CHAPTER SIX HUNDRED and SEVENTY-FIVE

(part five)

There was a whooshing sound in the loft.

“Someone has arrived,” Jill said. “I’ll go check.”

“I should go, in case it’s danger,” Callisto said.

“Why don’t you get dressed?” Jill asked. “If I get into trouble, and you’re not ready, I can always call my father.”

“Who is?” Callisto asked.

“Perses, God of Destruction,” Jill said.

“Ah,” Callisto said. “I’ve never met him. I know your sister, Hecate.”

“She’s wonderful. You’ll likely meet my father in due time. He loves the kids,” Jill said, with a shrug. “You’re welcome to anything in my closet. You’ll probably need at least a sweater. It’s always a little cold here and it’s winter.”

Callisto nodded to Jill. She went out of her bedroom and closed the door. Princess Marigold was standing in the middle of the loft.

“Mari?” Jill asked. “What are you doing here? How did you get in? I thought fairies weren’t . . .”

“I’m family,” Mari said. “Exempt.”

“Fin?” Jill asked.

“Oh, no, that’s Edie,” Mari said. “You have to know that she comes to see your boys at night.”

“I’ve seen her,” Jill nodded.

“She misses all of you something terrible,” Mari said. “She’s really sacrificing a lot to build a better tomorrow.”

“She is,” Jill said. “What’s up? Why are you here?”

“I heard that a gorgon was coming to take care of Katy and Paddie,” Mari said. “I wanted to make sure that you were okay.”

“She’s already here,” Jill said. “I healed her. Her name is Callisto.”

Mari’s eyebrows shot up.

“She told me to call her Euryale,” Jill said. “But I knew that wasn’t her name.”

“Euryale has been picking up the abused, destroyed, scorned women of the world and transforming them into gorgons,” Mari said. “She visited me after my ‘disgrace.’”

“When your fiancé was killed?” Jill asked.

“I was tempted to join her, but honestly, how could I be disgraced?” Mari asked. “My sisters were furious. Fin tried to fight her but she’s very strong. Her magic — well, honestly, all of theirs — is powerful. Different. Nelson made a potent ally when he made the compact with the gorgon. If anyone can keep the children safe, it’s a gorgon.”

Jill’s bedroom door opened and Callisto came out of the room wearing jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt, and a wool sweater.

“Good, you’re dressed,” Jill said. “Have you met Princess Marigold from Queen Fand’s realm?”

“Callisto!” Mari said.

The women ran to each other and hugged. It was a few minutes and many tears before they separated.

“I see you know each other,” Jill said with a smile.

“Princess Marigold helped me when I needed help the most,” Callisto said. “How do you know her?”

“My husband is a descendant of Manannán and Fand,” Jill said. “Prince Finegal lives here with his partner and their children. Although, Abi disappeared around the time of the pandemic.”

Callisto gave Jill a soft smile.

“These ‘jeans’ are nice,” Callisto said. “Do you get used to wearing this ‘underwear’?”

Mari laughed. She looked at Callisto and turned her hand over.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow...