Chapter Twenty

One Sparkle Too Many

“Tia!” The amount of anger I infused into her name shocked both of us. “Why would you do this to a child? You don’t have a maternal bone in your body.”

The queen shook her head no. “Ah, so the god has feelings for his little goddess after all.”

“She’s a child who has lost everything.”

“She’ll be fine. She’s in a restraint of some sort. I didn’t want to draw attention to us back here. What’s happened to her is our fault. We need to fix this mess.”

I shook my head a resolute no. “Pandora’s fault.”

I glanced at the child now so peaceful in slumber. Her strawberry blonde locks were sifting in the air from the open window and her scent reminded me of a field of lavender. In the coming days all I could hope for was to bring no more turmoil to her life, but with Pandora and my brethren beneath the clouds? Anything seemed possible.

***

Scurrying about I gathered the leftover Gummy Bears, sunflower seeds and raisins Ava left back to my half of the box before the pixie queen joined me. The raisins? I looked upon the fruit horrified that others would purposefully let a good grape end up in such an appalling state. Ingrates! But maybe Tia would like them.

I have resigned to the fact this is my new home for the time being and I shall make the most of it. If and when I see Pandora again, I need to think of a fate worse than this befitting of her. Looking at the age of the kid I have been given to spend my days with, sadly, I have time to contemplate such retribution. With a graceful sweep of my hand, I welcomed Tia in. She appeared thankful since she’d been clinging to the seatbelt strap while she sat on the back ledge of the seat. “Majesty, I hope our new accommodations meet your expectations?”

She touched down with a curtsy. “Lose the formality, Dionysus. Or is it Jack these days? What a name to call someone. It’s so metrosexual.”

“So what?” I asked, thinking I need to catch up on some of the jargon used below the clouds these days.

Tia produced a half sneer. “It’s not a compliment. In our day you were either a man or a woman, not a bit of both.”

“Then what’s Eros?”

“Ahead of his time.” We laughed then both stopped abruptly when they realized they were getting along and agreed on something.

“Okay, that was awkward. Anyway, Dionysus, it appears only one of us has been condemned to this jewelry box. Dear God, I believe he’s the only one who can help you. I can’t. I’m sorry. I wouldn’t wish this fate on anyone other than the person who cursed you.”

“Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing moments passed. The little goddess you dusted is my key to freedom. When Pandora cursed me, her exact words were, ‘Someone has to tell me they love me and seal it with true love’s kiss.’ How hard can that be?” I puckered up laughing.

Tia swatted me. “Fool. I wouldn’t kiss you if you were the last man on earth.” She shook her silvery-white hair out of her vision and wound the length into a bun, securing it with her crown. “Only you could find humor in this situation, Dionysus. It’s as if you don’t exist. She’s the only one who can see you.”

“Other than you. Why is that?”

“We are different species, you and I.”

“You have my deepest apologies for dragging you down under. When we get home, I promise to help find your king.”

Those eyes of hers zoned in on me, the silver in them looking more like roiling mercury. “So, you truly had no part in his disappearance?”

She still distrusts me. Not certain whether I should be upset or thankful she still has the sense to look out for herself. “I had nothing to do with your husband’s absence.”

“The Fates control us. I accept your word. So what have you learned since we touched down?”

“That I like pizza and that this lil goddess of mine will test my limits. How could Pandora have known I would meet my soulmate here? She blurted the spell out in hopes I would rot alone in here, never to be seen again.”

“Horse before carriage, my lord. Do not underestimate Pandora. She conjured a spell out of thin air, and it worked better than any of Hecate’s spells. This young girl needs us. Watch over her. And I’ll watch over the both of you as best I can. I found your father.”

“Yes, me too. The last I saw of him he was handcuffed to a chair. Not exactly what he’s used to. The cuffs definitely. The rest, not so much.” I laughed.

“You’re still laughing?”

“If I can’t laugh then she wins, Tia and I’ll die before I let the woman best me. So, from here on out we make the best of a dire situation. We can get you some better living quarters on the morrow’s sun.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I won’t leave you. Your father, did he know you were in the precinct?”

“I believe he knows, yet is as helpless as I. There’s some strange pulls of power going on down here. Do you feel it? Everything feels tainted. The girl’s father for one. Not to mention the disappearance of her brother. She said a woman fell from the skies and then her brother vanished literally in thin air. Would a good samaritan take him? These humans still have affection for doing good. Maybe all is not lost yet down here.”

“Look at the wreckage of these lands, Dion, war, famine, homelessness, disease, terrorism. This race too will succumb the same way all others have. Greed. Hatred. Indifference. Ignorance. Racism. You’re a dreamer if you think otherwise.”

“Hope is the one constant in life, Majesty. It is the one good thing we placed in Pandora’s box. There was validity in this.”

