Callisto was the first to sit to down on the sofa lounge as her sister Calypso began playing with the fish inspired centerpiece on the coffee table. Sandra noticed the detailed work of the sculpture, the curvature of its body, the dorsal fin on its back, and the roundness of its shape. It reminded her of the animals she read about in her science books.
“Beautiful isn’t it?” remarked Calypso turning the piece toward her direction. “I think it is supposed to be a shark. Daddy got it for us when he visited Italy.”
“Actually, I believe it might be a killer whale or a dolphin.” Sandra informed her. “Look at the way it is positioned as if it is jumping out of the water to take a breath of oxygen. Sharks can’t do that.”
Frustration and humiliation. She could sense both emotions coming from Calypso. Apparently, the Callisto’s sister did not enjoy appearing like a fool. Sandra said nothing else as she observed her friend Calliope sitting nervously in the corner.
“Wow. You sure know many things about sea life,” smiled Callisto attempting to make conversation.
“Sandra’s dream is to be marine biologist some day,” explained Calliope. “She’s really smart.”
“No one asked you!” snapped Calypso. “Now make yourself useful and make us some diet sodas! You know where the hidden fridge is!”
Anger. Resentment. Calypso Gregory seemed to exude these things but an even stronger feeling released itself from her as it combined with Calliope’s aura and that was loneliness. Complying with Calypso’s order, Calliope found the secret refrigerated compartment behind the bookcase to remove the diet soda cans housed there.
“Just three ice cubes.” Calypso clucked her tongue. “You suck at getting my drink order right.”
Sandra seethed with rage. No one deserves to be treated like that! How dare she?
“She is not your slave,” she whispered. “You got legs. Why don’t get off your lazy ass and get it yourself?”
“Excuse me?” Calypso’s ears pricked up. Damn, she heard her. “What did you say?”
“I said why don’t you get the drinks yourself?” Sandra stood her ground.
“Who the hell do you think are? You’re a guest in someone’s home and you talk to your hosts like that?”
“I’m the guest that hates the fact that you treat her best friend with such mean spiritedness. She is not your slave!”
“It’s okay Sandra,” Calliope interrupted. “They’re not being mean to me. I like helping out.” She began to place the cans of sodas on a tray.”
“The hell you they aren’t being mean to you! I don’t care who your family is in this town! I don’t let rich dumbasses treat other people with disrespect!”
“Care to take this outside?” Calypso threatened. Fury filled her voice with a mixture of loathing and rage.
“Gladly,” answered Sandra. She would not back down.
“That is enough both of you!” Callisto arose from the sofa, taking both girls gently by the arms, to separate them to opposite sides of the library. For a slender young woman, the blonde teen was incredibly strong forcing them apart with such ease. “There will be no fighting as this dinner. Everyone please be mature and respect one another!”
“She started it!” Calypso griped.
“Calypso, so help me…” Callisto began. “You’re my twin sister and I love you but I am older by fifteen minutes so that makes me in authority of you. Now apologize to our guests.”
“But Callisto…” her sister protested.
“Apologize now!” Callisto ordered.
Calypso clucked her tongue giving her best feeble attempt toward Calliope and Sandra.
“Thank you,” said Callisto her sister. “I’m sorry about my Calypso’s attitude. She has issues with her temper. I think she gets that from our father.”
“I do not have anger management issues!”
“Anyway, why don’t we all have seat here on the lounge so we can get a chance to talk? Calliope, if you wouldn’t mind bringing the sodas here?” Calliope stepped forward with the drinks placing the tray on the coffee table before passing out the sodas to everyone.
Sandra took a sip from can before something caught her eye. Observing the tray set down on the table, she perused the detailed golden copper carvings, nautical themed and intricately carved, as the bottom held a reflective service.
It is the mirror from my dreams!
Callisto noticed Sandra eyeing the tray. “It’s my great, great grandfather’s old art pieces he had it refurbished and made into a serving tray. It used to be a mirror.”
“A mirror?”
“Yes, it is said to have belonged to the sea seer Aoide.” Callisto answered.
“A sea seer? What is that?” Sandra inquired.
“Have you ever heard of the Oracle of Delphi in Greek mythology?” asked Callisto.
“Yes. Many Greeks traveled far and wide to hear about her prophecies.”
“Well there was another who was not as famous but blessed by Posedion. Her name was Aoide. She was a seer who lived by sea who shared her visions with many who visited her.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died and whatever treasures she had were either looted or stolen. This mirror was one of those artifacts that Gregory Mitchell came into possession and had it brought home to Lemuria.”
“Was there anything else of hers that got recovered?”
“As a matter of fact there are.” Rising off the sofa, Callisto turned her back to turn the key of a locked case nearby. With her finger, she stroked the spine of each book on the shelf until she came to two leather bound editions, pulled them out of their concealed spots, and then returned to the group waiting for her.
A whiff of sea salt filled the air as Sandra immediately recognized the two familiar books from her childhood.
“This is The Tale of the Siren’s Four.”
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