Gryphon and His Thief Page 16

  "She may not remember," Darrien began, "but Charon, you can tell if Isa speaks the truth or not. I pray you will use your gift and see for yourself what lies Isa has spun this night." He would have this settled. He would have Callista's death finally avenged and justice served for his tribes' annihilation. He had heard the stories about the souls crossing over to the other side and how they had to literally bare their souls so Charon could deliver them to their respected level of Hades they deserved. He prayed there had been some truth to it and the ferryman would know of Isa's deceit.

  Charon tilted his head as he peered at Isa, his eyes hard and inscrutable. He lifted the pole, pulling it out of the river before he reached across the veil and offered it to Isa. "You will grip the end where the water still shimmers. Then plead your innocence and let me see it shine from your eyes, Isa from the Gryphon clans of Andros."

  Isa threw Darrien a murderous look.

  "Do what he asks," Darrien goaded her. "If you're innocent, then you have nothing to fear."

  Her nostrils flared, but she turned away and stepped forward to clasp the end of the pole. The water glistened and slithered like a snake. It slid around her hand, fitting it like a glove and molding it to the pole, making it impossible for her to let go.

  She took a deep breath then spoke loud and clear, "I defend my honor. I am not responsible for Callista's death. I—" Isa words choked in her throat and she grabbed her throat with her free hand as water poured from her mouth.

  Darrien frowned and took a step toward her, but Charon held up his hand. "Do not interfere," he warned.

  Isa coughed until she could once again draw a breath. Her eyes bulged wide and she didn't appear as confident as she had a moment ago.

  "Every time you do not tell the truth," Charon said and waited for Isa to clear her throat once more. "You will choke on the water from the river, as the damned choke on the foul liquid for eternity."

  For the first time, Darrien witnessed real fear in Isa's gaze. She wouldn't be able to spin a tale in her favor when Charon's gaze bore down on her in such a way. He controlled the water from the Styx, and he commanded it to sense if she spoke the truth or not. Drowning where she stood, obviously didn't appeal to her.

  She stammered as she tried to think of something that would save her life. "Callista was not one of us," she whined. "She was not a Gryphon. She couldn't be of our tribe. I..." She stood straight and pursed her lips, realizing no matter what she said now, it would only condemn her further.

  Darrien almost felt sorry for her…almost. She'd been blinded by hatred and prejudice all her life, and with each passing year it had blackened her soul until no pure light could seep through. He glanced at Spiro. "Isa threatens Callista again in this time and place where her soul has found a new life." He turned toward Calli and motioned for her to step forward, hoping she still trusted him. When he met her eyes, he witnessed a mixture of tenderness and determination within those green depths. How he loved his little thief. She never doubted him and her sure steps brought her to his side, trusting him as she had done when she lived her life as Callista.

  Spiro's features softened as he gazed upon his daughter. "Callista." His voice was a hoarse whisper.

  Calli remained quiet beside Darrien, pressing closer to his side. She trusted him and would allow Spiro his moment, even if she didn't wholeheartedly believe she was this man's daughter reincarnated.

  Spiro leveled his gaze on Isa then, his eyes narrowing to slits. His whole demeanor changed as he stared at his daughter's murderer. "I demand justice be served for the death of my daughter."

  "No, please, do not do this," Isa pleaded with Darrien. Terror of what awaited her shone bright in her eyes. She reached for him, but he would not take her hand. "I found the stone for you," she scrambled for words to save her life. "I…I found Callista and sent her to the museum. You would have never found her otherwise."

  All she claimed was true, but it didn't change the fact that Isa was a threat he could ill afford if he were to keep Calli safe.

  "Without the stone, you couldn't have this audience with Spiro," she told him. "He can release you from your punishment. Ask him. Go on. Do it."

  "No, I accept my punishment as long as you are not here to threaten my beloved." He turned toward Charon then. "Isa has cheated death long enough." He fished a coin from his pocket and tossed it to the ferryman. "For a safe crossing, so she may be judged."

