by Jana LaPelle
Pip breaks through my self-loathing and silent assessment of his uncle, “Uncle, leave Mister alone! You’re being mean! Mister needs our help.”
I look up to see that Pip is standing sentry between his uncle and me. I have no idea as to what I have done to inspire such devotion that this little guy would go up against his blood relative. A slight smile tugs at the corner of my lips, and I reach out to grasp his little hand in my own, gaining his attention, “Pip, your uncle is only trying to protect you and your mother. He’s not being mean, he’s just trusting his instincts, and his instincts are screaming to him that I’m bad news. Hell, he may be right. I have no idea as to why Luc brought me here and stranded me in the Fields of Punishment. I can only be thankful that you found me, and saved me from the nocturbeast, Pip. I have no doubt that I would have been history if it had not been for you. I owe you my life.” My entire being begins to shake. I’m all but quaking as I struggle to remain sitting upright.
“Mister, are you okay? Momma?” Pip’s face pinches in concern beside me.
“Now, now, Pip, he’s shaking from hunger. We’ll get him fixed up in no time.” Paynga gently holds a cup of water to my lips so I can take slow, small swallows. Next, she holds a cup of broth to my mouth, and I welcome the nourishment. Although, I have no idea as to what kind of creature was stewed to make the broth that I’m being fed. At the moment, I would eat or drink just about anything in order to regain my strength.
I nod and look up at her gratefully and smile, “Thank you, Paynga.”
Chapter 6
(Ashlinn)
The meadow surrounding the ruins on the Isle of Tears is just as it was yesterday when I was here in my dream walking state, with one exception, Alaric and Luc are not here. I’m surrounded by my chosen Guardians as we prepare to travel through the rift to The Underworld. Getting Alaric back is now my primary focus. Last night was difficult because Jasmine refused to even look at me, much less talk to me. I really needed my bestest sprite friend in the worse way, but how could I expose her to this dark realm we are about to enter? I had no idea that she would take my decision to leave her behind so hard. I’m going to have a lot of groveling to do when and if I get back. She was a no-show this morning as well, as we prepared to leave, which I thought was odd because I thought she would at least come to hang out with the twins. My heart was in dangerous territory, with Jasmine’s absence and my leaving my babies for I don’t know how long. That, by the way, is never going to get any easier, because I never want to be parted from them. My heart has literally been ripped into two pieces. One half of my heart has been left with my children, and the other half resides with my kindred. I certainly hope that Dagda is right about the time between the realms, I don’t want Lillie and Lachlan to fuss over me being gone for too long. They are already missing Alaric. I had hoped that Jaz could help entertain the two as I slipped away this morning after getting them settled in our Twilight Realm, but that was not to be. When I asked Camoryn if he knew where she was, he said that she got up early to go visit the sacred meadow where I first met her, the very same meadow where The Tree of Life resides. Evidently, she was still supremely pissed at me and didn’t want to be around when we took off without her. Lexie told me that she would talk to her when she got back. When I left, Lexie, Dagda, and Nemus were immersed in making plans for an anointing ceremony that will officially name Nemus Luminary of the Druid Order of Faerie. Hopefully, we will be back in time for when that takes place. I know that Alaric would really hate to miss seeing his good friend ascend to his rightful place within the druid order.
My Guardians and Tarron are patiently waiting for me to take the lead. Looking around, I once again sense that all forms of life have fled from this area. The rift seems to pulsate from below, and I’m at war with myself. I no longer know if I’m doing the right thing by taking these brave souls with me to Hell. My indecision must be clearly written across my face because Tarron takes a step closer to me, gaining my attention.
“Mo solas, don’t think for one moment that we will allow you to embark on this journey alone. That is not a scenario we will allow to happen.” Tarron’s tone brokers no room for argument.
Looking around my little band of Guardian’s I sigh and shoulder my pack. I’m wearing my brown combat leathers and boots; I have my crossbow strapped across my back and quite a number of daggers and throwing knives strapped to my person. My Guardians are all similarly attired and all heavily armed with their weapons of choice. Sighing, I say, “Let’s go bring Alaric home.” Lifting my chin, I march forward in determined strides to the opening of the crypt.
