Gaia's Majesty_Mission Called Page 6

  They talked late into the evening. Finally, Philippa looked at her watch.

  “It has been a lovely visit, but I need to go back to my apartment so I am fresh for meetings tomorrow. Please excuse me and give my regards to your lovely granddaughter. Let me know how her future unfolds.”

  She and Martine exchanged kisses at the door.

  ~~~

  In the morning, Martine arose early. She stood on the terrace savoring the view of Paris and watching first light grace the Eiffel Tower in the distance. She breathed in the beauty of her city and her existence.

  By the time Adelais arose and joined her grandmother on the terrace, Martine had returned from the patisserie and the table was laid with fresh croissants, bread which was still hot, fresh butter, crème fraîche and strawberry jam—things she knew Adelais loved. The morning was warming as they sat eating, catching up and watching the sun rise higher over Paris.

  Martine had a list of possibilities for their day. A stroll through Les Tuileries went on the list, as well as some shopping. Her beloved Adelais would need some fetching clothes for her adventures with young men at school.

  Following the morning’s shopping they found it was warm enough for lunch outside a café and then on to the Musée de la Vie Romantique. As a French grandmother, Martine saw this as the perfect opportunity to share about the love and romance surely to be opening before her granddaughter.

  Their day ended with dinner in a favorite seafood restaurant on the Rue des Abbesses. Over dinner they talked about Martine’s dedication to the environmental movement and the success her group was having in confronting and frustrating greedy business interests.

  “I’m so proud of you grand-mère,” Adelais said, taking her grandmother’s hand in hers. “You’re my inspiration.”

  As they left the restaurant, Adelais made a special request. “Can we visit the carousel up the street?” Martine smiled. “Of course, ma jolie. It’s a perfect evening for lingering.” As they approached the carousel, the street lights were just coming on and young people were playing in a jazz band.

  Martine thought the request was a touching indication of her granddaughter saying good-bye to her childhood. She could see in Adelais’s eyes how much she was already concentrating on dreams about her future.

  But as they stood near the carousel listening to the music, Adelais felt herself disturbed by a distant rumble, which edged her joy and distracted her from listening to the music. A man walking by turned suddenly and thrust out a knife to cut the strap on Martine’s shoulder bag. But when the blade came through the strap, it continued up, slicing into her neck. Martine sank to the ground spurting arterial blood while Adelais screamed in terror. The man faded into the shadows.

  Adelais knelt to hold her grandmother’s hand, sensing she was already gone. When the police arrived, one of them shivered as he noted terrible fury in the girl’s eyes.

  Philippa was still in Paris and came at once. Adelais’s parents, who lived in Provence, would take longer to arrive.

  Philippa was alarmed by how calm and icy the girl was.

  After their investigation, the police concluded it was another one of those violent drug-related attacks they had been seeing recently. How unfortunate that such a prominent woman in the environmental movement should die in a robbery gone wrong. Adelais had another conclusion, as did the Andromeda.

  Chapter 12

  Fate Decided

  Miami, Florida

  Nicole Cloutier and Brigid Lynch sat together in the secure back booth of Finnegan’s Wake, where Brigid usually met with Luisa. There was nothing suspicious to be found in meeting openly together as special escorts of powerful men. Sergey had sent Nicole ahead to Miami on a private jet so she could spend some time with Haitian relations who lived in the area. In fact, she had a small family reunion but meeting with Brigid was the priority.

  Brigid studied the glow of the wine in her glass. “I trust you’re being careful, my darlin’ Nicole.”

  “Of course. Do you think I would still be with Sergey without being discreet? I’ve developed a rare thing with him—trust. Sergey is not a kind or trusting man.”

  “None of us can be too careful,” said Brigid. “Now tell me why you requested this meeting.”

  Nicole leaned forward. “Sergey is now deep into people-trafficking. Moving more and more people into economic servitude and sexual exploitation. Some from my own country. It’s evil.”

