Chapter Twenty-One:
Miranda followed Presley as he led her through several deserted passageways in the museum. She listened quietly as he rambled about how no one came through them anymore and that the Sphinx was believed to be empty. Although he tried to sound cheerful, she could hear the despair in his voice.
Suddenly, the tunnel appeared to come to a dead end. Before Miranda could ask where they went wrong, Presley took his amulet off and placed it into a slot on the stone wall. To her surprise, the wall slid open, revealing a hidden stairwell.
"We're here," Presley told her, retrieving the amulet.
"Let me guess. This wasn't part of the original exhibit, was it?" she grinned, trying to lighten his mood.
"Actually, it was sort of," he explained. "The stairs were built to give employees access to the Sphinx when it was still an exhibit. The tunnel was sealed up after my mom and Mr. Hepplewhite closed it. Rath just made a couple of modifications."
"I stand corrected," Miranda stated.
The two continued on and climbed the stairs. The wall silently slid shut behind them. They finally emerged into a sparsely furnished room.
"Where are we now?" Miranda wanted to know.
"Just some room the guys never use," the boy shrugged. "Let's go find the others and give 'em the bad news."
"Lead the way."
They passed through several similar areas and rooms before they heard voices floating around the corner.
"...Nefer-Tina made the suggestion that I should disguise myself as Kait," Xena was telling the group as Presley and Miranda entered the room.
"Guys, we have a major problem!" Presley blurted out. All eyes in the room turned to him. "Scarab knows who I am!"
"What?! How?" Nefer-Tina asked.
"He was in Mom's office! I walked in and they were talking! He's known her for years!" Presley announced. "She even introduced me to him!"
"My prince, how is this possible?" Ja-Kal wanted to know.
"He has a very public persona," Miranda said, taking control of the explanation. "Any of you ever hear of Harris Stone?"
"The millionaire?" Kait asked. "The one who's always throwing his money around?"
"I've seen him on the magic box," Armon offered.
"I thought he was missing or something," Matt added.
"That's him," Miranda confirmed. "He was missing, until at least this week. He appeared in Presley's mother's office on Thursday when I had my first meeting with her."
"Are you certain it was him?" Ja-Kal asked.
"Positive," Presley told him. "I recognized his voice. Besides, he gave me the creeps. Only Scarab does that."
"You said Scarab disappeared six months ago right? So did Stone," Kait added. "Coincidence? I think not."
"More importantly," Xena interjected, "is he aware that you recognized him?"
"I don't think so," Presley answered. "Why?"
"Because he'd need to attack you immediately," she told him. "His identity is no longer a secret. He would want to silence you before you could tell anyone."
"But, I'm just a kid," he protested. "Who'd believe me anyway?"
"He's got a point there," Matt agreed. "Everyone would think he was crazy. Stone is a very influential figure in this city. Such wild accusations, especially from some teenager, would be immediately dismissed. No one believes in magic and stuff anymore."
"Hmph," Rath sniffed. "And they called us primitive. Not believing in magic, indeed!"
"It doesn't matter then," Xena nodded. "We still have one other problem: the mother."
"Mom? What does she have to do with anything?"
"You said she and Scarab knew each other," Xena pointed out.
"They appeared pretty well acquainted the two times I saw them together," Miranda added.
"So?" Presley pressed, totally confused by the direction Xena was taking. "He wouldn't hurt her or anything, would he?"
"Only if it worked to his advantage, my prince," Rath answered him. "He will do anything to ensure that he receives his immortality."
"I'm more concerned with the possibility that he might use your mother to get a hold of you," Xena told Presley. "She may trust him enough to give him access to your home. Once inside, he could do whatever he wanted to both of you."
"How about we avoid that possibility altogether?" Tia spoke up. She had not said a word for a long while. "I assume that the three of you have an idea where Scarab is located?" she directed at Miranda, Kait, and Matt.
"Yeah," Kait answered. "Everyone knows that Harris Stone lives like a recluse in that huge pyramid-shaped building downtown."
"Pyramid-shaped building," Ja-Kal repeated. "We have seen it many times on our trips into the city."
"We just never gave it any thought," Nefer-Tina added.
"Hiding in plain sight," Xena commented. "From what you've told me, that sounds exactly like something Scarab would do."
