“The ladies didn't want to climb a tree every time they left the house,” Momus snapped. “It's smart.”
“Of course, it is,” I said as I got in the elevator. “It's more than that in fact; it's awesome, and it's hidden so it doesn't ruin the ambiance.”
Momus was being particularly touchy, and I was sure it had everything to do with his concern for his friends. He acted as if he didn't like the Fates, but I'd seen him smile secretly at the ladies. He was like a brother to them, and they were probably the only family he had. I'd give him some leeway for that.
We got into the elevator—this one was large enough to hold all of us; take that, Mount Olympus!—and Momus pushed the Up button. We zoomed up the center of the trunk and then came to a smooth halt. The doors slid open to reveal a spacious entry room.
The room stretched out over a flat-topped branch with walls to either side but nothing on the far end where the branch dangled over the ground. I walked forward in a daze to admire the alien landscape spotted with glowing islands of color. Exotic animal cries filled the air along with the scent of heady blossoms. Delicately beautiful furniture filled the room, built of winding pieces of wood and softened with fabric in the same colors of the glowing plant life. A chandelier hung above us; a nebulous shape dripping glowing, pale pink tendrils. It looked alive, as if it would start moving at any second. It reminded me a little of the Castle of Eight in Faerie except that this was a touch more primitive and a whole lot more surreal; an impossible dream compared to an attainable fantasy.
“Are you gonna gape at the view or help me find the Fates, Godhunter?” Momus growled.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
“Hey!” Trevor growled far better than Momus. “I get that you're concerned for the ladies, but you don't get to talk to my wife like that, especially since she's the best shot you have at finding them.”
Momus clenched his jaw and nodded. “Sorry, Vervain.”
“It's okay, Momus,” I said gently. “I'm worried about them too. It's just that this is a lot to ignore.” I waved at the scenery. “And I've got cat magic inside me; I can't help but be curious.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Clotho outdid herself this time.”
“Do you know where they were when they disappeared?” I asked him.
“I think they were in their rooms.” Momus scowled. “I was watching TV in mine, and I came out for a snack. I realized that it was a little too quiet. I knocked on Lachesis' door, but she didn't answer. So, I peeped in but no one was inside. That was odd. They don't close their doors unless they're in their rooms. Then I checked on Clotho and Atropos, and they were gone too. I searched the whole tree and then that stupid forest.” He sighed deeply.
“Okay.” I gave his shoulder a pat. “Trevor and I will look in their rooms first.”
“Thanks,” Momus muttered. “This way.”
Momus led us through a door to the left and into the enclosed areas of the home. A bright light came on to illuminate a normal hallway; normal except for the bare, rippling tree trunk that formed the inner wall. Doors lined the wall opposite the trunk; Momus passed a few that were open. Sitting rooms, a library, and an empty bedroom went by before he stopped at a closed door.
“This is Clotho's room.” Momus opened the door and stepped aside.
Clotho had taken the theme into her bedroom. Woven trunks formed a barrier around her bed with only a small, arched opening on one side. Within that cozy bower, a thick canopy of leaves hung over the moss-green mattress. Polished wood gleamed beneath woven rugs below with a wooden ceiling crossed by branch beams above. A teardrop lantern hung from the center of the ceiling with glass petals peeling back from its bright center. To the right, a delicate vanity of polished wood wound with living vines grew out of the floor and beside it, a couple of spindly chairs made a delicate sitting area. Doors bracketed the vanity and chairs.
“Bathroom.” Momus pointed at the door on the left. “Dressing room.” He swiveled his finger toward the one on the right.
I nodded distractedly. I was already inhaling deeply; matching the traces I found in the room with my memory of Clotho's scent. She was everywhere and there were other scents there too, but one I recognized as belonging to Momus and the other two were Clotho's sisters.
“Narcissus hasn't been here,” I said. “I only smell Clotho, her sisters, and Momus.”
“I get the same,” Trevor agreed. “No interlopers of any kind.”
“Narcissus?” Momus asked. “What's he got to do with us? Isn't he trapped in a mirror?”
“Not anymore.” I grimaced. “It's a long story. Someone else can fill you in while I look through the rest of the house.
“Yeah, all right,” Momus agreed with a sour expression. “Lachesis' room is next door and then Atropos' is next to that.”
“Okay, everyone stay with Momus,” I said. “Trevor and I will search the tree; it will be easier if we don't have to deal with other scents jumbled in.”
Trevor and I went through the other bedrooms; both done in unique styles. Lachesis leaned more towards simple elegance and Atropos seemed to favor a lot of leather. I wasn't surprised that Atropos had once had a fling with Re. It looked as if they were into some of the same hobbies.
There wasn't any trace of Narcissus in their bedrooms either. So, Trevor and I scoured the entire living space. It wagon-wheeled around the spoke of the Hometree trunk, full of things I would have enjoyed spending time admiring. But I didn't have time for that kind of exploring. I kept my senses focused on the Moirai's scents until we made our way back to the group of gods who waited for us
