“That, my friend, is a genuine hope we have for all of us,” Donovan added before quickly calling over Quicksilver for a fresh batch of drinks and their equivalent of a shot, which was basically passiflora moonshine. That stuff was fragrant, sweet, and strong.
“Wo! Yeah, I’m not having more of those. I feel like I swallowed a flower made of fire!” Donovan grimaced which we all laughed about.
Quicksilver brought us another round of drinks. It was clear that we were not getting drunk. Our bodies must be metabolizing it quickly. Leona looked a bit more at ease. All of us looked more relaxed and less tense than earlier, honestly. However, I think it was more of just us being pleased with the distraction and comradery.
At the end on stage was a Fae and a Shifter of some sort, and they were playing their instruments in earnest with a faster tempo that had all of us clapping and tapping our feet. Most of the tavern had moved closer to the stage. We were all comfortable and stayed put. When an hour had passed, most of the Tavern was filled watching the lively performance. Guess this was the time of day it normally had a crowd. This makes sense. We were basically day-drinking early in the day, and it was getting later. Clearly, none of us were in a hurry to return to the citadel and prepare for our quest. After here, it really was anyone’s guess what we’d be encountering. The thought of journeying with Leilah and Jeremiah to the Shadowrealm on some errand for the gods was sobering.
Quicksilver and Spirit walked up to our table. “Hi, there, friends. We’d be honored if you followed us to the quieter accommodations we have upstairs. There are some things we would like to discuss with you if that is alright?” Spirit said while playing with a braid in her hair.
“I personally wouldn’t mind a quieter setting. You’re also our friends. We gladly would hear what you have to say. What do all of you think? Shall we follow them and leave the crowd down here behind for a bit?” Donovan asked.
“Yes. I need a distraction, and the place is getting more packed. Sure thing! We’ll follow you upstairs, Spirit and Quicksilver,” I agreed.
Everyone, in turn, agreed. We got up from our chairs, put away our void-pouches—or in Donovan’s case, strapped on his void-murse over a shoulder—and followed Spirit and Quicksilver to the stairs in the hallway behind the bar. The further we got from the stage, the quieter it became. I gave one glance back at the table we were in, and it was already full of more patrons. Yeah, a quieter setting would be welcomed. I only hoped what our unicorn friends had to discuss was good news and not bad.
‘One can only wish,’ I thought to myself.
Chapter 4
Donovan
We followed Spirit and Quicksilver up the wide stairs to the second level above the Unicorn Bliss’s lower-leveled Tavern. I noticed another set of equally wide stairs on our right leading up to a third level.
The main area at the top of the stairs opened up wide and was very spacious. There was a fireplace at the end and a large window on each side of its mantle and cozy-looking furniture surrounding it. There was scenic art all around depicting the Twilight Forest and Faes, Unicorns, families, and beaches. It was very homey, I noticed as we continued following the giant well-woven rug that was impossibly large, heading towards the seating area up ahead. There were also open doors to what looked like furnished bedrooms on each side of us we passed. Barely giving the rooms a proper inspection, just a passing glance to know enough that they were empty bedrooms, we followed them to the end of the common area to sit by the fireplace.
Once we were all seated Abbadon and comfortable, Spirit and Quicksilver quickly brought out a decanter and crystal wine goblets. They poured us all a deep red wine. I do enjoy wine, so this is nice. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of mead, and the Amaretto sour just wasn’t the same. I liked the quiet of the place and comfort. As Spirit added more logs to the glowing embers in the large fireplace, she held up her finger to her lips in the universal gesture of silence. Oh, snap! This was probably going to be sensitive information.
I started weaving a privacy spell around us. Abbadon, Leona, and Kendra got the idea real quick and added their magic to it as well, our energies mixing together, weaving itself strong. All the colors of our magicks, blue, green, white, and gold. As above so below, I thought. Then when our magicks all synchronized flashed in gold, and there was utter silence. I couldn’t hear anything at all. Everything outside of our sphere above and layered flat below our feet silenced it all.
“Okay, now that we have some privacy. How can we help you, Quicksilver and
Spirit?” I asked.
