Threads

            “Here…Pandora,” Altair said loudly.

Maya stared down at her hands in astonishment. She was holding a little clay jar with Grecian markings down the side. Her eyes widened with understanding.  She started to yank the top off, staring straight at Ambrose as she did so.

Ambrose shrieked. Shoving Alice away roughly, he ran at Maya. “Pandora, stop! Don’t do that!”

The young girl screamed, knocking her head on the door frame as he pushed her down. Ambrose scooped up the jar and cradled it protectively. His eyes narrowed as he stared at Alice.

            “Good try.” He climbed to his feet. “You’re coming with me though.”

            “I don’t think so,” Alice smirked and went over to help Maya up. Ambrose stared at them in astonishment. Altair was supporting Azura, the older woman groaning as she clutched her head. He glared at Ambrose.

“You just broke your oath, Epimethius.”

Ambrose’s mouth dropped and the jar slipped from his hands. It shattered into pieces, making Altair wince. Then they watched in astonishment as the Titan’s figure winked once, twice, and then out of existence.

He was gone.

There was total silence for a moment, and then Altair said, “I was expecting something better - like a flash, or a bang or something.”

            “Abracadabra,” grumbled Alice. “I hope Zeus is dunking his head in that river right now.”

 “By the way, I thought you gave that jar back to those British men.”

            “Are you kidding? That thing was real.” He looked ruefully at the shattered pieces on the living room rug. “I had a few copies of it made by this guy I know who’s really good at fake artefacts. I was hoping to sell the knock offs for a good price and keep the real one for… something like this.” He sighed in apparent relief. “I’ve been planning this for a very long time now. All it took was a Pandora look-alike and a Sorceress that did her internet research.”

            “You’re incredible,” Alice grumbled. “None of this was planned.”

            “Good job on the River Styx thing. That was perfect.”

            She sighed. “Thanks.”

            Azura spoke for the first time, her voice slightly shaky. “We should probably get that jar cleaned up.”

            “Alright.” Alice stood up, her knees felt watery. “And after that, I’m going home.”