The Blazing Fate

Chapter Thirteen

The doors slid open on the fourth floor, and the scent of perfume wafted into the elevator. Jason stepped out first, sword ready. Astrid had her dagger in her hand and her bow on her back.

'Guys,' he said. 'You have to see this.'

Astrid went first, followed by Piper and then Leo. Astrid felt her mouth drop. She heard Piper suck in a breath.

'This is not Macy's,' Piper said.

The department store looked like the inside of a kaleidoscope. The entire ceiling was a stained-glass mosaic with astrological signs around a giant sun. The daylight streaming through it washed everything in a thousand different colors. The upper floors made a ring of balconies, around a huge central atrium, so they could see all the way down to the ground floor. Gold railings glittered so brightly; they were hard to look at.

Aside from the stained-glass ceiling and the elevator, Astrid couldn't see any other windows or doors, but two sets of glass escalators ran between the levels. The carpeting was a riot of oriental patterns and colors, and the racks of merchandise were just as bizarre. There was way too much to take in at once, but Astrid noticed some normal stuff like shirt racks and shoe trees mixed in with armored manikins, beds of nails, and fur coats that seemed to be moving.

Leo stepped to the railing and looked down. 'Check it out.'

In the middle of the atrium a fountain sprayed water twenty feet into the air, changing color from red to yellow to blue. The pool glittered with gold coins, and on either side of the fountain stood a gilded cage—like an oversize canary cage.

Inside one, a miniature hurricane swirled, and lightning flashed. Somebody had imprisoned the storm spirits, and the cage shuddered as they tried to get out. In the other, frozen like a statue, was a short, buff satyr, holding a tree-branch club.

'Coach Hedge!' Piper said. 'We've got to get down there.'

A voice said, 'May I help you find something?'

All four of them jumped back.

A woman had just appeared in front of them. She wore an elegant black dress with diamond jewelry, and she looked like a retired fashion model—maybe fifty years old, though it was hard to judge. Her long dark hair swept over one shoulder, and her face was gorgeous in that surreal super-model way—thin and haughty and cold, not quite human. With her long, red-painted nails, her fingers looked more like talons.

She smiled. 'I'm so happy to see new customers. How may I help you?'

'Um,' Jason started, 'is this all your store?'

The women nodded. 'I found it abandoned, you know. I understand so many stores are, these days. I decided it would make the perfect place. I love collecting tasteful objects, helping people, and offering quality goods at a reasonable price. So, this seemed a good... how do you say... first acquisition in this country.'

She spoke with a pleasing accent, but Astrid didn't know where from. She didn't seem hostile. Her voice was rich and exotic. Astrid sorta wanted to hear more.

'So, you're new to America?' Jason asked.

'I am... new,' the women agreed. 'I am princess of Colchis. My friends call me Your Highness. Now, what are you looking for?'

Something pulled at Astrid's mind. A story she felt like she should remember. But she was so relaxed, and she wanted to look around. Astrid couldn't believe they had caught a break, really. This nice lady was bound to give them Hedge, free of charge.

Piper poked Jason in the ribs. 'Jason...'

'Um, right. Actually, Your Highness...' He pointed to the gilded cage on the first floor. 'That's our friend down there, Gleeson Hedge. The satyr. Could we... have him back, please?'

'Of course!' the princess agrees, instantly. 'I would love to show you, my inventory. First, may I know your names?'

Astrid knew not to give their names. It didn't feel right, at all. But... she was cooperating. They needed Hedge, and they couldn't handle another fight, right now. This was for the best.

Piper started to say, 'Jason, I wouldn't—'

'This is Piper,' Jason said. 'This is Astrid. This is Leo. I'm Jason.'

The princess fixed her gaze on Jason and, just for a moment, her face literally glowed, blazing with so much anger. Astrid knew this wasn't right. What was that story? She needed to remember. Why couldn't she remember?

What was it that her dad said? Trust your gut and remember your mind. This next part will break them. Astrid felt her eyes clear for a second. She remembered the story... Now, she just couldn't let this witch back into her mind.

'Jason. What an interesting name,' she said, her eyes as cold as the Chicago wind. 'I think we'll have to make a special deal for you. Come, children. Let's go shopping.'