LJ laughs, “How do you even know what that smells like? Wait. I don’t want to know. Why didn’t you latch on to me? I would have seen you safely there.”
“Hmph … I didn’t think of that.” And she continues to grumble, muttering things we can’t make out.
My demon chuckles, “We’re almost there. Be ready. We’ll exit the shadows in just a moment.” We slip from the grasp of the darkness with ease, leaving all those that have become lost in the shadows over time to wander absently until they are nothing more than ghosts of the past. We soar above the spot that LJ was found only a few days ago before gently landing. My demon sits LJ on the ground and waits for Poppy to slide out from under his extended wing before allowing the shift to take over.
LJ turns and looks at me, “Daxell, are you sure this is where you found me? I don’t recognize any of this. It looks so different from my memories. I don’t see a stream or any water. I could have sworn that there was water.”
I sigh, “LJ, the Fields of Punishment is ever-changing, but this is the spot.”
“Then how the hell am I suppose to retrace my steps?” She demands as Poppy lands on her shoulder looking concerned.
“We’ll do the best we can.” What do you remember?” I ask.
“Not much before everything becomes foggy and twisted up in the deceitful illusion.” She sighs heavily and spins around trying to get her bearings.
About that time, a swarm of those dark little fuckers is back, and I growl, “Back the hell off if you know what’s good for you.”
The wicked little shits just laugh hysterically and surround us, “Missing something? Are we?” Their sing-song lilting voices grate on my nerves.
LJ races forward before I can anticipate her move. I’m by her side in an instant and she demands, “What did you do with it?” Her arms crossed over her ample chest and her foot taps in irritation.
“Whatever do you mean, goddess? Yes. We now know who you are, but we still answer to Luc and the Fields.”
He’s an evil, dark, little fucker that needs to be eradicated. The growl that rumbles out of my chest has all of his companions stopping their antics, “You will tell us where her belongings are.” I demand.
“We could,” the leader of this little flock mimes, his smug little voice makes my skin crawl, “but … we have no idea. Listen, Lord Daxell, you are a tad scarier than she is, but all we know is that one minute there was a non-descript backpack on the ground beside our newest victim in the Fields and then there was not. We have no idea as to where it went. These things happen here, you see.” His tone is all business now.
My hackles rise at their nonchalance and I move forward before LJ can stop me, “Leave them be, Daxell. They are full of mischief and spite. They are behaving as they were designed to behave. It’s pointless to get aggravated with them.”
“Knowing that is one thing, but … Damn, honey cheeks. We’re at a dead-end already and we’ve not even been gone for an hour. What next?” I ask as I watch the offending little fuckers head away from us over the bleak landscape swarming here and there as they look for their next victim to torment.
“Well? Do you happen to know where the imps underground borough is?” LJ asks, looking around hopefully.
“I have no idea what you are talking about. What underground borough?”
“Oh snap! That’s right. No one knows about it here in The Underworld. Daxell … You and your demon need to promise not to utter a word about their little safe haven. Pipperton would never forgive me for putting that little oasis in danger of being discovered.”
“Did I hear my name?” A deep male voice interrupts my response. I turn to see an intimidating mature imp sauntering our way. His skin rivals that of the skies here, his impressive leathery wings tuck back against his back, and his white-blond hair is long, and grows in a mohawk fashion. He smiles broadly, showing off his pointy teeth, his pale blue eyes twinkling as he opens his arms in greeting.
LJ and Poppy take off in his direction. What the hell just happened? And who is this demon to them? LJ launches herself into his waiting arms and both my demon and I growl. They look way too comfortable with one another and jealousy rears its ugly head. The imp just laughs and exclaims, “It’s been way too long, little flower. By Hades’ demons, I’ve missed you too!” He swings Lillie around and she just laughs hugging him closer.
“Put my mate down and step away,” I growl possessively, needing to know who this demon is to LJ.
The imp slows and eyes me wearily. Slowly he puts LJ down and steps away with his hands up, “Lillie, tell your mate that I’m not a threat. I’m here to help.”
“Chill, Daxell. This is Pipperton. Pip the imp. He’s like an older brother to me. Remember? I told you about him.” She implores before turning her confused gaze upon Pip. “What do you mean? You’re here to help?” She demands.
“Just that. Luc called me to his inner sanctum-”
“You have been watching way too many movies, Pip.”
He laughs, “Yeah, well maybe, but stop interrupting me. As I was saying-”
“Yeah, yeah … Get on with it.” She demands.
“I’m trying! Will you stop interrupting?” Pip exclaims, mockingly.
It’s then that I begin to relax. The two of them are going at it like she would with Lachlan, and I sit back and watch the show. Poppy lands on my shoulder and says, “These two can go at it for days. This should be interesting.”
“Why do you think he’s here?” I ask the tiny water sprite.
She sighs, “She has
