When Todd pulled onto the gravelly drive of Therese’s home, Therese said, “Stop here. You don’t have to go all the way up to the house.”
“Don’t be silly,” Todd said.
“Seriously!” she cried with full panic. “I need to walk. I’m, I need some fresh air after all that smoke.”
Todd turned off the engine. “Fine. We’ll walk with you, won’t we Ray.”
Ray shrugged. “I don’t care, but I have a feeling Therese doesn’t want us to.”
She met Ray’s gaze. “I’m just a little worried, that’s all. I’ve had a great time with you guys, as always. Please don’t be offended.”
Ray shrugged again, “Who’s offended?”
Todd opened his door and jumped out. “Give me your hand,” he said.
As she stepped onto the huge tire, Therese listened to the quiet night air, wondering if the gods were here, or the murderers waiting for her. She took Todd’s hand and jumped. “Thanks,” she said softly. “And thanks for the ride. I owe you big time.”
“Big time,” he teased. “I’ll collect. Don’t you worry.” He climbed back in to his truck. “Night.”
“Night.” She watched him back up, the crackle of pebbles spitting out from beneath his huge tires, and pull away. When she could no longer see his taillights, her knees shook.
She stepped quietly up the drive toward her house. There were no lights on—not even the porch light. She wondered whether she should take the stairs up to the front screened porch or enter through the back as she crept slowly up the drive, her heart thudding in her chest.
A sound from the dark forest behind her house startled her. She sucked in a breath and froze, just like the chipmunks on her deck always did whenever they became aware of her. Like they, Therese stood perfectly still, waiting. The dying branch of the elm was just visible in the moonlight, and it pointed at her like an omen: You, Therese Mills!
The fact that Clifford was not alarmed by her presence or the presence of the thing in the woods filled her with terror. He would be barking by now. He would smell her scent. He would be aware of the other thing, too.
She decided to move toward the front door, away from the woods. She slid her key from her front jean pocket and had it ready to gouge someone’s eye if needed. She took a step up. The wooden board beneath her foot creaked. Otherwise, the house was silent and still.
On tiptoes, she slipped through the screened porch to the front door. Before she could put her key in the lock, she found the door ajar. She pushed it in, gently, hesitantly. She stood there in the crack of the door, vigilant. Except for the dim light of the moon washing in through a skylight above her, the living room and kitchen behind it were bathed in a curtain of darkness. The hallway to her right, leading to the two bedrooms, was in shadows, but Therese could now hear a vague sound—like someone breathing—coming from it. Her own heart pounded so loudly, and her own breath moved through her so quickly, she found it difficult to trust her hearing.
She swallowed hard and reached for a lamp, but it failed to illuminate the room. She remembered then that the bulb had burned out and hadn’t been replaced since…since before everything had happened. She took a few steps into the room to find the light switch. A low whine, barely above a whisper, came from the hallway. Therese froze like a statue.
When the whine came again, Therese recognized it, and she flew for the switch. The room was showered with light. “Clifford?” She ran to the hall. Lying on the wooden floor on his side, not moving, but still breathing, was her dog. She rushed beside him on the floor. “Clifford!” He didn’t move. She used her hand to feel around his body, but she couldn’t find any injuries. There was no blood, but he could barely open his eyes, and his tongue was hanging from his mouth like he was dying.
“No!” she screamed, forgetting all else. She buried her face against his fur and sobbed uncontrollably now. Clifford was her best friend. She couldn’t take any more loss. This was too much for one person. She would be so alone. Did Hades have a vendetta against her? She cried for her parents. She cried for Dumbo. She cried for Clifford who looked as though he were leaving her now as well. “No, boy. Hang in there. Please don’t leave me.” Then with a desperate wail that would have put Orpheus to shame, she shouted, “Than! Thanatos! Thaaaannaaaatossss!”