  Normally Nicole’s attitude expressed grace and her tones were silky, edged with a soft French accent. But now her voice was edged with razor-sharp anger.

  Brigid leaned in and asked, “How deep is his personal involvement in this evil?”

  “He has people working for him do the worst of it, but I manage to overhear about their activities. It doesn’t matter. It’s beyond unsavory. And his arms dealing is no better, as he supports endless bloody civil wars around the world. The man does immeasurable harm and has no redeeming qualities.”

  Brigid knew Nicole was not a simple ornament or plaything. She had been schooled in the depth of Vodun in Haiti and could strike in many ways. This meeting had a distinct purpose.

  Brigid said, “Then, Nicole, let’s not spend our time pursuing this line of talk. I think we have a conclusion.”

  Nicole knew exactly what Brigid meant about a “conclusion.”

  They finished their drinks, and Nicole said, “I must be on my way. Sergey should be finished meeting with your Evan shortly, and I need to have a car ready to pick him up when he calls. Everything must happen the moment he wishes it.”

  Brigid smiled. “And my lord and master awaits as well.”

  That evening Nicole entered Miami’s Palme d’Or on Sergey Volkov’s arm. She knew he liked every man in the room to envy him. They wouldn’t, she thought, if they knew how her mission would affect his future.

  The smile she bestowed on Sergey was worthy of an Oscar. Her impeccably manicured hand squeezed his as he seated her.

  “Have you completed your meetings here, my dearest?” she asked.

  “With Evan, yes. Next I go to Italy, then home to Moscow.”

  “Do you want me to come with you to Italy? Or would you prefer for me to go ahead and wait for you in Moscow?” Nicole laid a starched white napkin over her lap.

  “You could shop with Luisa in Rome—assuming she and Antonio are currently there. You tell me always you need more shoes.”

  “I would love to go to Rome.” Nicole gazed up at him through her eyelashes. “It’s such a romantic city. Do you remember when we stayed at the St. Regis? You were like a tiger …”

  Sergey puffed with pride as the waiter approached.

  Nicole enjoyed the considerable perks of her assignment. The fact that it was coming to an end engendered only a fleeting moment of regret.

  Chapter 13

  Enhancement

  Miami, Florida

  Beck thought he could enhance the video using his home computer, so Avery brought the camera to his apartment. It was the first time she had been there. He opened the door and gathered her into his arms.

  “Come into my humble abode,” he whispered in her ear. Stepping back he made an expansive movement with his arm.

  Avery looked around. She nodded slowly. “No offense, Beck, but it is humble. I’d say it’s clear you don’t have a woman here.” Her eyes twinkled.

  He smiled. “Why am I assuming that’s not a problem?”

  She turned and stroked his cheek. “Who am I to talk? I spend so much time on the road my place is not exactly going to win an interior design award. That’s my excuse, anyway.”

  They loaded the video card onto his computer and reviewed it slowly.

  “I haven’t been to Laguna,” Beck said, “but I would not expect a blonde woman to be at the village beach pulling someone out of the ocean. What about the other woman?”

  “Well, she has dark hair but her facial features don’t say ‘ethnic
south Brazil’ to me.”

  “Any thoughts on who they might be? Have you ever talked to them?”

  “I’ve only seen them a couple of times at a distance.”

  “I see what you mean about the legs of the woman in the surf. There does seem to be something on them. And where did she get those big hypnotic eyes? Wow!”

  “You can see why I’m mystified. It was all so frantic and chaotic I didn’t see where the women took her. There were people rushing around, weeping and wailing. Do you think you can clarify this?”

  He worked for a while without success. “We have better computers at work. Let me take it in and see what I can do. I’ll make a copy and you can take this one with you.”

  The next afternoon he called. “You can come over to my place this evening. I have an improved set of images.”

  When she arrived, he had laid out enlarged prints of some of the file.

