by Jana LaPelle
Lexie looks at me with wide eyes before she replies, “Remember when I forged the charm to protect everyone from The Morrígan’s curse? Remember how I was suddenly caught up in what I would call an information dump or download? I’m still processing all that information, it was a lot all at once to suddenly have access to. I can’t tell what is from my forefathers and what is from the Druid Order, it's all a jumbled mess. I have no recollections of my grandfather, of Colin that Memē speaks of in these books, it’s all jacked up in my mind, and I’m still trying to make heads or tails of all of it. I don’t think that Daerok is a viable threat at this point, but I believe that he will be at some point some way down the road, but I wouldn’t count him out. Right now he is confined to The Mortal Realm but what if he finds a way around that? What if the rift between Faerie and The Underworld also affects The Mortal Realm? If so, all bets are off, and he will most definitely side with The Morrígna. He wants to be reinstated as the leader of The Druid Order.
“I do believe that what my grandfather imparted to Memē in her Memoirs to be true. How else have I been privy to all this information? I’ve not talked to Nemus about it, but that’s my next step, and after reading this I now understand why I have felt compelled to place Nemus in a place of power within the Druid Order. Ashlinn, you should know, your druid Guardian will be the next Luminary of the Druid Order here in Faerie. You were right in your assumption that his place was not as a Guardian but something more.”
I nod, thinking that Nemus’ role in all of this has just been better defined. “Okay, so Nemus will be named the next Luminary for the Druid Order. How long have the druids been without a Luminary?”
Lexie sighs, “Since Daerok was exiled to The Mortal Realm. That was ages ago. From what I gather, they have been waiting for me to show up to bring order and name their next leader.”
“I guess that’s our next step then. Maybe we should talk to Dagda when he gets back tonight about how to move forward with all of this.” I pause and take my sister in, “Are you okay? That was a lot to take in. Everything she did was for us. She…” My words fail me, and I nibble my lower lip as my eyes prick with tears remembering all of her sacrifices so that we could make it to our individual awakenings. Taking a deep breath I lean over and take Lexie’s hands in my own and declare, “I will not fail her, not now, not ever. She will always be my Mom. She lost so much to get us to where we are today. I will not forsake her.” I swear.
Lexie grasps my hands in her own, “We… will not forsake her.”
Gripping her hands, I whisper, “I’m so tired Lexie, I haven’t slept since that night,” my voice is strained, “Will you… will you sit with me for a bit? I just need to catch an hour tops, but I don’t want to be alone, my nightmares have been epic. I know that I need to be doing something to find Alaric, but I’ve tried everything and so far nothing. I don’t know what to do next. I’m… I’m desperate Lexie, I can’t lose him.”
Lexie is around the table and pulling me into her arms before I can blink, “Shhh, Ash, you won’t lose him, you won’t. You are still connected to him, there is no way that the two of you have come this far to be separated. Now come with me, and I’ll lay down with you.”
Lexie walks me over to the bed, we lay down like we did when we were children facing one another. She grasps my hands in her own and says, “You’ll find him, Ash, I know you will, but I think you’re trying too hard.” She places her thumb in the middle of my forehead and whispers, “I want you to think of nothing and then slip to the place that lies in between.”
Nodding, I whisper, “Okay, thank you, Lex.” Her words have a hypnotic effect, and my eyes begin to shutter closed, and for the first time in several days I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 3
(Alaric)
Luc traces, taking me with him, and I find we are back on the Isle of Tears in the Sea of Hope. There are still the telltale signs of the battle that took place just days ago, and I have to ask, “Why have you brought me back here?”
“Your kindred needs to see this to understand what the realms of the living are dealing with. Unfortunately, Morríganna has lost her fucking mind, and she is willing to go to unforeseen lengths to accomplish her end goal, but you already knew that, didn’t you? At least by the looks of the wrath she has unleashed on your back.” He watches me for a moment with an oddly penetrating gaze before his hand snakes out to grasp my shoulder. A wave of power washes over me.