Her eyes caught sight of something silver gleaming on the small console table to her left. Whether it had already been there or had appeared after her loud cry, she did not know. On the table lay a syringe full of blue liquid with a pink square piece of paper attached that read, “For Clifford.” Therese snatched up the syringe, looked closely at it, and knew what she was supposed to do. She looked over Clifford’s body for a place to stab him, and, not sure of herself, but hopeful, nonetheless, thrust the needle into Clifford’s haunch and pressed the medicine through the needle. He didn’t move, barely flinched, and his breaths were labored. She watched him closely, waiting, hoping to see a change.
She sat there with him for what seemed like an eternity, when she noticed his breathing slow down to normal. He brought his tongue into his mouth and swallowed. After another minute, he tried to pull himself up. Though he failed, she knew whatever the blue liquid had been in the syringe was working. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks. She kissed Clifford on the side of his face.
In another ten minutes, he rolled up to his feet, wagged his stubby tail, and licked her face. Then he ran to his bowl of water in the kitchen and lapped up the liquid till the bowl was dry.
Now that she knew her dog would live, Therese began to wonder what had happened. Surely if the killers were still in the house, or nearby in the woods, Clifford would be barking by now. She ran to the front door and closed and locked it, just in case. She checked the backdoor, too. Maybe whatever had hurt Clifford had desensitized him. She took the broom from the kitchen closet and held it like a weapon. Then, cautiously, she went upstairs to check on her other pets. Clifford followed.
Luckily Jewels was basking in the light beneath her lamp, untouched. Therese turned off the lamp, stroked her shell, and checked her water, which was still clean. Puffy was just now grooming himself after his long daytime nap. Therese’s bedroom appeared inviolate until she turned toward her bed and noticed something lying in the middle of it.
It appeared to be a long silver robe made of fine silk. A note was pinned to its sleeve—a square piece of pink paper just like the one that had been attached to the syringe, and the same writing said, “For Therese.” Whoever had left the syringe for Clifford had left this fine robe for her. She touched the robe, cautiously in case it was some kind of trick, and then picked it up in her hands when nothing terrible happened. Should she put it on?
Before she could decide what to do with the robe, she was suddenly aware she was no longer alone. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Clifford, too, froze in his place. She was afraid to turn around, but when she saw Clifford’s stubby tail wag back and forth, she knew it must be Than.
“Therese!”
She dropped the robe on her bed, turned to him, and nearly hit him with the broom.
“Whoa!”
“Sorry!” She dropped the broom and ran into his arms. “I was so afraid!”
His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to his warm body. “You were supposed to wait at the saloon.”
She buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand waiting behind.” She didn’t want to let go. She never wanted to move from this warm, thrilling place that brought her comfort.
He lifted her chin with a finger. “I’m just glad you’re safe. When I didn’t find you there, I…well, then I heard you calling. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
She wanted him to kiss her. She thought he might when he leaned in, but then he took her hand and led her to the bed to sit down. The wide gap between them brought her back to her senses. “What happened?” She pulled Clifford into her lap when he followed them onto the bed. “Please tell me everything. Who left the medicine for Clifford?”
“I’ll tell you everything. First get comfortable. It’s a long story.”
They sat side by side with their backs against the fabric headboard. Therese moved a little closer to Than so that her shoulder pressed against his arm. She stroked Clifford, where he curled up in her lap.
“Tizzie learned from Grahib that tonight McAdams planned to kill you,” Than said. “Grahib didn’t know how many would come but said their plan was to ambush you and your aunt here in the house. Apparently, they didn’t know about Richard visiting.” Than swallowed hard and hesitated. Then he grit his teeth. “Grahib told Tizzie the men were promised that they could have their way with you and your aunt.”
Therese gasped, her mouth wide open.
“Then they were to kill you and burn down the house. Make it look like an accident.” He clenched his jaw.
Therese took his hand, unclenched his fist, and rubbed it between both of her hands. His words frightened her, but his obvious feelings for her exalted her. “So what happened when you left me? Did you come here?”
