Chapter Eight: Circe’s Lair

Hypnos had been both surprised and relieved when his cousin Hermes had volunteered to go with him to Circe’s Island. He was grateful to have him by his side as they flew across the Ionian Sea. Unaware of their mission, Circe’s father and his cup dipped far in the west, spreading golden hues across the surface of the sea. Hip hoped to reach the witch’s house before nightfall, because that’s when she was known to scream.

“Follow me,” Hermes said, once they had landed on the rocky shore.

They headed toward the center of the island on foot, because to god travel would make them vulnerable to dark magic, and because they needed to find a certain herb before reaching the witch’s lair. They soon became consumed by a thick forest, which blocked most of the light left from Helios; but, being gods, they could see in the dark, and so they trod on.

Hermes led them up a steep hill where they were once again bathed with the light of the setting sun. From this point, they could see the entire island. At its center, transparent smoke ascended in puffs, like the steam from an engine. Hypnos had never seen smoke so clear before.

“That’s strange,” he said to Hermes.

“Her potions and herbs,” Hermes explained. “Wretched stuff. Try not to breathe it in.”

That sounded easy, considering the fact that he had no power to choose the air he breathed.

Hermes set about searching the top of the hill for the plant they needed to serve as an antidote to Circe’s brew, the one she used on Odysseus and his men, and countless others before and since.

“What does this plant look like?” Hip asked, wishing he weren’t utterly useless.

“Ah, here it is.” Hermes plucked a white flower from the ground. “Moly.”

From its black roots, clumps of dirt clung.

“It’s a powerful herb and doesn’t come up easily,” Hermes added. “Only gods can pluck it. See how the dirt refuses to release it?”

“Hmm.” Everything about this place was freaky.

Hermes used his fingers to carefully clean the black root of dirt. Then Hypnos followed his cousin down the hill toward the center of the island and the poisonous puffs of smoke.

Despite his fear over meeting with the witch, the hike through the woods invigorated Hip. His job rarely afforded him opportunities like this. As they trod on, he began to fantasize about hiking with Jen through the woods behind her house, about finding a cool spot near the stream and lying down on the soft dirt, and…

Soon they reached a clearing, and Circe’s house came into view. It was made of cut stone, polished to a sheen, which, even in the fading light, sparkled. It was angular, like a modern city complex, capturing the light and reflecting it back in all directions. From a triangular chimney, the clear smoke ascended in clouds much larger than they had appeared from a distance. Surrounding the house were six wolves and six mountain lions. Three of them slept, but the rest paced nervously, like caged animals, though no fence penned them in.

“Don’t worry,” Hermes whispered. “The animals are friendly.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“Circe has used her magic to turn them into pets.”

“What is her deal?” Hypnos asked. “Why does she live as a witch using black magic when she’s a goddess?”

“She’s a Titaness,” Hermes explained.

“So? I know several, and they aren’t witches. Hecate, for example.”

Hypnos realized immediately by Hermes’s expression that he had hit a sensitive cord.

“She’s your mother’s slave,” Hermes muttered.

“Not slave. Companion.” Hypnos felt offended on his mother’s behalf. “My mom’s not like that.”

Hermes gave no reply.

Hypnos didn’t like this change in subject. “So, back to Circe.”

“Her father dropped her on this island when she was very young and left her here to fend for herself. Her mother didn’t want her, either. So, this is what she came up with.”

“The life of a lonely witch,” Hip muttered. “Do you think she’s the one who stole the trident and abducted Amphitrite?”

“That’s for her to know and for you to find out, cousin.”

***

 

Than stroked one of Therese’s six necks as she bathed in Poseidon’s enormous spa on Mount Olympus. He was grateful the Olympians had allowed her to stay here in the strongest fortress on earth, where many gods could be at hand if the pressure to lay the eggs containing their twins became too great. But he was worried about his brother.

“Poor Hip,” she said, as if reading his mind.

He gave her a weak smile. “He’ll be fine.”

“Don’t look at me,” Therese said again, covering her four eyes with her claws. “Look at the wall or the floor. I can’t stand for you to see me like this.”

“I’m telling you, I don’t see you like this,” he insisted gently. “When I look at you, I see the real you. And anyway, it wouldn’t matter if you were stuck in this body forever. I love you.”

Evidently, he had said the wrong thing. Again.

