Scarlet Rain (The Escaped #2) (2 page)

“Maiden, if he had listened to you, he never would have begun training. He would still be suckling at your teat asking for stories of the grand Tartarus of the past.” Mother waved her hand dismissively in the air. “Bringing the Oracle here was a foolish decision. One for which we know nothing of the consequences. We are too weak to allow anything we cannot control into our realm.”

“Control. That is all you long for. Eva has not even had the chance to discover the basics of her abilities, and we cannot risk losing her. I want to see our home and our son safe. I could not live knowing I could have prevented his death. And what would I say if he awoke to find his Oracle harmed? He would never forgive me.”

“He would understand, as I do, that this is not about emotions. Yours or his. This chaos is about the curse you—” Mother stopped short and let out a puff of air.

“Say it, sister. I know it lingers on your tongue.”

Mother turned her back on Maiden and walked to the blue stone table at the center of the room. “To what end?”

Maiden uncrossed her arms and quickened her steps to catch up with her sister. “I want to hear from your lips what I see in your eyes each moment of each day.”

Mother gripped the back of one of the silver chairs surrounding the oval table and shook her head.

“Say it!” Maiden cried.

“Sister, end this. It will fix nothing.”

“I need to hear you say how this is about the curse
I
caused. Do you think I do not feel the blame suffocating me in this dark hole our home has become?” Maiden choked back tears. “My son’s only reason for being is to rebuild what I destroyed. I will never sit idly by and let my past devour him. It has already defined him.”

Eva slowly released the breath she’d been holding. The hot air spun around the inside of the glass bowl, fogging it. The ball of greenish light twitched and shook in her hands, and Eva stared at the orb. She yelped, dropping the glass. It shattered on the black stone, and the noise echoed throughout the cavity. The glowing light twitched on the floor as it recovered from the impact.

“Sorry.” Eva hopped over the broken glass and into the grand room. “I just, I woke up and it was dark and so—” She searched for a suitable explanation, but couldn’t think of anything to explain why she’d been hiding around the corner holding a fat, glowing bug. “I’m just.” She took a deep breath and let it out quickly. “I’m sorry.”

“You do not need to explain.” Maiden smiled and held out her hand. “Come. Join us.”

“Eva, I presume,” Mother said, more to Maiden than Eva.

“Yes, that’s I—or, me.” She bowed clumsily. “Sorry, I’ve never practiced curtseying before now.”

“You are the Oracle. There is no need to apologize for your actions,” Mother instructed. “Nor do you need to do that odd motion again.”

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Eva said without thinking. “No, I’m not sorry. But I am. Just a little. I didn’t mean to break your glass or squish your bug.”

“Calm yourself Eva, and regain control. You are amongst allies,” Mother said flatly.

“More importantly, you are amongst friends.” Maiden cast an annoyed glance in Mother’s direction.

“You’re Alek’s moms, right? Is he okay?”

“He was close to death, but he is strong and will find his way out of the dark. He only needs time to heal, and time for our home to replenish all he lost,” Mother said.

“If I would’ve known he was going to use up all of his power to find me, I never would have left Bridget’s house. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“No one blames you. The choices Alek makes are his own. He also knows how important you are. To our world and yours.” A comforting grin lifted the corner of Maiden’s eyes.

“He kept saying that, but I don’t know how I’m supposed to help. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be in jail right now, and I don’t even want to think about what would have happened to Alek.” Eva’s voice trailed off as she remembered him in the park. Bloody, the vibrancy fading from his eyes.

“You need not worry. It will take time, but you will learn how to be a strong and powerful Oracle,” Maiden said.

“Time?” Mother sneered. “She says the word as if there is not a curse and a multitude of evil pressing down upon us. You do not have the time to learn. You must search within yourself and find your power. If not—”

“I know, I know,” Eva interrupted. “All the freed evil will take over and the world will end and people will die and it’ll all be my fault.”

Mother’s thin lips curled into a half smile. “I see our Alek informed you well. So you know you should be on your way back, to continue vanquishing the evil and restoring our realms.”

“What, now? No, no, no. I can’t go back now. Alek isn’t even healed yet.”