He nodded. “The men beat us here. There were four of them. They had already poisoned Clifford. I thought he would die. I knew it would be the last straw for you. So I went to Mount Olympus to beg Aphrodite for her help. I reminded her how I tried to help Orpheus to be reunited with his true love, Eurydice. I also told her how I helped Theseus and Hercules, favorites of hers, and also Odysseus during the Trojan War. I told her our story, from the beginning when you first embraced me in your coma, and of the deal my father made with me to make you my wife. She agreed to help. I returned to the Underworld to help my sisters punish the men who came here to use and kill you, and she came here to bring you the antidote. She wouldn’t administer it herself, though. She said she doesn’t have the stomach for it.”
Therese jumped up off the bed full of incredulity. “Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was here, in my house?”
Than smiled. “So you’ve heard of her, huh?”
“Who hasn’t?”
“That answer will bring a smile to her face.” He laughed. “So I was very relieved to see Clifford wagging his tail when I arrived. I didn’t know how it would all turn out.”
“Thank you for saving my dog.” She threw her arms around his neck. Then she sprang up, jittery and blushing, to pick up the robe she had dropped at the foot of the bed. “I think she left this for me, too. But I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it.”
Than looked at the robe as Therese held it up to him. “It’s a traveling robe.” His mouth turned into a broad smile. “I can’t believe it. Obviously you have found great favor with Aphrodite. This is a rare gift.”
Therese hugged it to herself. “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I have a gift from a goddess, and from the most beautiful goddess, too.”
Than laughed. “She’s certainly happy to hear that, I bet, but you might want to be careful not to offend others who might be watching over you.”
Therese pushed her arms through the sleeves of the robe. “It’s so soft.” She looked at herself in her dresser mirror. “I love it. How do I thank her?”
“I’m sure she’s watching you now. But you could think of something to show your gratitude.”
“Yes. I’ll think of something.” She sat back on the bed beside Than, still wearing the robe. Clifford moved back on her lap.
“It’s magic, you know,” Than said, stroking her hand. “The traveling robe enables a mortal to travel like gods.”
“What do you mean? Like disappear?”
“Travel quickly from one point to another without having to travel the full line. This robe will allow you to do the same, though I don’t recommend that you try it alone since you don’t yet know what you’re doing.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I will be able to vanish and appear just like you?”
“While wearing the robe, yes.”
“Can you show me?”
“Now?”
She eagerly nodded her head. “Just a quick trip, maybe to your place and back?”
He jumped up off the bed. “Your aunt and her boyfriend are pulling up the drive. Go talk with them. Don’t let on what’s happened. And when you’ve come up for bed, I’ll be waiting for you. We’ll take a quick trip to my cabin and back, as you wish.”
She gave him a smile and clapped her hands with excitement. Clifford jumped off the bed and ran around the room. “Thanks!”
“Till then.” He disappeared.
“Wait! Than?”
He reappeared. “Yes?”
“Am I still in any danger? Will McAdams send more men to try and kill me?”
He walked across the room and took her in his arms. “He may send men, but now you have the attention of more than one god. We are watching over you. Don’t worry.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them, he was gone.
In the next moment, her aunt was knocking at the door. “Therese? You awake?”
Therese pulled off the robe and gingerly laid it on her bed. “Yeah. I was just coming downstairs.”
She and Clifford followed Carol down the stairs to the living room where Richard sat watching the late news.
“Did you have a good time with your friends?” Carol asked as she sat on the sofa next to Richard.
Therese and Clifford curled up together on a chair beside the empty fireplace. “Yes. Todd’s truck is so awesome. I was a little scared at first, up so high, but once I got used to it, it was really cool.” Then she asked, “Did you guys have fun dancing?”
Carol and Richard exchanged smiles. “A blast,” Carol said. “I can’t believe we’ve gone dancing twice in one week!” She patted Richard’s thigh.
