“Hello, dear. I see you found your mother’s favorite hiding place.”
Chapter 31
I whirled around at Natasha’s soft voice to see her descending from the fountain with a nostalgic glow lighting up her face. Her flowing black pants and lacy top danced in the water as she swam to me.
“You can breathe underwater, too?” I asked, completely shocked. She smiled at my surprise.
“I have an affinity for killer whales,” she explained, “therefore I have the ability to breathe underwater.” I thought about what she had said and tried to wipe the utter disbelief off of my face. I don’t know why it was so surprising - Finn could breathe underwater. It would only make sense that his mother could as well. I was still trying to figure out how one comes to the conclusion that they have an affinity for killer whales when I registered her comment.
“Did you know my parents well?” I questioned her.
“Yes. Your mother was a brilliant leader and your father was an loyal, loving husband; he was the foundation of her strength and happiness. They loved you very much. They would be proud of you, Anastasia.” She touched my arm, “I know I am.”
As I allowed her endearing words to touch my heart, I remembered Finn’s betrothal. The walls of my heart slammed shut and I twisted away from her.
“Why are you here?” I said harshly.
“Your friends brought you to my house last night when they found you in the kitchen. They knew I could help,” she explained with concern.
“Last night?” Anxiety clutched my chest, “What’s today?”
“Today is November 1st.”
“That means…”
“You will need to leave for the Underworld at midnight.” As if that realization wasn’t enough, it would also be Finn’s eighteenth birthday. The day of his fight. The day he would be betrothed to Nadia. I spun around to face her again, anger spreading through my veins.
“Why didn’t you tell me Finn was betrothed?” I spit at her with venom in my voice; instantly feeling guilty. But I deserved an answer. I had trusted her. I thought she cared about me. I waited as she took a deep breath and her features settled into sadness. It seemed like she had aged considerably since the last time I had seen her. Being the mother of the Future Prime must take its toll on a woman.
“It wasn’t my secret to tell, Stasia,” she answered calmly, instantly infuriating me.
“Apparently it wasn’t anyone’s secret to tell, since I had to hear it from Nadia!” I yelled, exasperated.
“I am so sorry, dear.” She reached for me but I swam farther down into the cavern; running my fingers over the fronds of the kelp to calm me down. Several of the massive seaweed stalks swayed in my direction and I allowed them to wrap around me, comforting me and showering tiny electrical currents across my skin. Natasha kept her distance, but I wasn’t done talking.
“And now it’s too late. Tomorrow is his birthday.” As the tears burned in my eyes I let them melt into the surrounding water. “It’s too late.”
“Finn is very wise. He does nothing without forethought and careful consideration. I trust he has a plan.” She swam closer, “He loves you.” Her words only succeeded in eliciting an onslaught of sobs as my sadness pulsed through me. I wiggled out of the seaweed as she gently hugged me and I pulled her close, craving a supporting touch. She let me cry for several minutes before she pulled away and met my eyes. The dark red stone around her neck glistened and seemed to catch fire in the blue light of the algae. It was magnificent.
“It was a gift from Finn’s father, Charon.” She smiled lovingly as she grasped it in her hand.
“It’s gorgeous. What kind of stone is it?”
“Fire agate. It represents the Underworld.” Fire agate. That was the stone hidden within the black onyx Finn had given me. And the same stone hanging from Nadia’s necklace. Now it made sense why it would act as a beacon for anyone who knew its meaning. Bianca said it would call to Nadia. Finn said it would act as a beacon for my mother in my reveries. What else could it do?
Would Charon also recognize the black onyx and fire agate stone Finn had given me? The possibility of bumping into Charon while I was the Underworld did little to make me feel better.
“If Charon is in the Underworld, how do you ever get to see him?” I asked curiously. Talk about a long distance relationship. Something else occurred to me, “And how is that possible?
Doesn’t your soul have to be connected to the Underworld in order for you to be married?” She patted my hand and smiled.
“You are correct, but Charon comes and goes from the Underworld at will. He visits often.
Secondly, there is much you do not know about me. I am a descendent of Hecate, as is my own mother. Hecate is a goddess of the Underworld, so I am connected to the darkness. I am also connected to the sea as my father was a Tyde.”
“But…Hecate? Wasn’t she technically a witch?” What we read in history class had painted a picture of dramatic displays of sorcery and witchcraft.
She chuckled at me, “She is the goddess of magic and witchcraft, so I suppose she could be classified as such.” This was one of the most fascinating things I had ever heard. Descendent of Hecate and a Tyde? She was the ultimate double threat.
“So what kind of abilities do you have?”
“I have a connection with all herbs and plants as well as the moon. I have the ability to work enchantments.”
“Like a real witch!?” I blurted out.
“Technically, yes - although the term ‘witch’ is fairly recent in the history of the world. In its rawest form it isn’t the hocus pocus you see in the movies. I simply call upon the elements to assist me.”
“Wow.” I was utterly impressed.
“My connection with the moon, along with my Tyde heritage, allows me to manipulate the ocean tides as well.”
“Wow.” For some reason that was the only word I could say. Suddenly it made perfect sense as to why she would be able to help me reach the Underworld. The anxiety I had carried with me for a month lessened slightly as I felt safe in her capable hands.
Suddenly, I remembered the other items I had planned to bring with me on my journey.
“My valise! I need it-“
“Willow made sure we had it before leaving Lorelei. It awaits you along with several changes of clothes that she also packed for you,” she explained. Relief flooded my system, followed by fear.
“So…how long do I have?” I asked apprehensively.
“Five hours,” she said plainly. “I have everything we will need.”
“To kill me?” I squeaked.
“Technically, yes,” she confirmed. I could hardly contain the bile that fought its way up from my stomach, threatening to force its way out. Noticing my discomfort, Natasha linked arms with me, “You should be feeling almost back to 100%?”
“Except for the permanent panic that’s taken up residence in my chest, I’m great,” I told her sarcastically with a smile. My entire body did feel incredibly strong, and my mind had been revitalized as well.
She laughed and her cool blue eyes turned comforting; reminding me of another set of piercing blue eyes. “Everything is going to be fine, dear. Let’s head back up and make sure your friends haven’t gotten lost in this sprawling home of yours.”