“Hope is but a sliver of light. Darkness always falls.”

“Darkness overcame me until I found you wedged, well you know where.” Head cocked, I’m pretty certain my impish smile lit up my face.

“Where the sun does not shine. I do believe that was the darkest, scariest place I’ve ever ventured.” Tia blew me a kiss. She removed her crown and placed it in the corner of the box. “I have a question for you. Before we were removed from our reality is it true you were able to shape shift to a cat of your choice?”

I nodded yes since I was chomping down a Gummy Bear.

“Food for thought, shifting… it might get you out of these confines. Freedom could be as easy as puking in someone else’s shoes instead of your own.”

The little pixie went into a fit of hysterics pointing at my feet thinking she’d made the joke of the century. Okay so maybe one of us thought of it first. Wish it were me.

“My current size dictates I’d most likely end up an adorable kitten getting my nose rubbed in it. I’ll try if the time presents itself. Nothing gained, nothing lost, right? Nice dream, freedom. My father is currently locked in silver and powerless and here I sit. I pray my brothers’ fate is far different.”

“Speaking of dreams, a queen needs her beauty sleep. You want a little dust? I know you haven’t been sleeping because I haven’t heard any snoring.” Her one silvery-blonde brow arched. A half-satisfied smirk followed.

“You know me so well and yet I still live. Thank you.” With a wholehearted smile and a half bow at my waist, I finished, “I’m good. Got my grapes. And I do not snore.”

“Pfft!”

She gave me a cynical sideways glance. I don’t think she believed me. I don’t snore unless I’ve been drinking.

Hmmm…

Ankles crossed I slid straight down to the floor, then straightened my legs out as the tush touched down, clasped my hands behind the noggin, laid back, and let heavy eyelids land with a sigh. Maybe tonight would be the first true night’s sleep since being imprisoned. “Sweet dreams, ladies.”

Tia said one last thing to me before closing her unique eyes. “She’s not who you think she is, Dionysus. Tread lightly.” I lay there for what felt like a million moons, running that through my thick skull. Well, if Ava isn’t who I think she is then who in God’s name is the little angel? She has to be or my stars alignment is one hundred percent out of whack. With a casual glance at my surroundings, I suppose this goes without saying.

Did the pixy make a wise observation with regard to my ability to shift? What good would it do if I wound up a kitten? Those tiny fur-balls are harmless, adorable cuddlers. If I sprouted into my full lion, chances are pretty good some dickless dentist would have my hide stuffed and mounted before I had the chance to nibble off a few heads.

Two grapes later, Hypnos pulled his magic act. Thank you, God of slumber.

***

“What in Hades? Tia, hang on!”

“What’s happen—not again,” Tia’s words were sliced while she and I were shaken into a constant jackhammer marathon.

I foresee a headache. Make that a whopper; hold the special sauce.

Someone is attempting to congeal us like we are oil and vinegar. Pickle me purple if it isn’t working. I fished around for Tia’s hand and once in my grasp reeled her to my side. This time she didn’t fight me. When the propulsion finally stopped a mixture of squashed grapes and glitter coated the walls, floor, ceiling and us.

Tia’s silent sobs filled the void. “Are you hurt?” I asked as I brushed her long silky tendrils from her face. I didn’t see any blood or scrapes, only a woman whose remarkable eyes were filled with not only tears but also frustration.

She shook her head no. “Just tired of being subjected to the whims of the world. Thank you for trying to protect me. I apologize for being a jerk this week.”

I finagled my way to a stance and offered my hand to her. Then without warning I dove back on her when I heard Ava yelling, “Get your hands off my present, Harper.”

This teenager proves to be more pestilent than any of the four horsemen. With the top open Tia squirmed from under me and jetted out going straight for the nosey troll, sending the giant backwards, off balance.

“What the heck is that?” Harper yelled while she took a few swings with her left hand, her right hand glued to my box, refusing to relinquish her grasp.

The pixy spun furious circles around Harper with her intent to dust the bejesus out of the wench.

Really not certain what to do, Ava and I watched as the pixy darted towards Harper from all different angles, but continually missed her target. Harper grabbed a bottle of cologne from the dresser and began squirting it at Tia. A musky scent overwhelmed my nose. A dash might be nice, but not the entire bottle. Harper’s actions backfired because the teen immediately started sneezing and dropped the bottle.

Tia took advantage of this and whizzed up over her head, hovered, lifted her dress then made a frustrated face going aneurism red. She took a deep breath in and again she tried, grunting. Finally, a long-drawn-out breath followed by an, “Ah,” filled the room when one lonely glittery flake appeared. It, the sparkly little turd, sifted through the air until Harper caught it on her tongue like a snowflake.