From behind me, I hear Tolin, “There she is. She’s back. Let’s go conquer The Underworld.”
I hear grunts of approval, and everyone falls in behind me. We quickly make our way down the winding path to the bottom of the underground tomb. I slow as we get to the shadows below. As I enter the spacious chamber, I notice that there are several sentries stationed here guarding the rift. They nod in acknowledgment of us, and I smile back at the males before assessing the rift before us. The fissure has grown overnight. It’s now broader and taller than before. It seems to feed off of the lingering dark majic and pulses with life. The eerie red glow has intensified, bathing the chamber in a crimson light. I suspect that as the rift grows it is becoming more. More? What I don’t know, but I fear it will begin drawing on more energy and majic of this realm. The fear of the unknown has just gone up a notch or two as I stand here contemplating how to traverse the rift.
Tolin and Tarron flank me on either side. T leans down and speaks in a hushed voice, “We do this together. Okay, Ash? Tarron takes point, you follow closely behind, and I’ll follow you. Everyone else brings up the rear. Be ready to take action, we have no idea as to what is waiting for us on the other side.”
I nod, “Okay. Let’s do this.”
Together we walk toward the rift. It’s large enough now that we can walk right into it. Tarron smiles back at me and winks before freely walking into the unknown before me. He’s so cocky, I smile at the thought. Then the rift’s eerie reddish glow swallows him up. I look up into Tolin’s gaze and smile before walking into the rift before me. I’m instantly sucked into a vortex that I’m helpless to control. Entry into the realm of the dead and demons is one hell of a ride. I’m spit out beside Tarron and stagger to gain my footing. Tolin and the rest of my guard are beside and behind me in an instant.
“Easy, mo solas, it would appear that we are to be escorted to Luc’s abode. They have been expecting us.” Tarron quips as he reaches out to steady me.
“Of course, he’s expecting us.” I retort and turn to look at the rift from this side. Instead of seeing an eerie pulsating tear between realms I see a beacon of light, and I mutter, “Well snap. Good luck keeping this under wraps here in this dark and desolate place. It won’t be long before this attracts the attention of every being here. It’s like a get out of jail free card.”
Tolin chuckles, “You do have a way with words, Little Bit.” He pauses, looking around, “Would you take a look at that?”
I turn to see what Tolin is checking out and my eyes widen when I take a really good look around me. The sky in this realm is a deep crimson, almost like a fiery sunset that has been placed on pause. The only difference is that the color spans the entire sky, not just the western horizon. From our vantage point, I can see for miles. It’s not barren like I thought it would be. There is a field of wildflowers far below us and on either side a wooded area for as far as the eye can see. In the distance, I see a large dark castle surrounded by what looks like a small ancient city. I don’t know what I expected, but I’m pretty sure this wasn’t it. We appear to have entered the realm high up on a mountain pass. I look back to my right, back to where Tarron and my Guardians are to see a small squadron of what appears to be female demon warriors mounted on the most enormous, most ferocious looking wolves I have ever seen. My eyes widen as I take them in. The demon warriors are
fierce looking, their skin is an unusual shade of blue, their eyes are red, they have black horns that curl up and back over their head, their hair is black as midnight and stick straight, and they are each sporting intricate patterns of tiny woven braids throughout their hair. Their most shocking attributes are that they have four arms and a barbed tail that twitches as if it has a mind of its own. The beasts they are mounted on snarl at our presence. Their fur is as dark as soot, and their eyes blaze as if there is an inferno within. They paw the ground and chuff, shaking their heads as smoky tendrils drift into the wind from their nostrils. “Whoa,” I whisper, somewhat terrified of the sight before me.
The she-demon in the lead says, “Our liege is expecting you, little goddess, but you may only bring two of your companions. Our Prince was precise in his orders. Choose who will remain and who will go back.”
