Fairies, Sorcery, and the Titans: Book 3

By Donald R Richter

This book is about a guy named Jack that was touched by the hand of God, given powers of the Greek Gods to save the World from being over thrown by the original Titians. He found Merlin and gave him the white power of the Gods accidently; Merlin has always been a Red Guardian taking care of the red fairy. In this book the mother of the Gods Gaia an angel took human form and had children with an angel Pontus who also took human form. Now Zeus and Poseidon are working with him. He went down to purgatory to help get Hades, back in power so Hades owes him. Odin and the Norse Gods try to kill him, the Gods of Olympus are not on their side either. There are some twists and turns, they take down Typhon, and Prometheus, and Skadi. Venus and Calypso and The Lady of the Lake are released. The Blue fairies are stopped from taking over the world, at Stonehedge. (Those are the bad ones.) They find Bobba-Yaga, and bring her out of Russia, with her apprentice. It is a different way to look at the Gods of old.

Enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796089219

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 by Donald R. Richter.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 01/21/2021

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2     Getting Ready to Go to the Island

Chapter 3     Then There Was Hades

Chapter 4     Poseidon Goes to the Island

Chapter 5     Juliet Takes Over the Castle

Chapter 6     Lady of the Lake

Chapter 7     To the Island

Chapter 8     Meeting Mark and the General contractor

Chapter 9     Getting Back to California

Chapter 10   Finding Baba Yaga

Chapter 11   Getting Baba Yaga Home

Chapter 12   Finding clues

Chapter 13   To Seattle

Chapter 14   Starting Baba Yaga’s Regeneration

Chapter 15   To Miami, Finding a Spy

Chapter 16   Getting Ready, Down to the Island

Chapter 17   To Stonehenge

Chapter 18   Typhon

Chapter 19   The Death of Typhon

Chapter 20   To Zeus’ Island

Chapter 21   Back to the Caribbean

Chapter 22   To California with Mia

Chapter 23   Meeting the Titan Gaia

Chapter 24   Prometheus

Chapter 25   To the Island

Chapter 26   Questioning Gaia

Chapter 27   The Chinese Sorcerer Yu Gi Oh

Chapter 28   Off to Borneo

Chapter 29   Finding Skadi

Chapter 30   To the Caribbean, Talk to the Gods

Chapter 31   Back to the Mansion

Chapter 32   Confronting Gaia

Chapter One

Venus sat at the table drinking coffee. She stood and said, "Okay, let me get this straight. I am the goddess Venus, the goddess of love. Medusa imprisoned me in a picture thousands of years ago. Yes, I was a spoiled brat back then. I remember it like yesterday. My mind and spirit have been put into Gloria Stanley’s body, and I have her memories. She has had an interesting life but it helps me understand this new land. Lethos and Cybele are in the other room, imprisoned in mirrors by Helios. I still can’t believe he was that jealous he would imprison his own brother. Then Cybele wouldn’t love him, so he imprisoned her also. I am glad you killed him. They are helping me understand what is happening, but there is a lot they don’t understand also. I understand they have been imprisoned in mirrors for over two thousand years.

The mighty Zeus, my love, you are known as Jason Romanos. You own an island near Greece. You are an art dealer. You no longer are the king of the gods. Now Poseidon here is the god of the sea. You go as Mark Meyers, a London banker. Your passion is to bring Calypso back. Are you sure? I remember the hissy fit she had. She ranted and raved that you weren’t given your fair share. She even killed a couple of servants. Mark stood and said, Those were spies. The council set me up to take my seat, and you were pissed I wouldn’t fall for you seduction. Venus rolled her eyes and said, Whatever. Okay, you are Merlin, a great sorcerer. You killed Medusa. You are very strong. You now are known as Marvin Remington. You are a magician at the Magic Castle and are stronger than ever. You are Juliet, the wife of Merlin. The two of you have been together for thousands of years. Andre, you are a Viking warrior and you have been serving Marvin with a life debt. Ella, you are a fortune-teller. You can read the future and the past. You are very old and wise.

Ella blushed as she smiled. Then she started to deal the cards out in front of her. Venus pointed and said, And you, Sara, you are a red fairy guardian, the youngest of the crew. Jack cleared his throat. Venus said, I’m sorry, Jack, you are the youngest. What are you, eighty-three? You are Jack Robinson, an army sergeant, then a sheriff. Now the savior of the world. You have talked with angels. You can see into people’s minds. You were picked to lead this war by the hand of God himself.

