe, Kyrie, Dori, and I have all been talking. We love it here. There’s so much to learn, but we feel like we left something unfinished.”

  “The rest of the Brotherhood.”

  Cass turned in his arms and stared up at his face. “You knew?”

  “The guys and I have all been talking too, but we decided to leave the decision to you women.”

  “Do you like it here?” Cass asked, although she was certain she already knew the answer.

  “What’s not to like? It’s peaceful here and beautiful. There is no trash, no graffiti, no guns. And there are no throwaways. Children are cherished as are the elderly. It is a realm of beauty. But the decision is yours. I go where you go.”

  “It’s not only the Brotherhood. We cut off the head, but like a giant squid, there are a lot of arms. Plus Minerva told us there are others back there who are also lost—who belong here but don’t know they do.”

  “And they need the Keepers to help them find the way.” Cass unbuttoned Nic’s tunic and slipped it over his shoulders. Since they’d arrived in Lemuria, the last of his wounds had been healed, but some of the scars still remained. She didn’t mind. She thought they gave him character. Cass ran her hands down his chest, stopping at the waistband of his pants. Staring into his eyes, she slipped them down over his hips, kissing the fine white lines…all that remained of his injuries.

  “Or the Protectors to help them.” Nic pulled her to a stand and unfastened the brooch holding her gown together at the shoulder. The soft material whispered to the ground, leaving her naked in front of him.

  “We are needed there.”

  “You are needed here. With me.” He picked her up and strode to the bed.

  Their lovemaking was sweet and tender and everything Cass wanted but her conscience bothered her. Nic was happy here. How could she ask him to leave? To go back to danger, and dirt, and pain?

  After his breathing deepened into sleep, she rose and went back out to the balcony and watched the moon shine over the waves. It didn’t surprise her when Nic joined her.

  “You really are a light sleeper, aren’t you?”

  “Old habits. What’s wrong, Cass? I know you’re bothered by something.” He pulled up a chair and sat.

  Cass chuckled and curled up in his lap. He could have easily have read her mind, but chose to give her privacy, which made her love him all the more. “You know me so well. I know the others will do what I say. How can I ask them to leave all this? How can I ask them to go back to where we’ll be in danger?”

  “I’m not surprised you’re thinking that way.” He shifted and pushed the door wider open. “You heard?”

  Phoebe, Dori, Kyrie, and the men crowded out onto the balcony. “We did,” Phoebe said. “Cass, you decide for you, not for us. We decided to go back. If you want to stay here, we will miss you, but will understand. But Kyrie and I are going back.”

  “Dori, what about you and Greg?”

  Cass saw Dori glance at Greg, who nodded. “We’re going to stay here. For the sake of our son.”

  “Your son?” Cass, Phoebe, and Kyrie squealed and grabbed her in a huge hug. “When?”

  “I’m three months gone. The physicians here checked me out. After the last few days, I wanted to be sure everything was okay, and he is.” Her smile darkened and tears swam in her eyes. “But I will miss you so much.”

  They hugged again, then Phoebe turned to Cass. “So, the decision really is yours. Kyrie and I will go back. Dori is staying here. Her amulet will pass to one of us to find a new Keeper.”

  Cass studied Nic’s face. “My love, I cannot ask you to go.”

  “You’re not. We will go back with no regrets, but when I said I would go where you go, I was hoping we’d go together, with you as my wife.”

  “Your what?”

  “Wife.” He knelt
on the balcony with the moonlight shining down on them and all their friends watching. “Cassandra, my love, will you marry me?”

  She knelt next to him. “Yes, my love, my Protector, my own. I will.”

  Another squeal came from the women.

  * * * *

  Two days later, Cass and Nic stood on the beach with a crowd around them. Minerva and Teodore performed the ceremony to join them. The next day, they stood once again at the opening to the cavern. Tears fell as the women hugged.

  “Why the tears?” Minerva asked. She reached down and petted Wunjo, who’d shown up as they returned.

  “Because we’ll never see Dori again,” Cass said. “You said the door would only be open at certain times.”

  “Yes, but who says that it’s only once in a lifetime?”

  “But…I mean, I thought we could only…how?”

  “It can only be opened during certain times—four times a year. Since you know the ways of the keys now, you can open it on any of those days. We had to wait until you grew into your powers and the Protectors arrived. You must all come together so the door will open.”

  “No other way?”

  “Yes, there are other ways, but that’s not important. Be here in three months and we will see you again.”

  Cass chewed her lips. “Aunt Minerva, there’s something you’re not telling me.”

  Nic pulled Cass away and winked at Minerva. “They weave the threads as they must. Besides, we have a good picture, don’t we, Minerva?”

  She smiled and nodded at him. “A picture is definitely worth a second look.”

  “Meow.” Nic could have sworn Wunjo nodded as well. He glanced at the cat, then shook his head. He’d seen enough over the past few days to think about for a lifetime. Adding an odd cat to the mix was just one more bit of strange.

  Nic took Cass’ arm. “Come, my lady. We have a new life to build in our own world.”

  Cass grinned at him. “I don’t think it will be boring.”

  “On that, we are in complete agreement.”

  Alex “lifted” Cass across the water and she removed the pyramid from the pedestal. The portal silently closed and they stood there in the dark.