The Forgotten Witch

16 ~ Lexi

Lexi never found a spirit hiding in the drapes. Apparently, it had escaped and was rounded up later. There were twelve in all, and Hecate was called to assist when the boys ran out of sashes. The last word from the palace was that the grove fire had been put out, but the damage report came from a nymph and was vague, at best. Lexi knew why Zeus hadn't given the report himself. The destruction was probably extensive, and he didn't want to see her blubber.

Hecate tried to convince Lexi to delay her visit, but Lexi wouldn't hear of it. Granted, she had nearly broken down when Zeus relayed the story of her tree, and she had little doubt the sight of it would trigger her emotions. Of course, she couldn't ignore it forever. She just wanted to forget about it for a while, and when Hades and his comrades-in-arms finally hauled the spirits off to the Lethe, she put herself back to bed.

Lexi couldn't tell if she had dozed-off when she felt a presence in the room. It hadn't come from Juniper, who didn't stir when she peered through the slats of the crib. It was probably a spirit that had managed to evade Hades. Lexi scanned the room from her bed, trying to shake the feeling she was being watched. She wasn't afraid of spirits, but she didn't want them spying on her. What was Melinoe playing at with this attack? Did she want to scare Lexi? Did she not think fingers would be pointed at her?

Lexi turned over and shut her eyes again, forgetting about spirits and burning trees in the grove. She just focused on her rhythmic breathing and let her mind wander to its favorite place, anywhere Hades was. Right now, she imagined him behind her, pressing his manhood against her back. This was a position she enjoyed a lot, and she slipped her fingers between her legs as she let herself drift off.

"You are a vision of beauty," she imagined Hades saying as he nibbled her earlobe and warmed her with his breath. "Your radiance reminds me of the sun."

"It is you who fuels my fire," she whispered back, playing along with her mind as she angled her hips, pretending to encourage him. "Will you make me come?"

"It will be my pleasure." His voice rasped in her ear as if he wanted her badly, and she wiggled her backside, teasing him. But Lexi didn't expect to feel his erection touching her skin as he maneuvered to accommodate her, and she immediately stilled. Something was off.

Throwing the covers back, Lexi shimmied out of bed and spun around. There, stretched out on her bed, she found a man, naked and aroused. His head was propped comfortably on his bent arm, and waves of blond hair flowed over his shoulders, glimmering against the firelight like a waterfall of liquid gold. The image had her stunned until she realized he couldn't be a real man. He had to be a spirit, but he looked solid. The only giveaway was his ghostly, pale skin and the aura of light around his body.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," he said as his bright, gray eyes twinkled mischievously. "I thought we were making a nice connection there."

"Who are you? What are you?" Lexi snatched her robe from the fireplace chair and shrugged it on, trying desperately not to stare at the spirit's fierce arousal. It was something to behold.

"My name is Josef, and I am happy to be whatever you want me to be." Josef floated off the bed toward Lexi, forcing her across the hearth until her back met with the stones of the fireplace.

"How are you able to speak out loud? And how are you making yourself so...solid?" As Lexi questioned him, her eyes automatically darted downward, and Josef followed her inquisitive gaze.

"I have been practicing," He said this with a broad smile, making Lexi swallow a knot of embarrassment.

"For how long?"

"A good while."

"So, you've been trapped as a spirit in the mortal world?" Lexi continued her inquiries as she tightened the belt of her robe. Despite the unfortunate pallor of Josef's skin, he had the body of a god. His jaw looked like it had been forged by a blacksmith, with full lips that twitched as he watched her fumble with her tie.

"I wouldn't say I'm trapped. I'm happy with my afterlife," he said. "That is, I was happy. Now, I'm trapped."

Something white flashed behind Josef's head, and Lexi stared past his face at his undulating aura. He seemed to notice this and quickly cloaked himself in an ethereal robe, which concealed the glow, along with his nudity.

"You shouldn't feel trapped," she said. "The underworld is a peaceful place. A place where spirits come to start fresh."

"That sounds great for some, but like I said, I am happy with my afterlife. I have no desire to start fresh."

"I'm sure Hades could help you see the benefits of moving on. He's quite good at..."

"No." Josef shook his head violently, but his hypnotizing eyes never left her face. "Don't tell Hades about me. He would never let me return home."

"We can't know that unless we ask. Without him, I don't know what I can do for you. How did you get here in the first place? Did Melinoe bring you in?"

He nodded soberly. "Yes. I was merely a tool. I have always been her tool, nothing more."

Yikes. A spirit with unresolved Melinoe issues. "I'm sorry about that. Melinoe is a selfish goddess. How long have you known her?"

"If I tell you too much, I may be cutting my own throat...if you get my meaning."

"I understand, but I still don't know how I can help you."

"I'd like to go home. Can you do that without Hades's help?"

Lexi bit her lip, wishing he hadn't asked for that. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Josef. I won't betray my husband's trust. He needs to know about you before you can leave."

Josef dropped Lexi from his gaze, and she felt a strange sense of loss, like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. She waited while he looked blandly around, although he didn't seem interested in the decor. It was as if he was giving her time to rethink her answer, and when his eyes caught her up again, a flutter erupted inside her chest. Where did that come from?

Josef had an unusual way about him, charismatic yet vulnerable, disturbing yet fascinating, and Lexi guessed he got what he wanted with those enchanting eyes. While the spirit did seem harmless and relatively sincere, his initial approach was less than honorable, which kept Lexi wary.

"I'm aware that my choices are extremely limited," he said. "So, I will do whatever you wish. Perhaps, if you vouched for my good character, Hades may have mercy on me."

"I can't vouch for you if I don't know you, Josef. We've just met. And Hades will be home soon."

"May I stay in the palace for a short time, then? We can get to know each other before you plead my case."

"Hades will find you. I felt your presence even before you tried to seduce me in my bed."

Josef looked only half repentant as he offered an apology. "I am sorry if my bold entrance caused you to distrust me. I was drawn to your energy. You really are like the sun."

Lexi couldn't control the blush that warmed her cheeks. Why did she feel like she should be bowing in front of him? "I can't assure your safety in the palace. The nymphs are quite sensitive as well. So are the children."

"Your children are delightful," he said with a whimsical smile. "They speak their mind, don't they?"

"Yes, they do. And they are encouraged at every turn."

"That is not such a bad thing. I can't imagine any child of yours being anything but delightful."

Lexi didn't know why, but she felt compelled to help Josef return to his afterlife. Who was she to judge how he found happiness, and she reached out to him in a gesture of goodwill. Josef looked at her hand, allowing a relieved smile to lift his lips as he set his hand inside it. His touch was strong. Not Heracles strong, but unlike any spirit she had come across.

"I think I know where to hide you," she said. "But you need to make yourself as invisible as possible. Can you do that?"

"I can become like the warm air that envelopes your skin when you sit by the fire, or the cool breath you take into your lungs on a crisp winter night." Josef lifted his hand to his mouth, taking Lexi's hand with it, and when he touched his lips to her knuckles, the flutter was there again.