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Barters N Garters Library Chapter Three She holds the hand that holds her down Ares’ Cave The cold pale Rocky Mountain winter gave way to the exotic blue heat of the Aegean. The biting snow turned to the fine salt spray lingering in the air of throne room of the God of War. “You’re late.” Ares groused as he lounged cross-width on his throne drinking his third chalice of Nectar this morning. “Eos began the journey hours ago.” “Here she did.” Daniel corrected him. “By Colorado time we’re just a little late, suck it up.” “Why have you not brought Brigid with you?” He demanded to know. “Didn’t know you wanted to see her.” Daniel returned. “Don’t worry, she’s safe.” “She’d better be.” Ares threatened. “Hello, Nicholas.” “Go sit down, Mom.” Nick said guiding Calla to the rugged wooden table by the hearth. “Stop it.” Calla sighed. “I’d like to speak with my Father alone if no one minds and before the two of you go off on this half-baked adventure. Please go for a walk along the beach for a few minutes.” A resounding “No,” met her ears from all three of the Jackson men. “Fine,” she said in a tight and slightly exasperated voice. “Then why don’t you just wait here. Father, come out side with me.” Pursing his lips in what could have been a kiss but then again, maybe it wasn’t, Ares rose to his feet and descended the three steps from his throne. “You’re going to leave her with me while you travel to the Underworld, why not give us a few moments before you do?” Without waiting for a reply he held his considerable arm out to Calla who took it in her own and walked her away from the others. Over her shoulder Ares winked at the three men with their eyes flaming and their mouths gaping at him. “Relax boys, we’ll be back soon.” Standing where the sea met the shore Calla stripped off the black wool coat and mittens she’d been wearing to brace herself against the Colorado winter. Once the outer gear was gone she stood on the shore beneath a sun which indicated it was nearly mid-day in a pair of faded blue jeans and a gray turtle neck sweater. “Why must you wear those rags?” Ares groused. Waving his hand before her the clothing disappeared and was replaced by a finely woven toga, the cloth of which was decorated with gold and green embroidery across the bodice and the hem. Black leather boots gone from her feet replaced by jewel encrusted sandals. The long auburn hair which she’d pulled back into a simple pony-tail now piled high upon her head only to cascade down once more and harnessed into a thick braid. “Much better. Now, what do you want to talk to me about?” “Why must you dress me this way?” She complained bitterly and then reminded herself that fashion and clothing were not the topics of the day. “Never mind, if you want me to wear this for you then I will oblige. Do not send my Husband into the Underworld on this Fool’s Errand.” “Daniel has agreed to do this for me…..” “Only because you bullied him into it! Why don’t you do it?” She returned hastily pointing a finger at Ares. “If you want her so much, why don’t you just go and do that?” “Is that a bit of jealousy I detect in your voice, my Daughter?” “Don’t flatter yourself, Father.” Calla huffed without looking at him. “What do you give me to guarantee the safe return of my Husband and his brother?” “Why the concern for David? I should think you’d be happy to be rid of him once more.” He stood there waiting for a reply but none came so he thought he’d prod her a bit. “Perhaps after last night, David Jackson has proven that he can be of some value to you?” “Oh, Father, just stop this. I know you’re upset about last night and I’m sorry, truly I am.” Calla reached out for his big mitts. “This is my life, you must let me live it. It doesn’t mean that I love you any less.” “Or any more.” He snarled and released her hands with a heavy downward thrust. “I cannot guarantee the return of your Lovers but if you truly do love me you will not stand in their way. You will allow them to do this, more than that, you will come with us to the other side of the island and you will see them off with a sad but lovely smile.” “Why?” “Because I said so and because once it is done and she is returned to me, I will not bother you and your little family any longer.” “I don’t want that, Father, you’ve never been a bother to me, I love you.” “Your love is sweet but it is of no matter here. Daniel and David want this…perhaps so do Nicholas and Colleen. They cannot forgive my rather minor transgression of last summer.” “It’s true then, you’re leaving. All of you are leaving this world?” As the sea breeze kicked up her gaze fell from his, Calla looked down at her feet and her mind began to wander. “Leaving me and you’re taking her with you?” “Yes.” “You haven’t even asked me….” “Would you come with me if I did ask? Even if I got down on bended knee and begged for your companionship?” “I can’t leave him.” Calla muttered. “Father, whose put this foolish idea in your head?” “It’s not