Descent into Tartarus Page 5

<<<>>>

  Grimes aimed Mabel for the perimeter of Tartarus. The Phlegethon was easily seen from this height. It marked the eastern border of Tartarus, the area beyond was Asphodel and past there, the Vail of Mourning. From this altitude, he could make out Hades' palace and even Elysian beyond that. The Underworld grew brighter the further east one traveled since Elysian had bright sunlight. Rays of light penetrated deep into the gloom that was the remainder of the Underworld.

  Grimes' task today was to fly perimeter patrol, looking for anyone trying to enter Tartarus who wasn't a condemned spirit. Most condemned people simply appeared at the edge of Tartarus, alone and left to fend for themselves.

  Where the Phlegethon ended rose tall, jagged mountain peaks. The air was too thin for a dragon to maintain flight and cross over them, but some have managed to try to cross the range on foot, only to fall prey to the hrökkáll, a worm-like creature that feasted upon the hapless victim who'd wandered too near their habitat.

  He started his patrol where a small rock bridge had been built. It was the only way across the river and was used by minions running messages between the surface and Sorath's intelligence network. He directed Mabel to circle above the bridge, attracting the attention of several hunchbacked demonic beings wandering in the desert area near the eastern border. All looked up and one even tried reaching up with its claws, grasping at the dragon high above.

  He checked out the few figures wandering along the river of fire, then had Mabel turn to the north, following the river.

  After traveling for an hour, he had Mabel turn south, since they were at the edge of the mountains. That's when he spotted movement in the rocks. A humanoid shape trying to hide as Grimes flew overhead.

  Mabel circled the area while Grimes tried to see where the figure was heading. It could be someone trying to escape, if so, he'd ignore them. If they were trying to get in, he'd have to see what they wanted.

  No one entered Tartarus voluntarily unless they were trying to spy for Hades. Between Grimes and the other dragon pilot, Oonishi, they have captured over a dozen beings trying to gather information on what Sorath was planning. Grimes aimed Mabel for a small outcrop north of where the figure was hiding. Mabel landed softly, and then laid flat on the ground, hiding herself behind several boulders so that she wasn't easily spotted.

  Grimes stood and kept watch. After a few minutes, the hidden figure darted to another pile of rocks. He waited, watching. Not having seen the figure reemerge, either the thing had found a hole to hide in, or was escaping, using the rubble pile as cover.

  Kaeneus stayed hidden behind the pile of rocks. He'd spotted the dragon patrol as he made his way down the side of the mountain after being teleported across by Persephone. She was eager to get word about Hades, and all the spies she'd sent across had never returned. So, she'd picked the craftiest imp that was on staff at the Palace, and convinced him to make the journey. Persephone could get him to the base of the bordering mountains, but that was as far as she could transport someone. Even that had exhausted her. The others had to make their way to the only known bridge over the river.

  The tall imp lifted his head and peered over the boulder. He pulled the gray hood tighter. He was in all-gray, which blended in better with the rocks than black, the chosen color for attire worn by the imps employed by Hades. It was a trick a Japanese ninja had passed along. Kaeneus wasn't able to spot where the dragon had landed. It might have flown on, or it could be anywhere.

  He risked a peek upwards and was satisfied there was no dragon circling above. If he could not see it, then it might not be able to see him. He sat and waited. Then he gingerly left the pile of rubble and made his way down the mountain. He tried to walk as lightly as he could, but his foot slipped and a few rocks went trickling down the trail.

  Kaeneus froze, and waited, holding his breath.

  As he started to take another step, a huge claw caught his gray robe and lifted him above the trail. He twisted and was face-to-face with the immense face of Mable. Her eyes sparkled as she looked him over, her permanent smile seemed to grow bigger.

  "Don't worry," Grimes said. "She won't kill and eat you. Well, not until I give the order." With ease, Mabel lifted off and headed towards the gloomy interior of Tartarus, dangling Kaeneus from one claw.

  Kaeneus stared in horror at the ground swiftly dropped away as the dragon gained altitude.

