Foolish Mortals

Chapter 17

le-ni-ent

lēnēənt

adjective

(of punishment or a person in authority) permissive, merciful, or tolerant

synonyms: clement, forbearing, forgiving, charitable, indulgent, humane, magnanimous

By the time the sun began filtering through the leaves, revealing lush pine and fir trees surrounding the clearing, I was trembling with the cold. I huddled up on the soft moss, feeling the damp creeping through my jeans. I had my fingers tucked into my armpits, and my legs curled up to try and conserve as much warmth as possible around my torso.

The warmth of the morning sun against my skin, meager though it was, felt like a blessing from on high, and I uncurled my body, groaning as my stiff fingers began to regain circulation. Pain. Lots of pain.

I hadn't slept, and the hours had felt like years, listening to the hooting of owls, rustling of bushes, and the wind sighing through the trees. It had granted me a lot of time to think, and I'd spent the time attempting to make connections. If my conclusions were correct, this Alcide person must be based on the legend of Hercules. I didn't have enough information yet to place the others, though I had a strong suspicion that Maggie was really Artemis from the legend. Goddess of nature, the hunt, animals. It made sense. Well, as much sense as any of this was making.

There was a rustle in the bushes behind me and I jumped, hoping it would be Liam. No. He couldn't get here that fast. He would have to take a plane, which from Spain would take... What, twelve hours? Besides, if he decided to bring Alcide back in exchange for me, how long would that take?

The thought of how many hours of waiting might lay before me had me leaping to my feet, stretching my cramped muscles out, and beginning a light jog in place, hopping up and down to warm myself. The movement prompted a sudden and desperate need to pee, and I was just beginning to consider using a nearby bush when I heard Maggie's cheery, clear voice from behind me.

"Practicing your bunny hop? I do that sometimes."

I turned to see her tall form striding through the trees towards the garden, hair an even wilder mess of twigs now, and hazel eyes bright in the sunshine. She had her hands shoved in her sweatpants pockets, and was strolling amongst bushes and underbrush with a nonchalance that suggested years of familiarity with the terrain.

"Yeah, I'm prepping for the annual rabbit races," I replied dryly. "Would you be insulted if I peed in your garden? I'm about to burst."

Maggie approached closer and gave me a wide smile. "Sister kept you out here all night, did she? What a bitch." She shook her head, then turned towards her cottage and started up the path, gesturing for me to follow. "Come on. Two leggers can use the toilet."

Two legger. That sounded almost like an insult, but it was said in such a friendly tone, I couldn't take it as one. Besides, she was offering me a bathroom, and a respite from the crisp forest air. She could call me whatever she wanted.

"Thanks. Sorry to intrude," I said to her back, then winced. I should not be apologizing to the person who had a hand in kidnapping me, for god's sake.

"It's okay," she replied with a shrug, tugging open the rickety wooden door of the cottage. "Truth be told, I feel a bit guilty. I forgot about you, or I would have let you in before I left."

"Oh." I let out a small huff of laughter, unable to really be insulted when it was clear this woman intended no deliberate harm. Also, the wave of heated air that washed over my chilled skin had me thinking much more charitably. "Why did you call me two legger? Don't some animals have two legs, too?"