Ella said, Oh boy, we have a problem. Everyone turned and looked as she held a card. We have a visitor. A bell rang and a voice on the intercom spoke, Mr. Robinson, there is a courier here with a message for you. Should I let him through? Andre leaped to his feet, dashed across the room, pushed a button, then asked, How many in the car? The man said, Just one, and he has credentials. He is from the national courier service. Andre looked at Marvin. He nodded, and then he said, Yes, let him through.

Venus said, Okay, I don’t understand this. Whenever you order food you call it in, then you go to the wall and you talk to a guy. Sara said, There is a guard at the gatehouse that lets people in and keeps people out. Jack asked Ella, Why can’t you look more than five minutes into the future? Ella, who was studying the cards, said, There will be a battle. A great power is here. There will be death. Do not trust this person.

The bell rang. Andre got up. Jack sprung from his seat and said, Stay. He sprinted to the door. He opened it and a young man was there, standing with a clipboard. The young man said, A letter for Merlin. Jack reached into his pocket and peeled off a twenty from his money clip. He handed it to him and took the clipboard and signed it. He turned and walked back into the house, then handed the letter to Merlin. It had his name scrolled across it in gold lettering. Jack handed the letter to Marvin.

There wasn’t a sound when Marvin took the letter and waved over it and the letter unsealed. Marvin took it out and read it out loud, Merlin, your presence is required at the Frank Lloyd Wright Wayfarers Chapel, twelve thirty today. Come alone. Andre said, That’s over in Long Beach. If you are going to make it we have to leave now.

Jack walked over and kissed Sara. He said, We will be back as soon as possible. Marvin stood and asked, Where the hell do you think you are going? Jack said, Oh, I thought I would tag along, make sure you’re not walking into a trap. Zeus stood and said, Well, if we’re going to make it on time we best get on the road. Marvin said, You’re not coming. Jason boomed, The hell I’m not. You don’t know what you are up against. He leaned down and kissed Venus full on the lips. A tear slid down her cheek. Mark got up and said, I’m in. This could be fun. Andre said, I’ll get the Navigator. He quickly left the room.

Jack asked Ella, So what do you see? Ella studied the cards and said, A great man of power. There will be a battle, there will be death. He is not to be trusted. That is it. Jack said, You have a whole stack of cards, what do you mean that is it? Ella said, There is no more. This is what the cards say. Juliet said, You be careful, take care of Marvin.

Jack jogged down the hall to catch up to the men. Jason said as soon as he got in the Lincoln, It is Odin, the Norse god of war. Andre asked, The god of the Vikings, the god of war and wisdom. Really? He actually exists? You have to be kidding me. Jason said, I can feel his presence, his power. It has been a long time but I think it is him. Jack smiled and said, Okay, this is fine. Everyone power down, this is going to be a surprise attack. I am sure he is expecting Marvin and someone else, but not Zeus and Poseidon, the most powerful gods in the world.

Jason said, Now if I put my arm in the air and make small circles with my finger, put your hands over your ears. It’s going to be loud. Mark stuck his hand out the window and mumbled. He pulled his hand in. Everyone was looking at him, even Andre was looking in the rearview mirror. He said, I just thought we needed some cloud cover. There is a storm brewing just off the coast.

They came close to the ocean and you could see the storm off the coast. As they got to Santa Monica Pier, they saw three waterspouts pulling water into the clouds, dancing across the waves. Marvin said, That is a bit much. Mark asked, Where is this chapel? Andre said, about twenty miles south. Mark reached his hand out the window and mumbled. The waterspouts slowly disappeared and the storm headed toward shore. Andre asked, Zeus, I thought you were the lightning guy. Jason said, Poseidon here can whip up a storm quickly, pulling the water from the sea, dispersing it into the clouds. See how fast it is growing? The weathermen are going to have a hard time explaining this one.

Andre pulled off the main road and stopped in the driveway of the chapel. A man stood in the middle of the road. He stepped to the Lincoln. Jack powered down his window. The man said to him, The chapel is closed today for an event. Jack looked the man in the eye, hypnotized him, and said, We are the event. You will stay right here. You will not contact anyone and you will keep everyone out until we return. Do you understand? The man said, Yes, I understand. I will stay here. I will not contact anyone and keep everyone out until you come back. Jason said, You are really good at that. Jack smiled and said, I was taught by one of the best. Too bad he isn’t giving lessons. Marvin said, If he was it would be from the grave. He kind of died . . . what is it? Four or five weeks ago?

Andre drove up the driveway to a parking lot. There was the glass church surrounded by small redwood trees. Jack said, Marvin, power up. We want him to feel you and nobody else. He looked at Zeus and Poseidon and said, Now you guys stay here until you see what we are dealing with.