foolish.” Ares in toned. “Do you want to see her? She is in the cave.” “You’ve already done it?! You didn’t even consult with me! How could you?” “Yes, it is done and she is ready to be given life.” he admitted happily. “So you see, if you do not allow this, the woman waiting to wake will never have life and the girl in the Underworld will eventually be captured by Eros and Kanan, she will suffer greatly for all eternity” Ares chided thoughtfully sucking on his teeth. “Poor little thing, you remember, don’t you? Surely, you don’t want that for her, not when her Danny can still save her from this horrible fate.” “One you could not save me from, in fact you thrust it upon me!” “If that is the way you wish to look at it, fine; send Daniel off to protect you in the ways that I could not. If that is the thought that eases your mind then cling to it. You do understand, don’t you?” “There is a living part of me, an innocent part, before Eros, before Kanan, undamaged. Untainted.” She said with a lilt. “Oh, I understand Father, believe me, I understand that you’ve always been angry over the fact you’ve been so bitterly cheated. I, the only Daughter to the Great Lord Ares, have turned out to be such a terrible disappointment. Here she is and she is just waiting to be trained and raised the way you wanted. I am standing in your way, aren’t I? How can you be so cruel to me?” “I am not being cruel. I am not asking you to help or condone all you have to do is just stand aside and let them go.” Ares ordered. “I’m not even going to kill them first I’m sending them in alive. There is every chance they will both return to you. I’m not leaving you behind, Callestah; I am taking you with me.” “I can’t leave him.” She said again. “She can and inside of her so can Callestah,” Ares whispered laying his big hands on her shoulders. “Your Grandfather will free you from this body and you can join the younger in the body of the clone. All that will remain in this frame is Calla Jackson, isn’t that what both of you want? I can make this happen. All three of us can have what we desire most.” Biting down on her thumb nail she raised her green eyes to look at him but her head bowed. “I don’t believe you. It’s a trick.” “Trust in me. It is no trick.” “It’s no choice either.” Dropping her tasty thumb from her lips Calla hastily pulled her hair down from the top of her head and out of the braid and let it fall around her shoulders once more. She threw the pins and combs at him. “Why can’t you just be happy being my Father? Am I such a horrible Daughter that you cannot love me?” “You know that’s not true.” Ares countered staring down at her. She looked very tempting with her hair down and the sea breeze blowing strands of golden fire out behind her slender body and anger heating up her eyes. “I thought this would make you happy, why do you not smile at this prospect? Why do you fight me?” “Why not stay here….with her?” “That wouldn’t be to either of our advantage, would it, Calla?” “I love you more than she does.” “But Callestah desires to come with me and you do not. Do this for me, if you love me as you say, then simply do this one thing for me and stand aside.” “You don’t know what you’re asking.” “I do. I can handle the anger of a Goddess, they….” “Don’t be so sure.” She warned. “Do you not worry about her? Trapped down there with Eros and Kanan and Hades? She is part of you, one that you can save from the Fate you suffered…” “Why shouldn’t she suffer as well?” Calla shot. “I see so then, perhaps you’ve confused Callestah’s anger with that of your own?” Ares asked but did not give her time to say anything in return. Instead he bent deeply at the waist to look her in the eye. “No matter, I know this much,” He nodded back toward the entrance to his cave, “they cannot deal with her. She is too strong for them and soon she will be too strong for you to hold back. You’ve fed her, Calla…” “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t my idea, it was them!” Calla protested. “It is of no matter, the truth is the same; you’ve woken her and there is no turning back from it. It is a good offer that I make you. I highly suggest that you take it, Calla.” “I can control her.” Calla said her bottom lip quivering. “Why lie to me? You know that is untrue. Your mind and your body slip because she is fighting for what is hers yet you, Calla, insist on holding on to what was never meant to be yours. It is because I have come to admire you and your strength, I offer you this.” Ares held his hand out to her. “Say yes and stand aside.” There seemed no other option. Ares danced well and waltzed her into a corner from which there was no escape other than to give him what he wanted. “Nicely played, Father.” Calla held out her small hand to him with tears running down her cheeks. “Why do you cry?” Ares wiped the silently falling tears dripping down her alabaster cheeks. “I know you desire to be Calla Jackson. I know this is true.” “I’ve no desire to lose you. But if being away from me is