Tenth Muse by Wen Wen Yang

Mellio opened the door to her apartment, and knew something was wrong. The shield she had placed around it was waving in splinters, like grass under a breeze. In spite of her gut feeling, she walked into the room without carrying a weapon.

“Mellio!” someone shouted and ran to her. Before Mellio could turn, a ravishingly beautiful woman had her in a tight embrace. Mellio blinked several times to get the perfume out of her eyes.

“Aphrodite?” Mellio coughed out. “How did you get in?”

The woman pulled her arms away from Mellio. “I changed my name momentarily to ‘me’. Your spellcasting is just barely more than what the best mortals are capable of.”

Mellio huffed. “I thought ‘Keep out all but me and those I approve’ would be enough.” Mellio kept her eyes away from Aphrodite, knowing she would immediately become jealous of the goddess’s features. She had a head full of gold curls, large whirlpools for eyes, the perfectly shaped nose that all the plastic surgeons were trying to recreate, and a naturally rose red mouth. Not to mention that Aphrodite was one of the few females who were taller than Mellio.

“You look good.” Aphrodite said as her sparkling eyes took in the figure of the tenth muse. “You are the only one of us who can pull off the Goth look.”

Mellio rolled her eyes. That’s the look I was born with, Mellio thought harshly. Aloud, she asked, “What are you here for?”

“Couldn’t I be here as a friendly guest?” Aphrodite pouted her perfect lips.

“If you wanted to be a guest, you could have waited until I got home instead of breaking through my shield.” Mellio pointed to the office/living room. “Have a seat and tell me what you want.”

Aphrodite held onto Mellio’s arm as they walked the few feet to the desk and chairs. Mellio’s apartment was separated into two spaces, one for work, one for sleep. In her work space, there was a loveseat and several wooden chairs in front of a wooden desk. There were windows behind the desk, but Mellio had placed white plastic cutting boards over them. The sunlight still managed to get in, though it likely wished it didn’t because there was nothing interesting in the rooms. Whitewashed walls and wood floors made the description ‘bland’ an understatement.

Mellio took her seat behind the desk, sinking into the leather seat. Aphrodite took a wooden seat.

She still sits as gracefully as ever, thought Mellio as she took out a fresh notebook.

Aphrodite looked around her without seeming to. The walls were bare, providing nothing for a conversation starter.

“Well?” Mellio asked impatiently.

“It’s my son,” Aphrodite said. “He’s gone missing.”

“Last I saw of Azan, he was practicing archery on the mortals.”

“He’s grown since then,” Aphrodite placed her hands onto the desk. The image of Azan appeared in front of Mellio. He had lost all of his baby cuteness and gained handsomeness. His hair was a passionate copper red, but he had kept the curls of his mother. “You have to find him. In two moons, I have to hand over my throne officially to him. If he isn’t present during the ceremony, then I might have to keep it until the stars are right again but that could take centuries. If I do not last that long, then my powers are lost forever and the world will be stripped of love.”

“It seems it already is.” Mellio said under her breath.

Aphrodite ignored her. “I must hand it off to someone. I would rather it be Azan than anyone else.”

“Couldn’t he be out wooing some lady? I’ve heard the stories…”

“No, after the incident with Psyche, I am certain he has not. He must be held somewhere, kept until I lose all my power completely.” Aphrodite sighed with her entire body. “I feel so tired, Mellio.”

Mellio nodded, having heard of the constantly quoted statistics.

“Why are you telling me this?” Mellio asked, suddenly uncomfortable taking notes.

“Because you’re the only one I can trust right now. We’ve never been close. I’ll admit that. You’re the only one who has officially stepped out of our business, and the only neutral party I can turn to.”

“Your logic is slipping, Aphrodite. I am the muse of suffering. Without love, I’d gain so much more.”

Aphrodite shook her head. “You have more than enough of that without my downfall. The others on the Mountain—there is too much history and grudges between them. You’ve been out of it for millenniums. Please,” Even when begging, with tears running down her cheeks, Aphrodite looked gorgeous.

Mellio sighed, “Alright, let’s get started then. Why don’t you think he’s run away?”

Aphrodite smiled, changing the pitiful tears into joyous ones. “He was so enthusiastic when I told him he would be my successor. He had so many ideas he wanted to try. He had the energy I had when I first took this role.”

Mellio shrugged to hide her doubt, then moved on. “When was the last you saw him?”

“Six days ago. He was going to visit his father, Ares, and start settling his affairs. Before you ask, yes, I do think Ares could have done something to him.”

Mellio huffed, but made the note. “I’ll start there. Anything else?”

“No, I guess not.” Aphrodite stood, and handed over an envelope. It bulged with cash. The goddess of love caught Mellio frowning at her. “Isn’t this how mortals do it?”

“Yes, but how did you manage to get your hands on it?”

Aphrodite shrugged. “Some people pay for love—or what they convince themselves is love. Is this enough?”

“It’s fine.” Mellio threw the envelope into a drawer. It landed soundly among other bundles of cash. “Now, show me which Opening you went through.”

Mellio stood and led the way to the door. Aphrodite was on her heels as they descended the stairs to the bookstore on the first floor.

“Who’s that with you, Mel?” asked the cashier. He was a young man, pale and built for handling heavy loads. He conspicuously ran his fingers through his hair.

“My cousin, bug off,” Mellio pulled Aphrodite before the goddess could blow him a kiss.

“No way can someone that hot be related to you. I mean that’s uh—”

“Your grave is getting deeper,” said the woman shelving books in the front just as Aphrodite and Mellio flew out of the store. Once they were outside, Aphrodite led the way down the crowded streets with Mellio bracing herself for her return to the Mountain.

“Here it is.” Aphrodite pointed to the front of a popular coffee shop.

