Suffocating silence filled the Hall of Echoes as Alek waited for the water to calm. He rose to his feet and paced around the pool. “I have done all that I can,” he reminded himself. The ripples stilled and a new image took shape.
“She’s awake.” His voice dropped to a whisper, and he cleared the small lump from his throat. “Of course she is awake.” He squatted by the water and studied the silent stream of pictures. “Mothers! You must see this!”
“Did it work, my son?” Maiden hurried to him and crouched by his side.
“What has happened?” Mother asked.
“Alek was able to reach Eva in the dream world. She is now awake.” Maiden pointed to the water.
“Then you must be on your way. The Oracle’s safety is as important now as it was before,” Crone said.
“The pools have been restored, but we do not know for how long. The curse continues. You must make contact with her. Make her understand what is at stake,” Mother said.
“For her realm and ours,” Maiden added.
“I am ready.” Alek stood and the women covered his talisman with their hands.
“It is up to you, my son. As it always has been.” Mother’s words followed him as their energy propelled him into the Mortal Realm.
Coughing and pained moans met his ears as the ground hardened below his feet and chairs sprang up around him. Alek appeared to be stuck between a wall and a giant metal box.
“Are you an alien?”
Alek looked around for the small voice. “I do not believe so.”
A child poked his head around. Either he or Alek were upside down. “A magician? I had one at my birthday party today, but he hit my dad in the face and called him a cheap asshole.” His tongue licked at the blue icing staining his mouth. “Then my mom stopped the party. And then we had to get in the car and drive all the way here. I had to eat my cake in the backseat. It got everywhere.” He smiled like he’d succeeded in climbing Mount Everest.
“I am sorry to hear about your father and your party. Can you tell me where here is exactly?”
“The hospital. It’s where you go when you’re sick or hurt, like my dad.”
“And where in the hospital are we?”
“I’m in front of the snack machine. You’re behind it. Are you sure you’re not a magician?”
“Mason, get over here. They’re taking your father back now.” His mom shuffled over and grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry. It’s just been one of those days, you know?” She cast a wary glance at Alek.
“But he’s magic. He came out of nowhere.” Mason leaned away from his mother as she dragged him past the check-in counter and around the corner. The last Alek heard was the boy’s mother reminding him to never talk to strangers, especially weird ones.
Alek pried himself out from behind the machine and set himself on the floor right side up. “The hospital,” Alek repeated, looking around for any clue to Eva’s whereabouts. “This is much different than what I saw in the pool.” He headed to the glass doors and paused when they opened automatically. He held out his hand and felt around the empty space. Convinced it was no trap, he walked out to the parking lot and stared up at the tall building. “How am I to find her?” His fingers fumbled around for his talisman. “Pythia, are you still with me?” Only the whirr of the sliding door answered him. “I should’ve guessed she would not stay after the Oracle was found.”
He took a deep breath and scanned the parking lot. A blond head bobbed between cars. “Bridget?” he said, walking toward the woman.
A car horn blared and came to a screeching halt inches from his leg.
“Get the fuck out of the way!” The driver bolted out of the car and to the passenger door. “We need a doctor! My wife is having a baby!” he yelled.
Alek stepped back as a man in blue scrubs rushed a wheelchair to the car. Both men helped the pregnant woman to the chair and quickly wheeled her through the open doors.