Through tears that sloshed into the spa and made the soaking water turbulent, Therese said, “Forever? Oh, gods, I hope not.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Than said.

Therese dropped her claws to her sides and closed all four eyes. “I know I’m being ridiculous.”

“Not at all. It can’t be easy.”

“You’re so good to me. Maybe it’s hormones.”

That made Than laugh. He stroked her arms and necks—avoiding the six dog-heads.

“I’m going to stop feeling sorry for myself right now, and I’m going to do what I can to help find Amphitrite and the trident,” she said.

“Just be patient and have faith. Keto’s children are all being interrogated, thanks to you. You’ve done enough.”

“I can’t just lie here,” she screeched.

He missed her sweet voice. “What else is there for you to do?”

She sat up in the tub, splashing water all over him. “Oops.”

“It’s just water.” He found a towel and dried himself.

“I’m going to see Polyphemus,” she said.

His mouth dropped open. “No, Therese.”

“Poseidon said it felt like a lightning bolt. It had to come from his sheep.”

“Yes, but…”

“Maybe if I can find out who stole the trident and abducted Amphitrite, it will give me the leverage I need to convince Zeus and the others to give Melinoe a shot at redemption.”

“But you’re in no condition…”

“I’m in perfect condition.” She raised her pincers above her head. “This is the absolute best condition for talking to a ferocious cannibal. Are you coming with me, or not?”

***

 

Hermes handed the plant over to Hypnos, “Eat all of it. The flower and the root.”

Hip brushed a little more of the dirt from the herb and sniffed it. “What’s this thing supposed to do again?”

As Hermes spoke, Hip kept his eyes on the witch, visible now through two front open windows. A tapestry hung along the back wall, and she appeared to be weaving it.

Hermes said, “She’s going to mix up a concoction for you to drink.”

“A concoction?”

“Yeah. Made of her potions and animal bones and what not.”

“Sounds disgusting.”

“Everyone, including Odysseus, says it’s delicious, unlike that plant you’re about to eat.”

“Great.”

“But if you don’t eat the plant, her concoction will turn you into a pig.”

“A literal pig?”

“That’s right. And then she’ll eat you.”

Hip rubbed his chin. “You sure this flower will protect me?”

“Positive.”

Hypnos plucked a white petal and ate it. So far so good. When there were no more petals left, he ate the stem. Awful, but tolerable. Then he took a bite of the black root. Oh, hell. The skin of the root tasted like tar, and the juice inside reminded him of human blood—bitter and metallic and nasty. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep it down. He wrinkled his nose and chewed quickly.

“Now, there’s something else you need to know,” Hermes said.

Hip looked up at him through squinted eyes. He swallowed down the last bite.

“Circe will wave a wand over you as you finish the concoction.”

“A wand? Seriously?”

“It’s a stick from a willow tree, I think. Enchanted, of course.”

“Of course.”

“As soon as she pulls out that wand, draw your sword and rush at her, like you mean to kill her.”

“But why would I do that? She’s immortal.”

“Just do it, okay?”

“Okay. Whatever you say.”

“Now, here’s the worst part—or the best, depending on your outlook.”

“Will you just spit it out?” Hip wanted to get this over with.

“She’ll be frightened by your sword and will invite you to her bed.”

Hip’s eyebrows shot up. “Huh? I don’t think so.”

“You have to go to bed with her. Any man who gets that far wins her trust and love.”

“No one said anything about sleeping with her.” Hip thought of Jen.

“It’s just sleeping,” Hermes said. “She’ll be frightened and want you in bed with her for protection. Just kiss her and stroke her hair until she falls asleep.”

Hypnos did not like the way this was going. Maybe he could put Circe in the deep boon of sleep before he had to kiss her.

“And don’t make her fall asleep before she’s had a chance to fall in love with you,” Hermes added.

“Oh, crap.”

“Because that’s when she’ll start talking. As soon as she feels romantic toward you, you can ask her if she knows anything about the trident.”

“And what about Therese?”

“Well, you’ll want to ask the witch to change her back, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“Go before night falls.” Hermes slapped Hip’s back affectionately. “And good luck.”

Hip picked his way through the woods and into the witch’s clearing with a sense of doom. The dogs and mountain lions noticed him immediately and rushed toward him. As Hermes had said, they were friendly. They each took a turn lifting their front paws and falling against Hip’s knees to be patted on the head or scratched behind the ears. Far from being a nuisance, these actions brought Hip a bit of comfort as he made his way to Circe’s door.

