Sirenz Back in Fashion (7 page)

But even as I thought this, I remembered why I was here in the first place—me, kid, deal with Hades. And of course there was the very real possibility that Paulina wasn't a kid at all. Maybe she was a million years old like Arkady, but wily enough to not overlook any details like not getting stuck in an aging body. If that was the case, she could be really dangerous.

I stayed on my side of the room and watched her shuffle around, hoping to get a clue about who and what she was. All I learned was that she had dark ghetto fashion sense, a wicked music collection, and was paranoid and difficult. Why else would she keep opening the door a crack to see if anyone was outside, then start blasting music—practically inviting everyone on the floor to drop by and visit?

Resolutely, I approached the closet and slid my door open. Nothing tumbled out this time. Assaulted by my belongings when they'd opened it to put Paulina's clothes away, Derek and friends had taken it upon themselves to reorganize my stuff, too, whether I wanted it or not. At that point I'd been too shell-shocked to stop them.

I lifted out the garment bag, laid it on my bed, and began to unzip it, noticing that as I did so, the stereo volume went down.

“What's that?” Paulina's gravelly voice was in my ear and I nearly jumped out of my skin. She'd slid silently up and had waited to speak until she was right behind me. When I whirled around to face her, she was looking at me from behind her glasses; it was dark outside and she hadn't taken them off yet. I didn't like the idea that she was watching me at such close range; it made me uncomfortable, but I kept my cool.

“I'm getting ready for tomorrow,” I said, casually pulling open the garment bag so that the fleece spilled out. “It's supposed to be chilly, so I thought I might wear this.”

I drew the fleece out and held it up. Without its master present, it wasn't giving off vibes of power, but it had changed. Free of its plastic sheath, it was as light as a fluffy wad of spun sugar, with an odor to match.
With any luck this would ramp up the temptation factor. The fleece needed all the help it could get.

Paulina's mouth hung open and she slid the glasses down the bridge of her strong nose. She didn't take them off completely, but it was enough for me to see her eyes under the shadow of her hat and her choppy bangs. They were steely gray. What was that expression … that the eyes are the window of the soul? Hers weren't giving any secrets up. What would mine tell her?

“Where … did … you … get … that?” Paulina's voice reverberated with quiet awe.

She wants it! Could I really be this lucky? Will she just push me aside and put it on?
I worked hard to control the expression on my face, keeping my features nonchalant, free-and-easy. Normal.

I shrugged. “It's vintage.” Not a total lie—the fleece
was
old. I wanted to add,
do you want to try it on?
But I never got a chance. Paulina's star-struck, slack-jawed expression twisted into a disgusted sneer.

“Hope you didn't dump too much cash on it,” she snorted. “How many little creatures gave their lives to make that nasty coat?”

She spat out the “nasty coat” bit and I felt my stomach twist in frustration and defeat. A lump formed in my throat. I should have known—there was no way this would be that simple. Nothing with Hades was.

“It's actually fleece, not fur,” I managed. I couldn't give up; even if I couldn't get her to wear it now, I had to get her to wear it eventually.

“Whatever it's made of, it's whack,” said Paulina, shoving her shades flat against her face and turning her back on me. “I'd hide that thing away where no one will ever find it, if I were you.”

Believe me, I would if I could, but you have to wear it so Shar can come back.

On went the music again, even louder than before. Resigning myself to the fact that there was nothing I could do at that moment, I started pulling together an outfit for tomorrow: black boots, black leggings, and a green top, much like the one that Shar was wearing when Hades took her. No one else might know or care that she was in Tartarus, but I did. As I smoothed out the sleeve of my top, I realized that I was humming and bopping along to the music.

“That's way better.” Paulina loomed over me again, smiling like a vulture. I could smell her breath, peanuts and chocolate. She'd been chomping on a Snickers bar; the empty wrapper was squashed in her paw. She flicked her head in the direction of the fleece, which was now lying in a crumpled heap on the floor at the foot of my bed. How did it get there?