You can’t fix stupid! I swear to God, yes, I tapped my chest like Pops. I’ve never seen anyone so daft. Who catches poop on their tongue?

Harper took up space on the end of the bed. Ava didn’t waste a second and with a well-placed foot she shoved her off. Harper landed belly-up on the floor wearing the look of a drunken sailor. I know this look intimately.

Tia looked between Ava and I then with a shrug of her shoulders said, “Perfect timing, huh? I’m out of ammo. I need honey. She won’t be out long.” She buzzed upward struggling to make it to a shelf above the bed. Safely on the shelf she spun towards us, her appearance ghastly. “What did you do to these women?” She demanded, “Are they mummified? And here I thought you were a normal child, Ava. What other atrocities have you committed to my kind?”

I watched Ava produce a look that went light years farther than confusion.

“Huh?” Ava muttered. “They’re dumb dolls. I didn’t murder or shrink anyone. Grampa!”

Noting the troubled teen rubbing her eyes and yawning, Tia nestled between a few of the mummies on a shelf, each positioned differently, each wearing a different design of clothing.

Once Harper got her bearings there would be seconds left before the mutant would be up and running. I could almost read her mind, which as an afterthought, I didn’t find comforting. She made her way to a kneeling position and looked around for Tia.

“Little nuisance, I’ll flatten you.”

Tia struck a pose, blended in with the buxom mannequins better than rum did with pirates. “Hmmm,” Harper murmured. “Must have been a dumb fly. What’s the big deal with the piece of pink junk, Squirt? This thing is nothing more than an empty jumble box with fake crystals. Looks like something you made your mom in kindergarten.”

“So what if I did? Give me it!” Ava kicked Harper’s leg then stomped on her toes with all of her sixty pounds.

“Jeepers, Squirt. Is that anyway to treat your stepmom?” Harper fell onto the bed and pulled her leg up to rub her foot. Ava took full advantage of her change in focus and ripped the box from Harper’s hands.

More yelling filled the small confines of space. “You are not my step anything.”

Here I stood. Helpless. Useless. Invisible. What did I do to deserve this? I deem myself a failure. My little goddess needs me yet my hands are tied. I am unable to do a blasted thing to save the pint-sized damsel. A newborn baby holds more ability to manipulate a crowd than I do in this current state of utter ineptness. Stripped of my masculinity, pride and stature, my charmingly good looks, my honor barely remains intact. For how long though, is the question? Once my fingers are able to grasp Pandora’s long smooth neck I will ring her head in circles until her eyes bulge, her lips go periwinkle, and the noggin drops to my purple-tainted tootsies. Having a plan calmed the inner beast until Ava’s distress brought me back to my current state of uselessness.

Angry sobs roared from Ava’s soul. “That’s my mom’s ring. Take it off. Give it back to me now, you wicked witch.”

“Mine now, Squirt. I’m not an Oz character. Trust me, there is no comparison. Your daddy gave me this. Maybe I’ll take the jewelry box to keep it in.” Harper reached out to reclaim the container.

“No!” Ava swung with all her might and clocked Harper in the side of her head with the box and me. The teenager toppled sideways into a dresser. For as much I wanted Ava to knock some sense into the teen, I’d have liked it a heck of a lot better if it hadn’t been my current home when she did. A thin line of blood welled from Harper’s temple before the fluid resembled melted wax dripping down her cheek.

Harper reached to the wound. Her fingers came away dotted red. “Oh my god, I’m dying!”

“I wish. How did you even get out of jail? Grandpa!” Ava’s voice bellowed a second time.

My hands shot to my ears. The kid has a set of pipes on her. Could she be related to Euryale? The Gorgon’s howls could turn stone to sand and crumble.

Huffing, Ava’s grandpa entered the room holding his chest. “Ava? What is it?” Through grit teeth he reached out, and with his calloused fingers latched on to Harper’s shirt. Ava and I watched Harper’s body jerk into motion, her feet tear out from under her, kicking wildly at air. Her grandpa did it with such ease it made plucking dandelions from their roots look harder. He proceeded to drag the writhing teen down the stairs, one loud clunk at a time.

My poor little goddess. Tears overcame her innocent green eyes. The little trooper swiped her hand under each eye and brushed her hand off on her pants trying to be stoic. With her hands shaking Ava placed the jeweled box and me on the bed and left the lid open.

“I’m so sorry, Jack. You okay?”

“Go tend to your family, Ava.”

Tia swooped down beside me. “I’ll meet you there in a minute’s time, kid.”

“Tia, there is green tea with honey in my cup. You can have it.” Ava nodded and headed out of the room leaving me behind.

“Did she say honey?”

I’m not even certain I blinked before the pixy had her body draped over the edge of the glass with her lips to the fluid.