Marvin got out of the passenger door. Jack got out of the back door. They started toward the chapel. A man stepped out, motioned them over. Marvin said loudly, Odin, I presume. The man said, And you are the mighty Merlin. I thought you were dead. A crack of thunder shook the hill as the storm came in. Marvin said, And I thought you were a myth.

The rain came. It split and went right around them. Four men stepped out from behind trees. Marvin shot four bolts of power, holding each one in a bubble. Odin powered up and boomed, Zeus. Everyone turned to see Jason with his hand in the air, his finger pointing to the sky. The three men quickly covered their ears. Three bolts of lightning shot across the sky, came together as one, and blasted a man that stepped out from behind a tree, vaporizing him, leaving a smoking hole.

Odin cried out, Jesus Christ. Jack held up both hands, shooting two bolts of power into his chest as he said, Nope, it’s just me. He pulled two blinding pillars of white power, grounding them just in front of him. Odin was ready for a fight but he was not ready for this. He tried to stop Jack from draining his power off, but he had no clue how. Jason walked up and held up his hand. Odin’s power came out of the ground to him. Odin went to his knees, then to fell face-first on the lawn.

Jason said, Finish him. Jack asked Marvin, Do we have to kill him? Marvin said, I don’t know, what do you think? Should we or shouldn’t we kill him? Jason said, If you take him out now you don’t have to fight him later. I vote kill him.

One of the bubbles holding the four men popped and the man was coming at them, chanting, trying to work a spell. Mark threw up his hand. An icicle came out of the rain and drove right through the man that was attacking. The icicle was about ten feet long and three inches in diameter, pinning him to the ground. His eyes glowed. Four more icicles plunged through him, one through the head. He just hung there with blood slowly coating the ice.

Mark said, I guess it doesn’t matter. We should find out what he is doing here, who he is working for. Andre got out of the car and said, The rainstorm is coming to an end, you are going to lose your cover. Jack said to Marvin, Could you clean this up? I am going to talk with Odin. Marvin waved his hand. The three glowing balls disappeared and the men fell to the ground, gasping for air. He then blew a kiss to the guy that was impaled. He turned into sandstone. He then swirled his finger, chanting. The stone turned to dust and went into the hole Jason made when he blasted that guy with lightning.

Jack stood over Odin, who was sitting on the ground. Jason yelled, Was that Loki? Odin asked, What? Who? No. Jack asked, Give us a reason not to kill you. Odin rolled his eyes up to look at Jack. He said softly, Hell, I don’t know. I promise I will never meet you again in battle. Mark asked from behind him, Are you staying at the Wilshire? We will meet you in three hours at the bar. Jason said loudly, We are done here.

Marvin was working on filling the hole Jason had made. He turned and got into the Lincoln. He was the first to speak. He said, That was a bitch. You turned everything within a foot around the hole into glass.

The rain hit. It just poured. Andre drove down the driveway to the man that was standing there. He was soaked to the bone. Jack powered down the window and said, It’s okay to let people through now.

Marvin asked, Why did you let Odin live? What the heck I can’t believe there are Norse gods. What an ass. He asked me to come alone, he had five guys with him. Andre chuckled and said, He didn’t have the world’s greatest sorcerer, the most powerful Zeus, and the ruler of the seas. You brought some powerful hitters. Jack said flatly, Yeah, but now they know our strength. Marvin said, Those four were apprentices. Only one could break free.

Jason said, Poseidon, I thank you. Jack smiled and looked back at Mark. You know, I felt him break free. There was just so much going on. And by the way, that was cool. Andre said, Remind me not to piss you off. Marvin asked, So why are we going to his hotel to talk? Jason said, That was a good call, neutral ground, somewhere he wouldn’t dare to pick a fight. Andre asked, Straight to the hotel? Marvin said, No, we don’t want to be too early. Let’s go to that coffee shop, the one on Rodeo Drive, and chill for a moment. They still use that saying, right? Jason said, We have to find out what we are up against. I heard Thor himself was killed in an uprising. I really don’t know who is in charge nowadays.

Andre pulled up in front of the coffee shop, double-parked, and let the guys out. Then he went and parked the car. When he returned to the table, he asked, So what are you guys talking about? Marvin looked up and said, We were discussing about cars that drive themselves. You could have got out and the car would have parked itself. Then when you want it, you just call and it will come and pick you up. Mark here has invested quite heavily into it. A few cities are doing a trial run of taxis and it is working fine. Andre shook his head and asked, What is this world coming to? Marvin smiled and said, Don’t worry, your job is safe. Andre said, Speaking of that, am I getting a bonus this year? Because this isn’t in my job description. Marvin said, Sure, what do you want? Andre smiled as he sat down and said, Oh, nothing. I have plenty of money. I will need a few favors. We will discuss them when I need them. Marvin smiled and said, No, you’re not taking off right now.

