“I keep having flashes of a raven-haired female, in an obsidian castle. I think that she is the key. I just don’t know how or why. I remember her telling me that her name was Nyx and that she was the daughter of Morríganna and that she intended to bring her mother back. I think I’ve seen her before but I’m not sure where? Could she have been at Mammon’s gathering? I hate that I’m not able to remember more than these few images. It all feels like a dream or a nightmare, depending on how you look at it. Then there is my time in the Fields of Punishment which seems so clear, but not. The torment. The torture and mental and emotional anguish. It’s all so confusing.”
I stop and look down at my beautiful angel, “I’m so sorry it took me so long to find you, but I swear to you. Once I find out who is responsible for taking you from me and sending you here, I will rip them limb from limb and then feed them to the gorgers.” I growl, “We need to remove the iron on your wrist. That should help.”
Nodding, she smiles timidly up at me, “Then we need to get to my mother. She holds the key to releasing this binding cuff.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
She smirks, “Because you didn’t ask, that and, because I just realized what we are dealing with. The only problem is … I can’t trace with this on my wrist, and neither can Poppy, not in her current form. She can trace herself and maybe that’s the key. We could send her to get Mama. She could send a message to everyone. But how will they get to us?”
“Your father traced us here to Luc’s castle. I would have had to make it to the closest portal between the realms to get to you if not for him. I have a feeling that they will be able to get to us, but they will have to go through Luc.”
Stopping in our tracks, she asks, “What do you mean? And why is that a problem?”
“Your father said that he had to check in with Luc. I’m guessing that there are stipulations as to his presence here, and your mother’s.” I watch her reaction carefully and see the moment that she understands my meaning.
“My presence here needs to be concealed?” She asks. “Why?”
“Yes, and that’s going to be tricky.” She stops walking and pulls me around to look down at her and I confess, “Lillie, after you disappeared, Mammon accused you of taking The Morrígan’s weapon, Vengeance. If you are found here in The Underworld, you will be tried, and I assure you that you will be found guilty. Mammon wants your head on a pike and he can make that happen. He has formally petitioned Luc. His hands are tied. He can’t know that we have found you, and he most certainly can not know that we are stuck here in The Underworld. If that information becomes known by Luc, he will be forced to send his sentries here to detain you for trial.”
“So, we’re stuck here then?” There are so many emotions that flicker across her face as realization sets in.
“Not necessarily, but you will have to be fit and ready to travel. If we can get to The Mortal Realm then we can send Poppy to get your mother. How is it that your mother can remove this bracelet when no one else can?”
LJ smiles up at me, “Fate smiled upon my parents, Daxell. They were given the means to overcome certain obstacles.” She holds our linked hands up and studies the smooth, shiny metal that encircles her dainty wrist, before smiling at me, “Iron forged from angel-fire was one of those obstacles. My mother holds the key to remove this binding cuff. Although I would have thought that its binding ability would have felt more suffocating, it's not as bad as I imagined it would be.” She absently reaches for the bloodstone pendant that rests between her breasts and looks back at me, a curious look passes across her features, “I wonder if it’s the bloodstone that is helping?”
I think back to a conversation with my fathers, “You may be right. I think my fathers said that the stones were meant to be a protective hedge. They chose the bloodstone to represent their house colors but also for its properties of healing and protection. So, it could not prevent the bracelet being thrust upon you, but it could, quite possibly be working against the most damaging aspects of the iron.”
As we step out of the foliage, I spy both my fathers. Asmodeus steps forward and addresses Lillie, “My dear, you and your father have both felt the impact of having to endure the iron that you wear. I can attest to the ill effects of your binding cuff, it can hinder all your god-like abilities. I endured centuries being bound and chained. Left to rot in a cave until I was released from my bondage.”
LJ rushes toward my father and takes his hands in her own, “I’m so sorry. What happened? Why were you bound? Who bound you?”
“My dear, that is a story for another day. You have … well, you have your mother and she holds the key to your situation. We just need to figure out a way for you and Daxell to exit The Underworld without notice.”
Levi moves from the shadows of our dwelling, and says, “Come inside, we have some news to share.” His green eyes find my own and I don’t like the look that he’s giving me.
LJ looks back at me and I shrug, “We may not like what they have to say but we need to hear it none the less. Come on. You need to