I was thinking that I'd better hang it up before Hades appeared, froze time, and reprimanded me for mistreating it again. He'd seemed pretty stressed about it, and I got it that since technically the fleece was once his nephew, he wanted it handled with a little respect. As I bent to pick it up, it seemed the bass thumped out of time with the music. I stopped and listened, and sure enough, it happened again—but it wasn't a problem with the download or the speakers. Someone was banging on the door.

I turned to Paulina and motioned for her to turn the volume down, but she stood frozen like a deer—no, moose—in the headlights. I glanced at the clock. It was 9:55 p.m. We had five minutes until quiet hour, but sometimes the RA was anal. Still, we had to answer the door, and Paulina wouldn't budge.

“Turn it down before we get in trouble!” I shouted.

Mechanically, she shuffled over to the stereo. When the volume was lowered to almost a whisper, but not totally off, I opened the door.

Alana, not the RA, was on the other side with Kate, her shadow. She wore a self-satisfied smirk, as if her mere presence had caused the hallways to go suddenly silent.

“It's quiet hour,” Alana snapped.

“Not for another four and a half minutes,” I shot back. I wasn't tolerating any more disrespect, especially from Shar's former friends, even if they couldn't be blamed for not knowing what was going on.

She said, annoyed, “Some of us are trying to—” Then she stopped, craning her neck so she could see inside the room. Back came the smirk. “So … they finally found a roommate for you.”

Kate snickered, and then she and Alana pushed their way in, uninvited and unwelcome guests. Together they gaped at Paulina's side of the room—the mess, the sound system.

They ignored Paulina, who glanced at them from the corner. I couldn't tell whether she was just watching or trying to blend into the wall like a chameleon.

“Overdone,” Alana clucked, jerking her thumb at the speakers. “No wonder it was so loud!” Then her eyes caught something on my side, and she started moving toward my bed. She bent down and picked up the fleece.

A little sigh came out of Kate, and I heard Alana say, “Ooo!” in a tone very different from the derisive one she'd been using only a moment before.

Anyone who dares to wear the Golden Fleece is dispatched immediately to Tartarus.

Paulina, who hadn't moved or spoken, now walked over to Alana's side. “That really suits you. Maybe you should try it on. See how it looks.”

An unholy light shone in Alana's eyes, and she quickly shook the fleece out so she could see its shape.

“No!” I said, pushing everyone aside and snatching the fleece away. “It's mine!” I shoved it into the garment bag, not bothering to put it on the hanger, and tossed it into the closet, slamming the door shut. For good measure, I leaned against it. Alana and Kate stared at me for a moment before Alana let out a huff and turned to go.

“Keep the music off—it's quiet hour now.”

“Ya think?” I snapped, and slammed the door behind them, but not before I heard Kate snicker, “They're made for each other.”

Not likely!

I stepped up to Paulina and stuck a finger in front of her nose. It was bad feng shui, but some people only responded to aggressive energy.

“What do you think you're doing, telling her to try it on?”

“What could it hurt?” She held up her broad palms.

“I don't care if you don't like that coat—it's
mine.
This is
my
side of the room,
my
closet. If I want a landslide when I open the door, so be it. Hands off my stuff!”

Paulina peered at me. She was still wearing her glasses. Her mouth twisted into a half sneer, half grin. “Whatever you say.”

Shar

Who Let the Dog Out?

I hadn't seen Hades since the reunion with Meg, nor had I seen Caz. I got bored sitting in my room, even with all my music, book, and DVD collections. So I decided to explore, killing time until I could talk to Meg again.

Contrary to myth, rumor, legend, and history books, Tartarus was not all doom and gloom. Yes, it was icky and dark and had that whole land-of-the-dead theme going for it on the banks of the river, but within the palace it was a whole different world. From the throne room, one door led to a huge ballroom with mirrors and glittering chandeliers and gleaming white marble floors. Another led to an arcade/video game room with more tech stuff than I could name. The next one opened onto a pool the size of a small lake, complete with slides, fountains, Jacuzzis, and floats. Other doors led to other hallways, down which I discovered a bowling alley, a horse arena, IMAX theaters, weight rooms, a stadium, and a paintball arena.