"So what are we waiting for then?" Tia demanded of the group. "The best way to protect the boy's mother is to take out Scarab and the others now. We know their location. It's as simple as stopping them before they have a chance to attack us."
"No," Xena said flatly. "We stick to the plan."
"Why?" the irate Tracker of the Gods pressed. "Although I don't like it, it was fine before we knew where the vermin were hiding. It would be a waste of time to follow it now."
"Waste of time or not, I say we are still going through with it. You don't have to like it. I just expect you to follow it," Xena replied in a dangerous tone. "Remember just who asked whom for help."
Tia glared at her but said nothing further.
"Bring me up to speed here," Miranda spoke up. "What's this plan you keep mentioning?"
Xena turned to her. "An idea Nefer-Tina came up with. Instead of waiting for them to find us, we get Velasca and Callisto to come exactly to where we want them."
"Sounds good," Miranda commented. "How do we do that?"
"We give them what they want. Velasca wants Presley. Callisto is more interested in you. The two of you together should be irresistible bait," Xena explained. "They'll come right to us."
"And, we'll be ready for them when they do. It's brilliant," Miranda smiled.
"Don't tell me," Xena waved her off, "it was all Nefer-Tina's idea. I just gave her some advice. She's got a good head on her shoulders."
"That's what I keep trying to tell her," Ja-Kal agreed. "She's a true asset to our team."
Nefer-Tina looked at the ground, unused to such praise. It made her somewhat uncomfortable.
Out of the corner of her eye, Xena noticed Tia's fists tighten with rage.
"That still leaves Amanda out in the open," Kait put in. "The plan only deals with Callisto and Velasca. Scarab is left free to make a move that could involve her."
"That is not good," Armon observed.
"I think the best thing to do would be to tell her the truth and protect her as best we can," Gabrielle advised. "It's time she learns what's being going on with her own son for the past year and a half."
"Gabrielle's right," Ja-Kal agreed. "We initially did not want to involve the young prince's mother as a means of protecting her. Scarab's discovery of Rapses' identify changes everything."
"The problem will be convincing her to come with us," Nefer-Tina said. "I don't think 'hi, your son is the reborn spirit of an ancient Egyptian prince and the man who murdered him is still after him so you'd better come with me' will work too well."
"She could always be removed by force," Tia suggested. "Then there would be no need to convince her of anything."
"Only as a last resort," Ja-Kal countered. "We want her to trust us as the guardians of her son. Kidnapping her would not be wise. The mother lion is always the most deadly when protecting her young."
"The best way to bring her here would be for Presley and one of his guardians to tell her what is going on," Xena told them. "I think she would believe it more easily if Presley told her himself. He has no reason to lie to his mother about something of this nature."
"I'll be the one to go with him," Nefer-Tina volunteered. "Amanda knows me from the opening at the museum and recognized me from all the times she's seen me with Presley. I'm the most logical choice."
"You?" Tia sneered. "Don't make me laugh! If I remember correctly, your skills at convincing people that you're telling the truth are somewhat lacking."
"Tia!" Ja-Kal said in a low voice. "That's enough!"
"Is it?" she questioned him.
"This is not the time or the place for this," he warned her. "Nefer-Tina is perfectly capable of handling this assignment. I'd expect no less of my second-in-command."
"Second-in-command?" Rath echoed, surprise in his voice. "Ja-Kal, why wasn't I informed of this?"
"Way to go, Nef!" Armon congratulated her.
Tia shrugged her shoulders. "It was your decision. Who am I to question your judgment?"
"Yes, it was my decision," Ja-Kal told her, ignoring the others. "As team leader, I chose who I believed was most suited for the position." He folded his arms. "You're here to do your job. Let me decide how best to do mine."
Tia's eyes flashed angrily, but she held her tongue. Instead, she mock bowed and teleported away in a huff.
Nefer-Tina could not believe what had just happened. Ja-Kal had actually defended her from Tia, his wife. That Tia had openly attacked her was not important. Ja-Kal had not only defended her, but had spoken up for her. No one had ever done that for her before. Ever.
She felt a hand land gently on her shoulder. "Are you all right?" Ja-Kal asked her quietly.
