Page 18 of Incubus

“Awwww.” He muttered a few choice curses, sinking beneath the shimmering surface.

With the triton gone, I lay back on the rocks and let the sun dry me off a bit. I couldn’t believe I’d made it this far and was overcome with excitement about finally getting back to the goddess. But I had to put my game face on, because the Oracle could have more tricks up her sleeve besides the amorous triton.

After regaining some of my strength, I rose and approached the doors, searching for any sign of danger. My senses told me nothing, as out of sorts in this stone world as they were in the modern one. I belonged in the forest, not in this crag or on the subway or in a Starbucks. Concentrate.

I put a slightly shaking hand on the enormous door and gave it a push. Nothing. I tried again. Still nothing. For lack of an option, I looked around for some sort of gong or doorbell, but there was nothing.

As I cocked my head and studied the door some more, I heard a soft whisper. “Knock.”

I did a quick check of my surroundings again and sensed no danger. I knocked, rapping my bruised knuckles on the stone. It made only a pathetic meat-on-rock sound. I waited for the door to open. After a few seconds of nothing, I heard the voice again.

“Bow,” the whisper commanded.

I obeyed and did my best curtsey. There was silence for a while as I stared at the door expectantly. Surely that was enough to gain entry. It’s not like I’d just scaled a mountain, walked for days, and swam across a magical river to get here.

“Stand on one foot,” the whisper came again.

“What?” I squinted at the door.

“Stand on one foot,” the whisper repeated, more insistently this time.

“You can’t be serious.”

The voice didn’t respond. I shook my head, but did as it asked. Muttering curses, I lifted my left foot and stood in front of the door. I thought I heard a whispery snicker.

“What the hell?” I stomped my foot back down onto the stone, likely cracking a bone.

“Just one more and I’ll let you in,” the voice said, stifling a laugh. “Agreed?”

“Fine. Just make it quick.” Excitement thrilled through me at the idea of actually getting to speak to the Oracle.

“Flash the door,” it breathed.

I cocked my head to the side. “Flash it with what?”

“With your breasts, seeker,” the voice replied.

“Not going to happen.” I crossed my arms across my chest. What in Hades was the Oracle thinking?

“If you’re serious about seeing the Oracle, you’ll do it.”

“This is ridiculous. Let me in.”

Once again, the voice fell silent.

I paced around for a few moments. I’d never get through the solid stone doors without the cooperation of the whispery voice. But, then again, I didn’t go around popping my top off for every Tom, Dick, and Harry who wanted to see the goods. I looked around to see if Ferallo was messing with me, but he was nowhere in sight. So, after some mental wrangling, I figured a little more sacrifice was par for the course. Besides, at least it didn’t ask for my firstborn or something.

“Fine,” I called out. “If this ends up on the Internet, you and I will be having words.”

“Trust me.” The voice dripped with anticipation.

I approached the doors again and grabbed the hem of my tank top, pulling it up so it sat above my sports bra.

“Yes, that’s it.” The voice was getting more excited.

I breathed out a sigh and quickly flipped my bra up to expose my breasts for a few seconds. I heard a groan and replaced my top.

“That’s all?” the voice whined, no longer a mysterious whisper.

---