The Sibylline Oracle (The Sibylline Trilogy) Page 23

  He glanced up and was certain the boat was moving toward them. On the deck he could have sworn he saw Aegemon. Alex removed the lid from the needle and untied the harness, raising her leg out of the water. He needed to give her another breath. He breathed into her and, at that moment, the boat rocked again. Alex was tossed face first onto the netting. He scrambled to right himself, but the netting was slick and caused him to slip once again, dropping the injection. Alex saw it floating away and reached off the end of the netting. His movement in the water pushed the needle even further away. Alex leaned off the edge of the boat as the needle dipped below the surface.

  If he’d had the opportunity to look up, he could have seen the occupants of the approaching boat. He tried one last lurch to grab the injection and lost his balance, crashing into the sea. He desperately grabbed for the netting, but the current from the approaching boat pushed him away. The needle was long gone. He would drown and she would die. The realization nearly made him vomit. He had to get back on the catamaran and get the other injection. One desperate grasp and he caught the rope. He pulled himself back onto the boat. Valeria was still blue. There was not enough time to go to her and get the other needle!

  With his clothes weighed down with seawater, Alex moved as quickly as possible to the cabin. He had placed the extra hypodermic needle in the drawer by the stove. He pulled it open to search for it, but it wasn’t there. A new ripple of terror ran through Alex. She would die without the injection! He pulled open every drawer and searched as his heart lurched into his throat. Maybe he had dropped it. Alex got down on his hands and knees and looked around on the floor, but there was nothing there. He could hear the engine from the oncoming boat. They would be boarding in minutes. He forced himself to take a breath. Where could it be? He focused. It had to be in the drawer where he had placed it. After one last search, he finally saw it. Holding it with an iron grip, he moved cautiously back to Valeria as the approaching boat tried to position itself alongside the Mariah. Alex prayed he could get the injection in and get her breathing before Aegemon stopped him.

  When he returned, Valeria still wasn’t breathing. He removed the blanket from her waist and rolled her onto her side as he plunged the needle into her hip. His hands shook so badly that he was grateful it just needed to go into her hip and not a vein.

  Immediately he dropped the needle, hoping that it would sink quickly. The three hours were still not up and the forty-foot yacht was now directly next to them. He breathed into her lungs over and over again. A voice from the yacht called to him but he ignored it and continued his desperate attempt to revive Valeria.

  Suddenly, he heard the voice and an icy chill ran down his spine. It had been over 500 years since he had seen or heard Aegemon. But as Alex glanced up briefly, he saw him on the deck looking more like a wealthy yachtsman than a violent murderer. But then, he had been able to hide his murderous tendencies from Apollo who was one of the most gifted gods. Alex glanced at the name of the yacht, Oracle VI.

  “Alexander! Let us help you with Cassandra!” Aegemon said in his most soothing voice. Alex knew that voice well—Aegemon used that voice to calm his soon-to-be victims just before the slaughter. The voice assured the victim that there was no immediate danger. Still, Alex knew that to be his deadliest voice.

  Glancing up at the yacht, Alex thought how absurd it was that Aegemon had named his boat ‘Oracle’. He wondered if Aegemon’s intention was to announce to the world that he was an oracle—which he was not—or as a banner of his accomplishment in purging the world of Apollo’s oracles.

  Between breathes into Valeria, Alex tried to count how many men were with Aegemon. He was certain he could take a few of them. He saw three on the bridge. Two were on the ladder and then Aegemon, himself. With at least six of them, Alex knew that a battle would simply result in his death—as well as Valeria’s.

  Three men boarded the Mariah as Alex continued his attempt to revive his beloved. Her body felt so cold and limp. It reminded him of the same scene from all those years ago.

  There was a tap on Alex’s shoulder. She needed thirty more seconds until she could leave the icy water. Then, Alex had the morose fear that perhaps she had already been taken by the curse. Perhaps that was why she wasn’t breathing and all of this had been for nothing—again the curse had prevailed. Valeria’s lips were still blue but Alex forced himself to abandon that thought. Her heart had been beating! Was it still? There was no time to check. He continued breathing into her mouth.