“Surely, Luc will hear reason on this,” I demand, irritated at her commands.
“I have my orders. I do not question my liege. Choose. Now. Your kindred awaits you in the Fields of Punishment beyond this mountain range.”
This chick means business. I’m more than a little-pissed off that she is using Alaric to push me into action. She has no idea how motivated I am to get to him. That and she is demanding that I send half of my hand-picked team back to Faerie. Clearly, I have no choice but to comply. Luc and I are going to have words when I see him. I glare at the female before turning to my friends, “Alright then, Tarron and Tolin you stay with me. Garrik, Lorcan, and Khatar head back to Declan for further instruction.” I hang my head for a moment before looking up to meet their gaze, “Thank you all for following me here without question. Your allegiance to Alaric and me is something I will treasure always.”
Lorcan steps forward, “Take care Ashlinn. Tolin is right. You have a penchant for finding trouble. Send T back for us if you need us. Bring him home, Ashlinn.”
Standing on my tip toes, I reach up to hug the large elf, “I plan on it. Thank you, Lorcan. Hopefully, we will be back before you know it.”
From over my shoulder, I hear, “Gah… You are… nauseating. The lost in this realm will be drawn to you like a moth to a flame. Can you tone it down a notch? Come, little goddess, your chariot awaits,” the she-demon’s laughter echoes around us as she gestures toward their mounts with a smirk.
Turning back to my Guardians, I watch as three of my crew steps back into the rift and disappear from view. Turning I scowl at the she-demon, “I don’t think I asked for your opinion.” My panther definitely does not like this place or the demon in front of us. It’s as if she is pacing and her tail is twitching in agitation, she is pushing for the shift. I have denied her release since Alaric was taken, I’m not sure how much longer I can deny her. I knew if I gave into the shift, that she would take off after her mate. Her single-minded intent is clear, and she is not happy with me at the moment. In my distraction, I finally register the last three words the she-demon spoke. I look down at the beast that she sits astride and then back up at her. The beast is as large as Tempest or larger. Her intent is clear, and I exclaim, “Oh, hell no! Are you kidding me? We’re riding those beasts to see Luc?” I query.
“These Hellhounds will do you no harm. They have their orders as do we.” She retorts, affronted.
“Who will guard the rift?” I counter.
She sighs, “We have been on watch since the rift appeared, but I fear that soon there will be a clamoring to leave this realm, at least the rift appears on this side of the mountain range and not the other. Come, little Keeper. The sooner you speak to Luc, the sooner you can be reunited with your kindred.”
Taking a deep breath, I ask, “Who will be escorting me?”
The leader of the she-demons smiles, “I have the very great honor of escorting you to Luc. Come, the Hellhounds are fast. We should be back at the castle shortly.”
“And my companions?” I ask.
“They will be accompanied by my Lieutenants. Come, time is wasting.” She implores.
I step toward her and her mount and realize that I’m going to need help up. I look back to see that Tarron is right behind me.
He smiles, “Mo solas, I’ve got your back.” He turns his attention to the commander of this battalion and delivers his lethal threat, “If any harm comes to her… You will suffer the consequences.”
“Such devotion from The Horde King, it would appear that you too are under her thrall. What a pity. No harm will come to her under my watch. Quickly now, we are wasting valuable time.” Her tail lays docilely against her left leg before she reaches down to take my left hand, and with Tarron’s help, I find myself seated behind the demon who knows how to push my buttons. She turns her red-eyed gaze back to me and says, “You’re going to need to hold on to me, or you will find yourself on your ass in an instant.”
Mumbling under my breath, I say, “Well, this just got awkward.”
Laughing, the she-demon turns back to me, “I think I may actually like you, Ashlinn. My name is Sahzu. Hang on tight little Keeper.”
She spurs the Hellhound into action, and I’m forced to grasp Sahzu firmly around the waist as the beast leaps forward. I look around to see that Tarron and Tolin have mounted their beast behind Sahzu’s lieutenants and are following right behind us. Sahzu was not kidding when she said the Hellhounds were fast. It doesn’t take us long to leave the mountain pass behind and enter the formidable forest below. I lean in close to Sahzu’s ear and ask, “Why go through the forest? Why not go through the field of wildflowers?”