Jack looked at the Jason and Mark and said, Andre gets two hundred and fifty thousand a year for being Marvin’s chauffeur. That pays his mortgage. Andre smiled and said, No, you have that wrong. The place is paid for. It pays the taxes and upkeep.

Jason said, Now that we are all here, can somebody tell me why we didn’t put Odin down? Marvin said, I am with you. I think that was a tactical error. This one could bite us in the ass. Mark said, He promised never to meet us on the battlefield again. His word is his bond. Marvin lowered his voice and asked, Do you believe that crap? Jack said, He could be an asset. Is he running the show or is someone pulling his strings?

Marvin put his finger to his lips as a young woman brought Andre his coffee. Then he asked roughly, What are you doing? You’re not our server. Who are you? She was shocked. I am just helping out. Sue is bringing the pastries. Jack smiled and said, She thinks you’re a mean old man. And here comes our snack. Andre, you ordered a plate of bacon? Good boy. Andre said, Just watch what you eat. If you get fat, Sara will have my ass.

Mark picked up an elegant pastry and said, He wasn’t there on his own accord, he was sent here. I think we need to make an offensive strike. Marvin said with a mouthful of baklava, First we find out what or who we are dealing with. He can be our inside guy. We should have taken out the other three. Andre asked, Jason, don’t you have a guy on the inside? Alex, wasn’t it? Jason said, I could call him, see what he knows. He is a lesser god, not high on the council, but I will give it a shot.

Mark said, Taking Medusa out has left a power struggle. Marvin said, Now wait a minute, these are Norse gods, not Greek. Jason said, Andre, get the car. We need answers. Andre looked to Marvin, who nodded. Jack said, Now remember this is the Wilshire, we are not going to burn it down. Marvin pulled out his phone and said into it, Okay, what do you see? Yes, I will wait. Two strong powers coming together. We must leave. Oh, Andre’s here, thanks. He put the phone in his pocket and said to the waitress, Five coffees and snacks, a hundred should cover, right? He held up a bill and they walked to the street and got into the Lincoln. Jack asked, So what did Ella say? Marvin said, Not much, which is a good thing. Nobody dies, but that could change.

Andre pulled up to the hotel valet and asked, How long? Marvin said, Hour max. He is going to tell us what is going on, and we will set up some kind of alliance. He is with us or he is dead. Jack said, Now that’s nice, no middle ground.

Jason said as he got out of the car, Should have taken him out, we wouldn’t be playing this game. Andre told the valet, We will need it in about an hour. The valet looked into his hand and there was a twenty. Jack said, I just don’t know how you do that. Andre said, Magic. Okay, we meet Odin and his guys at the bar.

The five of them walked into the hotel. The floors were polished to a mirror finish. You could see yourself in the marble. There were huge chandeliers.

Jason said loudly, Where is the bar? A man stepped up to him and said, The Boulevard Lounge is this way, if you will follow me. They went into the lounge and a man stepped up to them and asked, Are you here to meet with Odin? Follow me. Jack just raised his hand. Jason said, Wait a minute, why don’t we meet him here? The man said, The meeting is in the Governor’s Suite. If you would walk this way. Jack stepped up to him, put his hand on his arm, said, You will listen to me, you will do as I say. The man’s face went blank and he replied, I will do as you say. Jack then asked, Is this a trap? The man blankly said, This is not a trap, it is a peace deal. Jack said, You will not fight against us, do you understand? The man then said, Yes.

Jason said, You know, that’s a nice power to have. Marvin said, Let’s just get this over with. Have him show us to the room. Jack said, You will show us to the room and you will not remember that last discussion. The man said, Follow me please. This is the way to the Governor’s Suite.

When they got into the elevator, Mark said, Okay now, we don’t destroy the hotel. This could go very wrong. Jason said, Told you we should have killed them all. It would have taken a minute. Marvin said, What is done is done. Andre, what has Ella said about this meeting? Two great powers combine. Trust no one and you will split three ways. Jack said, Well I guess we are going to the island soon. She can only see a day or two in the future. Mark said, I have known fortune-tellers that look years into your future. Jack said, This is different. We are but pawns in this game and we don’t know all the rules.

The doors of the elevator opened. Jack said, Here we go. They all followed the man into the large, beautiful suite. Odin got up and met them coming in. He stretched out his hand and said, Welcome, come right in. Marvin looked over to Jack. Jack said, I got this. He reached out, firmly grabbed his hand and instantly pulled power from him, looking into his eyes. They both shone bright white.

