Fates' Folly (19 page)

Riley pulled into the Piggly Wiggly parking
lot, cutting off the engine and took my hands in his. "No, we are
not driving and no you do not have time to go home and change.
Hades is waiting."

"Great, grand… wonderful."

We shifted into the hallway outside Carrie's
office. I was digging my fingernails into Riley's forearms while
waiting for the pain of shifting to subside.

"I hate this," I growled.

"You've said that."

"Right now, I hate you, too."

Riley patted my hand. "It's okay, I won't
hold it against you."

I growled again, and the door to Carrie's
office swung open. "Honey, you have got to learn to meditate
through the shifts, otherwise you're just making it worse for
yourself," Carrie said, patting the sweat from my forehead and
cheek with her gold lace hanky.

She was wearing a glittery gold mini skirt,
purple camisole and sparkly gold stilettos. I looked up at her
smiling face and saw she had worked her hair into a bee hive with
little gold sticks popping out here and there. They were adorned
with gold tassels that shimmied when she spoke.

"Wow. You look spectacular," I said.

Carrie, giving Riley a flirtatious smile,
took my arm and escorted me into her office to a chair in front of
her desk. She placed two donut sticks and a coffee in front of me
and then moved around the desk to the other side where she primly
sat down.

"I was feeling a bit nostalgic this morning,
but I've been dying to wear my new gold mini." She ran one hand
down her hip to her thigh, where the hem of the skirt ended, while
the other patted the large pouf that was her hair. "So, this is
what I ended up with. Personally, I thought it was beyond
divine."

"You remind me of a Hershey's kiss, the ones
with almonds," I said

Carrie looked up at Riley as he walked up to
her desk. "What do you think Caisus, do I look like a wrapped up
piece of candy, with nuts?"

Riley acted oblivious, more concerned with
the open door to Hades' chamber. "Yeah, I guess so."

Carrie winked at me, turned her chair towards
Riley, crossed her long legs and arched her back. Her large breasts
stretched the satiny camisole to its limits. "Would you like a
lick?" she asked, in a sultry purr.

I spit out my coffee and Carrie giggled but
Riley acted like nothing had happened.

"Is he ready to see us?" he asked.

Carrie rolled her eyes. "Let me go check,
he's been brooding all morning."

I watched, fascinated as she sashayed out of
the office, giving Riley an extra wiggle when she stepped next to
him and through the door.

"Somebody's got it bad," I said.

Riley gave me a look that promised death, but
only said, "When we get in there let me do the talking."

"Okay, but I forgot to tell you what Bo said,
about where Joshua was found."

"So tell me now," he said.

"Joshua was supposed to be at the school
library-"

"Riley, grab the girl, and get your ass in
here!" Hades yelled.

I stayed in my seat and, with much effort,
ignored the urge to run and hide. The fact that Hades was an
asshole, and I had told him so, didn't make him any less scary, nor
did it quell my instinct to flee.

Riley started walking through the door just
as Carrie stepped back in. She gave me an encouraging smile. "Don't
let him bully you, sweetie. I'll be right here if he gets out of
hand."

I got up and made myself walk to where Riley
was waiting by the door. "Let me handle the talking, you just stand
beside me and pretend to be obedient," he said.

I nodded my head and followed him into Hades'
lair- though with the walls covered in gauzy hanging fabrics and
the floor covered in an assortment of pillows, it was really more
like a scene out of Arabian Nights.

I didn't think it was a good idea for Hades
to see how afraid I was of him, so as Riley began to speak, I let
my mind wander in search of a distraction. It didn't take long. I
was tired and surrounded by giant pillows. Like the last time I was
here, I desperately wanted to test one of the pillows out. There
was a dark blue one that looked especially soft, like I'd sink into
the plush fabric and sleep for days.

Maybe I should ask Carrie if she knows where
he got them. But where would I put it, just the one pillow would
take up most of my living room. I guess I could get rid of the
other furniture to accommodate it, but that would be really awkward
on Friday nights. Bo would probably like it though. Oh, but what
about my orange chair? There is no way I'm getting rid of my orange
chair-

Suddenly a black shadow stood in front of me,
taking the place of the pillow. Hades’ face was only inches from
mine when he screamed, "I SAID, DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING!"