“This is a public doorway.” Mellio seethed as a person pushed past her and entered the store. “How can you be sure no one passed through to our side?”

“Because my spellcasting is better than yours. You first, I’ll seal it after you.”

Mellio grunted and opened the door. She could smell the coffee beans and began to doubt Aphrodite’s work. Before she could hesitate a moment longer, Aphrodite pushed her in. Mellio instinctively closed her eyes and felt her ears pop several times before her foot touched the floor. She could feel the cool stone against her toes. Her modern clothing, sneakers included, were gone. She wore a long tunic that ended midthigh, and thick black trousers. Her feet were bound around the arch and ankle with black strips of cloth.

Mellio opened her eyes a sliver to check her surroundings. She looked up at the great granite edifice that was Ares’ home. Standing directly in front of it, she couldn’t see the spear and armor emblem at the top of the building, but didn’t doubt that they were there in the clouds somewhere.

“He should be in,” Aphrodite stepped toward the door. Mellio grabbed the goddess’s tanned arm and pulled her back. A while ago, Mellio couldn’t remember how far back, the goddess was fair with freckles. Then that seemed out of style and her skin darkened. Mellio wondered when unnatural skin tones would become the latest style.

“You left this up to me,” Mellio explained. “And I don’t want you here.”

Aphrodite turned a bright pink. “Ares is my brother and my lover, who may be responsible for my son’s disappearance—”

“Which is exactly why you shouldn’t be here. No offense Aphrodite, but you run on emotions. That isn’t going to help me find Azan.”

Aphrodite tightened her coral red lips together for several moments before shuddering a sigh. “Fine.” She turned away before Mellio could see her tears again. “Tell me when you learn anything.” The goddess stomped off into the mist.

Mellio sighed and rolled her head on her neck. Straightening her shoulders, she walked up to the door. The doorknocker, a lion holding a ring in its mouth, blinked at her. Mellio removed the brass ring from his mouth so he could speak.

“Mellio, it has been such a long time.”

“Centuries and more,” Mellio patted the lion’s brass mane. “Tell Ares I’m here.”

“Right, of course.” The lion’s head melted into the door, leaving a mass of fur in his absence. He reappeared only a moment later. “He’ll see you now.”

“Thank you,” Mellio held out the brass ring for him.

He licked her fingers with a cool, smooth brass tongue. “Welcome back.” The door opened.

Mellio managed a smile and stepped inside. The edifice rearranged itself so that she stood in front of Ares’ throne. He sat on the giant throne and smiled down at her. If he stood, he would have been nine feet tall and his guest would have to snap his neck backwards to see his face. His two foot long beard lay on his lap and he stroked it fondly like an animal. It probably was. From the blood red face shone the eyes of firebirds under eyebrows as thick as wooly caterpillars. His halberd leaned against his throne on his right hand side. It glowed as Mellio nodded to the god of war.

“I couldn’t believe my guardlion when he told me it was you who stood at my door.” Ares said with a grin that even his beard couldn’t hide. His mud colored teeth looked odd against his bright red lips and skin. “What brings you back, tenth muse?”

“Your missing son,” Mellio said evenly.

“Aphrodite has sent you to interrogate me, hasn’t she? Well, this visit was unnecessary. I will admit that as god of war, I would not mind if love had no ruler, no one person to hold the reins. But think carefully of how many wars have started for love. The love for land, for power, for money, for family. No, love suits my causes just as well with its presence as in its absence.”

“What did your son discuss when he was last here?”

“He asked for my blessing when he ascends to love’s throne. I gave it, telling him what I just told you. Love and war aren’t polar opposites.” Ares rolled his fiery eyes. “Leave this matter be. Azan is probably out enjoying his last weeks of freedom before his smothering mother gives him her smothering job.”

Mellio nodded, but persisted. “Where was he headed to after he finished talking with you?”

Ares sighed. “Probably home to the bed Psyche keeps warm for him.” He smiled slowly, licking the corners of his lips. “So tell me, Mellio, how have you lived among the mortals?”

“Well enough,” Mellio tried not to shudder as she felt the building’s temperature increase. “Thank you for your time, Ares.”

“Ha!” thundered the god of war. “Words couldn’t thank me. You shouldn’t be in such a rush. Why not come into my bedroom, huh?” He stood, stretching to his full height. “They say that the taller the male, the bigger his—”

“Halberd,” said Mellio in a quick command. The weapon jumped and fell, axe side first, into the floor. It was stuck several inches into the stone.

Ares growled and leaned down to grab his weapon. It didn’t give until the fifth tug. He inspected the axe, then turned to Mellio who had made it halfway to the door.

“You dare refuse me? I send so many mortals and gods your way, muse of suffering, and you dare turn your back on me?”

Mellio spun around and hissed. “You with a mind as small as you are red,” She said loudly enough for the god to hear without raising her voice. “You think I feed in your wake like the goddess of strife, Eris. I inspire you. I command you. Each thought you have telling you to bring about death and chaos is my voice. Each time you succumb to that voice, I gain strength. Homer called on my sisters to inspire him to write. I inspire pain without anyone’s direction. Speak insolently to me again, and I will remove my voice from your mind. You’ll become a mangy old god who waves his weapons around in the air and frightens no one.”

Mellio turned away from him and walked on.

“I thought you had renounced your title, suffering one,” Ares shouted after her. “And why do you keep yourself chaste? I do not see Epadus around.”

Mellio kept walking, but with each step, Ares’ temple shook. The weapons that hung on the walls fell to the floor and split the marble and granite. Canyons opened up in the stone floors, creating a web of pits. When she passed the door, the building stilled. Then, it all fell. Floor upon floor, all of the many dozen stories fell. Only the doorway stood. The guardlion frowned with the brass knocker in his mouth as he watched Mellio stalk away.

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