Goddess of the Rose (Goddess Summoning #4)(30)

Gii studied her carefully. "Empousa, do you not recognize your own handmaidens? I know you did not act as if you understood who we were when Nera and I welcomed you, but surely you know who we are now that you have seen the four of us together."

"Gii, I've never had handmaidens before. How could I recognize you?"

"You truly don't know us?" Nera said sadly.

Mikki had the sudden urge to shout that she didn't even know herself anymore - how the hell could she know four women who were total strangers! But the hurt in their eyes made her check her words.

"In my old world I didn't worship any goddess." Mikki carefully met each young woman's eyes. In the silence that followed her words, she heard Floga approach. Without speaking, the handmaiden rejoined her friends. Mikki continued, slowly and distinctly. "I have never cast a circle. I have never performed any ritual. I had no idea I was a Priestess of Hecate until the goddess told me so herself. So it's not just that I don't recognize the four of you, it's that I don't recognize anything in this world."

The women stared at her, wide-eyed and shocked.

"There are no goddesses in the mundane world?" Gii finally said in a hushed voice.

Mikki considered her words carefully before answering. She remembered that Hecate had told her she had been watching over the women of her family for generations. And there was no doubt that the Empousai women had a magical something in their blood. Goddess touched . . . the thought flitted through her mind. The women in her family were goddess touched, which means that, acknowledged or not, goddesses must exist, even in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"I think goddesses exist in my old world," Mikki said, thinking of the women in her family and letting instinct guide her words. "But most people - most women - have learned to live without them."

"How terrible," Aeras whispered.

"So if you don't want to call me Empousa, I won't blame you," Mikki said. "I don't really deserve the title."

"Hecate named you her Empousa. It is the goddess's right to do so, and only she can remove the title," Gii said. "If the goddess acknowledges you as such, then so shall we."

The other three women nodded, but Mikki thought they did so less than enthusiastically.

"And do not forget," Gii added, looking sternly at the other handmaidens, "Mikado awakened the Guardian. That is something only Hecate's Empousa has the power in her blood to do."

At the mention of the Guardian, Mikki felt a chill move across her skin. She'd almost forgotten about it - him - she corrected herself. The statue. Only he wasn't a statue anymore. He was out there somewhere, alive again because her blood had touched him. What part did he play in all of this? Why had he visited her dreams? And suddenly she was truly sick of unanswered questions.

"Gii, you said Floga didn't get burned by the fire because she is Flame. Please tell me what you meant by that."

But Floga didn't give Gii a chance to answer her. Instead the fire-haired handmaiden stepped forward so she stood beside Mikki. She raised her hand, palm up, and then, smiling, Floga blew a small breath, much like she was blowing a kiss, onto the palm of her hand. Mikki felt the unusual heat of her breath even before the rust-colored flame spouted from her palm.

"Gii meant what she said literally, Empousa. Your personal handmaidens are carefully chosen by Hecate from all other women in the Realm of the Rose. Each of us was selected because we carry within us a special affinity for one of the four elements. My element is Flame. I can conjure it; it will never burn me; when the thread of my life has been followed to its end, I will return to it."

"Unbelievable . . ." Mikki breathed. Hesitantly, she reached a finger to the fire that burned steadily in Floga's hand. It was like touching the flame of a candle. She could bear it for an instant, but she knew it would burn her if her finger stayed too close for too long. Then Mikki's gaze slid to the other three women.

"I am - " Gii began but Mikki shook her head sharply, interrupting her. "No, don't tell me. If I am really Hecate's priestess, I should be able to figure out some things for myself." She squinted her eyes, thinking . . . The four elements . . . Floga already said she is Flame. So what's left?

As she considered, her eyes remained on Gii, at first unconsciously, and then more purposefully. She took in her moss-colored robes that matched the rich green of her eyes, accenting the thick length of her mahogany hair. And she knew.

"Earth!" Mikki said. "You have to be Earth."

Gii's smile was a brilliant reward. "Yes, Empousa. Floga is Fire. I am Earth . . ." She paused and nodded encouragement.

Mikki turned her attention to the two remaining handmaidens, Nera and Aeras. Nera was wearing blue and had hair so light it could be reminiscent of clouds, but Wind just didn't seem to fit her. Nera was too voluptuous. Her body was lush; the blue silk lapped around her like translucent waves. Petite Aeras wore butter-yellow robes that seemed to move gracefully around her in time to a secret breeze of their own. Her long, straight hair was the golden color of summer sunlight.

"Nera is Water, and Aeras is Wind."

The handmaidens clapped their hands happily, making Mikki feel inordinately proud of herself.

"You see, Empousa," Gii said. "You did recognize your handmaidens."

"With your help I did. Now with your help maybe I can figure out how to cast a circle, too."