26
Luc Turns a Blind Eye
(Daxell)
Ifelt it as soon as we sat down to figure out how we were going to locate LJ here in Faerie. One moment I felt that she was here and the next she was gone, the link abruptly vanishes. Cara began to whine at that same moment and that’s how I knew that I was not mistaken. Cara laid her head in my lap and I began trying to soothe her alarm. In her agitation, she began twittering and chirping. I interrupt everyone in the room, “She’s gone. She’s no longer here.”
Everyone just stops and stares at me.
“How do you know?” Poppy’s mother, Jasmine asks. She has her hands full with twin boys that have taken after her mate and are hopping around on their little goat-like satyr legs. Their tiny hoofs clatter on the flagstone floor as they try to race away from their parents. No doubt to get into some mischief. Her mate, Camoryn tackled one of the boys and has thrown him up to sit on his shoulder where the little guy begins pulling on his father’s rather impressive horns and his hair. By the Fallen, he has the patience of a saint.
Looking back at everyone waiting for me to continue, I say, “I sensed her for just a moment and then, she just seemed to disappear, but I’m pretty sure that I know where to find her, or at least which realm to find her in. It’s time for me to go back to The Underworld. I’ll take Cara with me. She sensed her leaving just as I did.” I stand to make ready to leave.
Alaric, who has been pacing by the terrace doors turns back to me, “Wait, Daxell. After what you relayed to us, do you think that Mammon has something to do with this?”
“Yes, sir. And I think he has help as well, although, I have no clue as to who that may be. I mean no disrespect, but I have to get to her before she’s found in The Underworld. I will guarantee that Mammon has already been in contact with Luc. He is going to demand that LJ be tried for absconding with his so-called prize possession. Worse yet, she has no idea that she is being framed for that theft. She will be considered guilty until proven innocent and will not stand a chance unless I can get her out of there so that she can be tried on neutral ground. So, if you all will excuse me, I need to go.”
Lachlan stops me, “Man, you can’t go in there looking like that.”
“Like what?” I question, feeling offended.
“Like a pansy-ass in a cape. Are you trying to emulate Dracula? What the hell, dude?” Lachlan’s lips twitch.
A deep laugh rumbles out of my chest, “Dude, I needed that.”
“Come on, Dax. I think we can find something for you to change into before you leave for hell.”
Cara follows us and I hear Poppy call out, “Hey, hot stuff, you are not leaving me behind. Lillie JoBug may be your forever ever after, but she just may need me too.”
I mutter, “That is so not a good idea.”
“If she is anything like her mother, she will hitchhike her way into The Underworld. We all grew up together and that bond those two have is unbreakable. So you might as well suck it up and take her with you willingly. You never know, that little hybrid water sprite just may come in handy. The stories our parents tell about their escapades are epic. Anyhow, we’re about the same size or close to it. Take whatever you need and meet us back in the library.”
“Will do … and Lachlan …”
“I know that she can be a handful. I’m just worried about her. It wasn’t right for me to go off on you like I did.”
“You only said what everyone else was thinking, including me,” my voice is gruff and dismissive, I turn and Lachlan leaves me alone in his room, taking the hint that I need some time. Hell, as I look around, it’s more like a suite with rich mahogany floors and smooth stone walls. The room is open and airy with all the neat discrete masculine touches. I really do like it here. I can almost imagine LJ roaming the halls as a child. It’s a charming homey place, from the vases of fresh-cut flowers that I’ve spied here and there, to the little touches like throw blankets at the foot of the bed, not to mention the delicious scent of fresh baking bread that seems to permeate this place. Sighing, I quickly change into faded jeans and a black tee that stretches tightly over my shoulders. If I have to shift to my demon this shirt will be in tatters, hell, if I have to throw a punch the seams will probably split. So I pull the black silk dress shirt back on over the teeshirt and leave it open, and roll up the sleeves. Leaving Lachlan’s chambers, I head back downstairs to the meeting.
Walking back into the room, I announce, “I can’t trace like some of you. I’ll need to hitch a ride with someone to get me to a portal to The Underworld.”
Alaric speaks up, his face serious, those piercing blue eyes daring me to object, “I can get you to Luc’s. I can trace to his front door, but that’s the only place that I can trace to from this realm. We made a deal long ago, that access to The Underworld would have to be at his discretion. Besides, it is