“We wish to accompany you on your journey to the Shadowrealm to find the Key of Fates,” Quicksilver said. “We understand that Leilah is not herself, and Jeremiah has been sadly enthralled reborn a new without his memories from her Angelic blood. The Shadowrealm is large, and the journey will be challenging. You will require conveyances. Kendra’s magick will also be stronger in that realm. However, the arcane energies of the land and beings of the land will also pose a great danger to all of us. You, as a new god, will be unaffected by its magicks. However, you will be vulnerable to Leilah’s sword, Verdadera. It has the power to kill gods and immortals.
“We trust you, Donovan, Kendra, Leona, and Abbadon. We can see into people’s hearts. You all have strong and pure motives. When you reach the Key of Fates, when you cradle it in your hands, you will be faced with a challenging decision. The Key of Fates can be used to strengthen the veil. It can also be used to dissolve it completely. This will have to bring forth numerous changes, no matter which way the Key of Fates is guided.
“We know you don’t wish for the veil to continue. You wish for Angels like Leilah or her new servant Jeremiah to be free. It is not challenging for beings like us to see that you are a wielder of light. That you will do what's best for all beings.
“One thing the gods Leilah has bound herself to do not know, yet Abaddon is familiar with, is that her threads will be weaker there. It is a realm of evil beings, a cruel land, with little food and shelter. Our magicks are unaffected by that realm, though.
“The Shadowrealm used to be beautiful. It was the original homeland to the Unicorns. It was conquered by Lillith, the Vampire’s goddess. She, however, is no goddess. She is a malevolent Angel who has also rid herself of her tethers. Though she did so in the Draconius Realm and several others in much the same way, Abbadon did. She isn’t Abbadon or Leilah. There is no shred of compassion or humanity in her.
“Lillith has all her army drink of her blood. She bestows immortal attunements on sorcerers, mages, seers, shifters, and other powerful beings that can serve her purposes. She uses her blood and the arcane knowledge collected from her slaves to create and attach tethers of her own. Her will can manipulate and be tied to any being whose will isn’t strong enough to refuse consent. Lillith even has a shadow dragon in her thrall. She wants the veils to be destroyed as well. She truly wants to plunge the world into shadow and darkness.
“Our land was once fertile and called Lunaria. She’s sapped the life of that land and corrupted its energies. She will do the same to all the realms of Terra regardless of which way the Key of Fates is guided, as she desires to take her armies outside of the spoiled lands or Lunaria and enter other realms, including Terra’s. We must free Leilah. It will free Jeremiah as well. Though he will not remember anything before he drank Leilah’s blood, he will no longer be enthralled.” Quicksilver paused a moment before continuing.
“This journey will be perilous, but it is important. Not just to every realm but to us personally. We cannot let history repeat itself and have all of Terra corrupted. Lillith may want to free the Angels of their tethers but only to replace them with her own. She is very powerful. Her blood is powerful. She is a skilled speaker and manipulator. Do not doubt us. We are invested in defeating her and reclaiming our land and restoring it to its former glory.
“Lunaria must be reborn and restored before the veils are torn asunder. So let Spirit and I join you on the quest. We
have powers that can immobilize Leilah long enough for you to free her. It will take all of us to free her of the Aramaic gods’ tethers. Once she is free of them, be kind to her. Her actions were not her own. Even now, her guilt is dangerous. If the gods were to discover her wish to be free of their control, they would assume control again.
“We have a plan, but it must be revealed with time. For now, will you allow us and four other unicorns, Fevian, Swift, Onyxia, and Jetsunma, to join your quest? We will pose as conveyances to not bring suspicion to our joining your endeavor. Leilah knows not of our ability to shift. Lillith does, but we can agree to handle one thing at a time.
“Free Leilah in the Shadowrealm. This will result in freeing Jeremiah. This would furthermore grant return to your confidence two of our previous allies. You will need all the help you can bring once the gods notice Leilah is free. They will likely send their armies after all of us. I speak candidly not to frighten you but to prepare you. To let you know you have our loyalty, powers, and knowledge to aid you. This privacy shield has been up too long. An uninvited company is on its way here. We need your decision quickly,” Quicksilver concluded hastily. What an epic scary speech!
“This is nucking futs! Oops, totally meant to keep that first part inside my head. Sorry. Yes. Absolutely yes. We will welcome your aid. We will have to speak more about this when we have the time. For as many questions you’ve answered, you’ve given me several questions as well. For now, yes. Gather your friends.
