15
Putting The Clues Together
(Lillie Joanna)
We enter the study behind my brother and everyone is frantically working on their virtual screens. Image after image is being pulled up. Faster than I can track.
“What did you search?” I demand as we enter the room.
Sam turns to me and says, “Morríganna’s Secret Order.”
“Seriously? I didn’t try that. Why didn’t I try that?” I ask no one in particular.
Dax pulls me close to him and says, “I have some additional information to add to their findings. My parents were going to visit Mammon and check out what he’s been up to since having access to The Mortal Realm. Evidently, he’s been MIA for some time in The Underworld. It’s my understanding that he can be found in New Vegas at his place there.”
“Wait a minute. How are your fathers and Mammon even allowed access to this realm? I thought that when the rift was fixed that … I don’t know, that things went back to normal?” I ask, my mind reeling at the implications. “How did I not know about this?”
“Luc has kept it all very hush-hush. Once the tear between the realms happened, it changed everything for the princes of hell. Before then, they were basically locked down in hell, only able to draw their power from those that were guilty of sin, but now they have access to The Mortal Realm and are doing their best to influence the mortals. Why do you think that things have gotten so bad here? It’s because of their direct influence. I know that you have seen what I’m talking about. Greed and gluttony are at an all-time high with absolutely no regard to anyone or anything else. This realm has started to spiral out of control. Hell, my fathers have begun to spend more and more time topside. I have no doubt that Mammon’s casino may actually be a hub of activity for the New Raven Order.”
Everyone has paused to listen to Dax, and then Poppy pins us with her crystalline blue gaze and asks, “His place wouldn’t happen to be, Rapa-City Delights Resort, would it? It appears to be wildly popular, and in many cases, it is appearing in some of our searches.”
Narrowing my eyes, I ask, “Rapa-City as in rapacity? How very clever.”
Timbra is quick to ask, “So when do we go check this place out?” She is eagerly bouncing on her tiptoes.
Shaking my head, I reply, “You, my dear sister, are not going anywhere near this place.”
“Why not?” She pouts, “I’m an adult.”
“You’re barely an adult, besides there’s really no reason for a bunch of Keepers, a Guardian, and a Druid to show up all at once. Dax said that his parents were going to be there. It makes more sense if he and I go to check it out and see what we can find out. Then from there, we’ll head to The Underworld and bring Luc up to date on what’s going on.”
Everyone starts talking at once, arguing their points about why they should come with us, the one thing that is agreed upon is that Timbra is too young and should go back to Glendale Loch to keep Samuel’s little sister company while she completes some of her majical training. It’s my understanding that Annabelle was just fit to be tied when she realized that she wasn’t going to get to come with everyone else here today.
Sighing, I hold my hands up, and say, “We have some time to figure this all out. We’re not going anywhere tonight. We still need more information.” As I finish, I hear someone in the kitchen and turn to leave the study. I’m surprised to see Millie and Hank. “What are you two doing here?”
“My dear, it’s my job to see that ye wee bairns are fed as ye should be. Gather round. I’ve brought enough to feed ye all.”
I allow my shock to subside and ask, “What’s for dinner, Millie?” My mouth-watering as the words leave my mouth.
“I brought your favorite, Lillie Joanna.” She beams at me and I stifle a squeal of excitement. Brisket with roasted asparagus, and honey glazed carrots.
Millie gestures to a picnic basket, and says, “I made this for you and your beau. Go. Get to know one another.” She winks at me and I look over to Daxell and grin. He looks all kinds of uncomfortable. Millie continues with a faraway look, “It seems like yesterday that I did this for Samuel’s parents. Well, what are ye waiting for? It won’t stay hot forever. Go! Get out of here! Take as long as you need, pet.”
I turn to Daxell, “Come on, let me show you one of my favorite spots on the property.” I make to grab the basket, but Daxell has it in his grasp in a heartbeat. We make our way out the back door, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves. Reaching back, I take my demon’s hand. For a split second, I think that he will pull away before he gently squeezes my fingers and threads his fingers through my own. We walk away from the house, over the stream and through the woods. We walk in companionable silence until we get to the waterfall on the property. The sun is beginning to set and we have all night. We both go about setting up our picnic, spreading our blanket and getting our food out. I can no longer contain my questions, “What’s changed, Daxell? You seem more open to seeing where this will go. I’m just curious.”
“I don’t know? My demon?” He shakes his head and looks back at me, “He’s really taken with you, LJ. Like, he’ll damage anyone that stands in his way from being with you. That kind of taken. He’s made his choice.”
I look up at his wickedly handsome face and ask, “I like your demon, but what about you? What do you want?” As I ask the