  Avery shook her head. “They’re not crystal clear but much better.”

  The first prints were details of the women’s faces.

  “Any ethnicity triggers, Avery?”

  “None seems to be my favorite word lately. She’s memorable, but I can’t say where she might be from.”

  Then Beck produced a print which clearly showed the woman in the surf.

  “Yes, great eyes! Look at those legs—it’s like she’s wearing some kind of long skirt made of fish scales with a deep slit down the front. What do you make of it?”

  “You want fantasy or reality?”

  “I’ll take either.”

  Beck shook his head. “I’d say these are not Brazilian villagers. I don’t know what you stumbled onto.”

  Avery took his face in her hands and looked at him earnestly. “Thanks for not thinking I’m a flake.” The look on his face made her laugh. “What do we do next?”

  “I’d thought of going to Brazil to look around. Can I go with you on your next trip?”

  She stared at him, eyes wide. “Really? An opportunity to have you all to myself in the back of the back of Brazil?” She grabbed his hand. “Would that get you in trouble at work?”

  “I’ll say there’s a family crisis. We can sneak out of town together.”

  Avery kissed him. “Done deal, fella! Want some dessert?”

  Chapter 14

  Warning in the Mist

  Venice, Italy

  Philippa had loved Venice from the moment she had first experienced it. A visit always stirred deep memories. To her the winding streets and alleys were not just places of mystery but of refuge. It was in Venice she met her husband, and they had found sheltered places in dark, mystical streets to enjoy their blossoming love. Marriage to her darling Paolo had come in time. Their passions took them deep into glorious lovemaking, but also involved them in dangerous forms of activism. Their Primal families had strong traditions and instructed them in the importance of mission on behalf of humankind, sometimes at great personal expense. They were pitted against powerful forces and their commitment was expected and assumed. The risks were great and the rewards breathless.

  At last she pushed the memories away. Tonight was about reunion with her beloved Paolo who was waiting for her at their favorite restaurant. It featured vaulted stone ceilings and alcoves where lovers could hide from the world and savor their shared warmth and commitment. She picked up her pace through the dark, glistening streets.

  Even the fog that evening was welcome. It simply added a layer of comfort and privacy. Philippa was a very self-assured woman, and walking alone in these shrouded, wet streets held no fear.

  She saw a woman coming toward her clothed in a ground-length cloak. The hood was pulled low over her face until she stopped and pulled it back.

  “Good evening, Philippa. I am Luisa from the Andromeda.”

  The statement shook unshakable Philippa. The Andromeda rarely reached out except in moments of extreme crisis.

  Luisa continued, “Andromeda is declaring a threat. It’s important that you be on guard.”

  “Can you be more specific? What kind threat? Where’s it coming from?” asked Philippa.

  “It’s related to the murder of your friend Martine. We’ve reason to believe there will be more attacks on our people. Given your position as one of the most important Primal families, we ask that you be especially vigilant. It’s better to have a general warning in advance of specifics than no warning at all. Be assured Andromeda will be nearby. You’re not alone in this time.”

  “I never feel alone. Thank you for the warning.”

  Luisa started to turn away, but then turned back. She stood for a moment before saying, “There’s one other thing. I’ve been given an intuition for you. There’s a long-desired event that will come to fruition soon.”

  Luisa turned, pulling the hood back up and seemed to float off into the mist.

  Philippa stood frozen for a moment, her eyes following the vanishing woman. There were no sounds, only lights with soft haloes. She was not a woman to be easily alarmed. But when the Andromeda was in contact, it commanded attention. And then there was the other part of the encounter, with its enigmatic message. She picked up her pace toward the restaurant and the security of Paolo’s arms.

  He rose at her arrival and gave her a warm embrace. She snuggled into his arms, then looked into his dark eyes. The wait staff was attentive as always and immediately brought what Paolo had ordered. Philippa settled into their cozy alcove and reached out for Paolo’s hand.