She looked up at him. "I'm fine," she told him. Their eyes met briefly. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asked, genuinely surprised. "For telling Tia that I believe you can do the job? I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it. I thought we went over this the other night. Besides, you'd have done the same for me."
She looked away. "You're right, I would."
In an even lower voice, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me Tia was the one who turned you in?"
She turned back to him in surprise. "How did you know?"
Instead of answering, he backed away and turned back to the assembled group. "We have a lot of work to do. I suggest we get started."
Out of the corner of her eye, Nefer-Tina saw Xena gesturing with her hands. She knew what the warrior was telling her to do. Could she? Now? It just didn't seem right, especially after what he had just done for her.
Yet, when would be a better time? He had just proven to her again that he cared about her, standing up for her against his wife. And, there was some time before she would leave with Presley to get his mother.
"Ja-Kal," she said, getting his attention.
He turned to her.
No, she couldn't do this! Not now! She couldn't afford to risk losing his friendship now, not with Tia here. She needed his friendship more than ever.
"Nothing," she said. "It can wait."
"Are you sure?" he asked, concern in his voice.
"Don't worry about it," she said lightly. "It wasn't anything important."
"All right, if you say so," he told her, the doubt clearly heard in his voice.
She turned away from him again and glanced over to where Xena was.
Xena shook her head sadly.
Xena shook her head sadly at Nefer-Tina. The girl had let a perfect opportunity pass her by simply out of fear. Fear that was fruitless. It was very obvious that Ja-Kal felt the same way about Nefer-Tina as she did about him. The sooner she realized it, the sooner she could move on with her "life," so to speak.
Xena sensed rather than saw Tia appear behind her. "What do you want?"
"Don't play innocent with me," Tia growled in a low voice. "I saw what you tried to do. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
"Notice what?" Xena remarked casually. "I was just trying to help a friend."
"You stay out of this. It's none of your business," Tia retorted.
"Oh, but I think it is," Xena told her. "You see, Nefer-Tina told me everything. I know what you did to her."
"Do you? And, what of it?" Tia said.
"Let's just say you're very lucky that I'm not here just to help you," Xena replied. "If we weren't on a mission, I would make you pay for all the pain and suffering you caused that innocent girl."
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be here right now," Tia told her angrily. "The only reason I need you is because I can't stop Velasca and Callisto on my own. I suggest you try to remember that."
"I wouldn't dream of forgetting it," Xena returned. "You know how much I enjoy your company."
Tia gave her a look of disgust and left in a flash of light.
Chapter Twenty-Two:
Velasca materialized behind Callisto, who was crouched at the edge of a roof. The blonde goddess appeared to be intently watching the museum across the street. Waiting for her precious relative, no doubt, Velasca snorted to herself.
Thanks to the modern wonders known as computers and the Internet, she had easily discovered the identity of Callisto's new plaything. The woman, named Miranda Larson, was, ironically, the head of the organization that had preserved and studied Gabrielle's scribblings. In a sense, Larson was responsible for Callisto and her being in the modern world.
In the course of her research, she had also learned the identity of the girl who had so eerily resembled Xena. Kaitlin Peters would be of great use to her. She was the key to keeping Callisto under control. Callisto wanted revenge on Xena's family? Peters was it. But, if Callisto ever wanted to get the opportunity to torment her, she would have to learn to follow orders. Specifically, Velasca's orders.
Since Callisto didn't seem to notice her arrival, Velasca decided to make herself known. "What do you think you're doing?"
"My job. What's it look like?" Callisto answered without turning around. "You've been standing there so long that I thought you would have figured it out by now."
"Your job is to distract the guardians while I grab the boy," Velasca reminded her. "Waiting for your long-lost family was never a part of the deal."
"Is that what you think I'm doing?" Callisto replied. "Or are you just afraid that I'll get to the boy before you do."
Velasca laughed harshly. "Hardly. I know you're not capable of that job."
"Oh, I'm so hurt," Callisto told her sarcastically. "Why, I think I'd just like to go back to Hell right now."
"I can arrange that," Velasca said. "I'll just tell Scarab you had a pressing engagement back there that just couldn't wait."
"Yes, I'm sure that your boyfriend won't mind that you sent your best chance at getting the kid away," Callisto said.
