Royal Hearts (16 page)

Hathor studied the Table of
Contents for what seemed like the millionth time. What kind of
spell would be best for finding a clone? There were no spells that
were meant to directly spot the enemy, so it had to be something
subtle. His gaze went to the section under
Unseen Dangers
. Omin’s clone could
fit under that category.

He read through the spells. He had tried most
of them, but there was one in particular that might meet his
requirements, although it didn’t appear to on the surface.

For detection of the things which elude us,
we use the Finder’s Spell. The object which the spell focuses on
must be seen as a danger to the person who recites it. However, the
object will not be obvious. The person must still search for it,
but this spell will make it easier to detect.

Hathor rubbed his forehead. No wonder his
studies sometimes ended with a headache. This spell didn’t sound
very promising, but he had to try it. Ann’s life was at stake, and
he had nothing to lose by trying it.

After he recited it, he waited. Nothing
seemed different. He reminded himself that Omin’s clone would not
be obvious, that he would have to search for it. And just how was
he supposed to do that? Giving up for the night, he slammed the
book shut. He could only hope when the time came, he would know it
when he saw it.

***

Present day

Demeter’s Garden

Planet: Olympia

Second Commander Jaz and Guard Lino followed
Zeus and Athena to Demeter’s Garden, which was full of flowers and
plants that seemed to glow in the sunlight. The sweet fragrance
wafted through the air as they walked down a stone path made of
various gems.

Again, Jaz found herself amazed at the luxury
with which these gods and goddesses lived. They only got themselves
the very best of everything. It was so unlike Pale. Compared to
this place, Pale lacked any kind of warmth. But Palers lacked the
Olympians’ petty qualities. The gods and goddesses were consumed
with their own wants and desires and acted impulsively. It was
amazing that Raz had such ties with them.

Demeter was tending to one of her many
gardens. Her long silver hair blew gently in the breeze and her
light blue dress reached her ankles. Despite her apparent older
age, she maintained a certain youthful quality about her. She
brought a pink tulip up to her nose and smiled as she smelled it,
delighting in her accomplishment as the goddess who controlled the
growth of the delicate flowers.

“Demeter, you look as lovely as ever,” Zeus
called out as they approached.

“Zeus?” She looked up in surprise. “You
usually don’t come around here until it’s time to take Persephone
to the Underworld to be with…with…him.”

Jaz noted the disgust in Demeter’s voice.

Zeus let out a heavy sigh. “Unfortunately,
you have revealed my intention.”

“What? This cannot be! Persephone is to be
with me for another month.”

“Please, listen to what he has to say before
you answer,” Athena said. “Wisdom demands that you hear everything
before making a judgment.”

Demeter tensed. “I will not like this, but
Athena is right. Why do you make such a painful request, Zeus?”

“I wouldn’t ask if Queen Ann wasn’t in
danger. I’ve considered all of my options and see no other
recourse.”

“The Queen of Raz is in trouble? That’s
terrible, but I don’t see what that has to do with my
daughter.”

“We believe a Paler took Queen Ann to another
time,” Zeus said. “Whether that time is in the past or future, we
have yet to determine. That’s where Hades’ Sands of Time come
in.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Oh, I see.” After a
moment, she narrowed her eyes at Jaz and Lino. “If Palers are
behind this, then what are they doing here?”

“Omin made a clone before his death,” Zeus
replied. “The clone is the threat. The rest of the Palers are as
concerned with Queen Ann’s rescue as we are.”

Jaz glanced at Lino. Weren’t any of the gods
or goddesses concerned about Hathor?

Demeter let out a heavy sigh. “I am forced to
do that which is unpleasant. If it were anybody but Queen Ann, I
would say no. For the queen, I will make the sacrifice.”

“You are a jewel among all goddesses,” Zeus
said then bowed.

Athena crossed her arms and huffed.

“And of course,” Zeus added, turning to her,
“you are my favorite daughter.”

Athena uncrossed her arms and smiled.

Again, Jaz found herself marveling at their
pettiness. Lives were at stake and they were getting upset over
compliments?