what you wish…..if I am not good enough for you…” Calla grabbed the hands on her cheeks, kissed each one with her lips and her salted tears, “….I understand.” Dropping his big hands she merely walked away from him with no further argument. As she went the toga fell away and for a moment she was naked in the warm sunlight and Ares smiled but then, in an instant, she was clad once more in those wretched blue jeans and a light top. The coat and mittens she’d worn were strewn in the sand at his feet. Ares stooped to pick them up. Holding the winter clothing close he took in a deep breath of her. Women, who could figure them out? He’d had five thousand years to do so and hadn’t come close. A tear stung his onyx eyes. She was so upset and angry, this he had not expected. Perhaps he was doing the wrong thing. It was set into motion and he could not go back from it now. Feeling a headache coming on he hugged the articles of her clothing tighter while he stood gazing out at the deep blue sea. All three Jackson men stood up when she entered her Father’s Throne Room. “Kitty?” Daniel knew she’d been crying even though her eyes and cheeks were dry now. “You all right, honey?” “I love you, my Husband; please don’t do this for him.” She threw her arms around Daniel’s neck. “Please, Beautiful, stay with me.” “I’ll be back.” Daniel assured her. “I love you, Kitty. Did he hurt you?” “No, of course not, my Father…” “Loves you, I know.” Daniel said with a sad smile. “Stay close to Nick while we’re gone, ok?” “Yeah, sure….Dad.” Nick grumbled. One more time she begged; “Don’t do this for him.” No longer able to stare into her sad eyes, Daniel wrapped his arms around her and drew her in close. “I swear to all the gods, I’ll be back, Kitty, don’t worry honey. When I do come back this whole thing will be over. Don’t you want that? Don’t you want to have a regular life? I know you do.” “I just want you, nothing else matters.” Calla told him as she held on tightly. “I love you.” “Hey,” David spoke up, “it might be selfish and all but can I get a minute wit her before we go and before her Daddie comes back?” He asked Daniel. “Why?” “Even now you’re suspicious of me, Danny? I’ll remember that.” David said with a sad grin. “How’s about it, Callie, gimmie a minute a yer time? I got something I need ta tell you.” Nicholas hung back watching with a keen eye. His Mother stood firm and she made no move to go to ‘Uncle’ David even though her eyes said she thought it was the right thing to do. Dad capitulated. “Go on.” Daniel said kissing her cheek. “Hurry up.” “We won’t leave here.” She promised leaving Daniel’s side and taking David’s hand. “This way.” She led him out of Ares’ Throne Room and into the kitchen. “What do you’ve to say to me?” Calla asked quickly, wanting to get back to Daniel. “Jus’ this….” Davy picked up her hands. “I know it’ll mean sum’thin’ ta ya. Dat gurl, yew ‘member?” David shook his head. “Course yew dew, wot was her name?” “Lily,” Calla said through tight lips and was reminded of the irony in Colleen naming her daughter the same name was the poor young woman who was raped and tortured in the basement of 1313 Mockingbird Lane so many years before. “You killed her.” “Dat’s wot I want to tell yew,” David leaned in close. “She’s alive, Callie. I didn’t kill her.” “You said….” “I jus’ wanted you to be scared a’ me, wanted yew ta do wot I was tellin’ yew to.” David looked down at his hands. “Danny, wasn’t really aware of wot was goin’ on but…aw…hell…yew know him, Callie….he wouldn’t let me kill her. Wot he remembers, wot little bit he remembers, is her passing out not dying, you got that?” “Where is she? I need to….” “Don’t yew dare.” David warned. “I only told you this so’s yew’d know. So’s yew wouldn’t feel guilty over it the rest a’ yer life. Don’t go lookin’ her up or nuttin’ stupid like dat, Callie….” Calla’s hands clamped down hard around his. “But I have to….I have to..” “Wot? Atone? She’ll jus’ have yew arrested. I promise this much, Sunshine, she’s alive and she’s doin’ ok. Lily’s good, she grew up ‘n she’s a teacher, jus’ like yew, ‘cept she works wit what’cha call ‘Special Needs’ kids. Know wot? She done got he’p from dat shelter you support.” The wheels turning so slowly inside her head now came alive as if given a good squirt of oil. “Angie knows who she is. She’ll tell me, I can….I can….” David shook his head and repeated himself in a sterner tone. “Don’t go lookin’ ‘er up, Sunshine. I’m jus’ tellin’ you this jus so’s’, well, jus’ so’s you know, Callie, dat’s all.” “But I can….I can…..” She stuttered watching him shake his head. David was right; there wasn’t anything she could do which make up for the terrifying night the girl suffered through almost two decades ago. For whatever it was worth it probably was best just to leave it lie. So why did he tell her? Why did he want her to know? Without warning Calla let go of his hands stood up on her tiptoes and threw her arms around him. “Thank you.” “It keeps yew up sum nights don’it? You hear her cryin’…screamin’….in your sleep?” David asked holding her tight and breathing in a lungful of the air around them. She smelled so sweet, like fresh baked cookies, like Home. Whatever and Wherever Home really was, Callie was it. “I’m sorry.” The memory of that most horrible night flooded her mind. That poor girl and the things which were done to her, things which were so like….