"My best chance?" Velasca questioned her. "And, how do you figure that?"
Callisto grinned. "Because I know where he is right now."
"Do you?"
"Oh, yes. He's in the museum as we speak. He's with my, how did you put it, long-lost family," Callisto told her.
"What?!" Velasca shouted angrily. "Why didn't you inform me that you had located him?"
"Didn't see the need. I'm not capable of catching him on my own, remember?" Callisto said sweetly.
Velasca bit back the retort that was forming. "How long has he been in there?"
"Quite some time now," she informed her. "He and my sweet Miranda must be busy. I'm just waiting for them to come out."
"Well, now you don't have to wait alone," Velasca said. "I'm here to keep you company."
"I'm overwhelmed with joy," Callisto sarcastically replied. "Your loverboy must be busy this morning if you're spending your free time with me. Where is he today, anyway?"
"He had something to do," Velasca told her. "And, I'm only going to tell you this once. He is not my lover. There is no love whatsoever involved in what we are doing."
"Could have fooled me," Callisto muttered under her breath.
"Want to say that to my face?" Velasca said, irritation evident in her entire bearing.
"Well, well, well," Callisto said instead of answering, "what have we here?"
"What are you babbling about now?" Velasca demanded to know.
"The guests of honors have arrived," Callisto joyfully told her. "And, they've brought along some friends!"
"Where? I don't-" Velasca started to say. "Oh, yes. I see them now."
Walking out from the strange structure attached to the museum was the boy, Larson, the female guardian, and a woman who appeared to be an older version of Peters. A woman who made Peters' resemblance to Xena pale in comparison. Hopefully, she'd be a more worthy adversary than the girl, though at that distance she looked a little out of shape.
Callisto was practically bursting with joy. "Oh, Xena, looks like you bred after all!" She turned to Velasca, grinning happily. "I know how much you want to be the one who brings the boy to the old man, so I'll distract the others while you grab him."
Fool, Velasca thought, you have no idea what I want. "I really doubt you could hold even one of them off," she said. "Since it doesn't matter who brings the boy in, I don't see why you should have all the fun. After all, I have some unfinished business with that poor excuse for a guardian there."
Callisto simply shrugged. "Suit yourself, but if the boy gets away, don't blame me. I'll be a little too busy to help you."
"Oh, he won't be getting away. Not this time."
"Mom's in store for a total shock when we get home," Presley said. "If this doesn't blow her mind, nothing will!"
"I'd be surprised if it didn't," Miranda agreed. "The only reason I didn't faint immediately upon walking onto the middle of a battlefield was the adrenaline rush!"
"Yeah, I guess chasing after Kait was pretty exciting," Nefer-Tina put in sarcastically.
"Ha-ha, very funny," Miranda answered. "You haven't known her as long as I have. Compared to some other stunts she's pulled, yesterday was nothing!"
Xena smiled. "Wonder where she gets it from?"
Before Miranda could comment, Xena came to a stop, putting her hand out to indicate silence.
"Trouble?" Nefer-Tina asked quietly, grabbing Presley's arm.
"You could say that," the Warrior Princess informed her. "We have company."
"Oh, great," Presley muttered. "Who is it?"
"You'll see," was all Xena said before whirling around, hand automatically going for her chakram, which was not there. "Can I help you ladies with something?"
Her three companions turned around in time to see Velasca and Callisto materialize.
"Ooh, you're good!" Callisto joyfully squealed. "The only other person I know who can do that is Xena!"
Velasca narrowed her eyes. "I see you've improved greatly since yesterday, Miss Peters. I'm impressed."
"Don't be," Xena told her.
"'Since yesterday'?" Callisto parroted. "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Velasca, dear, I think you've been holding out on me."
Velasca ignored her. "Now, you know why we're here. Just hand over the boy and save yourselves a lot of trouble. There will be plenty later."
"Actually, I'm in the mood for some now," Xena grinned. "Unfortunately, Presley here is late for dinner and his mother's worried. So, if you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way."
"Yeah, what she said!" Presley added from the protective circle formed by his three defenders.
"Oh, and he doesn't seem to want to go with you either," Xena said. "I can't say I blame him."
"My patience is growing thin," Velasca stated in a low voice as she began to circumnavigate the human barrier surrounding the prince. "I'm not in the mood for games."