  "Hey, buddy," Grimes called out. "If you're a spy, might as well let me know now, and my girl here can go on and drop you. I promise the impact into the lava below won't hurt nearly as much as what the boss will want to do to you. Your choice! I'm good either way!"

  Kaeneus started twisting, his legs peddling in the air. As he was doing this, his gray robe began to rip where Mabel's claw had hooked into it.

  Kaeneus heard the fabric begin to tear, and he stopped flailing and tried to turn around and grab the claw. That's when the fabric let go. They were over the Phlegethon when the robe ripped free and Kaeneus plummeted.

  Grimes noticed the thin demon was unexpectedly falling, and Mabel changed course and started circling. She looked back to her pilot with a look in her eyes that tried to convey that it wasn't her fault. She held up her paw to show the remains of the robe flapping in the wind. See?

  Grimes watched as Kaeneus grew smaller as he dropped, and the impact he made in the lava flow of the river threw up sparks from the thick splash.

  "Oh well, darlin'," Grimes laughed. "Can't say we didn't try with this one!"

  He aimed Mabel southward, continuing the patrol.

  <<<>>>

  Megaera awoke with a start. She blinked and tried to see in the total darkness.

  "Light!" she shouted. "LIGHT!"

  A dim purple glow began at the corners where the ceiling met the walls. The glow slowly brightened, but stayed a deep purple. It didn't illuminate so much as it just enhanced the darkness.

  As she slid upwards along the wall, she began to hyperventilate. She tried to control her breathing. She had no idea how long she'd been in the cell.

  Then she heard a low, rumbling noise. Her eyes went wide, listening. It sounded close, then she felt a rumbling in her stomach.

  Food! She was hungry! She went around the small cell, and couldn't find a slot or even the door. The entire cell was sealed off.

  Air! What about air? Immortal beings really didn't need food, water, OR air!

  Megaera had never really worried about any of that. She'd go a long while without food, then gorge herself when she felt like it. Like the dinners she'd made for Dan.

  She began to sob, tears rolling down her cheeks. A strange emotion to her. Why was she crying?

  Her hand rubbed her lower abdomen, and she realized that she was mortal because she was pregnant. With a mortal's baby. Or was he really a full mortal? Mother said he had immortal blood in him, diluted, but enough to get her pregnant.

  In the rush of the last two days, she'd forgotten to ask mother what having a baby would be like.

  She was able to make out the mess she'd made when she projectile vomited on Sorath.

  Suddenly tired, she found a clean spot in the floor and sat. No mattress, no padding, nothing. Just a black, bare cell.

  Wiping away tears with her left hand, she looked around. She let her mind wander, and her thoughts always came back to the baby. Would she live long enough to give birth? Would the child die in this room, unseen by anyone? Would the child be enough of an immortal to grow and thrive in this cell until someone opened the door?

  Megaera laid down on the cold stone floor. She just stared up at the ceiling.

  At some point, she must have drifted off to sleep, because she awoke with a start at a noise. The noise was coming from the wall.

  A bright crack appeared in one wall, outlining a door that began to open. The light was very bright, making Megaera turn away and shield her eyes with her hand.

  A scuffling sound made her turn to see who it was.

  A tall shadow was outlined in front of the gl
aring greenish light. The figure moved sideways and held up a small glowing wand, the entire thing glowing with an odd greenish light.

  She looked at the man standing in front of her

  The figure held the wand up higher, illuminating a face. Dan! It was Dan!

  She jerked awake and let out a small cry. "Dan!"

  Then she silenced herself. As she looked around, there was no open door and, certainly, no figure standing in the open door.

  She sighed and allowed herself to cry once again. Just a dream. She'd never experienced one before, but she'd heard that mortals had them all the time when they slept.

  Now, she heard a scraping sound. This time she wasn't sleeping, so she sat up and scooted herself against the wall, ready to run if the opportunity presented itself.

  A crack appeared along the top of one wall, and the door silently opened inward.

  This time, a figure just stood in the open door, no torch or glowing wand.

  It entered, and she saw it was a human, a man, dressed in all green leather. His eyes glowed a bright emerald green, and his lean face had a slight greenish tint, and his goatee was a dark green.

  She recognized him for who he was: Bune.

