Lachlan laughs, “Dude. You have no idea. He is full of controversy and not at all what you would expect. He wears jeans and tee-shirts and walks around barefoot. Getting back to my sister, Lillie has always been so serious. When she realized that she was tasked with transporting more souls to The Underworld than The Overworld it had a profound effect on her. She has been struggling ever since. Until she met you.”
Sighing, I take another large gulp of my drink, “I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or not.”
Lachlan laughs and takes the last swig of his ale, “Goodnight, demon. Tomorrow is another day.” He places his third bottle of ale on the counter in front of me and makes his way to the stairs in the front of the house. I watch as his form is swallowed in darkness and I sit back to think on what LJ’s brother revealed. From the corner of my right eye, I see LJ emerge from the murky shadows of the sitting room off of the kitchen.
She assesses me, before saying, “Hey.”
I smile at her greeting, “How long have you been standing there? I figured you were asleep.”
She smiles back tentatively, “Not that long really. I couldn’t sleep, but I didn’t want to disturb the two of you either. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, well it is your house. Do you want a drink?”
She grins, “Maybe.” Her facial expression becomes more serious, “Are you okay? Lachlan unloaded a lot on you.”
I nod, “Yeah, I think so.” I slide her a bottle of water across the counter.
“You know … if you want to walk away from all this craziness, I get it. I will totally understand.”
I turn to her and pull her to me, holding her close, and whisper, “Not on your life. I know that I’ve struggled to accept this pull that I feel to you, but I’m here now, talking with your brother helped. I want you, LJ. I need you in my life. What doesn’t make sense to me is that you would need me in your life. You’re perfect, and angelic even.”
“Not anymore. That boat has sailed. I need you. Everything in me is screaming that I can’t do this without you. It’s only been a few days, but you feel like a permanent fixture in my life and I like it.” She leans into me and pulls me close laying her head on my chest.
Nodding, I give in and let my guard down to let her in and say, “I’ve got you, little one. I know you’re right. You’re mine to protect, mine to love, and mine to hold, always.” I pull her close to me and nuzzle into her neck. For several minutes we just stand there holding one another. Swallowing thickly, I realize for the first time in my life that I have someone important to protect. Someone who needs me and I have no idea where to go from here. I pull back and ask, “What now, honey cheeks? You’re stuck with me now. Do you think you can handle all of this?”
She snorts, “You have a mighty high opinion of yourself there, demon boy. All kidding aside, we have to go to check out Mammon’s casino tomorrow.”
“Then maybe we should get some shut-eye?”
“Yeah, I think you’re right. We need to be ready for whatever happens tomorrow. Are your parents still there? I would love to meet them.”
“Well, my mother is just going to adore you. Come on, honey cheeks, let’s head to bed. Tomorrow will be here before we know it.”
17
Feeling Conflicted
(Lillie Joanna)
Morning comes all too soon and with it the realization that Daxell and I have reached an understanding. I can’t help the thousand-watt smile that threatens to split my face in half as I stretch and yawn. For the first time in forever, I feel free. I feel… complete. Almost. What did Mama say about her and Da? They had to complete the bond. Well, we really don’t have time for that right now. Sighing, I roll over and hug Cara to me. Her thick soft fur tickles my nose and I snuggle into her and hold her close. I sense that she’s confused but happy. Then I sense what she has. Lachlan’s tie to me is different. He’s … he’s pulling away to allow Dax to fill the role of my guardian, the role that my kindred will take and for a moment I still, not sure what to think.
Throwing my bed covers back, I launch myself into the hallway and raced to find my brother. I stumble down the stairs and into the kitchen before launching myself into his arms. I wrap my arms around him and hold him close, sobbing into his neck. “I don’t want you to break our connection.”
Lachlan chuckles and holds me close, “As if. Lillie Joanna, we will always be connected, you and I, we’re twins. Just not so closely bound to one another as when we were young.”
I cling to my brother and whisper, “I already miss you.”
“Don’t be silly. Lillie, just because our bond is changing doesn’t mean that it has to be a bad thing. It’s time for you to ascend and time for me to find my kindred and find my purpose as well.”
His words cut me to the core, I had not thought this through, I did not realize that our connection to one another would be compromised. I pull away and look up at my brother, “Lachlan, what happens now?”
He smiles, “You’ll figure it out, along with your demon. And I will follow, always in your shadow.” He teases me and tweaks my nose.
I punch his heavily muscled bicep, “Whatever! I think it has always been the other way around. You always had everyone eating out of