"Who ever said I was playing?" Xena remarked innocently.
Callisto snorted with laughter. "I must say, you talk exactly like her too. I think I'm beginning to like you."
"Funny, I don't like you at all," Xena told her.
"Now, now, there's no need to be cruel," Callisto admonished her. "Xena and I were quite close, you know."
"Really? That's not the way I heard it."
"Enough of this," Velasca said, stopping in front of Nefer-Tina. She smiled at the guardian. "I believe we have some unfinished business."
"Yeah, I still have to kick your tut," Nefer-Tina defiantly told her.
Velasca laughed. "You seem to have a high opinion of yourself. What makes you think that you could ever harm me?"
"She's breathing, isn't she?" Xena said.
Presley, Miranda, and Callisto snickered at the remark while Velasca finally lost her self control.
"I've just about had enough of you!" she angrily shouted. "I want you out of my sight!" A small flick of her wrist and Xena went flying backwards.
Using the distraction to her advantage, Nefer-Tina blurted, "Presley, Miranda, run!"
"What?!" Velasca exclaimed, turning to see her quarry escaping. She whirled back to Nefer-Tina. "You'll pay for that!"
"I don't think so!" Nefer-Tina flung back. She wrapped her fingers around her amulet. "With the strength of Ra!"
Xena pushed herself off the ground and groaned. Apparently, Velasca's temper hadn't changed much in the past centuries. It had not taken much to set her off.
Her first instinctive act was to check the baby. Velasca had not thrown her very hard or far, but it was still enough to do damage. She placed a hand on her stomach and, much to her relief, felt a kick.
A quick survey of the area showed Velasca and Nefer-Tina facing off while Callisto pursued the fleeing Presley and Miranda. Xena stood up and opened the purse still hanging from her shoulder. From inside the large bag, she produced her chakram. She then discarded her purse and took a running start.
A loud whoosh was suddenly heard and five faces turned to see a round metal object fly through the air and bounce off several walls, street lamps, and cars.
"Ay-yi-yi-yi!!!"
Xena flipped several times, caught her chakram, and landed in front of Callisto, effectively ending her pursuit of Presley and Miranda.
"Hello, Callisto," Xena greeted her long-time enemy. "Recognize me yet?"
Callisto's eyes and smile widened simultaneously in pure joy. "Xena! It really is you! You have no idea how happy I am to see you!"
"You'd be surprised at the ideas I have," Xena replied. "You know, I'm a little insulted. Neither you nor Velasca knew that it was me. Am I that forgettable?"
"My goodness! Have I hurt your feelings?" Callisto asked in mock despair. "Well, excuse me! I didn't think you had any!"
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to insult people?"
"She might have-if you hadn't killed her!"
"Well, allow me to teach you that lesson in her place," Xena told her.
"Uh, uh, uh," Callisto disagreed. "We both know what a poor mother you are! Just ask Solan!"
Xena glared at her but didn't say a word.
Callisto smirked. "Hit a sore spot, did I? Oh, yes, poor sweet Solan. Good thing he died before he knew who his mother was, don't you agree? Having the Destroyer of Nations in your family isn't exactly an asset, is it?"
"Leave my son out of this," Xena growled.
"Why should I?" Callisto questioned. "I'm not the one who killed him."
"Give it up," Velasca told Nefer-Tina. "You can't stop me. None of you can."
"Maybe not," Nefer-Tina replied, dodging a kick, "but that doesn't mean we can't try."
"That's fine with me," Velasca said. "I enjoy a challenge. Defeating the four of you will be quite satisfying."
"So, we're a challenge now?" Nefer-Tina asked, throwing a punch of her own. "I thought I was supposed to 'give it up'?"
Velasca laughed. "Maybe you have some of that spunk left after all. Let me put it this way. Of all the guardians, you seemed the one with the most potential to be a decent opponent. And, here I am, fighting you, and finding myself quite disappointed. That doesn't say much for your fellow guardians, does it?"
It was Nefer-Tina's turn to laugh. "Me? The most potential? You must be joking! What ever made you think that?"
"You are a woman," Velasca simply told her. "The closest this modern world has to an Amazon warrior."
"That's a first," she said. "If you weren't trying to kill me, I'd thank you for the compliment!"
