“How is it that Luc knows that the whip is here?” LJ whispers in my ear, she has all but melted into my arms.
“Daxell and Lillie will need to find the whip and bring it to me. If they can do that then all charges against her will be dropped. She will be considered as cooperating with the powers that be.” He states, almost as if he heard her question.
Poppy speaks up for the first time since Luc’s declaration that she should go back to Faerie, “I will not leave her here, Lucifer. She needs me. I’ve already proven myself useful here in this dreadful place.”
“My dear sprite, who do you suggest we send in your stead?” Luc bristles at her obvious disregard of his instructions.
“Cara. You will hand-deliver her to Ashlinn and Alaric and explain the situation. You owe them that much.” The little sprite has dragon-sized balls. I can only imagine the look on his face. Luc is quiet as she continues and I hear LJ giggle softly against my chest, the sound is quietly muffled, “Do you understand where I’m coming from? You and I both know that LJ is not responsible for the problems in this godforsaken realm. She is here by default and if my intuition is correct, this Nyx is the responsible party. We will find Morríganna’s whip and we will bring it to you, and you will allow us to leave this realm. Or at least come and go as we see fit. Lillie Joanna is not the problem here and you know it.”
The silence is deafening before Luc responds, “As you will, Lady Poppy. You have my utmost respect. Not many have what it takes to go against my wishes. Do take care on your new journey. You will need every advantage that you can find. I will do as you have asked. I will take Cara to The Otherworld and make sure that she is back where she belongs. You, my dear sprite, have chosen an arduous path, you have chosen to stay by your friend’s side in a most unseemly place for a water sprite such as yourself.”
With that, I hear Luc march across the floor. Cara whimpers and LJ stiffens, she relaxes for a moment and appears to be concentrating before she looks back up at me. She smiles and murmurs, “Cara is okay. I feel better that she will not be here.”
“How do you communicate with her?” I whisper.
“I think that you have earned the right to understand our bond.” Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper.
“I would advise young Daxell and his new mate that they need to brush up on their ninja skills. They are about as quiet as a herd of minotaurs in a glass factory.” Luc sounds put out with the farce of trying to overlook the fact that we are hidden from view, his tone softens, “Come, little one. Let me see you safely home. You will be reunited with your spirit companion soon enough.” Cara whines softly as mother talks to her and transfers the cuddly little fox over to Luc’s safekeeping. His heavy footfalls pause, “Daxell and Lillie must not fail in this endeavor.” Then he’s gone.
30
The Primordials
(Lillie Joanna)
Where do we go from here? Luc’s instructions held an ominous meaning. If we cannot complete the task at hand there will be serious consequences. I can’t allow those I love most to be caught up in this assignment. Looking up at Dax, I whisper, “I can’t allow you to go down with me. You know as well as I do that this mission is doomed before we even set out. You can’t be seen with me, much less be found guilty of treason.”
“LJ, you seem to think that you have a say in my actions. I will not allow you to do this alone. I will be by your side and we will clear you of the accusations that Mammon has made. Now, come, we have much to do to prepare. Soon we must leave the safety of this place, and when we do all hell is likely to break loose.”
Daxell slides the hidden door panel open and we step out. His mother is the first to address us, “Well, you two, I agree with Luc. You really must work on subterfuge. I’m not sure that you could have been any louder behind that wall.” Her voice is stern and forgiving all at the same time as she smiles at the two of us. Her face giving her away.
I smile back at her. She is so loving and caring. I can easily see her as a prominent figure in my life. “Sera, thank you. You, Levi, and Dez. I appreciate all you have done to conceal my appearance here, but … Well, I think that I need to move on.” I swallow thickly. “I think that I need to ensure that none of you are targeted because of me.”
Seraphina moves forward to clasp my hands in her own, “My dear, you are a part of this house now. We will never forsake you and your cause. That being said, I think that it is time that you take your place with us. You need to bind with Daxell, and he with you.”
“But …”
“I know what you are going to say. You want