  Isa tried one last attempt to escape. She managed to shift part way and drove her talons into the pole. A screech pierced the night as if the souls of the Styx felt the lash. Isa broke free and scrambled away from the veil, half crawling and half running.

  Darrien made an attempt to go after her, but Charon's reflexes were quicker. He reached down and dipped his hand into the river. When he stood, he flung the water, transforming it into a lasso. He whipped it out and around Isa's waist, and he yanked back on the cord. She flew back with her hands outstretched, trying to grab anything to stop her flight. At the doorway, she gripped the edges, her knuckles turning white.

  "Help me, Darrien." She met his gaze. She appeared vulnerable and tears glistened in her eyes. True tears and not fabricated ones meant to deceive. He turned away, but not before he witnessed the betrayal in her eyes.

  Charon yanked on the cord again and Isa lost her hold. She fell through the doorway and landed on the bottom of the boat at Charon's feet. The lasso wound tightly around her arms like steel, making escape impossible.

  "I curse you, Darrien," Isa spat. "I—"

  With a flick of his wrist, Charon silenced her. Her lips moved, but no sound escaped. The ferryman then turned toward Darrien. "The retched soul will be judged for what she's done and justice will be served. Is this all you demand from us, Darrien?"

  "Nay, it is not. Isa possesses a ring. She stole it from a wizard and has used it against him and most likely others who were unfortunate enough to cross her path. May we have the ring so we may find out if the curses she exacted can be reversed?"

  "And what will you give me in exchange?" Charon challenged.

  Darrien had been prepared to barter. He held up Hecate's Stone. "This. I will give you the stone for the ring."

  Charon seemed to consider the trade before he nodded. "Agreed." With the bargain made, Darrien tossed Charon the stone. Charon then turned his attention on Isa, who tried to scoot away. He shook his head and crouched down beside her. His hand snaked out and held her firmly in place. He easily slipped the ring off her finger despite her struggles. He pushed Isa against the side of the boat as he stood. His fingers held the ring up to inspect with a careful eye. "It is an old ring, fashioned for the wearer to possess its power. I would look for the Wizards' Codex, a book containing rituals and spells. You should be able to unlock the ring's properties with it." He tossed the ring to Darrien. "I do not have to warn you of the consequences if the ring is used to harm others. This item was meant to assist. Most likely worn by a wizard sent to protect a kingdom."

  "We only wish to undo what Isa has done."

  "So be it," Charon said. "We will now depart on our—"

  "Wait!" Calli interrupted and glanced at Darrien. "The curse," she said to him, but then addressed Spiro not Charon. "You can't leave Darrien cursed and chained to the museum. He was innocent," she pleaded. "Hasn't he suffered enough? Please, lift the spell."

  Spiro simply shook his head, his eyes hauntingly filled with sadness and pity, too. "I am but a spirit, Callista, my daughter. I cannot harm or help those in the life beyond this door. I am deeply sorry." He shifted his gaze to Darrien. "If you wish for your torment to end, come with us. You'll be released from the curse as soon as you step past the threshold." He held out his hand as if he would assist him into the boat.

  Charon nodded in agreement. "The cursed are freed once they cross the barrier to the underworld. If you come with us, I assure you Elysium awaits your arrival, Darrien of old. It is where all champions go upon their death."

  Calli turned to stare
at Darrien, tears pooling in her eyes and making the green glisten like precious jewels. "Death is the only way you can find freedom?" she asked. "No, that can't be right." She shook her head in denial. "This can't be all there is we can do. I… Oh God… I don't want you to go. It's so unfair." Her eyes were wide and frightened in the pale frame of her face.

  Her emotions washed over him in waves, desperation being among them. She didn't want him to go. In truth, he didn't want to leave her. With Hecate's Stone, he had believed there would be a chance for them, but all hope was dashed with Spiro's words. Cursed and tied to the museum, he could not offer her a future when he had none to give. Better he leave this world, so she could find another. If he remained, he would chain her to his destiny. He could see it in her eyes. She would stay with him. What life would that be? No, he could not allow her to make such a sacrifice.