"By all means," Velasca said, "don't let that stop you." She lunged forward to grab onto Nefer-Tina's arm.
Nefer-Tina flipped over the God of Chaos' head just in time. "Maybe later!"
Miranda shielded Presley behind her body. Xena had Callisto distracted for the time being and Nefer-Tina was similarly keeping Velasca occupied. However, they were stuck where they were. If they tried to make one move and get out of the area, either of the goddesses, probably both, would notice. They had, literally, no place to go.
"What should we do?" Presley asked her.
"I don't know," Miranda answered. "I wish there was something we could do to help."
"Wait a minute!" Presley exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "What am I thinking? I have a way to 'phone' for help!"
"Well, do it now," Miranda urged him. "I don't think Xena and Nefer-Tina can hold them off much longer on their own."
Presley took hold of his amulet. "Guys, get your tuts out here! We are in major need of help!"
Callisto whirled around to see the boy shouting into the golden trinket hanging around his neck. She shook her head in disapproval. "Trying to call for more help are you? We can't have that now, can we?" She pointed her finger at the twosome and a flash of light surrounded them both.
"I...can't...move!" Presley shouted.
Miranda groaned. "Neither can I! What's happening to us?"
Callisto grinned. "Now stay put!" she giggled. Another flick of her hand and Presley's amulet tore away from him and flew into her outstretched palm.
"What a pretty piece of jewelry," she said, admiring the rectangular gold object.
Suddenly, a flame flared from her hand and engulfed the amulet, completely melting it. The liquid remains dripped to the ground.
"No!" Presley shouted in despair.
"Oops!" Callisto giggled again. "Was that important to you? I'm so sorry!"
"Callisto!" Xena yelled.
Velasca and Nefer-Tina broke off their own battle to see what the commotion was about.
Just at the moment, the other three guardians, Kait, Matt, and Gabrielle came racing out of the Sphinx. Tia appeared between Nefer-Tina and Velasca.
Callisto laughed happily again and turned to Xena. "As much as I'd love to stay and play some more, I simply have to run! See you soon, my sweet Xena!" There was another flash of flame and Callisto was gone. But, she was not the only one.
Miranda and Presley had vanished along with her.
Chapter Twenty-Three:
Velasca screamed with rage as she watched Callisto vanish with Larson and the boy. What in Tartarus did she think she was doing? And, what made her even think she could get away with it? No one double-crossed the God of Chaos! No one!
"Surrender, Velasca," Tia commanded. "You've lost."
Velasca laughed. "Lost? The game hasn't even begun! You, Tracker, are the one on the losing side." As Tia crossed her arms impatiently, Velasca turned to glare at Xena. "I don't know how you were brought here, but make no mistake. You won't stop me this time."
"I'm not the one making mistakes," Xena commented dryly," but thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind."
Velasca bit back a retort and, instead, put her eyes on the smaller woman standing next to Xena. "So nice to see you again as well, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle winced, but remained quiet. Despite her growing abilities as a warrior, she still felt helpless and afraid around her former competitor for the queenship of her Amazon tribe.
"I'm going to ask you one more time," Tia intoned. "Surrender."
Instead of answering, Velasca laughed evilly and teleported away.
"Damn it!" Tia growled. She whirled around and faced Nefer-Tina, who had just powered down her armor. "You! This is your fault!"
Nefer-Tina was taken aback by the sudden attack. "What?! M-my fault?!"
"What kind of guardian are you anyway?" Tia raged. "Not only did you let your enemies escape with your charge, but they took an innocent as well!"
"I-I..." Nefer-Tina faltered.
"You nothing!" Tia cut her off.
"Tia!" Ja-Kal loudly broke in as he came over to them. "Leave her alone!"
"Why should I?" Tia demanded of him. "If it weren't for the sheer incompetence of your teammate over here, your prince would still be here. The same goes for your friend. Some second-in-command she is turning out to be!"
Nefer-Tina hung her head. Everything Tia said was true. It was her fault. She was the one who told Presley and Miranda to run. Maybe if she hadn't, and they had stayed behind her, then...
Ja-Kal noticed Nefer-Tina's defeated expression. In her already depressed state, Tia's words had stung her deeper than they should. He knew better than anyone what Nefer-Tina was capable of.