  One of the men threw Alex aside and his face hit the corner of a rail. Alex rolled back to his feet, and lunged for them, desperate to provide Valeria the last few seconds. The man was pulling her from the water as Alex hit him from behind and knocked him off balance for a few precious seconds. Alex glanced at his watch and sighed with relief—the time was up! He rolled and reached out to pull her into his arms and out of the water. Then he laid his head on her chest and panicked when he heard nothing. One of Aegemon’s men grabbed him from behind, but Alex clung to her as tightly, refusing to release her until...then he heard it—her heart was still beating! It was weak, but her heart was still beating. She was still alive! She had survived the curse. It had worked!

  One of the men pulled Alex to his feet and slammed a fist into his face. Alex felt the impact but it was dulled by the cold and by his elation. As his head spun to the side and he tried to gain focus he heard Aegemon say dismissively, “Throw him in.”

  It didn’t require much effort and Alex was treading water. He tried to pull up on the ropes of the catamaran. One of the men pulled out a black stick and wrapped it against Alex’s fingers. He heard the crunch and could feel that most of his fingers had been broken. As the man went to hit his other hand, Alex released it and dropped into the sea. He could not afford to have both hands broken! Broken fingers could heal in minutes but because his body was also battling hypothermia, he couldn’t risk that it might take longer.

  Alex kicked his legs and arms hoping that would help to keep his mind sharp. He would need that if they were to survive. Then one of Aegemon’s crewmembers tossed Valeria over his shoulder and carried her onto the yacht. The brute tossed her down on Aegemon’s deck without a care. Alex watched her body and saw no sign that she was breathing. Had she survived the curse, only to die now? The man with the black stick crouched down by Valeria and slapped her several times and the sound made Alex shudder. Then he saw her begin to move. He watched as she vomited seawater and took a deep, gasping inhalation.

  “Aegemon, please. Let her live. She’s done nothing to you,” Alex said between hard shivers.

  Waving off Alex’s request, Aegemon said, “What she has done to me is none of your concern!”

  Alex’s feet went numb.

  “But why? Aegemon, why can’t you let us…” A wave splashed Alex and he choked. “Why can’t you leave us alone? We are nothing to you. And you…” The shivering was overtaking him but as long as he could keep Aegemon talking to him, they still had a chance. Alex wondered again, if Aegemon, or any of his men, would get close enough to be infected or if all of this had been a waste.

  As his arms started to go numb, Alex fought to keep his legs moving rapidly, to keep the blood flowing through them. He knew that he didn’t have long until he would sink. But perhaps, at least, she would survive.

  The cold begged him to accept death. But he would not accept failure after all this time; his future was with her! He worked harder and fought the overwhelming seduction of the cold. Alex wondered how long it might be until he held her in his arms again. He wondered if he ever would. That thought created a rage of adrenalin that began to course throughout his body and kept him moving, despite the conditions.

  Aegemon’s men tied the Mariah to the yacht.

  A comforting darkness enveloped Valeria. She felt it and wondered if it was death calling. A kaleidoscope effect began around the edges of her range of light that was creeping under her eyelids.

  She wanted to tell Alex. She wan
ted to see him and for him to know that she was all right. The effect increased and then she saw the vision.

  The man was beautiful with light brown hair and soft blue eyes. His hand stroked her face gently. “Child, I must leave you.”

  Valeria could feel the stroke of his warm hand on her face. But she knew it wasn’t Alex. Maybe she was hallucinating. She heard her voice but it sounded more confident.

  “Lord, the world will be darker without you.” She bowed.

  Apollo glanced to the horizon. “Cassandra, I must warn you that history will not be kind to either of us.”

  She covered her mouth. “Lord, you are the god of poetry and music! How could otherwise be written?”

