The door was opened by a young boy, of about eight or nine years. He seemed to recognize Missy, for he nodded and motioned for them to come in.
Geoff and Missy followed the boy into a dark hall. He led them into a room dimly lit by candles and filled with incense. Silks and paper lanterns and statues of dragons and Buddha covered the room. The boy motioned for them to wait, and disappeared.
�Where ARE we?� Geoff whispered, nervous.
�Grandmother is a fortune-teller,� Missy replied. She settled herself at a small table, clearly comfortable, or at least familiar, with the setting.
In a minute, an ancient and tiny Chinese woman entered the room. She nodded to Missy, then peered at Geoffrey. In broken English heavily accented, she said, �Not the one?�
�No. He is my friend�s brother.�
Grandmother nodded again. She sat herself across from Missy and folded her hands, as if to wait. Soon, the boy reappeared with a tray bearing a small steaming pot, a lidded pot, and three little bowls. Geoff fidgeted as the old woman methodically made tea, serving Missy first, then herself. Missy shot Geoff a quelling glare, silently shushing him, as she sipped at the tea and nodded politely to Grandmother.
Finally, after drinking herself, Grandmother asked, �What do you wish to know today?�
Missy laid the red-bound book on the table. �My friend�s brother found this book. He gave it to his sister.�
Grandmother examined the book. �Ah. Universe of the Four Gods.� She gave Missy a questioning look. �Which is your friend?�
�Eliza is her name.� Geoff said, hating being left out of the conversation.
This time both women glared at him.
Missy sipped her tea calmly, then said, �The Priestess of Suzaku.�
Grandmother nodded. Resting a hand on the book, she began, �In ancient times, the skies were divided into four regions. The north is Byakko, the White Tiger. The West is Genbu, the Green Turtle. The East is Seiryu, the Blue Dragon. The South is Suzaku, the Red Phoenix. Each region had seven constellations. The regions were gods to the ancients. They believed they could win the god�s favor by magic.� She tapped the book lightly. �The ancients gathered their spells into one � The Universe of the Four Gods. In it, it is said, is another world, one of gods and demons. Through the book, that world can be reached. Four young girls must enter the world, become priestesses to the gods, and summon the gods. Then, with the gods� powers, they can make three wishes.� Grandmother shook her head. �Not so many believe now. The Buddha�s wisdom is the people�s solace now. No longer do the Four Gods rule.�
�What would happen should a priestess fail?�
Grandmother smiled. �They say the skies will devour each other, and our world will end.�
�Lovely.� Geoff muttered.
�Once the priestess succeeds, does she return home?� Missy asked, ignoring the peanut gallery.
Grandmother nodded. �Her task complete, she returns to her home. But changed, forever. The mating of a mortal and a god � not many survive the power. Most are lost.�
�Lost?�
Missy shot Geoff another look. Men just don�t know when to be quiet. �They die.�
�Die!� Geoff looked horrified. �That can�t be true!! People don�t die from a storybook!�
Missy stood. �Geoff, wait outside! Go!�
�But ��
�Go, Geoff!!�
Frowning ferociously, Geoff stomped out. Missy sat, bowing slightly to the old woman, who smiled graciously. After a moment, Missy said, �Eliza is strong. What are you not saying in front of her brother?�
Grandmother smiled again. �You grow wise, child.� She tapped the book. �Each priestess must take on an aspect of the god. Byakko must hunt. Genbu must build. Seiryu must battle. And Suzaku�.�
Missy waited, wondering what was in store for her dear friend.
�Suzaku must love. Absolutely.�
�Oh, dear�.�
Konan, Eiyo, the palace
The next evening, Eliza found herself standing before Hotohori�s room, trying to find out more about his mystery ideal woman, in order to pass the information to Nuriko. Somehow, she�d found herself in this strange situation. Eliza and Nuriko had quickly come to terms and friendship. Nothing like a little girl talk, as Missy would have said. Eliza found herself telling Nuriko all about the bandit leader she�d met when she first arrived, even admitting that if she�d NOT been made Priestess, she might have gone looking for him! Eliza sometimes even shocked herself. But the memory of flaming hair and amber eyes haunted her daily.