“There will be many times when he is unable to join you. You witnessed firsthand what will occur if he is kept in the Mortal Realm for too long and drained of his power,” Mother said.

“Well, yeah, but I don’t really think my first solo mission should also be my first
mission
mission. I died when I met my first bad guy. And, I was hiding from the police when all that stuff happened with Alek. I don’t know if you know what that means, but they’re not even half as scary as some crazy evil spirit. I can’t go back by myself. Plus, I wouldn’t even know how to find a demon-creature thing.” She turned to Maiden and pleaded, “Can’t I stay here for a little bit longer? Please, I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“But what of your family?” Mother asked. “Are you not concerned for them?”

Guilt and sadness rushed through her chest. “Oh, God. My mom. And Bridget. They must be so worried about me, especially my mom.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Pay my sister no mind. Your family will be safe in your absence. Just as they were before you awoke as the new Oracle. No need to worry.” Maiden rested her hand comfortingly on Eva’s back. “You may stay with us until Alek is fully recovered and able to accompany you on your journey back to the Mortal Realm.”

Mother opened her mouth to speak, but closed it just as quickly.

“Something on your mind, sister?” Maiden asked.

“No. I know Alek will heal quickly, and I will take this opportunity to follow your direction.”

“Thank you both. Um, I’m not exactly sure what to call you,” Eva said.

“You may call us Furies, or by our individual names. Whichever you wish,” Maiden replied.

“Isn’t there one more of you? I thought Alek said he had three moms.”

“Crone, our eldest sister, is keeping watch over Alek,” Mother said.

“Can we go see him?” Eva asked.

“He has been through quite a lot. I think it is best for him to rest and regain his strength,” Mother advised.

“Please? I’ve been so worried about him.”

Mother’s brow wrinkled and her gaze narrowed. “He cannot afford to have any distractions.”

“Sister, I am sure you have much to attend to. Oracle, come with me. I will show you around our home.” Maiden hooked her arm though Eva’s and briskly pulled her away from the table.

“Thank you for being so nice to me, and for rescuing me from your sister,” Eva said as soon as they were out of Mother’s range of hearing. “I really don’t think she likes me.”

“Do not let her sour disposition affect you. It has already affected her enough.”

“What can I do to get her to warm up to me? I don’t think it’ll help, her being so tense all the time.”

“I wish I could tell you that feeling would change, but I do not know anymore if that is so. A lot has happened. Mother has become trapped by her bitterness. At times, it seems unending.”

Sadness crept onto Maiden’s face, and Eva searched for something to lift the mood. “But you seem to be handling this curse thing pretty well. I mean, you don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

“One’s outward appearance does not always convey what has formed inside,” Maiden explained, her smile returning. “In comparison to my sisters, I am young. However, I am a different being than you. Even with the new life you now possess. We can discuss this at greater length, but first I must show you one of our greatest assets, which you are fighting to protect.”

Maiden led her through a dark opening. Fat balls of light wriggled on the floor. Eva hesitated behind her guide. “I don’t want to step on any of your little worm guys.”

“All creatures serve a purpose, and all life must end. Come,” Maiden said, ushering her deeper into the blackness.

They rounded a corner, and Eva’s eyes focused on the only source of light in unending dark. Majestic sapphire waters undulated rhythmically and cast wide beams of turquoise light from a raised basin in the center of the room.

“It’s beautiful,” Eva whispered.

“It is. However, it is not why I brought you here. This, the Hall of Echoes, was once vibrant and full of life. Out of all of the magics we possess, this room contains the most important.” Maiden stepped to the side and glanced down. A pothole-sized puddle glimmered on the charcoal floor.

“What is it?” Eva asked, kneeling next to the pool.

“It is how I knew to save Alek, and how we monitor the happenings of the Mortal Realm. It is also how we are able to protect ourselves from the loosed evils seeking vengeance upon us.”

“How many more of these are there?”

“We used to have many. Now, this is all that remains.”

“What will happen if this one disappears too?”

“Without these pools,
this
pool, we would be left blind. If we were attacked, the outcome would be the same as if you and Alek failed in your missions.”

“The rest of the bad guys would be free,” Eva murmured.