“Kanan?” she asked choking back tears. “Yeah, he dun told me,” David pushed away from her but only so he could look in her in the eyes. “Dun be scared, Sunshine, I won’t use it a’ginst ya but ah-I-tell-yew-wot-gurl, I think Ol’ Nagantee Kanan done told me ev’ry’than there is worth tellin’ ‘bout yow time wit him.” As Calla let out a little moan her knees buckled and gave way. David caught her before she could crash to the floor. “I won’t tell, Danny. I promise. Its ok, I won’t tell him. I know it’s a secret.” “Yes,” she agreed swiftly. “Shhh, secret.” In his hands was the chance to plant the seed of doubt against Danny in her mind but he just couldn’t do it. “Mabbe one day, aft’a yew have a long talk wit our son,” he stopped when she tightened in his arms, “Mabbe, yew should have the same little conver-sa-tion wit Danny. He’ll un’erstand, Callie, yew know he will, why don’t yew tell him?” “My Husband is a Good Man.” Calla asserted. “An’ yer a Good Woman,” David returned. “Stop hidin’, Sunshine. Nuttin’ will ev’a change the way Danny feels about yew. ‘Sides, it’s not like he’s stupid and he don’t have an idear or two wanderin’ around in his head, ya know? ‘Specially aft’a so many years with you.” “I know, but please don’t you understand…..” “That he’s the first thing in your life that came without strings and selfish motives?” For just a few moments the years seemed to melt away from her and before him was a 12 year-old girl clutching desperately onto his hands. “No bad touches.” She whispered. David felt the impact of being kicked in the gut with a steel toed boot. This was the real reason Danny was going on this little trip, this little girl. No, not for Ares, not even for his Wife, but for her and the life she could have had if things had been just a little bit different. “Danny is unspoiled…..untouched.” “By wot?” David asked in a softly stunned voice. Just as swiftly as she’d come the little girl who hadn’t really been there disappeared and it was once again Callie holding onto him. “Me.” David, knowing exactly how she felt, pulled her in close to his body to stroke the back of her head. Yes, if anyone understood exactly how she felt it was him, because if he had his way then the last thing in the world he would ever want to touch her…was him. “Jus’ between yew n me, its ok, gurl, it ken stay jus’ between us.” “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” Calla asked backing away from him and thinking about what he’d knew of her time with Kanan and how he so instinctively seemed to understand it all. David spoke before he could stop himself. “Does dat mean you’re getting’ bored wit Danny aft’a all dese years?” Though he was serious and hoping, his comment lightened the heavy mood in the room. “No,” Calla laughed and her cheeks reddened. David snapped his fingers. “Darn.” “You have changed.” She said in a more serious tone but still with that beautiful smile lighting up her green eyes. “I’m so glad you done noticed that.” David grabbed her again and held her a little tighter than before while he kissed the side of her head. “C’mon Sunshine, dry your eyes and take my hand, git a deep breath now, they’re waiting fer us.” Calla did as he asked of her and looked up at David. “Why do you call me Sunshine?” “’Cause dat’s wot you are, li’l darlin’. Warm and bright and you light up my whole world, jus’ like the sun.” She let out a titter as her cheeks flushed with color at his words for a second time. David smiled a warm grin. If this was how Danny felt every day of his life then Danny was one lucky son of a bitch. Looking down at her David felt as though he was gazing upon not only the most adorable and love thing in the entire universe but the most amazing as well. For just one instant it seemed, to him anyway, that those sparkling emerald eyes were smiling only for him just like he was the only man she’d ever seen or ever wanted to. Just for that one instant, David Jackson was the lucky brother. He wanted so much to say ‘I love you’ but that wasn’t what she wanted to hear. “I’ll bring him home safe, gurl, you can trust me.” Calla took his hand and they walked out to greet those who were waiting. End Of Chapter Three Of This story and all stories in the Barters N Garters Library are copyrighted to Lisa Beth Darling these stories
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Back Into Hell
by
Moon Mistress
a/k/a
Lisa Beth Darling
She will...rise above
Don't call me daughter, not fit to
The picture kept will remind me
Don't call me daughter, not fit to be
The picture kept will remind me
Don't call me...
Daughter
Pearl Jam
Back Into Hell
Continue to
Chapter Four