“Well, nothing can be discounted. Come on then, it’s time to pay the piper.”
Poppy appears back in the room with a disgruntled look on her pixie-like features, “They already know that somethings up. So … just be prepared.” She clasps both of our arms and we trace. The tavern falls away as we zip from The Mortal Realm to The Otherworld.
We pop into sight in a courtyard inside what looks like a medieval castle. Not ever having set foot in Faerie, I know immediately that I’m someplace so completely opposite of The Underworld and The Mortal Realm that I want to come back again and again. The colors here are so vibrant, so very breathtaking. The courtyard is large and square. The stone walls of the keep are almost white and look pristine and yet ancient at the same time. On some walls, there are vibrant green vines that have crept up the walls that hold beautiful periwinkle colored blossoms. On one end of the yard, there appears to be a training ground and the far end the gate to the keep is open and several males sit astride massive Shire horses. It’s then that I turn to see Ashlinn rushing toward us, she grabs my hand and pulls me to her side, “Daxell, I had a vision. Is it true? Has Lillie disappeared?”
Sighing, I hang my head, “Yes, but I feel that she’s here in this realm. I need to find her and that’s why we’re here.”
“Of course you do, Daxell. She’s your mate, your kindred. Come, let’s see if we can figure out our next course of action.” Ashlinn soothes my weary soul with her words of understanding. I swallow back the thick knot of emotion and nod, following her. Her gentle words have had the power to have me come undone.
Lachlan marches into the hallway and glares at me, “You had one job, demon spawn. How could you have failed so spectacularly in less than twenty-four hours Earth time?”
“Enough! Lachlan, we must all work together now. I saw what happened. There was nothing that he could have done. Nothing! Gather everyone together in the library. Don’t just dally. Now!” Ashlinn takes control of the situation quickly, “Come, I foresee a long road ahead of you. So you, Cara, and Poppy must fuel up for what is to come.”
Looking down at LJ’s petite mother, I ask, “How do you manage all of this?”
“It’s a blessing and it’s a curse, depending on how you look at it. My visions don’t give enough information. They prepare me for what is to come. All I saw was Lillie disappearing into a crowd as if into a void. No other clues or images to help me understand who was involved or how she got from one place to the other. That has never happened before, but then she reappeared in The Underworld, but I have no idea where. You will need to leave out for The Underworld in at the most thirty minutes. Daxell, you need to find my baby girl and bring her home.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll die trying.”
Ashlinn stops and reaches up to gently pat my cheek, “I don’t think that will be necessary. I do see the two of you happy. I just don’t have any idea as to the timeline.” She studies me for a moment before taking my hands in her own, “Lillie Joanna has always been the serious one, the patient one, she has never put herself first. She needs you Daxell. She is so bullheaded that she will never admit that she needs another, but she needs you, and you need her. I think it’s safe to say that you two are two halves of a whole and without the other, you are not complete. You need to put your doubts aside.”
“The Underworld is not good to those that have no place there. It will test her limits and it will not be merciful.”
“I know. That is why you must find her and help her to navigate what is to come.” Ashlinn smiles back at me and gently squeezes my fingers in her grasp, “Daxell, trust me, and trust that this connection you feel to my daughter is the real deal. Okay?”
“All right. I can do that. So what’s the plan?”
25
Dark Days Ahead
(Lillie Joanna)
Grathgar escorts me to the room that I woke in, or at least it’s where I thought I was previously. There are black leathers laid out on the lounge for me to change into and food and drink situated on a small ornate wooden table in the room. Grathgar grunts and motions toward a changing screen in the corner of the chamber before he turns to leave me to do as I was told. For a few short moments, I pull at the bracelet, hoping like crazy that I can somehow manage to get it off, but it’s not budging. I assess my options and one thing is for sure, if that crazy bitch follows through with her plans, I need to be clothed in something other than an evening gown and stiletto heels. Grabbing the leathers I make for the screen and slip in behind it for some privacy.
Soon enough, I’m clothed in the black leathers that fit me like a glove. The leather is soft and supple, the boots she left for me are practical but stylish with a wedge heel, something I can run in if needed. The undergarment she chose to put me in is a soft cotton tank. Even the jacket she left is form-fitting and I toss it over the chair and wander over to the food ladened table.
“You’ll want that jacket. Where you’re going the nights will be cool and the conditions may be abrasive. The leather will protect your exposed skin.” She tosses a