Boys and toys
. I wondered where the salon was. Hades always had perfect hair and buffed nails. Did he ever need a dentist to maintain his stunning smile?

One large door led outside. What lay beyond was unexpected and truly amazing. Aqua sea waters lapped against a pristine, pink-sand beach; craggy, burgundy mountains with caves loomed in the distance. I wondered if any other gods had seen this stunning vista. While I preferred the beach to the game rooms, this great outdoorsy world still had a very “indoor” feel to it, like I was on a movie set.

Still, it was better than the dismal gray rock surrounding the river. Plunking down on the beach, I sighed with bliss as I buried my toes in the warm sand. A gentle surf rolled over my feet. No way could this be confused with hell.

Was that a bark?

Oh, damn. Hell hound! I jumped and whirled around to see
Cerberus
coming at me at great speed.

I miss my cat!

I froze, not knowing what to do. I couldn't outrun it. Maybe I could out-swim it? I dove into the surf and was paddling for all I was worth. When I was totally out of breath, I turned around.

And there he was, the water only up to the neck of his three heads, slimy drool dripping from all of them. He was eyeing me.

“Nice goggy. Don't eat Daddy's friend,” I sing-songed. He tilted his heads.

Without making any sudden movements, I started swimming back to shore. The demon doggy followed, never letting me get too far ahead. When my feet touched shore, I could feel his hot, sticky breath on my back, letting me know that escape was impossible. He growled low in his throat.

I'm dead. Bye Mom, Dad, Meg, Kitty Chanel, and all my lovely shoes. Maybe Hades will donate them to charity.
I turned around to face my fate.

A red rubber ball plunked me on the head.

“Ewww, it's covered in spit!”

He growled again.

“Okay, fine. Fetch!” I threw the ball as hard as I could, and it sailed a good distance down the beach. Shopping wasn't my only recreational activity—I had a mean throwing arm, as Splendor found out. Away flew Cerberus, bouncing like a puppy. Who knew? Easier to handle than his master.

We played for I don't know how long, since the light never seemed to change. Did it ever become night? I didn't see a sun—it was just a perfect blue sky, like an upturned bowl.

My arms tired, I toed the ball away. “That's enough. We'll play tomorrow.” I turned away from the demon dog.

Grrrrr.

I whipped around. “Are you kidding me? I played with you! Tomorrow we'll do the fetch routine, but I'm hungry! My arm is tired! I've had enough!”

All three heads growled again, one dropping the ball at my feet.

I narrowed my eyes and shook my finger at him. “I
said
tomorrow. If you don't stop whining, I won't play at all. Now be a good goggy—” Tongues lolling, tail wagging, he bounded off. Okaaay. That worked.

“Is he gone?” Out from behind a large pile of rocks popped Caz, still as devastating as the first time I saw him. My little heart went flippity flip.

“Yes.”

“Good. He doesn't like me. And I don't like him.”

I laughed and shrugged. “He's just an overgrown puppy. He wants to play. Throw the ball and he'll love you.”

Caz shook his head. “I'm not willing to risk it. I like being in one piece and unswallowed. How are you? Settling in?”

I grumped. “I don't plan on being here long enough to settle in.”

We started walking down the beach. Idly, I wondered if the light might gradually dim and stars would peek out. “It looks like a real sky.” I pointed upwards.

“Hades creates illusions well. Sometimes you can almost forget you're down here; you'd swear you were on the mortal plane.”

I looked down at the bright rainbow bikini I sported. “Maybe you can, but I can't. This isn't my home. There's no sun, no sense of time, and very few wardrobe options.”

He smiled. “I'm sure Hades will give you whatever you want.”

“Oh sure, for a price I'm not willing to pay. I have to play his silly games until I can get out of here.”

