Lilly’s face darkened as she stared at her Aunt for a moment, “Who do you think Rex murdered?”
“I’m not certain. It is a feeling I hesitate to look deeply into. For a long time I ignored my intuition regarding Rex’s activities. I adopted a better not to know attitude. You are no longer a child living under his roof. You and I are free to do what we please. I tried to contact you several times. I called all the universities in Louisiana, but none would confirm you were a student there. I get the Times Picayune delivered to my home in North Carolina and I saw your wedding announcement. I had no problem getting Alex Castiglio’s phone number. I called several times hoping you would answer. He picked up every time and was very rude. He finally told me to never call again. I was concerned for you. First you had Rex, an abusive stepfather and then a rude and callous husband. I had to relax and trust you would find me when the time was right.”
They sat in silence as the waitress removed their plates and brought the bread pudding and coffee. Lilly tasted the sweet concoction, grinned and wiggled her eyebrows at Aunt Pearl. Pearl closed her eyes as the bread pudding melted in her mouth, “Mmm, I haven’t had this in years.”
After a few bites of the bread pudding, Lilly couldn’t contain her curiosity, “How is life in North Carolina?”
“It’s been fine, other than missing you, I’ve been happy. As I told you on the phone, Evan lives in Asheville and I was happy to be near him. He has a wife now and they always make me feel welcome. North Carolina is lovely. It is a bit colder than I’m use to yet the snow in the mountains is beautiful and peaceful. The people are kind and...”
Lilly frowned and interrupted her Aunt, “Are you planning on returning to North Carolina? I was hoping you were here to stay.”
Pearl took a moment to reply, “I don’t know yet. Let’s see how things go. I would like to visit the North Shore and see what condition my house is in.” Lilly nodded slightly and blinked away tears, she couldn’t bear to lose her Aunt again. “Now, tell me all about you, sweet Lilly,” Aunt Pearl said as she poured cream into her coffee.
Lilly looked into her Aunt’s up tilted green eyes, so much like her own and shook her head slightly, “I’d prefer to continue this conversation in my apartment, if you don’t mind.”
Aunt Pearl nodded, “I understand, some things are best said in private.”
Lilly led them up Decatur Street to the building that had housed the Raven Moon. The windows were dark, the building empty. A “For Sale” sign hung on the front door. Aunt Pearl shivered when she placed her hand on the door. “The vibrations are askew. There needs to be some psychic clearing, a lot of psychic clearing. This place is broadcasting negative energy.”
“Yes,” Lilly agreed, “But there is something else we need to take care of first.”
Pearl raised one eyebrow, “The important thing we need to discuss in private?” Lilly nodded.
Roland was waiting for them when they arrived at Lilly’s apartment. He sat on the sofa with his arm around Lilly as she told Aunt Pearl about her abusive marriage, her escape, finding Panthea’s, her early initiation, the passing of the Inanna crystal into her keeping, her kidnapping by Regina, the theft and recovery of the stone and the reason they needed her help.
Aunt Pearl sat in the rocking chair, hands resting in her lap and listened to the tale of Lilly’s recent past. The strength of the young woman astonished her. “I am so proud of you Lilly,” she said when the tale was done.
Lilly looked astonished, “Proud of me?”
“Yes, you have come through so many challenges. You have had an exceptional life, and I have no doubt it will continue to grow and expand in intensity as you continue to grow in wisdom. There are many adventures ahead of you.”
Lilly sat silently staring at her Aunt.
Roland patted her gently on the shoulder, “See, I told you. You are one special lady.”
Lilly shrugged, “Okay, I’m glad ya’ll think so. When you say challenges, it does put things in a new perspective. I tend to think I’ve made a royal mess of things since the day I met Alex. I have to stop berating myself and congratulate myself for rising to the challenges. Although, I don’t know how many adventures I can stand,” she said with a touch of sarcasm.
“Speaking of adventures,” Lilly said, “have you heard of a pyramid in the swamp lands?”
Pearl was silent for a few minutes then spoke in a halting voice, “My mother told me bedtime stories about a magickal pyramid when I was a child. I don’t remember where it is. She released a small “Hummm” as she sat back and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, she looked at Lilly and Roland, “I vaguely remember hearing the pyramid was built near the mouth of the river by Toltecs or maybe the Mayans, I forget. There are stories about the pyramid and portals, however, it has been a long time since I heard anyone mention it. The stories may be based in fact or merely Faery tales.”
“No, it is real!” Lilly exclaimed. During my visit to Kumira, the powerful Atlantian priest she channels appeared and confirmed there is a pyramid nearby where two great bodies of water meet. Kumira says the Fae may have knowledge of the pyramid where the violet light in the stone could be awakened and its magic returned.”
“If that is the case,” Aunt Pearl said, “we will have to visit our family in the Dark Bayou to get that information.”
A frown creased Lilly’s brow, “Do you have any idea how we can approach the Faery village in the swamp. How can we