�Eliza! Please, come in.� Hotohori graciously indicated she should make herself comfortable. She took a ginger seat on the bed, not seeing any chairs in the room.
�Highness, um, Hotohori, I was thinking about the conversation you had with your advisors by the lake.� At his surprised expression, she hastily added, �I could not help overhearing, which is why I interrupted. I thought you might have needed� rescuing.�
Hotohori smiled. �It�s true I appreciated the interruption. My councilors cannot help but to wish for an heir to the throne. I am a young emperor, but they�d sleep easier knowing I had a son to carry on.�
�Can you not simply to go � � Eliza faltered, unwilling to suggest what she thought.
�You�re thinking of the Imperial Harem.� At her mortified nod, Hotohori sighed. �The truth is, since I was a young boy, I�ve had but one love in this world. I will wed no one but her.�
Eliza now sighed. �Why, Hotohori! How romantic. Who is she?� A corner of her mind conjured an image of a beautiful flower-girl, or fishmonger�s daughter, maybe glimpsed from a royal carriage��
Hotohori captured her eyes with his. �The Priestess of Suzaku.�
Eliza�s gasp was quickly stifled as he suddenly moved to her side, grasping her hands. His face came so close she wanted to back away, but his grip prevented her.
�Since I was a boy, I knew I was Hotohori of the Suzaku Seven. Just existing was a guarantee that the Priestess would appear in my lifetime. And you did. And you are as beautiful and kind and gentle as I ever imagined. Sweetest Eliza,� One hand released her wrist to stroke her cheek. �When Suzaku has been summoned, I want you to be my bride, my Empress.� And with that, he kissed her.
Quick as a flash, her free hand flew up and slapped him.
Hotohori jerked back and stared at her in shock.
Eliza felt mortified. �Oh, Hotohori. I�m sorry! I didn�t mean to, I mean ��
�No, it is I who must apologize. I should not have forced you.�
Eliza�s eyes welled with tears. He was so kind, and yet she felt no attraction to him. Surely her heart was made of ice. Or already stolen by a certain bandit leader. Rising, she moved away hastily.
�I�m not the sort of woman who can�. That is, I�d rather you didn�t�.. oh, bother!� She straightened her spine and faced him. �I came her tonight to pry, to find out what sort of woman you liked, for Nuriko!�
Hotohori could only gape.
Soldier on, Eliza, she told herself. �Nuriko loves you. She�s been throwing herself at Tamahome because, oh, well, it�s complicated. But she very much wants to make you happy. Aren�t you even the slightest bit pleased by that?�
Hotohori stood and came to her, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. �Eliza. As I said, only one woman holds my heart, and that woman is you.� He slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her a moment. �I will do everything I can to win you. Please give me a chance.� His voice rumbled in his chest against her.
Eliza could think of nothing to say. God! Someone, save me!
Pulling away, Hotohori smiled at her. �You may stay here tonight, if you choose.� And with that, he left her.
Stay here?!? Not for a million dollars! Eliza gathered up her skirts and ran.
California, San Francisco, Chinatown
Missy met Geoff in the alleyway. From her grim expression, Geoff knew she had bad news.
�Alright, Miss Kent. What?�
Missy refused to answer until they were in the carriage on the way back to Beacon Street. Then, she tried to make it sound unimportant. �We just discussed the nature of the Four Gods. It�s funny, really�.�
�Nice try. Tell me.�
Missy groaned. �Oh, Geoffrey, I think Eliza�s in for a very tough time.�
�Why?!?�
She explained the natures of the gods. She frowned as she told him that Suzaku is the God of Love. �Eliza will have to fall in love. Wholeheartedly, completely. And for real. And then��
�She�ll have to come home, IF she survives merging with Suzaku. And whomever she loves is just a character in the story.� Geoff finished grimly. �Great! My sister can either DIE, or have her heart broken.�
�Well, they do say love conquers all.� Missy laughed weakly, but Geoff�s scowl soon ended that. �Perhaps we should catch up on what�s going on.� She suggested, opening the book.
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