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"We would be honoured." Dex offered her a bow.
A family could take time with their deceased while they lay on the altar, but moving the body to the pyre—really a large oven kept alight for such a purpose—was a sacred duty. Family members had fought, and occasionally died, for the right to send their loved one's souls to Hades.
I glanced toward Aydin, who seemed resigned. The others who mourned with the widow and Aydin had stayed on their knees. Now they rose, but only to step aside to give them access to the altar.
I moved to one end, while Dex and Aydin went to the other. The widow placed her hands lightly on the cloth which shrouded the body. She may not bear any of the weight, but she still played her part in the ritual.
I lifted my end, the majority of Pete's form in my broad arms. Dex and Aydin kept Pete's legs from touching the ground. If even a foot touched, however briefly, it would mean bad luck, and another death soon after.
Gingerly, respectfully, we carried Pete to the oven. Intense heat forced me to turn my face. Carefully, I manoeuvred the body onto the stone lip that jutted out far enough for the purpose.
The flickering flames made the white shroud appear orange and red.
I stepped aside and stood next to Dex as the widow and her father bowed their heads over the body.
A priestess, in the wide black pants and blouse of those in the service of Hades, sprinkled water onto the shroud. In a moment, it turned to steam and wound like ethereal fingers toward the ceiling.
"Hades guard him," the priestess said.
The widow echoed the words in a whisper just loud enough to be heard.
"Hades guard him," the men repeated the words.
With a grunt and a moan, the widow and Aydin pushed the body off the lip and into the fire. When it landed, the flames died back for a moment, then the shroud began to blacken and crinkle.
Smoke wound its way up the chimney and out toward the settling evening light. I imagined I saw a face, twisting and ghostly, but it was gone before I could blink.
"He's gone to Hades," the widow declared, her voice soft. "Thank you."
"If you need anything, you have only to ask," Dex replied. He gave her a bow and gestured for me to precede him out of the temple.
6
Viva
A light breezecaressed the side of my face.
Twilight bathed the city in gold. The fading sun set the ocean on fire. In a few hours, it would be cold, but right now it was still warm.
Like everyone else in the residence, I slept through the worst of it. I awoke just in time to eat and watch seven hunters return.
The man they lost was one I hadn't met. Still, I asked Hades to take care of his soul and hoped he hadn't died horribly. If the shrouded body was an indication, he had. Hunting any kind of dragon was dangerous, even the kind that shifted into people. They tended to be much smaller, and slightly easier to reason with.
From below the terrace, the nightroses opened out their petals. At twilight they were at their most potent, their most irresistible.
The scent tickled my nose. I drew in the slightest hint of power, just enough to make my fingers tingle. Even that would be enough to—
"There you are."
"Shit." I jumped and turned at the sound of Dex's voice. Accustomed to my own, worn out clothes, I felt self conscious in the fitted, pale green t-shirt and dark skinny jeans the tailor gave me. I never had jeans that made my ass look so good, but they must have cost a small fortune.
"You scared the crap out of me," I said, hand to my chest.
He looked apologetic before slipping back into his usual easy smile. "I thought maybe you'd hidden in the sanctuary." He raised an eyebrow. "Or run away across the ocean." From the top of the stairs, he walked across the terrace toward me. He moved like a man who was self assured. One who got what he wanted, one way or another.
"I thought I might rest for a day or two before I dive in," I said lightly. To my surprise, only a few other people were on the terrace.
They sat in corners in small groups and talked and laughed in low voices. None paid me or the Keeper any attention. The musicians had probably left hours ago, but I couldn't recall hearing the music stop.