She opened it before he could knock. He was stunned by her bright golden hair, which fell in tight ropes down her shoulders and arms. When he met her eyes, he found they were the same color gold as her hair, and they emitted soft light, like a bedside lamp. Her ruby lips, by contrast, were dark, and before he could look away, they spread into a seductive grin.

“Come to bring me sweet dreams in the flesh?”

He stuffed his hands in his front trouser pockets and grinned sheepishly. “Um, something like that.”

“You’re too cute.”

“Um, thank you?” He scratched his head, not sure what to do with his hands.

She arched a brow. “Do you start all your sentences with ‘um’?”

“Um, no.” He laughed and was relieved when she did, too. “May I come in?”

He was appalled, at first, as he followed her inside and took a look around, by the jars of various animal parts, insects, and plants on display on her shelves. A bubbling cauldron sat on a grate over the fire—the source of the clear and poisonous smoke.

Despite all of these ghastly things, the light from Circe’s hair and eyes exceeded the glow from his body, and it reflected on the amazing architecture of the polished stone, creating a beautiful haze, like soft sunlight breaking through a clearing in a forest.

“Nice place,” he said.

“I’m glad you approve. Please, have a seat.” She motioned to the white chairs before the bubbling cauldron. “I’ll get you something to drink. It’s my own special formula.”

He watched her ladle the brew from the bubbling cauldron into a golden cup. As she handed it to him, she asked, “Would you care for something to eat? I have some fresh ham from a pig I slaughtered this morning.”

Hypnos wondered if the pig had once been an unfortunate visitor, but he dared not refuse. “If you’ll join me, I’d love to.”

He waited to drink the brew until she was seated in the chair beside his with a plate of sliced ham, which she sat on a glass table between them. Hermes had been right. The brew was delicious.

“Mmm. This is good,” he said.

She gave him an expectant smile. He drank the cup down to the last drop and set it next to the ham. Circe frowned.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, trying not to gloat.

She brought out a crooked wand from beneath her white silk gown. Hip drew his sword and pointed the blade at her neck.

Circe laughed. “You do know I’m immortal.”

This wasn’t how Hermes had said she would react.

“What do you intend to do with that wand?” he asked.

She flicked it. Across the room, on one of the many shelves, a set of wooden marionettes came to life and danced to music.

“Is that so bad?” she asked.

He sheathed the sword. “My apologies.” So much for inviting him to her bed. He let out a breath of relief.

She returned her wand to a pocket inside her gown. “I like to have the puppets dancing when the sun goes down. They distract me from the blood.”

“Blood?” His voice cracked.

“At night it pours down the walls inside this house and frightens me. I suppose it’s my sins. They come to mock me.” She glanced around the room. “Ah. Here it comes.”

Hip saw no blood. The witch was mad.

“So that’s why I sometimes hear you scream?” he asked carefully.

“All night long, the blood flows and fills my house. It’s the blood of every animal I have slaughtered for my spells and curses. We’ll have to run to my woods before too long, or we’ll drown.”

“You sleep in the woods each night?”

“Not sleep. I never sleep.”

“But even gods need to sleep some time.”

“Believe me, I know. But the blood…it…”

“Circe, I don’t see it.”

She glared at him.

“I can help you,” he added. “Remember who I am?”

“I know why you’re here. Why should I trust you?”

“We can make a deal.”

She stood up and wrapped her arms around herself. “That herb Hermes gave you to eat won’t protect you from everything. Did you know that?”

He stood now, too. “A deal that’s good for the both of us.”

“I won’t tell you where the trident is, Hypnos.”

“I don’t care about the trident.” This wasn’t exactly a lie. “I only care about my brother.”

She looked hard at him for several long seconds. He held his breath.

“Fine.” She stepped closer to him, closing the distance between them. “Stay here with me tonight. Give me one night of peaceful dreams. In the morning, I’ll return your brother’s wife to her natural form.”

He searched her bright eyes for some sign of foul play. He needed to word the oath carefully, to avoid a trap. What if this witch made Therese a mortal? That was, after all, her “natural form.”

“Swear, on the River Styx, that, if I give you one night’s rest, Therese will return to her normal form as the goddess of animal companions. And swear that her babies will return to normal, too, unharmed.”

The corners of her mouth twitched into a wry smile. “I swear.”