Sighing, I say, “It’s not your fault, Poppy. I know that. You were so brave just to come on this journey with me. I don’t care about the size or shape you take, I’m just grateful that you’re here.”
Poppy takes flight to hover in front of me, “There were quite a few revelations in there. Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. Since when have revelations like what we heard in those chambers ever been good? Revelations in the Christian Bible foretells how the world will end. Why don’t I remember Nemesis? Why would I only remember my previous life as Eve? Nemesis came about long before Eve, she is one of the freakin’ Primordials. How in the world did I get so screwed up and not know it? I don’t know what to think right now.”
Strong arms wrap around me from behind. “Does it matter? You said to me that you only cared about who I was, not where I came from.” Daxell stops my progress to the opening of the cave, his stubble covered jaw rasps across the tender skin of my cheek and I lean into him enjoying the subtle contrast to my smooth skin, loving all the roughness that is Daxell.
“Unfortunately, I think it does,” I answer quietly, “but I’m not sure how or why. We really don’t have time to think about any of this right now. We need to find that backpack and get it back to Luc, and then I need to get back to my home and have my mother remove this binding bracelet. Those are our priorities right now. I can’t afford to linger on Jillisandra’s revelations. Not yet.”
“Then come,” Daxell swiftly shifts to his demon and gathers me up in his arms. As we leap into the space above the waterfall I take in the small life-giving lake below us and for a moment things seem to slow. The water below me sparkles under the attention of the bioluminescence of the creatures that live within this underground cavern as well as all the many glowballs that have been lit this time of day. I can see why this place is considered an oasis and why so many have come to call this place home, but now I know my home is right here in Daxell’s arms and I snuggle into his hold.
All of us make our way to a stone structure that looks very important in this very humble place. The limestone dwelling is large and spacious on the inside. Paynga addresses two young imps who leave the room as we are all getting settled, only to return with food and beverages. Sighing, I look around the main room and ask, “What do any of you know about the Lava Fields? How can we get to them quickly? And how, pray tell, can we get to the island of discarded things?”
Daxell’s answer is quick, “I can shadow-walk us there.”
“No … You’ll not be able to shadow-walk there. ’Cause of the lava you’ll find few shadows. It’s not an option. Once you get there you’ll need to take flight and travel to the island like the rest of us.” Pipperton explains.
“What do you mean, Pip?”
“I mean that your shadow-walking will not get you far. Besides, you’re gonna need our help. We’re comin’ with you to help when you find the backpack in a horde of misplaced objects. That island is said to be a complete nightmare. Only the nasty little snatching thieves understand where to find things. So … We’re coming with you, and we’re going to send word to Luc.” Pip has never seemed so grown up until this moment. He stands resolute, his arms crossed over his massive bare red-skinned chest with his large shoulders squared. They could rival Daxell’s.
Daxell groans, and walks toward the stately fireplace that takes up most of the wall in this stone dwelling, “This is a nightmare.” He sighs.
Pip smiles a toothy grin and I glimpse the youth that I once knew when he winks at me, “That’s why we’re here.”
Stepping forward, I ask, “Okay, let’s say that you all do come with us. How are we traveling? How long will it take us to get to the Lava Fields and when do we head out?”
“Rest tonight and then we’ll head out first thing on the morrow. We’ll be traveling by flight, and it will take us at least a couple of days travel to get there from here.”
“What’s our plan?” Daxell demands. “How do we stay hidden? Lillie is considered a fugitive at this point. Shadow-walking will keep us hidden, that and it’s faster.” He all but growls and is quickly losing his temper.
I go to him and take his hand, “It’s okay, Dax, we’ll figure this out. We just may need them. Two of us have no clue as to where we are going and what we may encounter.” Turning back to the imps in the room and Poppy who is sitting quietly on the rustic looking wooden table looking like a bobblehead as she follows our conversation, I ask, “So, what’s the plan?”
The three males look to each other before Fynwrick moves forward, “Can you follow us in the shadows, Daxell? At least for a time?”
“Yes, I should be able to, but here’s the thing, it’s like being in between and it’s not good to remain within the shadows for very long. When I said that it was fast, I meant fast. Instead of two days travel, we would be looking at maybe a few hours tops and even then I would try to