I’m startled when my connection to Ashlinn flares to life, it doesn’t last but a moment, and it was so unexpected that I didn’t even have time to actually reach out to her. Snapping my head back to the Prince of the Fallen, I ask, “How did you do that? How were you able to…?”
“I didn’t know if it would actually work, not really. I need for your kindred to know where you are, once we cross realms the only way she can follow is through the rift. Make no mistake, that abomination needs to be sealed, but it will take a small army of majic wielders all working together to do so.”
Disregarding everything else he has said I focus on the part about Ashlinn following me into Hell and retort, “But I don’t want her to follow me, not into The Underworld! I need her to be safe with the twins until I can find my way back to her. Are you crazy?” About that time, I sense her and turn to see her beautiful ethereal form as she walks toward us. She must have been asleep when our connection flared to life. She’s wearing jeans and a halter top, and she’s barefoot. I’m not sure if I’m happy to see her here in her dream walking form or not because I know now she will find a way to follow us. The look on her face is murderous. Damnation, she has seen my back.
She looks at me and smiles sweetly, a secret promise blossoms between us before blowing me a kiss. Then she turns her attention to Luc, her tone is full of rage, “I demand that you release him at once. Are you responsible for the lashes to his backside? I will kill you if I find out that you have done him harm. Who are you and where is The Morrígan?”
“My, my, you are a little spitfire aren’t you? No wonder Morríganna is so enraged at the power you exude, all wrapped up in a tiny little package. Now little goddess, don’t get all pissy with me when I say that Morríganna took from me and I demanded recompense so I, in turn, took from her. Alaric here is going with me on a little journey to The Underworld. It was the only way to settle the score between us. Let me introduce myself. My name is now Luc, once known as Lucifer, the Prince of the Fallen and The Underworld. You will need to come to me to discuss the terms of Alaric’s release.”
“Absolutely not! Ashlinn, you are not to follow me into The Underworld.” I quickly interject, sidestepping the entity before me, placing myself between them.
Ashlinn turns to me and says quietly, “I’ve missed you Elf-Man, and I will kill her for torturing you just so you know. Now hush and let me find out from the Prince of Darkness here what I need to do to get you out of Hell jail.”
“Ash -”
“Alaric, quiet. We need you back,” she admonishes, before turning her attention to Luc, she demands, “Take his cuffs off, and then we’ll talk.”
“Ah, alas, I cannot, and neither could Morríganna. She placed the cuffs on him without the means to remove them.”
“What do you mean? If she placed them on him, surely she can remove them.” My beautiful mate’s eyes flash in frustration.
By the goddess I have missed her, just standing next to her I can almost feel a tiny bit of my strength return, and my breath comes a little more easily before saying, “These cuffs are my burden to bear until we find a way to remove them. Ash, I was there when Luc asked The Morrígan for the key. She was very smug in the fact that she did not have a means to remove these shackles. I believe that once they were re-forged and put back into use, she never intended to release any that pose a threat to her and her ambitions. Therefore, it did not serve her purpose to have a means to remove them.”
I watch as the wheels turn in her mind, her
jaw clenches as she tries to work through the problem at hand before she turns back to Luc and demands, “Then release him. What good is he to you in The Underworld with his abilities nullified?” She asks, and I can tell that she is close to tears and that’s when I notice the dark smudges under her eyes and the strain on her face, she looks tired like she hasn’t been sleeping and I swear under my breath.
Before I can intervene, Luc answers her question, “My Lady, I cannot just release him. I have a reputation to uphold as the almighty Prince of Darkness as you just stated. I will take your precious Alaric to The Underworld with me and you my dear will follow. You will find me, and we will discuss the terms of his release in my realm away from prying eyes and ears. Do you understand?” I have to wonder what he means by prying eyes and ears.
“Ash, mo grá, please, don’t do this, I’ll find a way out. Trust me, okay?” I reach out to take her hand, and for a split second, I can almost feel her touch before my hand slips through her ethereal form.