She calls over her shoulder, “Because the flowers are not what they appear to be, they are poisonous, and their vines attack with a vengeance. They are like barbed thorns that will rip your flesh to pieces. Many a child has been lured to their death by their intoxicating beauty.”
“That’s horrible. Okay. Good to know.” Her laughter carries on the wind, and I realize that this she-demon thinks I’m hilarious in my ignorance of this world. I lean in again and shout over the wind, “I would appreciate your sharing your knowledge of the pitfalls of this place. I’m going to need all the help I can get to traverse this realm.”
Sahzu turns a severe eye my way, assessing me before saying, “That you will Ashlinn, that you will.”
She turns back to guide our mount through the maze of this dark, menacing forest and before I know it, we have come out on the other side and are racing to the main street of the city that leads up to Luc’s castle. There are all matter of strange looking beings that have gathered to watch us race pass them. All stand along the side of the road and clear a path for us. Sahzu does not slow her beast as we race through the town. I hear a horn blast that must signal the gatekeepers to open the gate to the entrance to Luc’s domain. I see over Sahzu’s shoulder that the gates are slowly beginning to open, and yet she does not slow our pace. I hold my breath, thinking for sure that we are not going to fit through the tiny opening as we speed toward the gates. At the last second, the gate swings open just enough for us to pass through, and I release my pent-up breath and smack Sahzu on the back before shouting, “You could have slowed down. You nearly had us bouncing off of the gate.”
Sahzu chuckles, “I do like you little goddess.”
Her mount comes to an abrupt stop just before the main entrance of this enormous fortress, and I’m nearly dislodged from my seat, and I grumble, “You’re crazy, she-demon.” Swinging my right leg behind me and over the back of the beast, I drop to my feet. I look up to see the Hellhound has turned to look back at me and I find myself staring into his blazing eyes. The beast assesses me for a moment and then nods as if saying that I meet his approval. I only step away at that point. They’re scary as hell, and I don’t want to cross them.
Sahzu motions for us to enter the enormous arched door that is looming above us. She leans down and says, “My liege is waiting for you. Until we meet again, little goddess.” Turning back to her team, they race out of the courtyard back the way they came.
I mutter, “So much for
her imparting her knowledge of this realm.” I look over to Tarron and Tolin and then back up at the entrance to Luc’s formidable castle. There must be at least twenty steps to climb to reach the landing of the entrance, and the arched door must be at least twenty feet tall. The castle is, well… it’s gleaming black walls stand out against the crimson sky, it’s very intimidating. I swallow back my fear and take the first few steps before calling over my shoulder, “Come on guys, let’s do this.” My two companions flank me as we take the necessary steps to acquire Alaric’s release from this strangely beautiful, yet terrifying realm.
Chapter 7
(Alaric)
Several days have passed since I woke in a house full of imps. If there is one thing that I have learned from my time here is that they are fiercely protective of family, and highly mischievous. The borough, I’ve come to learn, is a hidden township for all those that seek to hide from the slavers. It has become a sanctuary, and everyone here is highly protective of it. My being here brings danger to them all. I understand that now. It is much larger than I thought it would be, and it’s an underground oasis. Everyone here just wants to stay off the Princes’ radar, so much so that they are willing to live underground, which from my point of view is a step up. The soft glow of the cavern is pleasant and not as harsh as the red skies from topside. All these people want is to be able to live their lives without the threat of being forced into the games or to serve the depraved. Evidently, on this side of the mountain range, or the Great Divide as they call it, there are factions of individuals that have found favor with the Princes. To become a resident of their citadel is highly coveted, granting the resident the right to live in luxury, to never go hungry, to never have to fight in the games, and to purchase slaves to see to all their needs, it's barbaric really. Once they become citizens, it’s as if they forget from whence they came.
