The Mirror of Minutes ... Book 5 of the 5-Ever Series

By Tammy Berg

Published by CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS
Noveletta imprint

Book Five The MIRROR of MINUTES
The Five-Ever Series

On being dubbed The Goddess of 5-Ever, Josie was surprised to discover what she was capable of...

As the swearing-in then allowed the Ancients to become a part of her. Josephine quickly learns when the farmer has to take a back seat to the Goddess of 5-Ever – and that being in power sometimes demands one to use undesirable methods. Methods that mean the loss of a few, to protect the many.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CUSTOM BOOK PUBLICATIONS
• Release date: Jul 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370203413

Book preview

Book Five The MIRROR of MINUTES

The Five-Ever Series

On being dubbed The Goddess of 5-Ever, Josie was surprised to discover what she was capable of…

As the swearing in then allowed the Ancients to became a part of her. Josephine quickly learns when the farmer has to take a back seat to the Goddess of 5-Ever – and that being in power sometimes demands one to use undesirable methods. Methods that mean the loss of a few, to protect the many.

The Five-Ever Series

Book One: DOG OF THE ANCIENTS

Brodie is a Golden Retriever… a dog of The Ancients, but even such dogs are not allowed to talk to just anybody. The rules require those he is allowed to correspond with to be a soul of The Ancients, not just any human. He knew that if a human truly believed, then they too could hear the animals speak.

Problem was that not many believed anymore, making it that much harder for the Golden’s to keep balance between animals and humans…

Book Two: THE HUNTER

Just how powerful a blue moon can be, is unknown to all at the sanctuary. It takes the Trio, Josie and two new Enchantresses, Winnie and Lexi to decipher this mystery, and help a lone Coyote and her pups by keeping a hunter at bay.

A tiny life is unaware and completely innocent to the evils of the world. The realm of Five-Ever is opened to the teenagers, in the hopes of helping Brodie save the precious bundle.

Book Three The WITCH of the MARSH

Unbeknown to Josie, an age-old rivalry existed between Delfia, the Marsh Witch, and her Gran, something she had kept to herself for many years. On finding out, Jo is surprised how deep and brutal their competition went.

Knowing she would do whatever it took, she had to save her Gran from the manipulative Marsh Witch.

… because Five-Ever is so much longer than forever!

Book Four THE CELEBRATION

The time had come!

Josephine was to take her place as the rightful ruler of Five-Ever. However, even in light of such an event, it was not long before Jo realized just how heavy the head which bore the crown, could become.

For Jessica, Amanda, Alexandria, Isabella, and Winifred. For all the inspiration your young lives afford me.

Love 5-Ever BBG's.

… and my thanks to all at my publishing house – Custom Book Publications – for your support, wisdom and hard work.

All the characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Author has an insatiable love of the written word. As for many, life got in the way of her dreams but she raised her family exactly as she wanted to… as a young mother. She did not, however, plan to care for her elderly in-laws but working in a nursing home for five years equipped her to take on the task, which she did for eighteen years. When her mother-in-law passed away, though missed, she once again chased her dreams.

Attempting to write as her girls were growing up proved to be a no-no but since she has written the first three of her planned Five-Ever series. She hopes publication will help to fund her other new project – Tam’s Tails – an animal sanctuary for large farm animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

The animals in her stories include Brodie and Annie, both Golden Retrievers, and her cats – Binx, Molly, Cornelius, Smokey and Jacob. Sheeba, a disabled horse and Maximus and Percius are two goats. They all started her small sanctuary. She plans more animals will have a part in coming stories.

Copyright © 2017 Tammy Berg

Asia’s Print & Digital Publishing House

THE

MIRROR

OF

MINUTES

Book Five of a Series

by Tammy Berg

Mirror

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.

Whatever I see, I swallow immediately

Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.

I am not cruel, only truthful ‚

The eye of a little god, four-cornered.

Sylvia Plath

CHAPTER ONE

Leaving Belle under Raine, Maddy, and Maggie’s, watchful eyes, Hera, Lexi, and Winnie went with William and Brun, to retrieve the farm animals from behind the falls. Pora flew alongside. Hera explained to Sheeba where she wanted them to go now, so they could be closer to the temple.

‘Where’s Josie?’ asked Brodie. Hera was unsure how to answer that question. Turning, she looked to William for guidance. William cleared his throat, before deciding it was best to just be honest. ‘We’re not exactly sure, Bro,’ replied William. Brodie’s head, as well as the heads of the other animals whipped to look at William, as Annie stepped forward.

‘What do you mean you’re not sure?’ asked Annie, close to a panic. It was all too recent that they had lost one family member. Lil Ann stood with her back rigid, waiting on William to answer. ‘We know she’s at Cattail Marsh, and that she has entered a building there. But …that’s all we know,’ replied William.