“I can’t let you do this alone, Elf-Man, I know in my heart and soul that you need me during this time, and I will not turn a blind eye to your need. I love you, and I’m coming for you.” Turning her attention to Luc, she asks, “How do I gain access to your domain?”
“No, Ashlinn!”
“This is not your decision Alaric. You know that once I’ve set my mind to do something that’s what I’m going to do. The last three days have been unbearable without you, and I will not be separated from you a moment longer than absolutely necessary. Now, Luc, how do we gain access to your realm?”
Luc looks between us before imparting, “Through the rift, little Keeper. Look below. The rift between the realms that was wrought the night Cú Chulainn was resurrected continues to grow. Take a look for yourself. That is how you will find your way to Hell, and that is how Hell will find its way into this realm and the next. This was not my doing and balance must be restored. The solution to this enormous problem will have to come from this realm.”
Before I can say anything further, Luc takes hold of my elbow, and he traces us away from the Isle of Tears. As we step out of the trace trail, I’m taken aback by the coolness that surrounds us. It’s not uncomfortable but unexpected. The skies are a dark red and the land around us is a dark grey or black, it’s hard to tell in the eerie reddish light. There is little to no vegetation. I’m surrounded by what looks to be a barren wasteland.
Snapping my head toward Luc, I grind out, “You could have given me some warning that we were about to go, time enough to talk Ashlinn out of coming here for me, time to say goodbye.”
“I think not. Welcome to the Fields of Punishment, Alaric. Here you will wander aimlessly until your kindred finds you. You will be at the mercy of all who dwell here, and you should know, there are many souls here. The living and the dead.” The wind whips about us mercilessly, sand, dirt, and grit finding their way into the open wounds on my back. The abrasiveness reminding me of the damage done to my backside that has not had time to heal without my healing ability. I immediately reach around to sooth the ache, and the wounds break open once again causing me to drop to my knees and to suck in my breath, and gnash my teeth together as the pain ricochets through my entire being. Breathing through the pain and steadying myself, I stand to listen to Luc as he continues all the while the wounds on my back weep furiously. I ignore the fact that I continue to lose blood, knowing that his words are important and require my concentration. I tune in to listen, “Alaric, you and Ashlinn now have a role to play in all the realms and I intend to see to it that you understand exactly what is at stake. Take a look around you. All hell will soon break free of its confines if she is not dealt with, and as the god of life, you need to bear witness to what Hell has to offer the realms of the living. I have accepted my place in the universe. I have embraced my dark tendencies. I am the opposite of my Father, and I create balance. You know the whole yin and yang thing. That’s what I was created for, I just wish that I would have realized that before I fell, and my wings were stripped from me. You and all those who stand with you need to understand that everything is about to go to hell in a handbasket if Morríganna succeeds and especially if the rift cannot be sealed.”
I watch this powerful entity before me, and for a moment he looks regretful, and I take pity on him, “You know he would forgive you if you just asked for his forgiveness.”
Luc chuckles and an ironic smile lights up his face and brightens this tenebrous, strange place before he says, “Yeah, well that’s not going to happen. Did you know that there are thought to be seven princes of hell? The Underworld became my dominion to reign over because I represent two of those said princes, Lucifer and Satan, pride and wrath. Need I say more? Besides, I’m where I need to be, and I have quite a bit of power as I am. You should know that you may come across the other five here in the Fields of Punishment if you are unlucky enough. Asmodeus may actually be able to help with the cuffs that bind you. He has had experience being bound by iron wrought from angel fire. But beware of the prince of lust. He is a tricky bastard, and not at all what you would think. He goes by Dez or Desmond nowadays.”
“So, you’re just going to leave me here to wander the perils of Hell with my back laid open and no food or water? Is that your plan? Because I’m here to tell you, I think your plan sucks huge dragon balls.” I mean every word that I say as I survey at my surroundings. Luc’s hearty laughter takes me by surprise, and I turn back to him, his features are lit up, and I can see why he was once referred to as the morning star or bringer of dawn and not at all what I expected as the Prince of the Fallen of The Underworld. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve had a mental break that I’m in no way ready to acknowledge. I can’t help but stare at the male before me as I contemplate the state of my mental being.