“Very well,” Demeter finally said. “I warn
you though. It will cost you dearly. Winter will be especially long
and harsh this year. You will feel none of my sunlight or warmth
for seven months. I will send blizzards and icy rains upon all that
you see. There will be days where you will be unable to leave your
palace because of the extreme cold I will send your way.”

“Yes, I had figured the cost would be great,”
Zeus said.

“Persephone!” Demeter called out. “I need to
speak with you.”

Jaz didn’t see Persephone for several long
moments. But then, a spattering of birds began to sing, and Jaz
turned her attention to the south where a goddess wearing a yellow
dress was heading in their direction. Her wavy, long brown hair
fell in gentle waves over her shoulders, and daisies and daffodils
were threaded in her locks. Behind her, an assortment of small
animals followed.

Demeter waited until Persephone reached them
before speaking. “A very unfortunate thing has happened. Queen Ann
is stuck in another time, and we fear her life is in danger. We
must make a grim sacrifice on her behalf.”

Persephone glanced at the others in concern.
“I’ll do anything I can to help the queen.”

“Yes, I know you will,” Demeter said. “You
are so generous and compassionate. Far too good for that god.”

“He’s my husband, Mother.”

Demeter shuddered. “I don’t care to hear
this. What I am doing is cruel for an innocent goddess whose home
is among the joys of spring and summer.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Jaz sensed that Persephone said yes to
appease the elder goddess, which Jaz concluded was a wise move.
Given how the Olympians were, there would be no reasoning with any
of them. The best anyone could do was smile and agree.

Demeter took her daughter’s hand and squeezed
it. “You must go to Hades and have him study the Sands of Time to
find out where Queen Ann is.”

Zeus nodded. “You are the only one he’ll
listen to. He will want to help Queen Ann, but he will not even
hear our case until he knows you will be with him for the next
seven months.”

“I understand,” Persephone replied. “I am
sure he will bring the Sands of Time up to the Ivory Palace as soon
as I tell him.”

Athena glanced at Jaz. “Persephone, we have
another request of you.”

Demeter let out a mournful cry. “Doesn’t this
poor girl have enough to worry about? We’ve already conceded to her
going to the great pit of despair for seven months.”

Jaz noted that some of the flowers around
them were already starting to wilt.

Ignoring the outburst, Athena told
Persephone, “There is a Paler who accidentally fell into the
Underworld, and this Paler hasn’t returned. It’s become clear Hades
intends to keep him there. I know this is a lot to ask, but Second
Commander Jaz and Guard Lino would like to accompany you to the
Underworld so that they may bring this Paler back up here. With
your influence on Hades, I’m sure you will get him to agree to
it.”

“Of course.” Persephone smiled at Jaz and
Lino. “I will be happy to speak to him on your behalf.”

“You’re the only one who can melt Hades’ cold
heart,” Zeus said. “I cannot imagine he’d ever deny you
anything.”

Demeter cleared her throat.

“It’s for Queen Ann,” Zeus softly reminded
her.

She grimaced but nodded.

“I will go to Hades at once,” Persephone
said. She hugged her mother. “Be not dismayed, Mother. I shall be
back before you know it.”

“It will be an eternity to me,” Demeter
replied, tears filling her eyes as she tightened her hold on her
daughter.

Jaz refrained from screaming her irritation.
This melodrama was starting to get on her nerves. It was amazing
the Olympians got anything accomplished at all with the way they
acted. One would think this whole thing was the end of the
world.

But the important thing was she and Lino were
going to go the Underworld, and despite what any of the gods and
goddesses said, Falon would be returning with them. Jaz would not
leave him behind. Then, they could return to Pale and do their part
to save Queen Ann and Hathor.

Chapter Fifteen

Six years in the past

Dayton, Ohio

Planet: Earth

The next day, Ann pulled into the visitor’s
parking lot at the college, surprised Hathor was waiting for her
there instead of in the Student Union. When he saw her, he smiled
and headed for the car.