He looked at me quizzically. “No one leaves Tartarus without his permission.”

I gave him a determined look. “Where there's a will, there's a way.”

“Why are you here anyway? You obviously aren't willing, and since you're not dead, there's an interesting tale to hear.

I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know I didn't die?”

He shrugged and bent over to chuck a stone across the gentle waves. “Did you notice anything different about old Ben?”

I didn't have to overanalyze Caz's question. Ben looked like the Ben Franklin I'd seen in paintings, and while he felt real when he'd kissed my hand, his appearance was
…
off. He had no pulse, veins, or warmth. He was like one of those wax figures at Madame Tussauds. Close, but not totally right.

“He's kind of like a walking, talking statue,” I said.

But Caz wasn't. He looked very
…
healthy and oh so real.
Mmm …

He nodded. “When Creation was divided up, Zeus got the best part of everything under the sun—Mt. Olympus and mastery of humanity. Poseidon got everything under the sea, and its creatures, and Hades got what was left—everything under the earth. He felt slighted; he was the eldest and should have received the best, even though it was Zeus who'd led the way out of their father's prison. And who wants to look at dead people for eternity?”

Caz sat down on a large, smooth boulder of sparkling orange. He gave me a questioning look, patting the empty space next to him.

My face felt hot. He was nice and … hot.

Don't go there. You're worlds apart. It can never be anything more than a short-lived friendship.

Ignoring my boring brain matter, I sat demurely next to him.

“So,” Caz continued, as he tried not to be obvious about inching closer. “Hades, since he's absolute ruler here, makes his kingdom a sort of Olympus Down Under.”

“That's why it's light and pretty and his throne isn't black!” I cried. Now it made sense. Hades was in a snit because Zeus won the big enchilada, cosmically speaking. This was his Olympus.

“And he allows souls who pass to keep their bodies, so that he doesn't have to look at shades. Except”—Caz sported a wry grimace—“he doesn't get it quite right.”

I huffed. “And they have to do his bidding.” I thought of Ben.

Caz laughed. “That too.”

I frowned, thinking about how the shades by the river would be there forever. Poor miserable things.

Caz scanned the area. He was fidgety and nervous and I was sure he was looking for the sudden reappearance of Cerberus. Or maybe Hades.

“Some souls are doomed, either by one of the gods or by something they've done,” he explained. “They're stuck on the other side of the river, or down in the Pit, or they're wandering in far worse places.”

“Horrific way to spend eternity,” I said softly.

His voice was almost bitter. “Yes it is. Remember that, when you anger Hades. None of the gods are to be trusted. They've proven fickle and heartless to both humanity and their own kind, uncountable times.”

Caz looked sad, and I felt my heart constrict in response. Even though I didn't know what his particular arrangement with Hades was, I didn't want to see anyone suffer. Hades might even be pitied too; while Poseidon and Zeus enjoyed their realms, there wasn't much in the Underworld to be cheery about. So he created his own happy place.

My fingers lightly touched Caz's and we smiled awkwardly at each other.

“So what's your story, Sharisse?”

Looking into his soft eyes, I wanted to tell him the whole sad tale, but I couldn't. A cute face wasn't worth an extra day in this place, and I'd suffer much worse than that if I dropped so much as a vowel. Nondisclosure was the binding rule. Shaking my head, I just said, “Call me Shar. And I can't talk about it. What about you?”

Caz looked across the twilight landscape; it seemed there was a nighttime here. “I can't tell you, either.” His tone was distant.

“Then we're at an impasse, I guess.” I wasn't really surprised. Probably everyone down here had secrets. I know I had mine.

Awkward silence.

“So, Hades is having this party,” I began. “The W'Under­world Ball. Will you come?”

Caz turned to me. “He's throwing a ball without Persephone here?”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I'm the substitute hostess.” I brightened. “And, as a good hostess, I'm inviting you.”