“What? That was funny. I like you Alaric. Don’t tell anyone but I’m pulling for you and Ashlinn, the other five princes here in Hell may not understand at first, they have been removed from Morríganna’s plans, and that was by my design. The less they know, the better. You should know that I reign supreme everywhere in The Underworld, but here in the Fields of Punishment, there are seven levels of hell. They are tied directly to the seven deadly sins, and although I rule over pride and wrath, I share these fields with my brothers. I certainly hope you know what they are and can recognize them. In order to find your way to the rift and back to your kindred, you will have to navigate the pitfalls of The Underworld and possibly the deadly sins. The pitfalls and the deadly sins are not so much levels of hell, but tests that will be on your horizon. I expect that envy and pride will be where you falter. “Pride, now I understand pride.” Sighing he continues, “Here you are at the mercy of your surroundings. Try to keep a low profile and keep on the move. Once I’ve spoken with Ashlinn she will be joining you here. Oh, by the way, here is a granola bar and a skin flask of water. Go easy on it, it’s all you have. The Fields of Punishment are not all bad, and you may find safe harbor at times and nourishment but beware and don’t trust too easily. Not all is what it may seem.”
I take the proffered food and water and mumble, “Gee, thanks.”
“Good luck Alaric,” and with that, he winks out of sight, and I’m suddenly alone in this alien wasteland. I have no idea as to what awaits me and absolutely no idea as to which way to venture. Turning I see what looks like a mountain range. I begin walking in that general direction hoping that I can find shelter from the driving wind and possible answers as to where the rift between realms can be found. I miss Ash, but I’m resolute in my determination to get out of this ginormous mess and begin trudging along, my footsteps heavy but steady. I have a long way to walk to get to the mountain range on the horizon before me.
Chapter 4
(Ashlinn)
Oh, hell no! First, I have to deal with The Morrígan taking Alaric and binding his abilities and now Lucifer, Prince of The Underworld? And what was that burst of life in our kindred b
ond? How did that happen? The inked-up bastard didn’t even let us say goodbye before whisking Alaric away from me and this realm straight to Hell. It’s almost too much for me to bear to think of Alaric in what I can only imagine being a horrid place. He’s being tossed around like he’s someone’s possession to do with him what they please. Morríganna certainly wasted no time using Alaric as her whipping boy. I tried to keep my expression neutral when I saw the state of Alaric’s back and arms, but I’m sure that I failed miserably on that front. The rage boiling inside of me is not something that will be contained for very long. My handsome Elf-Man looked exhausted and haggard, my heart weeps remembering the haunted and resigned look in his eyes from just moments before. There was an almost hopelessness that resided there, and it’s been only three days. I have to find him and find a way to remove the cuffs that bind him, I can tell that they are not only suppressing his abilities but are literally weighing him down as if he is carrying a lead ball around with him. I love him so much. Even with all that he has been through he is still trying to protect me. Well, screw that. I’m coming for you Elf-Man, just hang in there for a little while longer.
Inhaling slowly to calm myself, I take a moment to look around me, the sunlight is bright and lends a different feel to the ruins of this place from the last time I was here just days ago. In the midst of so much chaos from before, I find beauty in the ruins. The bluebells are in bloom on the gentle slope that leads up to the tree line, and the tender white flowers of the Shamrock plant are swaying in the breeze coming off the waters that surround the island. I spin around as I listen for something, anything other than the sound of the wind and there is not a cricket, the buzzing of bees, nor the chirping or calling of birds. The island is utterly silent, and a shiver runs through me, it’s as if all matter of creatures has removed themselves from this place. Remnants of the battle remain, but that is all I see, there is no wildlife in the area, and I’m now officially spooked.
