Return of the Goddess

Chapter 15

     “Hey! Watch it!” Lucy yelled rubbing her head.

     “Lucy!” Genna enthusiastically squeezed the life out of her in a huge bear hug. Genna stepped back to get a good look at her. Lucy was gaunt and dirty from being in the Underworld, unable to eat. “How did you know where we were?”

     She shrugged, “My dad said that I need to protect you, also I may have some info that’s useful,” Lucy directed the second reason to Sage.

     They found a soft area not from where they met, and set themselves down on the soft grass. Lucy was the center of attention because she was the one that held all the information, “My dad told me about the gods choosing their secret temples on Earth, and how Hera would have one where she would most likely is keeping Chelsea and Calvin.”

     Sage got up and started to pace like she always did when she had a deep thought, “So where is Hera’s place?” she started to scratch her head.

     “I have no idea. He wouldn’t tell me. He said that he isn’t allowed to tell a half blood where another gods temple is,” Lucy started to dig into the candy bars and chips.

     “If you think about it. She is the goddess of marriage so wouldn’t her temple be in a church,” Alvina announced.

     Genna had a memory hit her suddenly throwing her backwards. A man and woman stood over her looking down lovingly. The woman was miraculous with a regale moonlike glow.  She wore nothing but animal skin and a silver bow and arrow across her chest. The man beside her was no more than eighteen. He lazily stood over her with one glowing yellow arm around the moon queen. They both spoke softly to her in a mesmerizing tone very similar to Mesi. The only difference is their voices did not affect her whatsoever.

     The two pushed each other over trying to receive attention from the little goddess sitting in a golden cradle.  From the looks of things the goddess’s name was Artemis and the god was Apollo.  Artemis smiled down at her while talking about wanting her to visit. She spoke of a place where she loved to go. It was cold and mountainous with a clear glacier made lake with view of its source from a distance.

     “Genna! Earth to Genna!” a voice brought her back to reality. Sage, Alvina and Charlie looked worried, but Lucy was just annoyed.  Now she had Genna’s attention she continued, “Sage asked you if you knew anything to add.”

     Genna told them about her flashback, and how she thought they should go visit Artemis, “Maybe she can help us find Hera.”

     “O.k. but how do we get to there…we don’t even know where there is,” Charlie pointed out.

     “I know!” Alvina shouted jumping up and down. “My parents brought me to Glacier National Park when I was small. Lake Mcdonald is a glacier made lake like you described. “It’s in Montana.”

     “K, so now how do we get there. We can’t go back to that town.” Charlie put out the fire they created.

      “I think if we walk away from the town going west we’ll hit another town. There we will see what transportation they have to offer.” Sage got up and gave Genna a hand to help her up too. Alvina and Sage held a faster pace up front talking about strategy. Lucy walked behind them looking at the ground. Genna was about to amble over when Charlie tapped her on the shoulder.

     “Hey, are you o.k. ? You seem out of it.” Charlie slid his hand into hers.

     Genna loved to look into Charlie’s chocolate brown eyes, “I’m fine, just wondering what’s going on with Lucy.”

    Charlie looked pained by the top, but pulled Genna into his hip and smiled, “She’s just worried about me and you. That’s all.”

     Genna decided to drop the subject and just let his presence warm her. As they walked she pressed her face into his shoulder. They didn’t exchange words, but knew what one another were thinking. Who were they going to loose on this trip?

     “We should probably sleep for the night, so let’s settle here,” Sage turned around. Genna pushed Charlie away and took her hand out of his. She was definitely not comfortable with Sage knowing about her and Charlie.

     They put out their sleeping bags and Alvina started the fire. Before long everyone was asleep except Lucy. She took first watch, but she knew they’re was no danger here. Playing her flute the portal opened and she appeared before her father. 

     “Back so soon?” Persephone snarled.

     “My wife. Do not treat Lucy harshly. What news do you bring daughter?” Hades sat up tall in his throne.

     “She is getting her memories back. We are going to Artemis, but she won’t be able to help her will she?” Lucy took a seat in her small red lounge chair at the foot of her dad’s throne.

     “I think it is time for Genna to read the prophecy. Whisper to her to read the note in the hidden pocket on the bottom of her backpack. Do not read it yourself. Only her eyes may see it.”

     “I will not father. May I please visit with the souls now?” Lucy got up.

     “Yes, but do not enter Elysium. The heroes are having a party.”

     “I did not plan to anyway,” Lucy ran out the door and out of the palace. She went straight into the fields of Punishment. The land in between Heaven and Hell. Without stopping at the registration desk she ran to one of the tents. Charon, the man at the table, did not speak a word but her presence made the newcomers anxious.

     As she entered the tent thousands of woman bowed down to her, and many yelled out, “Our princess,” for she was the princess of the Underworld, known by all souls.

     A woman in the back stood up and called to her, “Lucy!”

     “Mandi!” Lucy ran to the spirit. “I came to visit you and send my regards from Charlie.”

     “That is so nice dear, but what about Cassidy. Is she well?” the woman was pained.

     “I have not spoken to her recently. She upset by your death, and wished to murder Charlie.”

     “But she cannot. If she does then she will break my heart. Charlie is my boy.” she began to weep.

     “It’s o.k. Mandi. I promised Hermes I wouldn’t let it happen and I will promise you.” She put her hand on her heart.

     “Thank you Lucy. I must go, but promise you will return with news.”

     “I promise,” and just like that the soul was gone and Lucy was back in the real world.