  "Darrien?" She must have sensed him withdrawing from her. In desperation, she reached for his hand, her touch so warm and true.

  He raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss. He then lowered her hand once more, but didn't let her go. Tears glistened in her eyes. He had not had anyone care enough to cry for him in such a long time and his heart swelled to be so loved. "In another life, we were happy," he told her. "I see Callista in you, but you are also Calli, a sweet woman who cared enough to help me. Without your assistance, I could not have found peace."

  Her breath caught in her throat. "No. Don't you do this. Dammit, you made me care about you." She was fishing for anything to make him stay. Humans were never ready to let the living go, even if it were for the best. "What about your other half?" she asked. "I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye. He doesn't know we did it. He doesn't know we stopped Isa."

  He gave her a whisper of a smile. "He knows. He is a part of me." He placed a hand on his chest. He'd avenged Callista's death, and he insured Calli would be safe to live out her life without the fear of Isa hunting her down. In his mind's eye, he could see the life Calli had yet to live, and there was no room for him in it.

  Her eyes darkened with anger and she yanked her hand free. She turned toward Charon again. "I can't accept this. It can't be all you can do." She waved her hand at him accusingly. "You're powerful. You can see into a person's soul and find them wanting or not. You can transform the water to do your bidding. Why can't you do something that will break the curse?"

  "Calli?" Darrien stepped toward her, wanting to stop her before she angered Charon, but she waved him away and moved out of reach.

  "Don't," she warned. "I want him to answer me." She pointed to Charon behind her, but kept her eyes locked on him.

  "The curse cannot be broken in the sense you would prefer," Charon finally spoke up, but not with anger, as Darrien had feared. "However," Charon continued, "there may be another solution, a way to alter it." He then addressed Darrien. "The curse severed your essence to a point. The human side and your shifter side hang onto each other by a mere thread."

  Of this, Darrien understood all too clearly, now that Calli had shown him how the curse worked. He suspected such a rift, but had believed the more human side had simply been repressed due to the curse. With the video Calli supplied, he witnessed the separation. "Go on," he told Charon, hopeful for a solution.

  "I cannot repair the rift, but I can sever the tie completely, and thus the curse will be broken."

  "But?" Calli asked, suspicion lacing her one word. "There's always a stipulation. What is it? What price must Darrien pay for this service?"

  Charon for once lost his indifference, his features revealing sorrow. "One of the essences will have to cross over to this side. Only one can continue to live. It will allow the one part of the soul to heal and thrive as if reborn."

  "So either I live or my day time self does," Darrien stated.

  "You understand correctly," Charon said. "It will be your choice, of course." He nodded then stood there patiently, awaiting his decision.

  Darrien turned toward Calli. Which of his essences would she want? Which one could offer her protection and passion too? She deserved to be loved, completely.

  She took the steps separating them. Her hand reached for him and he clasped it to his heart. "Oh, Darrien, it is not a solution if you lose part of yourself." She choked back a sob.

  "I have lived a long time, longer than any Gryphon should," he said. "Everyone should love and be loved, sweet Calli. I was lucky to experience both." With his free hand, he wiped away a tear from her cheek. Gryphons loved forever. It was in their nature. He cherished Callista with all his heart, but she was gone. Calli could never be her completely, and he didn't begrudge her of the fact. She deserved a fresh start. Perhaps he could have one too, with a human existence, where there would be no past to haunt him.

  He leaned down and kissed her, a tender kiss goodbye. He opened her hand and placed the wizard's ring in her palm. "You know what to do with this." He then released her and turned to face Charon. "I choose the human side to stay."

  "What are you doing? We can find another way." Calli's voiced hitched with panic, but he could not comfort her.