  “I was contacted by the Andromeda on the way here. They’ve declared a threat.”

  Paolo, who was typically restrained even among his depth of feelings, understanding, and passion for her, furrowed his brow. “Does this mean a threat directed at you? Or is it to the Primals or the Progenitors in general? ‘Threat’ is hardly specific. What do they know?”

  “It relates to what happened in Paris, but I was told nothing definitive. They’re warning the Primals. For the Progenitors in the Tethys I don’t know. But they’re well defended. I assume there will be greater clarity shortly.” She hesitated. “Perhaps after Paris I should have assumed a greater threat, given what we know about the Overlords. At least Adelais is safe with her parents.”

  For the moment, Philippa kept the rest of the contact to herself while she mulled its possible significance.

  Being with Paolo lifted her spirits and she changed the subject. “So, my darling, I’ve missed you. There’s nothing we can do about this tonight.” The threat, for the moment, vanished. “What wine and dinner have you chosen for us?”

  In another alcove, two women sat in hushed yet impassioned conversation. They might have been two good friends confiding about love affairs. Yet their careful glances around and toward Philippa and Paolo suggested another purpose.

  The dinner was exquisite as always. Philippa and Paolo sated their hunger for food and wine as they relished the days ahead as well. It was as if they were young lovers recently re-united. Suddenly the mood was shattered as Philippa was swept by sadness. She lifted her head. “I’m sorry, Paolo. I’m experiencing waves of memories. Martine’s face so alive and bright with intelligence. And now it’s all gone.” She paused. “I fear for the cold anger I saw in Adelais’s eyes. A bright, forthright young woman turned to ice.” Philippa continued. “You should have seen her when she entered her grandmother’s apartment. Young and engaging, yet mature and assured. Her grandmother’s death right in front of her may have been too much.”

  “Her parents will take good care of her,” said Paolo.

  “I’m sure they’ll try, but we can’t know the damage that was done.”

  Paolo reached out to hold her hand. “Let’s not assume the worst.”

  Just then Philippa’s phone vibrated. Both jolted in alarm. Paolo saw fear on his wife’s face as she drew the phone out of her bag. After she said “Pronto?” she just listened, her face steadily tensing and darkening.

  “Of course, we’ll leave first thing
in the morning. I’ll call ahead and see that everything is prepared.”

  Paolo’s eyes asked the question.

  There were tears on Philippa’s cheeks. “That was Adelais’s parents. They’re deeply distressed about Adelais and want to bring her to us in Viareggio.”

  Chapter 15

  Healing in the Sea

  Viareggio, Italy

  Luisa was standing looking out the window into the glorious gardens of Antonio’s villa overlooking Rome. They were immaculately tended and featured a profusion of forms and colors. She thought back to St. Lucia, which had another kind of beauty.

  There were great benefits to being the mistress of an Overlord, but there was always the understanding that it could end badly. She was clear about her loyalty to Andromeda and that her mission might require striking out against the man with whom, much to her dismay, she was falling in love.

  In waves, her distress with the world of the Overlords kept intruding. She listened to the hum of Roman traffic in the distance, but also the dissonance of her own thoughts and misgivings.

  The vibration of her cell phone broke the spell. “Pronto? Yes, I understand. If the illness of my aunt requires my presence, I’ll come at once. I understand attention is needed. No problem at all. Antonio will understand.”

  For security purposes, they could not discuss on the phone the real substance of the summons, but Luisa knew the nature of the communication required her attendance. This contact had to have been cleared through Brigid, who she knew had a close relationship with Philippa. Such a call would never have been made without it being important.

  She put her cell away and went downstairs to Antonio’s office. He was always at his desk quite early. Slipping behind him she ran her fingers lightly across the hair on his neck. He laid down the report he was holding and sank back to savor her touch.

  “Antonio, I need to take a few days on family business. My aunt up north is doing badly and I need to look in and make plans. I know I was just there, but she has taken a turn for the worse.”