  “Do not trouble yourself! Reason does not always play well with history or politics.” He looked up, wearily. “There will be books written that are said to be prophesies of my precious oracles. They will call them The Sibylline Oracle.” His eyes narrowed. “Child, there is only one book that is The Sibylline Oracle. Do you recall?”

  “The visions that Myrdd recorded?”

  Smiling, he brushed her shoulder. “Yes. It is close to your heart. Our dear friend Myrdd holds your secrets.”

  His light blue eyes showed a tremendous sadness, “There will be a great war in Troy. I see hardships for you. I wish I could eliminate them. I cannot.” Apollo sighed. “I have come to tell you that you must leave Troy if you are to survive. Remember that the walls of Troy will be your key.”

  “Lord, my family will not believe even my words that Troy would be unsafe.”

  Glancing toward the heavens, Apollo said, “You must convince them, as that alone will lead you to your destiny.”

  Apollo smiled as he stroked her head. “Child, know that you will always be in my heart!”

  “And you in mine, Lord!”

  With a furrowed brow, he added, “Until you forget…” Then he smiled wistfully. “My oracle, Alexander, will seek you out. He must take you to your destiny. Your destiny is not an easy path, but it is worthy of my most favorite of all oracles!” He smiled kindly.

  Valeria saw a cold, muddy land with many tents made from animal hides. A community fire with large pots hanging over it blazed in the center of the establishment. She saw a reflection in one of the pots and, to Valeria’s surprise, she realized that it was her own.

  She warmed her hands by the fire as she glanced at her surroundings. The warmth felt good. There was a woman romantically teasing a man and then kissing him delicately. Cassandra sighed.

  A beautiful, older woman stood next to her. “You look at other girls and their lovers with longing. But, Cassandra, you would not do well as an ordinary girl. Ordinary girls are not princesses...or priestesses,” the woman admonished.

  “Ordinary girls fall in love.”

  “There would not be a man so unwise as to love you?”

  “There is a man. But he cannot approach me.” Cassandra added softly to herself, “But if I do not find him soon, it will be too late.”

  “It is just as well! You are Troy’s oracle and your visions are required! That is more important than a silly boy.”

  “I must find him,” she insisted.

  Cassandra saw the vision of Aegemon on the horse before he arrived.

  “Lord Aegemon wishes to speak to me in private,” she said to her mother.

  The woman shook her head. “He may not meet with you in private! I will witness the meeting.”

  “This must be done alone.” Cassandra exited, hearing her mother’s desperate cries of impropriety trailing in her wake. But Cassandra knew that her mother would never intrude on the meeting, fearing Aegemon’s wrath.

  Walking into her dark tent, Cassandra awaited his arrival. She knew what must happen and that it would serve her plan. Aegemon stepped in, his brown robe wrapped loosely around him. In his late forties, he was still an attractive man. It would not be as bad as it could be, Cassandra thought.

  Aegemon wasted no time pulling her into him and forcing his tongue into her mouth. She didn’t fight him and he mistook this as an invitation. He unwrapped his robe to reveal his desire and offered her a knowing smile. “You do not fight me. Could it be that this is what you are hungry for?”

  “Yes, my lord.” Cassandra responded as his mouth and body enveloped hers. She knew his intention; Apollo was no longer there to protect her. Once she was no longer a virgin priestess, she would have no value and she could find the one who had been promised to her.

  ∞

  There was not much that Cassandra would require; she took only her bedroll. The walk through the village would be the worst of it and then she would be free to find him. She tossed the flap aside and forced her way through the angry mob as they spat on her and called her a whore. She held her head up and made eye contact with those who had picked up stones. If a stoning began she would not be able to stop it. With a strong, confident glare, she reminded them that she was Apollo’s most favored!

  This was all to be expected and the reward was well worth the price. Cassandra had known that Aegemon would betray her. But now she was free. She would walk across the northern section of the Adriatic. That was where she had seen Alexander in her visions. Troy would fall. Even if she had stayed, she had seen that she would not be able to prevent it.