Caz looked at me doubtfully. “I don't know. Persephone has an awful temper, and when she finds out you're here, first she'll scream at Hades, then feed you to Cerberus, and finish by making life miserable for the rest of us. I think I'll camp out in a cave until that war is over. It'll be quieter and safer.”

I snuck a sideways glance at his strong jawline, pink lips, and patrician nose. Quite the package. If only … but that wasn't possible. He was here, and if he wasn't dead, he had his own problems with Hades, so there was no taking him with me if I was freed or could escape.

“Well, please think about coming anyway. I won't know anyone but you and Ben.”

Caz tried to smother a snicker. “Be careful of old Ben. Considers himself a ladies' man.”

My face scrunched. “He's old enough to be my great-great—”

Caz shook his head, a huge grin on his face. “Don't let that fool you. And sure, I guess I could come to the ball.”

I grinned back at him. “In costume, and don't tell me what it is—I want to see if I can pick you out of the crowd.”
Like I wouldn't know that delish body no matter how it was wrapped!

“I'll know you the moment I see you.” He stared into my eyes. I let go a little sigh, wishing he would kiss me.

Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bracelet watch was chiming the five-minute warning to see Meg.

“I've got to run! I'll see you back at the palace!” I ran down the beach, not slowing to see if he followed.

I skidded to a stop in the throne room in front of the table with Pandora's Box. Lifting the lid, I saw a swirl of colors, like paints running down a sink drain. Suddenly, Meg's face appeared.

“Meg!”

I was so glad to see her. For once, Hades kept his word about things happening the way he said they would.

“Shar!” she squealed, then narrowed her eyes at me. “What the hell are you wearing? I didn't know you owned something like that.”

“I
don't
.
This is
his
idea of everyday wear, apparently. At least I don't have to wear black leather.” I shuddered delicately. “This is the most conservative swimsuit in my closet.”

She made a disgruntled face. “Not exactly being subtle, is he? Didn't he leave you any of your own clothes? But look, we've got less than five minutes, so let's make this count.” She looked over her shoulder, her eyes shifting nervously as if she was making sure she wasn't being watched. “What does he have you doing down there?”

“Meet the Martha Stewart of the Underworld,” I said, throwing up both hands and waving them at her. “I get to co-host Hades' Spring Fling. It's a costume party. I think I'll go as a nun. Maybe a leper. Which would he hate more?”

“Oh. My. God.” Meg tried not to giggle. I understood—this situation was too ludicrous to be credible.

“What about you?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

“I guess,” she answered, looking away.

“Talk to me. What's wrong?” My stomach sank in horror. “What do you have to do?”

She tossed her head back. “Where do I start? Like I told you last time … Hades pretty much erased you. No one remembers you, not even Alana.”

I tried not to look upset. Not that I missed Alana or anyone else yet, but being erased was unsettling, to say the least.

“So, all your stuff is gone and then, poof! I get a new roommate! She—”

“You have a new roommate?” I interrupted. My voice sounded very small and hurt.

Meg bobbed her head. “Guess who I have to send to Tartarus? My new roomie, Miss Paulina Swanson.”

“Oh,” I nodded sagely, a bit relieved. At least Hades was making it easy; my visit to the Underworld might be shorter than I'd thought. “Seems like Hades has been a busy little demon. But how will you get her to a portal? You can't Siren her.”

“Ehh!” Meg made a buzzer sound. “Things are a little different this time, so sayeth the Lord of the Underworld. I don't have to find a portal or use my eerie powers.” She held up her hands and wiggled her fingers. “I have to get her to wear the Golden Fleece, and let me tell you, no one in their right mind would even want to sit next to it, although Alana and Kate seemed to like it, go figure. But that's not the worst of it. You thought it was bad with Arkady being deaf and blind and never available? Well, Paulina saw the fleece—and she hates it, won't go near it. And if today's any indication, she's my freaking shadow. She trailed me everywhere I went.” Meg looked over her shoulder again. “I'm lucky I was able to ditch her to come here. I'm going to need some help with this.”