Two men stood and powered up, ready for battle. Marvin, Jason, and Mark jumped apart and powered up. The man that showed them in threw up his arms and yelled, Stop, stop. We are here in peace. Sit down, you can’t win. The two men in the living room sat. Odin dropped his arm. Jack stepped in quickly and slid his arm around his waist and helped him to a chair. Marvin said, Stand down. That could have gone smoother. Andre said, Well so far so good.

Jason asked, Who the hell are these three? The man who showed them in said, I am Lucas, son of Hel. This over here is Louis, son of Ullr. And Gabriel, son of Bragi. We all are their distant relatives. We have no quarrel with you. And this is Odin, whom you know.

Odin struggled to his feet. He said, You are Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. You are Poseidon, the god of the seas. IAndyou are the all-powerful wizard Merlin. Who are the other two? Marvin said, This is Jack. He is heading this quest. And Andre, the chauffeur. Odin asked as Jack flowed some power back to him, And what is this quest you speak of? Jack said, I have been sent on this quest by God himself to stop the Blue Fairy from coming back to earth. Odin said in a pissed-off tone, What the hell does that have to do with me? Everyone looked at each other. Finally Mark said, I don’t know, you tell us. Why did you lay a trap for Merlin here? Odin said, I was told to. I was told you were hunting the gods. You killed Medusa and a few more. Jason said, First of all, we are not hunting the gods. The council has killed more of our people than anyone. You know this is true. You’re either with them or they will hunt you down and destroy you. Odin lowered his head and said, You are right. Many demigods have died needlessly. I am with you. His head snapped up and he said loudly, Yes, dammit, I am with you. Let’s take them down. We are the strongest gods in the world. Both councils will fall to our feet.

Mark walked to the center of the room with both hands in the air, saying, Whoa, whoa, back it up. We are here in peace. We are not going to start a war. What part of stop the blue fairies from coming back to earth didn’t you understand? You are the one that tried to kill Marvin over here. Odin asked, What can I do? Jason said, You can go to your council and tell them you were set up by the Greeks. Then tell them Zeus, Poseidon, and Merlin, who now has Medusa’s book, are together and want peace. They want to stop the blue guardians from opening a portal to a distant planet and let the blue fairies back to earth. This is a quest by the almighty God himself. In other words, tell them the truth.

Odin walked over and wrote something down, then walked over to Jason. He pulled him into a hug and handed him the paper. This is my cell number. If there is anything you need, it will be yours. If you are going into battle, I will stand by your side.

Andre asked, Let’s get this straight. Who sent you? Who do you work for? Odin said, I don’t work for anyone. Dalle Morisca sent Tyson to do her dirty work. You killed him, turned him to stone, and sent a bust of him to her. She put a large price on your head. Tyson was my apprentice. Jason said, There again. He was sent to kill us. Did you like the bust? Looks pretty cool, one of my best works.

Jack asked from behind, Just asking, how many have you killed by order of the council? Odin turned and said, Too many. Some had to be put down, but many innocent people over the centuries. This will never happen again. Tyson is in the gallery. You did a great job on him. I told him not to go. Andre said, He turned him to stone then sliced him in half with Excalibur. Than gilded in twenty-four-carat gold and pure silver. Once he was done, he encased it in glass.

Andre handed Odin a cell phone and said, These are our numbers. As King Arthur said, we fight for that which is right. Only call from this phone. Buy your minutes on a card. Marvin said, Arthur, that ass. He had good intentions, just not the backbone to hold everything together. I am telling you, screw with us and there will be hell to pay.

The five of them got into the elevator. Jason said, What the hell, we should have killed him. He is weak. You could have taken him out. Mark said, Okay, this time I think Zeus here is right. He is going to build an army, and next time it will not be in our favor. Marvin said, What is done is done. He can be a great asset. Do I trust him? I am really not sure. And to go into battle with someone you don’t trust isn’t a good thing. Jack said, Like getting shot in the back. Seen that happen in war. You want your enemies out in front of you.

Andre said into his phone, Has anything changed? Everyone stepped out of the elevator and waited for Andre to say something. Andre looked up and said, Two great powers have combined and are getting split three ways. Mark said, Oh, I got it. I have to go to your island. We have a dozen people I have to meet with to get this resort off the ground. Jack said, Take Jason and Venus. I don’t know what Venus can do but I would feel much better having Zeus there. And bring the trident. Marvin said, Yes, drop it in the ocean. It will be a beacon for Calypso. I will get down there and see if we can bring her back.