  "Going around pretending to be a human?" Megaera managed to say, her voice dripping with venom. "You could start by taking a fucking bath, pal."

  "Ah, dear sweet Megaera. As eloquent as always," Bune replied, in a silky smooth, soprano voice. He didn't walk, he strutted into the cell, stood in the center, and cocked his head at the goddess. He carefully observed her as she pressed up against the wall; her clothing soiled, hair a wreck, yet there was still a gleam of anger in her eyes. "I'd just like a few words with you, that's all."

  "I'll give you three! Go. Fuck. Yourself!" Megaera spat.

  Bune laughed. "Oh my, yes, you are the feisty one of the three."

  Bune walked to the wall opposite Megaera, and knelt down, so that he was at eye-level with the Fury.

  "I meant to ask, would you care for some food? I can offer you a selection of fresh fruit and even some roasted antelope," Bune said, slowly. He motioned with his left hand, and a short, squatty imp entered carrying a small serving tray. The imp put the tray in the center of the room and scurried to get away.

  Megaera leapt at the tray, grabbing a hand full of the greasy meat, stuffing it into her mouth. As she chewed, she eyed Bune carefully. He sat back on his heals and watched her eat.

  "I do apologize for not checking in on you earlier. It seems our dear leader arrived back here with some wounds sustained when he tried to kill your mother."

  Megaera stopped chewing and glared at her captor.

  "I assure you, if he had killed her, he'd mention it, but he's silent on that part, so I assume she is still living," Bune said. "Nevertheless, he's resting and recovering. He hasn't mentioned what he intends to do with you, but all I'd like is some information."

  Megaera continued to glare as she took a bite out of a pear.

  "Just a few small items that have been bothering me. How was it he managed to take you against your will? It was as if you were powerless. How is that possible?" Bune cocked his head as she devoured another pear and started on an apple.

  Megaera finished off the food on the tray and kicked it back towards the door. Only two demons guarded the open door, and she was feeling too weak to even try to run for it, much less tackle several demons. Behind the two guards was a canine-appearing demon, Chirich.

  "I see you still hang out with your mangy dog," Megaera said, wiping the grease off her mouth with her sleeve.

  "Either you are actually powerless, or you are trying to see what we are up to," Bune mused. "One or the other. I have never known an immortal to lose their powers, so I have to believe you were rather careless?"

  Megaera shoved herself back against the wall and leveled her eyes on Bune.

  "I need to point out that our dear leader has suggested I try to see what plans you and your sisters have cooked up, in whatever fashion that works." Bune stood up and moved to the open door. "I'll allow you to think on that. I have no problems with extracting that information out of you in as painful a manner as possible. But I will find out what I want to know, and what Sorath wants to know."

  Bune stepped out of the room and the door shut silently.

  Megaera reached out and grabbed the tray, she stood and beat it against the door, until it was bent in half. She growled and flung the tray away, then she pounded on the door with her fists.

  Outside, in the hallway, Chirich, and Bune walked away from the cells.

  "Did the boss really want her tortured?" Chirich asked

  "Oh no," Bune said. "That's totally my idea. I'm very curious as to why she is so weak. I'm sure she'll tell me, given time."

  "Then why didn't you just haul her out and start the torture? Why even feed her or be nice?" Chirich demanded.

  "Oh, physical torture never works, really," Bune pointed out. "After a while, even the toughest of subjects will say anything they think you want to hear, just to make it all stop."

  Bune paused at the entrance to the cell block.

  "No, my friend." Bune said quietly, looking back at the cells. "Simply being civilized will gain us all the information we need out of that Fury. Besides, if she's really not weakened, we don't dare take her out and bring her to the interrogation rooms. She'd be able to kill us all before we even knew what hit us."

  Bune shook his head and the two demons left the cell block.

  The guards in front of Megaera's cell heard her throwing a fit, hammering on the walls. They grinned at each other and started their rounds. They patrolled the cell blocks now, day and night. No one trusted the idea that immortals were powerless inside a cell. They were taking no chances.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  San Marin

  Dan aimed his black Dodge across town. Sitting beside him was a cat carrier, with a very unhappy Dude locked inside. Dude was letting anyone within one hundred yards know just how unhappy he was at the moment. His cries were ear-splitting.

