“Yeah, well, I always knew that there would come a day when our paths would diverge and I always knew that Lillie would take a more difficult path. Believe it or not, she is very well equipped for this role. It all makes sense to me now. I’m not even sure at what point that I began to understand how our paths would separate, but it’s always been there waiting for me to grasp the idea of it. I was pissed earlier when I realized what you were, but it’s genius really.”
“You’re speaking as if this thing between LJ and me is a done deal. I’m trying to step back here, trying to protect her from me and The Underworld.” Just saying it out loud leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and I toss back the last of the whiskey in my glass.
Lachlan chuckles, and thumps my back, “You two are like two peas in a pod, both in denial. You think you can walk away now? This is bigger than just the two of you. This is the Creator’s divine plan and we all have a part to play, including you too, demon spawn.”
“So? Are you trying to say that I don’t have a say in my life and the path that I choose?” Anger is simmering just below the surface at the implication. “What are you implying?” I demand, “That I don’t have a choice?”
“Everyone has a choice, Daxell. What will you choose?”
“I choose to protect her!” My ire is cutting and I direct it at Lachlan.
He chuckles, “Then you choose to be her guardian.”
I growl, “If that’s the only way to protect her … then yes. I will become her guardian.”
Lachlan laughs low and deep, “Damn, you’re intense, loosen up a bit. All things considered, Lillie will need that in what is to come. I feel better about stepping down from my post as her guardian knowing that you and your demon will be there to protect her. Not that she needs protecting, you will soon find out just how capable she is on your own. Our parents have seen to our training from an early age. Now that we’ve had this little conversation, I think its time I get my happy ass in bed. Believe it or not, you may not think this is a good thing, but once you fully give into the bond between you, I think that you will settle in and embrace it.”
“How is it that you are so fully on board with me being with your sister when just hours earlier you were ready to beat me to a bloody pulp or die trying?” I question, watching him closely.
“Lillie was right. She always is, but don’t tell her I said that. I was only seeing a part of who you are when your demon presented itself. I think we came to an understanding earlier, that, and seeing you with her has made a difference. I think that you’re a good guy. I still worry about what is to come for the two of you and the hurdles you will have to overcome as a couple, mixing the bloodlines and all, but I have faith in our creator in the path that we have chosen. More importantly, I have faith in my sister.”
Six words stand out and I have to ask, needing to know more, “What do you mean the path that you and she have chosen?”
Sighing, Lachlin runs his hands over the almost day old scruff on his face, the scratching noise breaking the silence of the night that has covered us. He gestures to my drink, “Do you want another? This may take a while longer than I thought.” I refill my drink, and he grabs another from the fridge before he continues, leaning on the granite counter across from me, “I’ll need to start from the beginning. Evidently, my mother was originally created by our Creator. She was born from angel fire in The Overworld. She, like Lucifer, was born with a sibling. Lucifer’s brother born is Micheal and our mother’s sister born is Morríganna. After Lucifer fell, along with the original Fallen, our Father sent some of his hand-picked angelic warriors to become the gods and goddesses of The Mortal Realm and The Otherworld. At some point, after Morríganna chose to become a goddess and leave her sister behind, it became clear that she would become The Phantom Queen. That she would continue walking down a path that would be disastrous for the realms. At that point, my mother and her Creator, cooked up a plan that included her giving up her angelic form to be born when the time was right to challenge her sister. Our mother has no recollection of the actual plan but somehow or another, my sister and I signed up to help her overcome Morríganna and her twisted plans for the realms. We agreed to be her firstborn to challenge The Morrígna and save the Tree of Life. We chose to give up our memories in order to complete our mission, or that’s what we think. We have yet to ascend to our rightful place, but we’re close.”
“What if my being with LJ hinders her ascension?” I take another swallow of the Irish whiskey in my hands.
“All joking and kidding aside, this feels right. I think she’s right. This is meant to be. She will not ascend until you take your rightful place by her side.”
“So that’s it? You’re good with our being together?”
“Yes, but you should know if you ever hurt her intentionally or in malice? I will gut you and hang your entrails out for the vultures to gorge on. Do you understand me?”
His threat is full of promise and I chuckle and nod, “I got you. Thanks for the talk … for bringing me up