Chapter Two

Getting Ready to Go to the Island

They pulled up to the mansion. Andre asked, Should I put it away? Jack said, I wouldn’t. Hey, I was going to ask you. Does Ella drive? Andre said, Oh yes, she can drive anything. She drives semi with the circus. Remember, she has been around for a few years. Jack said, That’s good, because Sara really doesn’t want to drive in this traffic. Marvin said, Hell, nobody wants to. Just make sure she is insured before you let Ella drive. Andre rolled his eyes, Oh, that is right. She has to be better by now.

They walked through the mansion and out to the pool. There were the girls, sunning themselves and drinking champagne. Venus jumped up and ran to Jason’s arms. She gave him a big kiss and said, There is so much going on nowadays. I love it. Everything is so nice. Jason smiled and said, How would you like to go to a tropical island? For a few weeks at least. Marvin said, Mark and Jason are going to Jack’s island to get that resort up and running. Juliet said, Jack, you have to get with your lawyer and accountant and get those papers signed. Jack said, Yes, things are going a bit quickly, but this has nothing to do with the quest. Or does it? Calypso could be a great asset. Besides, she was so sad. Now she is happy. I don’t know how long it will take for her to get to the Caribbean. Mark said, She is a power source. It might not take that long. We need to find a body.

Jason lifted Venus off the floor. You did a great job with this one. Andre said, That was just luck, but now I know what we are looking for. It’s more a feeling. She felt a little different. Marvin said, It’s been tens of thousands of years ago, but the angel’s children seek each other. We will look for the purest blood we can find. Juliet said, I have never been able to handle the fairies’ power. I will just keep on regenerating. Jack smiled as he said, We need power. Calypso was a threat to the gods and they have imprisoned her for thousands of years.

Venus said, She isn’t going to fight. When she is free she is going to love, like I love life. Look around you, isn’t it beautiful? I love Zeus, I love the bathroom, the smells . . . in my old life everything smelled like body odor or horse crap. Everyone is kind to each other. I love windows. There are no bugs. Oh, and I love the beds. Oh my the beds they are so nice. Sara said, Things are much better now. It is so nice of you to be with us. Juliet asked, Does she really have to go? We were having such a good time.

Marvin said, She is the goddess of love. It’s the way you look at things. Running hot water, who would have thought that that would be possible? Okay, we will give her the choice. Do you want to stay here or go with Jason? She stepped back to his side and said, With my husband of course. When do we leave? Jason said, Mark, this is your project. When do we need to be there? Mark said, Soon. I have a guy doing the environmental impact assessment. Yes, I know there are a lot of hoops to jump through. We need an electrical grid. There is a large generator being sent from Germany. The one that is there will be a backup. Solar panels and wind turbines. We are going to select an architect.

Jack said, Sara, would you like to work on this project? You girls work with Mark. It will be a thirty- to fifty-room hotel. Marvin said, You’re really doing this.

Sara said, Instead of hotel, how about a condominium? That way you can pick who you want there. Jason said, Yes, that will work. I know enough gods. If we get Odin in on this it would be great. Marvin said, Let’s wait before we start selling condos. What does the place look like now? Mark said, It has thirteen bedrooms, servants quarters, a desalination plant. A few solar panels that are out of date, six windmills that are in working order and can be updated. Still working on a cost for that. The grass runway is thirty-four hundred feet and could be extended. The dock has to dredged, and we need a bit of work there to unload containers.

Jack asked, Mark, where are you getting the money for this? Mark looked at him and said, I thought we were partners, the three of us. The contract should be here any day now. Jason and I drew it up a few days ago. We put your red guardians on the island to work. The landing strip is going to cost a bundle. I think we keep it grass for now. We could get a bigger plane to hop back and forth to the Bahamas. Andre asked, When are we going? Mark said, As soon as possible. We will get things rolling.

Venus asked, Can we take Lethos and Cybele? They don’t take up much room. Jack said in a pissed-off tone, Marvin, we were supposed to take care of that. Marvin said, Not to worry. They can wait a few more days. Where are we going to find the bodies for these people? Juliet said, The nursing home. We will just regenerate them. They’re going to die anyway and they won’t be missed. Jason said, That seems like a lot of work. We could just go to the bar and Jack could work his magic. Jack said, There are very few people that can handle the power, and we want the best we can get.

Andre said, You’re getting off track. I just got off the phone with Ella. Get your crap together, you leave in two days. I am going to make the flight plans. It is you, Venus, Jason, Mark, and I. As soon as I get a flight plan I will tell you and I will tell Juan. Marvin asked, Now who the hell is Juan? Jack said, Juan and Maria Garcia, they are the caretakers at the island. Did you get them a line of credit? Mark said, I have put a hundred grand in an account and have been watching their expenses. They are slowly going through it but there are a dozen or so contractors there and they are feeding them. But as you say, if we sell condos it might not cost us anything. This might work out very nicely. Hey, Andre, you want to buy a condo?