  "Damn," Dan muttered. "I can use you as my emergency siren, you know? Can you please knock it off?"

  More ear-splitting yowling answered him. Dan sped up and blasted through a traffic light just as it turned red. Dan didn't notice that Jones was sitting at the same intersection and he saw Dan blow past.

  Still concerned about his partner and friend, Jones tailed Dan for a few blocks, just in case he was driving after drinking. He pulled out onto the thoroughfare, keeping another car between them. Dan wasn't weaving, he was just traveling a bit over the speed limit, which was cool. As long as he was driving safe. The Charger is a hard car to drive slow.

  Jones slowed, not wanting to crowd Dan. He frowned when Dan turned left off the main road and onto a small residential street. Dan made another right onto a smaller street. It was the same street that Dan said this missing woman lived on, at an address that didn't exist.

  Jones turned at the corner and slowed down. Dan slowed and pulled onto a small dirt road that cut through a vacant lot. Jones stopped his car and just watched as Dan drove on the dirt road.

  Jones shook his head and blinked. He'd lost sight of Dan's car when he passed a large oak tree. Jones drove to the empty lot and parked his car. The dirt road that Dan had taken ended just after the oak tree.

  Jones climbed out and stood, staring at the vacant lot. No sign of Dan or the black Charger. Jones walked across the sidewalk and to the dirt road. He knelt down and examined the soft dirt. Jones easily spotted tire tracks, wide tires like on Dan's car. He stood up and walked a bit further. Where the road ended, the grass didn't look disturbed at all. None of the grass stalks were bent or crushed. No car had driven over this grass.

  Jones stood and stared at the vacant lot. He looked around, and saw several neighboring houses. He walked to the first house to his right that was next door to the vacant lot. He lightly walked up onto the porch and rang the bell. He spotted movement through the frosted glass as a shor
t person walked slowly to the door. It opened just enough for the person to look out. An elderly woman, not more than four feet tall, peered out at Jones.

  "Sorry to disturb you, ma'am," Jones started. He hesitated and collected his thoughts. "I'm detective Jones, San Marin police. I'd just like to ask you a few questions."

  The door opened to reveal an elderly woman. "Can I see some ID, young man?"

  Jones smiled and produced his gold shield and his ID card. She squinted and look at the ID card, then back up to Jones.

  "Alright, what do you want to know?" She asked. "I'm Agnes."

  "Nice to meet you, Miss. Agnes. Do you know anything about the lot next door? Might there be a house behind those trees?" Jones pointed to his left.

  "That lot has been vacant ever since I moved here, back in 1965. I raised two kids, and they loved to play in those woods," the woman said, walking across the porch to look at the vacant lot.

  "Any strange things ever happen over there?" Jones asked, following the woman to the edge of her porch.

  "Oh, my son had a few wild tales to tell, and occasionally, I'd spot a woman on a motorcycle driving away," Agnes said.

  "What were the wild tales, if you don't mind?"

  "He said the place was haunted. Occasionally, he'd say he saw an old woman kneeling like she was working a garden. One time he came running to tell me about a horse he'd spotted. I followed him and all we saw was some old trees, but no hoof prints," Agnes said. "After the kids grew up, and I lost my husband Earl, I sometimes would walk through the woods there, but I saw nothing."

  "Alright," Jones said, taking one last look at the wooded area.

  "Why are you asking? Looking to buy the place? A lot of people have tried, but the lot's title is locked down tight. Who ever owns it wants it to stay a vacant lot," Agnes volunteered.

  "Not looking to buy, Ma'am. Just following up on a report of someone may be living there," Jones said.

  "Oh, they gave you a fake address, did they?" Agnes laughed.

  "Thank you for your time, ma'am." Jones said as he walked down the concrete steps and back to his car. He stopped to look at the area one more time, then climbed into his car. Agnes was still on her porch, staring at the lot. Jones waited until she went back inside to pull away from the curb and drive on. He made a mental note to swing by Dan's house, check to see if he actually went out-of-town like he said he would, or stay, hoping to find this mystery woman.