I stepped back because he was too close. I
looked into his cold blue eyes, about to say something about his
lack of people skills when I saw Riley, over Hades' shoulder, shake
his head in warning.

Obviously, I missed something and was caught
not paying attention, and just as obvious, Riley wanted me to tone
down my normal bitchiness. So instead of being a smart ass, I went
with a standard reply. "Sorry," I gave my version of a
self-deprecating chuckle and said, "I guess I was day
dreaming."

Hades stalked back towards his fat leather
floor pillow. "Well, at least she looks halfway presentable this
time." He looked at Riley. "Not too bright though, is our
Marla?"

"Myra," I corrected, looking down at my black
dress, wishing I was wearing flannel pajamas instead.

Hades continued like he didn't hear me,
though I knew he did, just like I knew he knew what my name was.
Asshole.

Riley, standing with his hands clasped behind
his back, started talking as if Hades' little tantrum hadn't
occurred.

"It looks as if memories have been modified.
The boy, Joshua Collins, died in Sebastian's office, but no one
seems to remember it. Sebastian's girlfriend doesn't recall their
relationship at all, though I have seen the photos that prove its
existence, and the parents of Joshua deny that Joshua took classes
from Sebastian, though his school record clearly shows that he
did."

Hades waved his hand dismissively, sitting
back down. "Why are you telling me this? Have you lost your focus?
You're wasting time being concerned with the pitiful mortals
Sebastian had the misfortune of getting himself involved with. They
are of no consequence to you, nor will they aid you in the hunt for
Sebastian."

"If I can find out why Sebastian went astray,
it will help me to find him," Riley said.

Hades laughed a dry throaty chuckle. It was
not a pleasant sound, and it intimidated me much more than his
screaming, moments before. Riley stepped back, and I found myself
moving over to stand at his side. Call it the familial bond or just
plain friendship, but I was not going to let him stand alone.

Hades continued to laugh, "Riley, Riley,
Riley, I know you didn't just contradict me, did you?"

"No. I explained my actions and the reason
behind them."

Hades continued as if Riley had not answered,
"Because, if you had contradicted me, after over two thousand years
of loyal service, I could only assume it would be because our
newest recruit has somehow managed to influence you."

"I am not contradicting your counsel or your
orders, nor am I in any way attempting to disobey you. I was simply
explaining my actions in hopes that I could gain a better footing
in the assignment you have given me."

Hades leaned back, spreading his legs out
before him, resting his right hand on his crotch. He tilted his
head to the side in an almost playful manner.

"Did she spread her thighs for you, Riley?
Has it been a long time since you've scratched that itch?" He was
rubbing himself and leering at me as he spoke. "Riley my man, she
may have an ample figure, if you’re into abundance, and the breasts
are nice, but that mouth, unless she's highly gifted at using it
for things other than talking…," he shook his head. "No, even a
fantastic blow job wouldn't be worth it. You and I both know she's
not worth the sacrifice."

Riley's hands, still clasped behind his back,
were balled into fists. His whole body trembled with anger. If it
wasn't for Riley's struggle for control, I would not have taken
Hades' insults. I knew he was trying to get a reaction out of
Riley, but why? I had no idea, but I wasn't going to make it worse.
It would be one thing to defend myself, but another to do so at
Riley's expense.

"I am not contradicting your counsel or your
orders, nor am I in any way attempting to disobey you. I was simply
explaining my actions in hopes that I could gain a better footing
in the assignment you have given me," Riley repeated.

Hades stopped rubbing his crotch and sat
forward, his elbows on his knees. "That's good Riley, because I'd
have to do something about it, and I'd get creative, very, very
creative."

Riley nodded.

Hades stood. "Find Sebastian, use the sword
to end his disobedience, then you can spend your free time fucking
Melba. I want this situation handled. You have seventy two hours,
and you better hope Peter doesn't find Sebastian first," he said,
before turning his back on us and leaving the room.

