Goddess of Spring (Goddess Summoning #2)(18)

The Goddess was standing within the edge of darkness, so Lina couldn't tel for sure, but she thought Demeter might actual y be laughing.

"Wel , come on! Keep up with me," Lina told the light. Immediately it burst forward, almost biting her head. Lina jerked back, squinting at its brightness. "With me, not on me." She whispered to the glowing bal , and it settled into a spot just above her right shoulder. "Up higher, you're blinding my eye."

The bal rose a few inches.

"Right there. Good job." The light seemed to wriggle in pleasure at her compliment, which made Lina grin at it. "Okay, we're ready," she told Demeter.

The three of them started forward, this time with Lina and her light leading the way. The tunnel was large and its downward grade was steep, but the wal s around them changed very little. The colorful frescoes decorated the dim expanse, appearing incongruous with their bright cheer in the midst of such utter darkness. Lina was just about to ask Demeter who had painted the scenes when the wal s around them fel away, leaving only unending darkness in their place. Directly in front of them a grove of trees materialized from the blackness. Lina stared at them.

"Ghost trees," she whispered in awe. That's what they looked like. Though their branches were thick and fil ed with leaves that appeared to be thriving and healthy, they were white - trunks, limbs, leaves - al the color of milk. They fascinated Lina. Their beauty was unearthly and delicate, and they appealed to her senses at a deep and elemental level.

"It is through this grove that you wil find the entrance to the Underworld." Then Demeter raised her voice, cal ing into the grove. "Eurydice, come forth!"

Lina felt her stomach tighten with nerves. She was just about to meet her first dead person. No!

She had to quit thinking about them as "dead," that would only creep her out. She needed to remember Demeter's words - they were just displaced souls, much like her. Within the grove movement flickered and Lina forced herself to remember to breathe as a slender figure stepped from the tree line and moved purposeful y toward them. Lina twirled one long strand of hair around and around her finger while she strained to get a clear image of the figure, but al she could see was a blurred sense of long hair and the flow of a diaphanous garment. Then Eurydice stepped within Lina's circle of light, and she felt the nervousness leave her in a rush of relief. This was no walking specter or Dawn of the Dead-like zombie. It was just a pale, frightened looking girl. If Lina had been able to give birth to a daughter, this child would have been her age -

probably eighteen or nineteen.

She approached Demeter hesitantly and curtsied low. It was only then that Lina noticed that her body was not as substantial as it had at first appeared. Upon closer inspection, Lina could see that the light actual y passed through the girl's body and the silky, toga-like robe she wore. She wasn't quite a shadow or a ghost; she was more like an unfinished watercolor painting that had come to life. Lina felt a rush of maternal sympathy for her. She was so young. What had happened to her?

"Great Goddess, I have awaited your presence as you commanded." Her voice was melodic and sweet.

"You have done well , child. This is the final task I require of you. I ask that you serve as guide to my daughter, who wishes to visit the Underworld," Demeter said.

"I am pleased to serve you in any way, Demeter," Eurydice said. She turned to Lina and inclined her head respectful y. "It is a great honor for me that the Goddess of Spring wil join me on my journey to Elysia."

"Thank you for helping me, Eurydice." Lina smiled warmly at the girl. "I've never been to He" - she caught herself just in time and switched words, hoping the child didn't notice her slip - "Hades before."

"Neither have I, Goddess."

Eurydice's voice was shadowed with sadness, and Lina wanted to smack herself in the head for her insensitive comment, but before she could apologize, Demeter spoke to Eurydice.

"Though you have not yet experienced the wonders of Elysium, your soul knows the way and seeks to take you to your eternal destination. As your soul guides you, so you wil guide my daughter, and I entrust her to your care," Demeter said, her voice gentle, her expression maternal. Eurydice bowed her head, obviously humbled by the Goddess's trust. Then Demeter turned to Lina.

"It is here I must take my leave of you, Persephone."

Demeter embraced her and Lina was enveloped in the rich, summer scent of ripe corn and windblown fields of wheat.

"May your sojourn in the Underworld bring Spring to Hades' realm, and comfort to those who have felt the absence of a Goddess. Fare you well , daughter, my blessings go with you." Demeter kissed her softly on the forehead, then she turned to go.

"Wait - wait - wait!" Lina stuttered. The Goddess was leaving already? Just like that?

Demeter glanced back over her shoulder. "Listen within, Persephone. Your instincts wil not fail you."

Lina took a step toward the Goddess and dropped her voice. "What if I need more help than that?"

'Trust yourself. Draw upon your inner knowledge, as well as your other experiences," Demeter said pointedly. "You life has prepared you well for this endeavor." Lina's whisper was for Demeter's ears only. "How do I reach you if something comes up that I can't handle?"

Demeter nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps it would be best." The Goddess gestured toward the tunnel from which they had descended. "I wil leave my oracle for you at the mouth of this entrance. You only have to look into it to see my face."