“Yes.”

“We have to figure out how to put them back before it’s too late.”

“Every time you and Alek return one of the creatures that escaped to its place within Tartarus’s jail, life surges through the Underworld. Restore another evil to its place in our dungeon, and you will also restore Tartarus.”

Eva stared at the calm water and asked, “It’ll show you anything you want to see?”

“A simple way to put it, but, yes.” Maiden squatted next to her and placed her hand over Eva’s. “Think of who you most want a vision of. Can you see the person clearly in your mind?”

Eva nodded.

“Good. Now, do not lose focus.” Maiden lifted Eva’s hand and swirled both of their fingertips in the cool water. Color burst to the surface and an image rippled into place.

“Mom.” Tears flooded Eva’s eyes and rushed down her cheeks as Lori’s soft features came into focus. “I miss her so much. This is the longest I’ve gone without talking to her. As soon as I get back, I’m going to fix this. All of it.”

“You need not be saddened.” Maiden tilted Eva’s chin so their eyes met. “Within you is the power to regain control and finally put an end to this curse.”

“You think so?”

“I know. In time, you will too. Now, let us move to something more joyful, yes?”

Eva wiped her eyes and let Maiden guide her to her feet.

“There is something I have dreamed of showing to someone other than my sisters. They cannot appreciate this, as I know you will. Would you like to see it?”

Eva shrugged as she dried the last of her tears from her cheeks. “As long as it’s not scary or stinky.”

Maiden again looped her arm through Eva’s and directed her back into the dark. “I assure you, it is neither. Although, you just might die.”

Eva stiffened as she thought of all of the possible creatures and lamenting spirits Tartarus might house. Tempering her uneasiness, she let Maiden guide her further into the twisting black of Tartarus.

James sat at his desk, absentmindedly clicking the end of his pen, staring blankly at the computer screen.
She was there. Right in front of me.
And then she was gone.
Vanished. Poof.
He replayed the moments in Mohawk Park before Eva’s disappearance.
People don’t just disappear.
He clicked the pen a few more times.
I aimed my gun. Told her not to come any closer. Then there was that noise. And the smell, like something burning.

The double doors leading into the front of the station flew open. Their etched-glass panels rattled, jerking James from his thoughts.

“Ma’am! Ma’am! You can’t go back there!” A young officer jogged down the hall, calling after the woman who’d stormed through the doors.

“Lori Kostas?” James’s brow furrowed as he searched his memory for a scheduled meeting he may have missed.

Her gaze swept the room, and settled on James. “Detective Graham, I need to talk to you,” she shouted.

“Sorry, Detective,” the officer apologized. Lori planted herself in the empty chair next to James’s desk. “I told her to wait and that I’d come get you, but—”

“But I’m tired of waiting, Detective,” Lori interjected. “I need answers. I couldn’t sit by the phone for another second hoping you would call with some sort of news.”

“Thank you.” James read the officer’s name badge. “Thank you Blevins. I’ll take it from here.”

Blevins nodded and quickly made his way back to his post.

“I apologize for barging in on you like this. It’s not what I would normally do, not that any of what’s going on falls under the “normal” heading, but I had to do something. Waiting around for answers while I imagine my own version of what’s happening is making me feel crazy.” Lori’s eyes swelled with tears. “Do you know anything new?”

He shook his head somberly. “I wish there was something I could tell you, but there haven’t been any new developments in your daughter’s case.”

“But you still think Eva’s a part of this?” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “That she and Bill and that other man killed that young woman and are now on the run?”

“At this time, we’re investigating every possible angle.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit.” Spittle flew from her mouth as anger chopped her words. “You were there the night she was found. You talked to her at the hospital. Do
you
believe she’s guilty?”

Fear and sadness had leached into Eva’s voice.
Please, just give me a chance to explain.
It stained his memory and made him question what he thought he understood about the case, and Eva’s guilt.

“Ms. Kostas, there are a lot of unanswered questions about what’s going on. At this point, I can’t tell you whether or not I think she’s guilty.” His gaze drifted down to the buffed white tile between his feet. “There are strange things happening. Right now I don’t know what to believe.”