"What does that have to do with anything?" he questioned his former wife. "It could have been any of us out there. Rank wouldn't have made a difference. What happened, happened."
"Let me put it this way," Tia began, her anger increasing. "That boy was my best chance at catching them. Without him, we have no bait and they have no reason for coming out into the open. And, she was the only one there whose sole job was to protect him!"
"Your point being?" Xena interjected as she and Gabrielle came over to join them. She folded her arms as Tia whirled on her. "You still haven't mentioned how her rank affects any of this."
Tia smiled viciously. "Any half decent commander would never have made the mistake of leaving unarmed civilians unprotected."
It was Xena's turn to smile. "Really? And, what makes you so sure that's what actually happened? You weren't even here. I was."
"So, tell me, what happened?"
"First off, Callisto took the boy and woman, not Velasca. Nefer-Tina was distracting Velasca. I was the one fighting Callisto," Xena explained. "If anyone is truly to blame for the kidnapping, it would be me."
Ja-Kal went over to Nefer-Tina and put his hand on her shoulder. He felt her shoulder tense under his hand, but she still did not look up. He turned back to Tia. "If you ever question my ability to chose a proper second-in-command again, I'll order my team to cease aiding you in your mission."
Tia's eyes flashed. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Yeah, I think he would," Xena agreed. "And, so would I."
Tia snorted at Xena's statement. "You have no choice in the matter. I asked you here. You're the one who owes me, remember?"
"Oh, I'll still owe you," Xena told her. "I just won't help you."
Before Tia could argue any further with either of them, the familiar sound of Rath's voice cut through the air.
"The amulet!" he cried. "It can't be! What sort of deceptive magic is this?"
Everyone turned to see what Rath was so upset about. The wizard was kneeling next to a puddle of yellowish liquid that appeared to be rapidly cooling. He was waving his tracking ankh above it back in forth. It was glowing brightly.
"Rath, what is it?" Ja-Kal asked him.
He looked up, a distressed expression on his face. "The signal from young Rapses' amulet seems to be coming from this...puddle. I simply can't understand it. We all know that that vile Callisto kidnapped him. Why would its magic signature still be here?"
"Because that is the amulet," Xena spoke up. "Or, rather was."
"What?!" Rath questioned her. "What are you talking about?"
"Callisto grabbed it from around his neck after she heard him call for help with it," Xena explained. "She melted it down immediately to prevent Presley from trying again. That puddle your tracking device led you to is all that's left." She looked directly at Tia. "That's why she broke off her fight with me. She must have been planning to take him and Miranda herself the entire time. Callisto isn't the type to end a fight with me unless absolutely necessary."
"Impossible!" Rath sputtered. "I imbued that amulet with protective spells myself! It was designed to be indestructible! No fire on Earth is hot enough to melt it!"
"Your most powerful magic is nothing compared to the power of a goddess," Tia informed him. "I could have destroyed it just as easily myself."
"But...but," Rath was at a loss for words.
Suddenly, the sky grew dark as a thick layer of clouds moved in to block the sunshine. Heavy drops of rain began to fall upon the group. It was almost as if the weather was reflecting their mood.
"Everyone, back to the Sphinx," Ja-Kal ordered. "There's nothing more to be done here." He softly squeezed Nefer-Tina's shoulder. "Come on," he said quietly.
"No, you go ahead," she said, the first words she had spoken to anyone since Tia's merciless attack. At his questioning look, she said, "I'll be fine."
"You don't look fine," he told her evenly.
She smiled tightly at him. "I'm a survivor. Trust me. By the way, thanks again. That's twice you've spoken up for me in one day."
"I'll do it as many times as I need to," he said. "Are you still sure you don't want me to wait for you?"
"The others need you more than I do. Now, go on."
He studied her face for a moment. Although she was smiling, her eyes told a different story. She was still very upset about what Tia had said despite his and Xena's defense of her.
"All right," he finally agreed. "I'll see you inside."
After one last squeeze of her shoulder, he reluctantly walked away. He wished he had the luxury of forgetting about all other responsibilities so he could care for her. Ever since Tia had told him that their marriage had ended long ago, he had become more and more aware of his feelings for Nefer-Tina. How he longed to tell her...