  "Do it now." Darrien met Charon's gaze and the ferryman reached across the veil and placed the pole on his shoulder. He spoke the words of old like a graceful chant. The water from the river seeped into him, both cool and startling as it raced through his veins at an alarming rate. Then an excruciating pain ripped through him, tearing him apart, consuming him until he could no longer see what stood in front of him. He could no longer hear Calli's cries or Charon's words. For a space of time, everything ceased to be.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Calli watched in horror as Darrien withered in pain and she could do nothing to help him. A burst of light consumed him, so bright she had to cover her eyes, but then the illumination dimmed then ebbed away completely. She glanced where Darrien had stood, but now both his personas were there – Darrien with his black-rimmed glasses and wearing a cardigan and slacks, and the Gryphon shifter Darrien dressed in his ancient garb of old. They circled each other as if sizing up the other for their worth.

  In such a short time, she'd come to care for both of them. No matter what was decided, she would mourn the loss of one of them. She could feel sorry for herself, but nothing could compare to what Darrien would have to give up.

  Darrien of old spoke, his voiced deep and with purpose. "Keep her safe," he told his other half as he glanced at Calli. "And love her with all your heart."

  His human counterpart appeared confused and awe-struck to be face to face with… well, his bolder self. He too glanced at Calli. He must have sensed the urgency of the words and the need to take them seriously. He straightened his shoulders and faced his other half once more. "You have my word."

  Ancient Darrien turned away and strode toward the veil, not pausing as he stepped through the doorway and into the boat, his decision made.

  Calli came to stand next to the Darrien left in her world and reached for his hand. He laced his fingers through hers and gave her hand a quick squeeze.

  Spiro had remained silent up until now, but when he spoke, his surprise rang through in his words. "You truly care for him, my sweet daughter," he said, not as a question but as an observation.

  Calli sighed and straightened her back. "I do care for him."

  "Ah… He cares for you too," Spiro said with a heavy sigh. "I cannot fault such affections."

  "I don't remember my time with Darrien as Callista," Calli said and glanced at the other Darrien in the boat. Her heart ached for him. "I wanted to see Darrien whole, not split like this."

  Spiro's lips curved slightly and not without sympathy. "I can see the soul which stands beside you. It pulses like a heartbeat when he touches you. It will be enough, I believe."

  "Calli, my sweet thief who stole my heart," the Darrien from the boat addressed her. "Do not fret. There is a second opportunity for happiness." He glanced at his other half. "All I ask is you give him a chance to win your heart. We have all paid long enough for Is
a's treachery, and it is time to forgive and let the past go." He then glanced at Isa, who stared wide-eyed as she continued to try and break the bounds that held her.

  Calli followed his line of vision. She pitied Isa as she would a rabid animal that needed to be put down. Something happened to her and she couldn't be reasoned with any longer. She had lost all sense of honor and her compassion for others. Isa couldn't be saved and must meet her fate that had long been denied.

  She glanced at the man who held her hand, her nerdy Darrien, with his quick wit, and love for tea. He gazed at her with longing. He was a good man, courageous despite his claims that he wasn't. She could fall for him. Who was she kidding? She was half way there already. Perhaps her destiny would prove to be the future with him. "What do you say, Darrien?" she asked the man beside her. "Should I stick around for a while?"

  His lips curved. "I would be most pleased."

  "So be it," Charon said. "The night is done and the door between the veils must close."

  "Goodbye, my sweet daughter," Spiro called to Calli. "May you live long, and with joy in your heart."

  Charon leaned down and released the ropes tied to the pillar. As the boat floated away, the winds picked up around Calli and Darrien on their side of the realm. Then the door between the worlds rippled like the river, blurring what lay beyond before ebbing away into nothing. The wind ceased whipping around them just as suddenly as it had picked up, and for a moment, the silence proved almost as deafening as the roaring wind.

  Calli sighed long and hard as she tried to come to terms with all that had transpired. It may take her a lifetime. She gave Darrien a sideward glance with a tilt of her head. She noticed his fingers massaged his chest right over the area where the bullet would have entered. His cardigan showed no signs of being damaged, as if it mended along with his wound. She could only imagine the magic of the shift was responsible for the transformation on both accounts. Yet, his essence must still feel where he'd been shot. "Does it hurt?"

  "What do you mean?" His brow furrowed then he must have realized what he was doing and glanced at where his hand rested. "The skin feels prickly."