Hera, seeing the panic begin to rise in the animal’s eyes, stepped forward, trying to come up with soothing words in order to keep them all calm.

‘There are many there with her. She is not alone, well not really,’ finished Hera, knowing she was making a mess of the explanation. Brodie looked to Lexi and Winnie, as Lex knelt, she hugged him and said. ‘I’m not going to lie to you guys. You deserve the truth, so here it is. Josie found a building somewhere in the middle of Cattail Marsh, and everyone who is there right now, could not find away in. After Jo entered, the door disappeared…’

‘What do you mean? Doors don’t disappear,’ said Annie. The other animals nodded in agreement.

‘You’re right Ann, normally they don’t,’ said Winnie. ‘But, we’re not in the mortal realm anymore. Strange things happen here.’

The animals began to murmur their concerns among themselves, not happy hearing what was being said. After discussing alternatives, they came to the same conclusion; only some of the animals would be going to Purrrl’s beach cave. Brodie, being the alpha for the troop, stepped up.

‘Annie and I, as well as Aggie, Smokey, and Binx, will be going to Cattail Marsh. Molly, Jacob, Raggs, and Rover, are going to the temple to be with Belle; we need Raine. Cornelius and Max to remain with Sheeba, to help her with the pups, and we agree that the beach cave is best for them.’ The animals all stood behind Brodie.

Hera was about to speak her concerns on this decision, when Winnie and Lexi went to stand with the animals. Shaking her head in confusion, Hera gave them a questioning look. ‘We’re sorry Hera, we don’t mean to undermine your authority, but this is about us of the mortal realm, we’re all family, and we have ways of taking care of each other. You cannot expect us to stay hidden in a cave, while the woman who helped us …is missing. It’s not going to happen. We …’ said Lexi, looking to Winnie, who nodded her head. ‘Are with the animals on this!’

Hera looked to William, who shrugged his massive shoulders, understanding completely where the girls were coming from. ‘Hera, it would be like someone asking me to bury my head in the sand, if you went missing.’

Seeing she was outnumbered, Hera gave in to the demands. ‘Very well, but when Josie reappears, which she will; this is on you, Brodie.’

Brodie nodded his head firmly, accepting full responsibility for the animals’ decision on Josie.

‘Very well then, let’s get moving. We have a long trek to Cattail Marsh,’ said Hera.

Josie opened her eyes, sitting up quickly on seeing the unfamiliar surroundings. Where the hell was she? This; was not the same place in which she had nodded off, suddenly noticing she was sitting on a large platform. On inspection however, what first appeared to be a platform, she could now see was the biggest bed she had ever seen. Looking to the end of the bed, her eyes grew as round as saucers, on seeing two large, beautiful wolves sitting at the foot. She crawled back to the headboard uncertain of her next move. The wolf on the right spoke. ‘Do not be afraid Josephine, Goddess of Five-Ever,’ said the wolf in a deep, almost hypnotic voice – a male who was slightly bigger than the wolf on the left

‘We mean you no harm. Mother has simply brought you here to instill in you some knowledge which she fears you may not otherwise be told,’ finished the wolf on the left, with a softer feminine lilt to her voice.

‘Where is here and who is mother?’ asked Jo, a slight waver to her voice. She reached for her staff on her back, only to find the scabbard empty, now becoming panicky.

‘Though you entered through Cattail Marsh, upon entering the ziggurat, you were transported to another realm completely. Not of the Five-Ever realm,’ said the male wolf, producing a wolfish grin.

Josie looked around again taking in the comfortable room. Upon noticing a window with the drapes drawn, she found her curiosity suddenly overwhelming. She felt an unexplained need to see what was on the other side of those drapes. She felt a number of emotions running wild within her, uncertainty being the biggest one, turning back to the wolves she asked, ‘What realm am I been in now?’

‘You have entered the realm of The Seven Sisters, the realm of Reve,’ said the female wolf.

‘Who is mother?’

"Mother is Celaeno; she is the fourth sister, as well as being known as the Mother of Wolves. It is believed by many that mother resides in Cattail Marsh. That however, is not the case; she simply implemented a portal within Cattail. A doorway back to her home realm, while keeping access to one of Zeus’s Realms…’

‘One of Zeus’s favorite realms,’ added the male.

‘What does she want to tell me, and where’s my staff?’

‘Mother has your staff, and she will be with you after you have bathed yourself, and have put clean attire on. We will direct you to the bathing pool, after which you will be served sustenance.’

‘You know my name. What will I call you?’ asked Jo.

Both wolves grinned as the wolf on the right answered, ‘I am Magik, and this is my sister Mystic.’

‘Pleased to meet you Magik and Mystic,’ said Josie, with a weak smile.

‘And you,’ replied Mystic.