She waved, her heart pounding in her throat.
Relax. It was just a date. It wasn’t like she was going to marry
him or something. She was in high school. Dating was just supposed
to be fun. Just a night out to watch a movie and get something to
eat. But even as she told herself this, she couldn’t help but think
there was more to it than she expected. For some reason, it did
seem like she was going to end up with him, and for the life of
her, she couldn’t figure out why.

“Hi,” Hathor said as he opened the door and
got into the car. “I know we agreed to meet at the Student Union,
but I couldn’t wait to see you.”

Her face warmed with pleasure. Well, if she
was going to end up with anyone, she suspected he might be the
ideal guy. But she still wanted her friend’s opinion. “Would you
mind it if we stopped by my friend Lisa’s house before we go to the
movies? I have to pick up a book I lent her.”

“No, I don’t mind. I’d like to meet your
friend.”

“So how are your classes going?” she asked as
she drove out of the parking lot.

For a moment, he seemed confused by her
question, but then he replied, “Oh. Classes. They’re okay. How
about your classes? Is there anything interesting happening with
your education?”

She couldn’t help but think it was cute that
he worded things the way he did. “Not really. It’s the same stuff.
Take notes. Do homework. Take tests. Hope I got an A. Things like
that. Well, I guess there is this one thing one of my teachers is
excited about. There’s this new United Nations leader who actually
settled all the disputes in the Middle East. He said it’s time we
all united as one group instead of being divided.” She shrugged.
“Or something like that. They’re making a big deal out of it on the
news. My teacher is so happy that she hasn’t given us any homework
for the past week. She usually gives out boring homework
assignments, so I’m glad about that. Have you heard about it?”

“Um no, I haven’t.”

Great, she was boring him. She mentally ran
through a list of topics to discuss.

“Kent likes your friend Stacey,” he said. “He
can’t stop talking about her.”

“Yeah?” She grinned. “I’m glad because her
last boyfriend was a jerk. He only wanted to go out with her to
have sex, and when she refused, he dumped her.”

“Kent isn’t the kind of person who’s just out
for sex. He wants a long-term relationship.”

“Well, she’s crazy about Kent. She couldn’t
stop talking about their date, and she’s no longer talking about
going to Toledo for school. I think Kent found a way to convince
her that his college is for her after all.”

“I think they’ll be good together.”

She nodded her agreement as she turned down a
neighborhood street. “We’re almost at Lisa’s. She went to the zoo
with her boyfriend, but she should be home by now. I have to warn
you, though. Lisa is one of those people who can run a little late,
so she might not be home yet.”

“I don’t mind. I’m in no hurry.”

When they reached the front door, Ann rang
the doorbell.

Lisa’s mother opened it and grinned. “Oh hi,
Ann! It’s so good to see you. Where’s William?”

Ann stood still for a moment, uncertain of
how to react. Then, since everyone was waiting for her to say
something, she forced out, “Uh, this is Hathor.”

“Nice to meet you, Hathor.” Her gaze went
back to Ann. “Are you here to see Lisa?”

Ann nodded, her head still spinning from the
way the woman had blurted out William’s name. “Yes. She said I
could get the book I lent her.”

“She hasn’t gotten back from the zoo yet, but
she should be home any minute. Would you like to come in and wait
for her?”

“Sure.”

Still avoiding eye contact with Hathor, Ann
followed the woman into the living room and sat on the couch.

“I’ll get you some of my homemade lemonade
while you’re waiting for her,” Lisa’s mother said before she left
the room.

Ann fidgeted next to Hathor. Now that Lisa’s
mom had opened her big mouth, she didn’t know what to say. She
couldn’t talk her way out of this complicated situation without
sounding stupid.

As if sensing her apprehension, Hathor
touched her arm. “It’s okay, Ann. I already know you’re seeing
William. I met him the other day.” He shrugged. “We talked and
found out we were both dating you.”

“I guess I should have told you and him about
it. I just…that is, I…”

“You didn’t feel comfortable doing so. It’s
alright. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

Feeling better, she smiled. “Thanks.”

Lisa’s mom gave them some lemonade and,
thankfully, managed to leave without causing any more problems.

When Hathor took a sip, his eyes lit up.
“This is the best tasting lemonade I’ve ever had.”