“How? She’s gone and I have no clue as to where she’s been taken. We haven’t had that much time to connect. The time that we did have, I spent trying to push her away. Trying to convince her that, I was bad news for her.”
“Well, I call bull shit.” Poppy stands up, her hands on her hips. “You’re letting your head get in the way of the natural connection that the two of you have. You’re overthinking what you are to one another. Put everything else aside and just think of her, like a divining rod. Where does it point?”
Doing as I’m told, I let my demon form recede and try to get rid of all the doubts, all the why’s as to why she should not be with me, and push them aside. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on LJ’s scent, her feel, her presence. It’s not here, not in this realm. I’m not sure how I know that, but I do. I’ve never been allowed access into Faerie, but that’s where my heart is telling me that she is, I’m being led to The Otherworld. Not The Underworld, and I’m surprised by that. I look back up at Poppy and say, “I think she’s in The Otherworld.”
“Can you home in on her exact location?”
“I’ve never been to The Otherworld. So I have no idea.” Cara whines, drawing my attention and I absently pat her head before exclaiming, “But you can help, can’t you girl? You are tied to her as well. All we need to do is get to Faerie and then we can see if you can find her. How are we going to get there quickly?”
“Easy, I can trace us there. I’m a keeper, my mother is Ashlinn’s right hand when it comes to Keeper business, so naturally, I followed suit. The only problem is that we will need The Horde King’s permission for you to cross into The Otherworld.”
“All right, then let’s change and we’ll head to Tarron’s place before heading to The Otherworld. We’ll need to let everyone know what has happened.”
“I don’t envy you that conversation, you may be royalty in The Underworld but that won’t matter when you are delivering news that the darling of The Otherworld was kidnapped right from under your nose.” Poppy stands and walks toward the door, turning, she smiles sadly, “We’ll get her back, and I’ll be right there by your side to make sure that it happens. Don’t worry, Lillie JoBug can handle herself. Better than you know.”
23
Down the Rabbit Hole
(Lillie Joanna)
The first thing I notice is that it’s really warm. My head is pounding and I groan as I roll over and push myself up, blinking rapidly as I try to process exactly what has happened. The last thing I remember is trying to get to Daxell. How could I have been so stupid? He told me to stick by his side, and now, I have no idea as to where the hell I am. Blinking, I try to erase the fog that seems to cling to my brain. My mouth and throat are dry as if I’ve been out for a while. Staggering to my feet, I totter on my heels and lean against the smooth stone wall. Warmth radiates from the black glass-like stone. Well, it’s mostly black, but there are veins of crimson in the sleek stone walls.
It takes a few more moments for my sluggish brain to begin working. Whatever they drugged me with is finally beginning to exit my system. Concentrating on my surroundings I realize what the room seems to be made from. It’s obsidian. The entire room is carved from obsidian. I’ve never seen anything like it. From the lighting, I can tell that I’m no longer in The Mortal Realm. Glowballs are dimly lit in several corners of the room. Somehow or another, I’ve been transported to Faerie. I’m home, in The Otherworld, but how did I get here and where exactly is here? As I take stock of myself, I realize that I feel oddly weighed down. I can’t seem to access my majic. It’s then that I remember the bracelet that was placed on my wrist and I hold my hands up and examine the simple silver cuff that doesn’t seem to have an opening or a clasp of any kind. I try to slide it over my hand but it is too small. I stare at the offending object, trying to remember something from my past. Something that … Oh my god, it can’t be. My gifts have been bound, just like my father’s all those years ago. The pendant that lies nestled between my breasts is almost uncomfortably warm and I realize that it is trying to counteract some of the properties of the iron forged in angel fire that currently resides on my wrist. Almost as if it is acting as a protective hedge, but can’t quite overcome the nullifying properties of the bracelet I’m now wearing. I have to get to Mama. She can help.
“Well, well. You woke much earlier than you should have.” I’m startled out of my contemplation when a familiar-looking female marches into the room. How do I know her? She’s hauntingly beautiful in a sinister sort of way. She continues, “I take it your brain hasn’t quite come online yet. I get that, the injection that you were given should not have worn off quite yet, but here we are. You know, I tried to remove the bloodstone pendant and the matching earrings, but they seem to … be rather attached to you. I got a rather nasty majical jolt, which is problematic.”
“Why?” I ask stupidly, still trying to process everything.
She laughs, “My gods, you are so young and so green. Why your parents sent