Andre stopped, then turned and said, I go to Avalon for a week ever year. Last year it was cold. Jason said, That’s bullshit. There is no Avalon. Marvin said, Hey, that’s right. I own a place on Catalina Island. The city is called Avalon, we should all go there. Andre said, There is a yearlong waiting list. You’re making a good chunk of change off that property. I have a week in August. I will invite you.

Venus said, Okay, who is driving? If I am going to a Caribbean island I need some clothes. Jason smiled and asked, Did you go through the clothes Gloria packed? Venus rolled her eyes and said, Gloria was a waitress, I am a goddess. I need clothes. Sara said, I can drive as long as it is not a stick. Ella said, I have to get back to the castle, I have a show to do. Mind if I take a car? Jack said, Crap, I was supposed to check and see if you are insured driving my cars. Ella smiled and said, I will take it easy. I moved Linda’s cars to one end of the garage and put a note under the windshield wiper so you know. I will take the Porsche. Sara said, I will pick out a car as long as it has a GPS.

Juliet said, Jack, you have to see your accountant today. Remind Andre he has your itinerary. You have to push this though, they will milk you for every hour they can. Jack asked, Does anyone even know what Margaret owned? My god, she has places around the world. If I am not using them we should rent them out or sell them. What a waste. We should visit them. Sara, my love, maybe we can do that on our honeymoon. The room got quiet, nobody even breathed. Jack said, Ah nuts, did I just say that? I mean we could go on vacation and look at all the houses.

Marvin said, Okay, everything is a go. I will stay here and help. I will figure out how to turn the castle over to Juliet so she can bring me back, then I can actually do something. Hey, you know, I could go to Jack’s island with you. Jason said, No, you stay with the girls. If anyone can protect them it is you. Marvin said quietly, I guess, since you put it that way, I will stay here.

Andre walked into the room and said, We have an eight o’clock flight Thursday. We shall get there around three. I have contacted her pilot and told him to have the plane ready. Sounds like a nice guy. He wanted to fly but there wouldn’t be enough room. Jack asked, So when do I have to be at Woodlawn’s? Andre said, Ah man, you were supposed to be at Scott Denver’s, your accountant, in fifteen minutes. We will never make it. I will call and tell them we will be late.

Andre pulled up to the accountant’s a half hour later. Jack went in and apologized for being late, then went straight in and held out his hand and said, This is how it is going to go. I am top priority. You will call Paul Brookside and Edward Woodlawn daily. You are to work together. Everything must be done by the book. I will give you a big bonus for doing this. Scott said, I will work with the accountant Paul Brookside of Boston and the lawyer Edward Woodlawn. You will have to sign a release. He then pushed a button and said, Mary, I need two forms of 186, a release of information. He looked up at Jack and said, I am working with your other accountant. We can’t get a price on all the artwork you have out there. The other houses you own, we can get a property value on them but we don’t know the art or cars. Jack said, I have plans on visiting them and selling them. I have an art guy going to my island. He will give you a report.

Scott said, This is a very large account, and the one you have with Paul is a very large account. You made forty-two million last year just on art alone. We estimated your worth at north of a billion dollars. Jack said, Don’t care, just get it done. Scott’s secretary came in with the forms to sign. Jack signed them and Scott said, I will get this out today and we can start sharing more. Give me a week and we will have this close enough to push through the courts. Jack said, Just get it done. My mother would have wanted it this way. He turned and walked out.

Jack power-walked to the car. Andre was working on his laptop. Jack got in and said, Let’s go to Woodlawn’s and light a fire under his ass. This is taking too long. Andre said, It has only been like three weeks, this could take three years. Jack looked at him and said, Oh hell no, I want this done and over with. Andre asked, Is he working with your other accountant, that Paul guy from out east? Jack said, I signed some papers so they can exchange information, which should have been done a long time ago. I should have waited to take out Linda. She knew everything about Margaret. That’s it, for Christ’s sakes. I have to find a place and meditate. I didn’t keep Margaret’s memories about her finances, but I really never looked at what Linda knew. I have so much stuff in my head anyways, I need to delete some files.

Andre asked, So do you still want to go to Woodlawn’s? You know you don’t have an appointment. Jack said, Yes, I want to make sure he is doing everything in his power to bring this to a close. Jack closed his eyes and leaned back. Soon they were at Woodlawn’s law offices. Jack said, This will not take long. Suckofski is supposed to be looking into Margaret’s account. I am sure he has hacked into Edward’s law office.