  ∞

  Awakening from the beautiful dreams of her life to come, Cassandra stretched and smiled. It had been two days since she had left. Sleeping under the brilliant stars that held her future, she was at last free from the titles that had burdened her. Freedom and hope filled her heart.

  She saw that Aegemon was again approaching. He would not find her so accommodating this time! He had gotten what he wanted. And she would tell him what he needed; she would tell him about the wooden horse. She would not be believed. She knew that history would write her as insane and damned by Apollo. That meant nothing to her.

  Walking directly to Aegemon, Cassandra offered him a cold smile. “I have what you want.” She continued, “Sparta will invade Troy.”

  “Impossible! The Trojan walls are impenetrable. Myrdd assured us of that!” Aegemon laughed.

  “Troy will accept a gift from Sparta…a horse. That will be the fall of our great city.”

  Aegemon shook his head in disgust. “A horse? Preposterous!” He looked at Cassandra and narrowed his eyes. “I could…take care of you. You would not starve.” He hesitated. “I could, if I wanted to…”

  Cassandra’s face filled with loathing. “You have nothing I want.”

  Turning her back on him, she gathered her bedroll and began walking down the road. He followed her. “What you seek, you cannot have!” he yelled angrily. Cassandra ignored him. “I tell you the truth!” he said, grabbing her arm and yanking her around to face him. Then he held out his hands to prove his words with a transference.

  Looking at him with disgust, she snapped, “I don’t require contact!”

  “He is not there!” Aegemon said arrogantly. She glared at him, realizing that he knew about Alexander.

  “What do you know?” she challenged.

  Aegemon stood as if to tempt her desire for him. As if she would have ever wanted him! She spit on him.

  The slap came hard from the corner of her eye and when she became aware of it she was already on the ground ten feet from her previous position; not that she hadn’t expected it.

  One thing Cassandra knew was that although Apollo was no longer there to protect her physically, Aegemon would be wary of suffering Apollo’s wrath should he harm her. If the other oracles were harmed, as many had been, Apollo would not be pleased. But harming Cassandra would be a completely different matter.

  She crawled to her feet. Though it would leave a mark, it hadn’t hurt. There was nothing he could do that would hurt her. The side of her face was numb but she could feel the moisture of blood.

  Aegemon, realizing that he had crossed the line, scrambled after Cassandra. “He isn’t there!” She knew his tricks and pushed past him. He wouldn�
�t hit her again. “I can help you.”

  “You have nothing that I want!”

  “You will want to forget.” She stopped. There was a memory…there was something about needing to forget…it was Myrdd—and Apollo! Myrdd had said that she would want to forget. But her journey and its goal were far more important.

  Aegemon held out the bottle of liquid. Cassandra glared at him and waited. “He is gone. The boy is gone.” No. She would know if something had happened to Alexander!

  “I did it myself. I bound his limbs and tossed him into the sea.”

  There was no trusting Aegemon. She turned, her eyes narrowing. “Tell me again what you did to Alexander.” She had to see Aegemon’s eyes when he spoke.

  “I killed him!”

  The transference showed her the many years that Alexander had been sentenced by Aegemon's to hard labor. It made her heart ache for him. That explained why he had not come for her.

  She saw the faces of men and women, stored like animals in the hole of a ship. Aegemon gave the order and they were taken up onto the deck. There were over thirty faces with the brilliant blue eyes of a true oracle. Aegemon looked down the line of oracles until he came to her Alexander, his defiant look matching that of her own. She watched in horror as his arms and legs were bound and he was thrown overboard.

  The cry came from her before she had even accepted it. Cassandra fell to her knees in pain; why didn’t she know? How could Alex be gone and she didn’t know? Long, hard sobs wracked her body.

  Dropping the bottle by her, pleased with his effect, Aegemon climbed onto his horse. There was nothing else he wanted from her. There was nothing else she would give. Troy would need her information, although they would not believe it. They would blame the insane Cassandra if it was not true. If it was true, he would be the hero. It was over.