Josie found their beauty incredible, though brother and sister, the only shared trait were the unbelievable blue of their eyes – a blue so pure and soft, she found she could barely look away from them. It was as though their eyes held her in a spell. Magik had a red hue to his thick silky coat, and a large square snout tipped with a black nose, his fur variegating from blondes to browns, thick and luxurious.

Mystic was truly feminine, with a slighter body frame, her snout tipped with a soft pink nose with her coloring more towards grays, with soft smoky hues variegating to bluish-gray tones. Both were exquisite and noticeably intelligent. A sudden intake of breath escaped Josie on standing, as she discovered just how huge these wolves were – they were the biggest wolves Josie had ever seen, their backs an incredible four feet in height. This put their heads just above Josie’s chin; should they stretch their necks they could look her in the eye. Should they choose to stand upon their hind legs, they would dwarf Josie who guessed the male was about 250 to 300 pounds, and the female about 50 pounds lighter.

‘If you will follow us please,’ said Mystic.

Josie nodded, then unable to help herself she stopped at the drapes first, pulling them back to see what was on the other side. There she stood in awe of the view. The sky was a soft pink, with two white moons seemingly chasing one another across its expanse, the landscape appearing in shades of deep blue, instead of the greens she was so accustomed to. The realm was breathtaking, and one Josie would have envisioned as heaven, but for having been told differently. She gazed at the river that ran through the valley, the valley of blue grasses and pink waters. Flowers of yellow, purple, and orange, dotted the landscape of rolling hills. Trees of pristine white trunks, with leaves of navy blue, similar to her realm’s maple trees, dwelling peacefully with smaller weeping trees with light blue leaves. They were covered in dark blue moss hanging like old lace from their gnarled branches. She turned with wide eye wonder to the two wolves waiting for her patiently.

‘This is the most beautiful realm I have ever seen,’ she whispered in awe, as though to speak to loudly might shatter that which was so tranquil and pure.

Mystic smiled, before giving her a gentle nudge with her snout. ‘There are many wonders for you to see here, Josephine. But; first we must prepare you for the realm. You must bathe within its waters, to be accepted as a Reve child. You may not go outside until the grime of other realms are first cleansed away. We cannot take the chance of cross contamination of one realm with another.’

Josie nodded, as she regrettably walked away from the circular window, following the two wolves from the room.

On leaving the room, she was surprised yet again.

Instead of the expected hallway one would usually find outside a bedroom, she found herself upon a walkway; one that stood among a vast expanse of a dark nothingness. To look over the sides of the walkway caused her instant vertigo, which Mystic quickly advised against. The wolves each took a side to guide Josie protectively. At a vast door of redwood, which had heads of lupine varieties carved on it. Some with big square foreheads and ferocious eyes, while others were of young pups playing friskily with one another. Magik pushed the center of the door with his snout. Jo noted the exact location where he had touched. Upon hearing a click, the door had swung open. One of the lupine heads had acted as a release mechanism; she would soon learn that it was the same mechanism for all the doors in this realm.

The wolves urged Josie forward into a vast bathing room – a room of marble pillars and granite walls, with a large sunken pool of rose water in the center. As she scanned the room, she noticed more wolf statues, the entire temple appearing to be Lupine, honoring the wolf and all its strengths and beauty. Floors of creamy-colored ceramic tiles, each square being 4’ by 4’. covered the immense expanse. Josie noticed that although the pool steamed with heat, the room was a comfortable temperature, not the sticky sauna one would expect. Huge flowers stood in gigantic vases. Most were varieties she had never seen before, but they wafted a soft perfumed scent throughout the room. Huge petals of oranges and yellows stood vibrant against the earthy vases, which had navy blue etchings of wolves standing on their hind feet, facing each other nose to nose. Looking to the ceiling, she caught her breath at the multitude of bright white stars shining brilliantly against the soft pink sky. The glass was so clear, it felt as though she were under an open sky.

‘You must remove your clothing Josephine; it is time to enter the pool. Mother does not like to be kept waiting,’ Mystic requested softly, well aware of Josie’s captivation of all that was ancient, however, all very new to her.

Josie disrobed throwing her clothing to the floor, as a gasp escaped her, surprised by the beings that seemingly came out of nowhere quickly gathering up the discarded apparel. She stared at the strange beings appearing physically human, but for the masks, they wore upon their heads. Sudden humility causing her to quickly cover herself, unsure who or what these beings were. They appeared to be of a muscular male build, while the masks appeared Nubian-like; resembling the dogs she had seen of Ancient Egypt. Before she could utter a sound, they were gone, as fast and as silently as when they had appeared. Staring after them for a moment, she descended into the warm waters of the pool. The steps led gradually down, so one could choose the preferred depth. Having gone deep enough so only her head remained above water, Josie felt her body instinctively relax, a sigh escaping her as she laid her head back on the step several