Jack walked in and up to the secretary. He said, Jack Robinson here to see Edward. She said, I am sorry, he is booked for the week. We can try to squeeze you in. Jack cleaned his throat. She looked up at him. Jack said, You will take me in to see him now. She stood and said, If you would follow me.

Jack followed her into the office, where three men sat in front of Edward’s desk and he sat behind it. She said, Edward, Jack Robinson here to see you. Ed looked up, surprised. Jack walked in and said, This will take one moment. If you three will step outside, thank you. Edward did not say a word. Jack said, You will tell me what is going on, on my case and how is it going, changing my name to Jack Robinson. Ed said, I have pulled some strings. The will stands. You will get stepped up evaluation, which will cut your taxes by more than half. Margaret just has so much and it is everywhere. I must have you sign some paperwork.

Ed opened a drawer and pulled out a thick file. He took out four sheets off the top and slid them in front of Jack. Jack signed all four, never asking what they were for. He looked Edward in the eye and said, You will work with Scott Denver. He will call you daily. You will get this done. Jack turned, walked to the door, and held the door for the three men to go back inside. Jack asked the secretary, Has Edward been in contact with a Scott Denver? She looked at him and said, Yes, he is your accountant out east. Jack nodded to her and walked out.

Andre said as he wiped down the car, So how did it go? Jack said, He is working on it. I signed some forms. It sounds like the will stands in the courts, which I knew it would. Damn, I should have had some money put in an account for me. Andre asked, Back to the mansion or to the Castle? Jack said, Mansion. Let me think. Jack closed his eyes and leaned back. Ten minutes later his eyes popped open. He said, Son of a bitch, why didn’t I think of that? She has two separate accounts, two separate tax numbers, two lawyers, for Christ’s sakes. I have to call Vladimir. Jack took out his phone. Andre said, That’s not the way we do things. Jack pulled up his contacts and tapped on Vladimir Suckofski. Jack said, We have to talk. There are two different identification numbers. Oh, a package of wine and cheese? Today? That will be great, thank you so ever much. Andre said, More fricken cheese, I’m not going to be able to crap for a month. Jack said, You know, I think I am going to keep the mansion. At least for now. I made forty-two million last year. That should be enough to pay the taxes and upkeep. Andre said, Forty-two million, that is from one account you know. Jack said, I think it is from both. The accountants are working together. I just don’t know how you could get two different tax numbers.

They went into the mansion not finding anyone. Andre called Marvin. He said, We are in the drawing room, some office, third floor, to your right. Bring some snacks and a coffee. Andre said, Coffee and snacks on the third floor, don’t ask.

They went into the kitchen, poured some coffee in a thermos, took the pastries that were on the table, and went up to the third floor. They walked three-quarters down the wing and there they were. The three guys had papers taped to the walls, notes lying around, maps of wiring, septic systems, geographical charts, oceanic charts. There was a computer drawing of a castle. It sat right on the beach.

Jack pointed and said, That’s not going to work. Let’s plan on global warming. Anyway there is no bedrock. Aren’t the islands just sand? Jason said, Yes, some of them are. This one doesn’t have a volcano, but we can float the building. I have run it by a half dozen guys. The place can have condos from two to four thousand square feet. It will be beautiful. Mark said, This is a dream of his. I guess he has wanted to build a castle. And it’s not as expensive as it looks. We can go with a steel structure. There are stuccos that look like stone and will last.

Marvin took a cup of coffee and said, When you get your finances in order, we are going to need five million. Mark and Jason already coughed up five apiece. Sara said she is in, and with us that would be twenty-five million. That should be more than enough. Jack asked, Is there a time frame? When can we start? Jason raised his glass and said, Oh, it’s on. We have people on the island. I have found the clocks for the tower. They are en route, four twenty-footers. A clockmaker is going to give them a once-over for free. Mark said, We can back it up twenty yards, do a retaining wall. That would bring you eighteen feet above sea level. Jack asked, Is that enough? Marvin said, Hell yes. Boy, if the ocean rose that much, there wouldn’t be much of an island left.

Chapter Three

Then There Was Hades

Ella closed her eyes her eyes and said, Yes, we are here. Do you come in peace? Who are you? The room got quiet, everyone stared at her. She opened her eyes and said, We have a problem. Hades, the fricken god of the underworld, is coming. He is in a taxi and is on his way. Jason said, Did he ask the address? How the hell is he supposed to find the place? Mark said, This is Margaret’s place. He has probably been here already. Jason said, "I doubt that. She was just a blue guardian. She might have known the guardians council but not