But, as always, duty came first. With their prince in terrible danger and no means of locating him, everything else would have to wait.
Especially matters of the heart.
Nefer-Tina watched him walk away. How could he be so kind to her after what she had done? She didn't understand. Not only had she failed the prince and the team, but, more importantly, she had failed him.
Tia's words echoed in her head and she realized the truth behind them. She was a failure. She did not deserve to be second-in-command.
She slowly began to walk towards the Sphinx.
Inside, as the rain pounded on the roof, the remaining members of the group gathered to discuss what to do next. The air was thick with depression and defeat. The loss of Presley and Miranda was deeply felt. It was a sad day for the guardians and their companions.
Kait and Matt sat close together, Matt's arm around Kait. They had both been shocked at the news of Miranda's capture and were trying to remain calm. Both seemed on the verge of tears but were unwilling to let them fall.
Xena was pacing the room. "Callisto is obviously planning something big. Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken Presley. We know why she wanted Miranda."
"Her obsession with her family," Kait bitterly said.
"Exactly," Xena agreed. "But, what could she want Presley for?"
"Scarab won't like this at all," Ja-Kal said. "He doesn't tolerate failure, especially when it involves losing his immortality."
"What about the boy's mother?" Tia asked. "Don't forget why he went out into the open in the first place."
"We still need to bring her here," Gabrielle added. "She may be in even more danger than before."
"She also may alert the authorities if she doesn't hear from her son," Tia continued. "That would only worsen the situation."
"That only gives us twenty-four hours then," Matt said.
"Why only twenty-four?" Armon wanted to know.
"According to the law," Kait explained, "a person must be missing a minimum of twenty-four hours, one day, before being declared 'officially' missing. It's dumb, I know, but at least it gives us some time to get her here."
"I'll go get her," Nefer-Tina said from the back of the room. She was leaning against the wall. "It was, after all, originally my assignment."
"Not in this weather you're not," Ja-Kal told her. "It's too dangerous to go driving in this heavy rain when it's dark. You'll wait until the morning."
"I'll go with you if you want," Gabrielle offered.
"That's okay," Nefer-Tina declined. "I'll be fine on my own. She knows me better than the rest of you. She's seen me with Presley enough."
"I think we're finished here," Xena told Ja-Kal. "We can't do any more until the morning."
"Matt, why don't you take Kait home now?" Gabrielle said. "I'll go with you."
"All right," Matt nodded. He stood up and pulled Kait with him. "Come on, let's go."
"We'll get Miranda back," Xena said. "I promise."
"I know you will," Kait smiled slightly. "You're family."
Xena smiled back. "Gabrielle, take care of them."
"Will do," Gabrielle nodded.
The three of them proceeded to exit the Sphinx, leaving the rest of the gloomy group alone with their thoughts.
Presley and Miranda found themselves roughly deposited in a very large and dark room. They still were immobilized by Callisto's blast.
Callisto appeared in a flash of flame across the room.
"I hope you do enjoy your new accommodations. You two will be staying here quite a while," she giggled.
"Let us go, Callisto!" Miranda shouted.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Callisto said suddenly. With a wave of her hand, Miranda and Presley were released from the spell that held them still. Just as they tried to move, Callisto giggled again and said, "Have a seat!" She flipped her hand again and the two prisoners found themselves flung onto a large couch that they hadn't noticed before.
"What do you want with us?" Presley demanded to know. "I know Scarab isn't behind this."
"That stupid old man?" Callisto said. "Oh, please! He is more pathetic than Xena's Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes act. How he ever thinks he can rule the world is beyond me. But, he and Velasca can have it. I don't care!"
"So, then why did you capture us?" Miranda pressed.
"My sweet, sweet Miranda," Callisto purred. "And, my dear little Presley. You two are the key to helping me finally destroy Xena and her family once and for all. They will suffer for all they have done to me and my family." She looked directly at Miranda. "I still want you to join me. Together, we would make an unstoppable team."
"Forget it! You and your ideas make me sick!" Miranda spat. "I'd rather die!"
Callisto just giggled. "Well, then. We'll just have to see if you get your wish, now won't we?"
With that said, the mad goddess teleported out of the room, leaving two very frightened prisoners in her wake.