Read Online Goddess of Spring by P. C. Cast - Free Book Online Page B

wisdom. Mortal souls crave the love and attention of an immortal mother. Your very presence will begin to set things to right.”
    Lina rubbed her forehead again. What was going on down there? Was there the equivalent of a bunch of male spirits sitting around scratching and farting as they watched the mythological version of the Super Bowl while forcing ghostly women to cook tacky, fattening foods for them?
    Demeter’s no-nonsense voice continued over Lina’s mental turmoil.
    â€œThink of it as a large bakery that is in disarray because its proprietress has long been absent. Use your wisdom and experience to put it to order. And know that as you do so, you are returning the favor of a goddess.”
    â€œDemeter, the time is short. She must begin her journey,” Eirene spoke urgently.
    â€œYou are correct, as usual, my friend.” Demeter smiled at Eirene and stood, gesturing for Lina to follow her. “Come, I will take you to the entrance of the Underworld.”
    â€œThat’s it?” Lina asked breathlessly. “Those are all the instructions you’re going to give me?”
    â€œAre you a child who needs to be led about by the hand?” Eirene asked sarcastically.
    â€œYou know, if you touched up some of that gray in your hair your attitude would probably get better. It always works for me,” Lina quipped.
    Eirene’s mouth opened and closed. Once.
    Demeter covered her bark of surprised laughter with a small cough. This human woman certainly had a will of her own. She cleared her throat delicately before addressing Lina.
    â€œI have not left you bereft of aid. I have arranged for one of the recent dead to guide you to the Palace of Hades. She will help you with the questions your inner voice does not answer.” As the goddess spoke, she was striding quickly through the grassy meadow and Lina had to scramble to keep up with her. “But you must understand that you cannot allow anyone to know that you are not truly Persephone.”
    â€œWhat! But how will I—” Lina gasped.
    â€œIt would be an insult,” Demeter interrupted her. “The dead deserve more respect than to believe that they cannot be afforded the touch of a true goddess.”
    â€œBut I’m not a true Goddess!”
    â€œYou are!” Demeter’s intense gaze captured Lina. “I have granted you my daughter’s powers. Believe you are a goddess and behave accordingly. And remember, in your world Persephone abides by the same rule. No one will know she is not truly Carolina Francesca Santoro. Now you must give me your word that you will not betray your true identity.”
    â€œI promise I’ll keep who I am a secret,” she agreed after only a brief hesitation. What choice did she have?
    Demeter inclined her head in regal acknowledgment of Lina’s oath before she continued her trek, leaving behind the grassy meadow and entering a wooded area.
    Lina barely had time to wonder what it was she had somehow gotten herself into as she hurried after the goddess’s departing form.
    They were making their way through a grove of thick trees. The breeze was light and still touched with summer’s warmth, but it caused dried leaves to rain from the sturdy branches that formed a canopy of fall colors over their heads.
    â€œIt’s not spring here,” Lina said suddenly.
    Demeter glanced over her shoulder at the woman who wore her daughter’s body.
    â€œNo, as I already explained, time runs differently here, Carolina. Spring has departed from this world, and the resting seasons of fall and winter are upon us, which is why my daughter could visit your world where the growth of spring has just begun.”
    Lina pressed her lips together. Well, didn’t that just figure. It was appropriate that it was spring in the Oklahoma she’d just left, especially since Persephone had just arrived. It reminded her of an old myth. . . .
    And Lina turned to