An Unearthing of Goddesses

An Unearthing of Goddesses Part 26

Adam patted his growing belly. "This is the best vacation I've ever had. Nothing but food, drinks, sun and sand."

"And sex." Kate reached over and kissed him languidly.

They had been enjoying all the beauty and entertainment of their island retreat. Mostly sticking close to their villa, they had sunned, swam in the sea, dined al fresco, drank local wine, explored ruins and wilderness and waterfalls, visited bohemian cafes and shops and markets. And sometimes just stayed in bed...

As they were high on their vacation vibe and falling in love, they tended to overlook some of the odder people and events that occurred. Kate made sure Adam was preoccupied during some blatant sightings of the local Mt. Olympus citizens. All he noted was how good-looking most of them were.

"I swear the other tourists look like gods and goddesses," he noted on their first day.

"Well, we are in Greece," Kate said. "And they're probably all local celebrities or millionaires."

Once when they were on a snorkeling boat going out to a coral reef, Kate had to distract attention away from a gossip of mermaids splashing about off the starboard bow and when a group of bewinged sylphs strolled through a market where they were produce shopping, he turned and exclaimed, "cool costumes!" And then there was Stavros. Kate had been sitting on the inn's patio one afternoon when she heard his booming voice from below. She peeked over the edge to the adjoining sunken garden where he was pruning wild roses that tumbled over the stone wall. She saw his head and shoulders holding up a bouquet.

"You like roses, yes? I bring them up to your room later."

She nodded and then gasped as he moved away from the edge into full view. His lower half was a strong black stallion – he was a centaur. Later in her room with Adam, a knock on the door had her scurrying to intercept. She cracked the door and accepted the roses, hurriedly shutting it so Adam wouldn't notice. She distinctly heard a clop clop on the sidewalk as she put the flowers in a vase.

"Is that someone horseback riding?" Adam had said, lazily stretching in a hammock that hung on their terrace.

On the beach in their daybed on their next to last day, the couple embraced lovingly. The pink sands glowed in the gentle end of day sunshine and the breeze was perfumed with salt and jasmine. Kate watched as the breeze blew an empty solo cup along the beach. Then, it whipped up a bit and a sunbather's towel was thrashed about. Then, a harsh wind swooshed along and a dust devil arose, causing a whirlwind to rise directly in front of their bed.

"Whoa! Look at that!" Adam cried out as the devil gained in strength. It started moving towards them.

"Adam – let's get out!" Kate squealed as the swirling mass gained speed. They rolled off their lounger and stumbled away. The whirlwind hit their bed and upended it, the pillows tossed about. They ran to the edge of the beach, where the inn's patio began. The sand devil appeared to be following them. They jumped to the patio and turned. The devil grew in size, rising to tower over them.

"What the –" Adam grabbed Kate and sheltered her in his arms.

"Exo!" They heard the booming voice coming from the inn. Then, a streak of black as a horse pounded across the patio and straight into the sand devil.

"Exo!" The moment the horse intercepted it, the whirling mass exploded into a firework display of pink powder. Kate saw the centaur ripping the wind apart with his bare hands, his teeth flashing in a fierce grimace. Stravos pounded the beach with his horse hooves, stamping it down into submission, and then just as quickly, sped away.