Riley grabbed my arm and escorted me back
into Carrie's office.

As soon as Riley closed the door that led
from Carrie's office into Hades’ domain, I exploded. "What the hell
was that all about? He insulted you and me and was practically
giving himself a hand job while doing so. I'd ask if he got off on
belittling people but hell, it was obvious that he does!"

Riley sat in one of Carrie’s office chairs.
He sat with his body slumped forward, elbows on his knees, head
held in his hands. The muscles along his back were tight and
strained under his gray dress shirt. I placed my hand on his
shoulder, trying to offer some comfort, but at my touch, he jerked
from the chair.

"Not now, Myra," he mumbled, and then
shifted.

I sat down in the chair Carrie had put me in
earlier, stunned. "He just left me. Where the hell did he go?" I
felt a tear roll down my cheek. "And why in the hell am I crying? I
swear I'm not a crier, and this is the second fucking time I've
cried tonight."

Carrie was suddenly in front of me, pulling
me up from the chair and wrapping her long muscular arms around me.
"Oh honey, it's okay. He'll be back. Riley's a strong alpha male,
and he just had to take it in the ass. He probably wanted to put
his sword right through Hades' black heart, but what if he had not
succeeded? We'd all be rotting in Tartarus, and worse, what if he
had been successful? Zeus and the rest of the gods would be seeking
retribution.

“He was stuck with nothing to do but take it,
and now he's going to have to go let off a little steam-kill
something or someone. You can't blame him for not wanting you to
tag along. He probably already feels like shit that he couldn't
defend your honor. Just give him time, and he'll be back." She
loosened her grip, looking down at me. "In the meantime, how about
some hot chocolate and a honey bun?”

I nodded my head. "Sure."

She sat me back down and walked around her
desk to her little coffee station where she started mixing hot
water and powdered chocolate mix.

"You know, if someone really wanted to stick
it to Hades, she would have to outsmart him. Use the gods' rules
against him. They're all egotistical and conniving, but just like
any immortal, if they swear an oath they are bound by it." She set
my cup of hot chocolate down in front of me. "I'm just saying, if I
wanted to get past Hades’ commands, I'd start researching the gods'
oaths and laws. After all, like I said, they have to abide by them
too."

She handed me two plastic wrapped honey buns
and sat down across from me.

"So where would one look for such
information?" I asked.

"Oh, baby doll, Google it, of course.”

Two honey buns, a cup of coffee to follow the
hot chocolate and a sweet ice tea later, I was pleasantly full.
Well, truth be told, I was bloated and miserable, but Carrie kept
putting the stuff in front of me and I didn't want to offend her.
Who knows the proper etiquette in refusing hospitality from a three
headed dog, in the body of a man, dressed like a woman? Do I pat
her head and say no, tell her enough is enough, or say a demur, no
thank you with a comment about ruining my figure? Finally, because
I was truly curious, and she had just put a slice of pound cake
-her Aunt Hera's recipe- in front of me, I asked.

She laughed. "You're so silly. I'm neither a
dog, a man nor a woman, I'm all three. Just say, 'Carrie stop
shoving food and coffee at me, I'm full'. Don't make it
complicated. Besides, I don't get offended if the intention is
clearly not to offend."

Carrie offered to shift me home but, wanting
to wait for Riley, I declined, so we were busy discussing Carrie's
latest boy toy -an apparently extremely limber farmer from
Wisconsin- when Carrie looked up past me and, with a roll of her
eyes and an exasperated sigh, whispered, "Incoming, mini
divas."

I turned around in my seat and watched as
three teenage girls walked through Carrie's door. The tallest, and
the obvious leader of the group, fanned her waist length, corn silk
hair over her shoulder as she lissomely floated into the room. Her
arms were held at graceful angles away from her body, her hands
delicately posed. When she walked, each step was measured, her toes
pointed forward, like a ballerina stepping onto the stage. She was
wearing black flats, black skinny jeans and a pink top with a black
shrug pulled over her shoulders, though I could easily imagine her
in a tulle skirt and toe shoes. Her pale translucent skin, large
green eyes and pink, bow shaped mouth only added to the image.