Richard laughed. “Yeah, hopefully I’m paid up for a while.”
Carol punched him in the shoulder. “You hush!”
Therese smiled. “Thanks for driving. Did Jen get my text? She never replied.”
Carol nodded. “She and her boyfriend seemed not to mind. Pete, seemed disappointed. They left before we did.”
Therese wondered again over what Jen had said in the restroom of the Wildhorse Saloon, but before she could think much about it, something on the television caught her attention.
“Late breaking news,” the anchor person said from the television. “A La Plata County inmate known as Kaveh Grahib was strangled and killed tonight behind bars by an unknown perpetrator. Grahib was arraigned several weeks ago as a suspect for the murder of a Durango couple, Linda and Gerald Mills, which took place near Fort Lewis College five weeks ago. Investigators have no leads but are looking into this case.”
“Oh my God,” Therese said gaping.
“I’m calling the lieutenant.” Carol stood from the couch.
Richard took her hand. “It’s after midnight.”
“I don’t care. This concerns us.” Carol crossed the room to the phone at the kitchen bar, took up the business card lying next to it, and dialed the lieutenant’s number. “Lieutenant Hobson, this is Carol Stuart. Would you please call me as soon as possible? We just heard about what happened to Kaveh Grahib, and we’re concerned. Thanks.”
As soon as she hung up the phone, it rang.
“Hello?” Carol said. “Uh-huh. Is that good or bad?” Carol paused. “Okay, thanks.” Carol hung up the phone and looked across the kitchen at Therese. “The lieutenant said he’s sending out another officer to guard the house and that we should play it safe for a while. So, Therese, no more walking, even with Than. Got it?”
Therese nodded.
Carol sat back down on the couch beside Richard, who wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.
“Don’t worry,” Richard said. “I’ll stick around until the police know you’re absolutely safe.”
Therese was grateful that Richard could offer her aunt some peace of mind. She knew that gods were watching over her aunt and him, and although that didn’t erase the fear looming over her, it diminished it and made it bearable.
“I’m going to bed,” Therese said to them. “See you in the morning.”
“Are you working again tomorrow?” Carol asked.
“Through Sunday,” Therese replied. “Sunday is my last day, I think.”
“Good night,” Richard said. “Just call us or come down if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” Therese said, and then she and Clifford went upstairs to her room.
As promised, Than was waiting for them, stretched out on her bed with his eyes closed. She wanted to cross over the room and climb on top of his perfect body. She was studying him when he opened his eyes and gave her his brilliant smile.
“Sleepy?” she asked.
“A little.”
“Did you hear what’s happened?” She climbed on the bed next to him.
He sighed. “My sisters just returned from the Underworld. Grahib’s in Tartarus now. McAdams had him killed for talking. He found out about tonight’s failed attack.”
“I’m scared,” Therese said, and though it was true to some extent, she knew she should be a lot more frightened than she was. It was hard to be frightened when she felt so safe with Than.
He took her hand and kissed the inside of her palm. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Now let’s get your mind off of this. Are you ready to travel with me?”
“Yes.” She got up and put on the silver silk robe. “What do I do?”
“Just hold my hand. This will feel a little weird.” He stood beside her and took her hand. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
Everything around her was bright—so bright she closed her eyes. Her body felt as if she were wrapped in tight plastic wrap. She couldn’t move and could barely breathe, and the air seemed thick and impenetrable around her. She wasn’t hot or cold, but the pressure was great, as it is when ascending in an airplane, and her ears popped. All of this happened within a few seconds. Then she felt the cool plastic wrap disintegrate, and she could breathe. She opened her eyes to find herself in the living room of the Melner cabin, and sitting on the cozy furniture were Than’s two sisters and someone else—a glowing man with golden winged shoes on his feet. He looked up at Therese with astonishment.
“You shouldn’t have brought her here,” he said to Than.