“Tomorrow, we will leave for Lunaria though we should continue to call it the Shadowrealm for appearance's sake. Hopefully, to free Leilah, Jeremiah, and any deserving of freedom. We will handle things as they arise and use shields like this for further planning when needed.
“Also, this is a kind of democracy. I just spoke for all of you assuming you’d want to see this through, but it’s become more dangerous. If you all, Kendra, Abbadon, Leona, don’t want to come, then that is fine. I won't hold it against you,” I said.
Every one of my friends stood up and put their hands in the center. Palm down. What is this, a football huddle?
“We’re in. Always and forever to the end,” Abbadon said. This was chorused by all.
“Good, good. Dropping the shield. Be mindful,” I warned before dissolving the privacy shield.
The eerie silence was gone, and we could hear the distant sounds of the patrons in the tavern from downstairs muffled in the background.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I was always taught not to drink and drive. Or drink and text. Or whatever, you get the drift. Humble Tavern keepers, would you have two rooms you can spare us this evening. Making sure that we’re well-rested for our journey to the Shadowrealm tomorrow?” I asked as I sensed Leilah coming up the stairs.
“Yes, we have rooms available, Chosen One,” Quicksilver and Spirit replied in unison while immediately dimming their sparkle to nothing using their powers to conjure a glamour. They suddenly appeared like they were Fae. Muscular and attractive Fae but not ‘unicorny’ if that’s a thing. Meh, Adding Unicorny to the queue of things that should be things.
“Great, thank you. Oh, and you can just call me Donovan. Really the honorifics are kind of not my style. May we continue to drink up here? The crowd downstairs is a bit taxing for us, and we have a long journey tomorrow,” I asked.
“Yes, apologies the… Donovan. We will send someone up with refills once this pour is done. Abbadon and Donovan, this is your room to the left of the fireplace. Kendra and Leona, your room will be this one to the right.
“Do you have two more rooms available for Jeremiah and me?” Leilah interrupted. We all turned around. All of us branded our weapons and pointed them at Leilah. Jeremiah just kneeled by Leilah and looked at her reverently. Ugh. So awkward and gross. I can’t believe I tapped that. We’re allowed to delete a few bad relationship decisions from our minds, right? I hope so. Not that being with Jeremiah was all bad. It just got weirdly toxic at the end. He didn’t have any trust in me. He acted like I was a possession or something to be studied or cataloged in his books. I was patient. I had given him my three-strikes policy. He had reached four-strikes before the gods yanked the decision to end things from my hands.
Oh yeah. Angel slave and betraying best friend who nearly killed my ex but turned him into a zombie instead. How could I forget?
“Honestly, depends who’s asking. Is it Leilah, Leilah. Or is it the gods? Cause if you’re still possessed, we’d rather have a night of peace before we go fulfill your gods’ requests to go to the Shadowrealm. Then to get the Key of Fates for the Veil,” I pointed my unsheathed sword at her and said.
“For now, it is I, Leilah. The gods guided me here and gave up control when they caught the last part of your conversation and confirmed you were indeed honoring your words to them. Anyways, yes, it is me for now. I don’t believe they will pose a threat as long as we do as they say,” Leilah admitted guiltily.
“Well, at least you're not dishonest now. Alright, everyone. Be at ease. Leilah, leave behind your sword fully sheathed with the Tavern keeper. I don’t want any violence while we’re here,” I added.
Leilah sheathed her sword and handed it to Quicksilver. He acted the part well of the trembling and afraid Fae tavern keeper as he collected her weapon. Good, at least that’s one problem solved.
“Donovan, we shall bring food and refreshments in a few minutes. Leilah, your room will be the one here, closest to you on the left. Your room, Jeremiah, will be this one closest to the stairs on your right.”
Sigh, I was totally having fun earlier. Could I not get a break for just a tiny bit of time before the doom and gloom? Or unwanted company. Well, I guess at least we got more allies and a quasi plan with this new batch of information from our clever unicorn friends.
“Alright, everyone. Let us sit down. Leilah, please dismiss Jeremiah to his room. I’m sure you can bring him food when it arrives. I can speak for all of us in saying we don’t want to see him like that,” I said rather forcefully.
I sat back down on the couch that conveniently only had space for Abbadon and me. Kendra and Leona put their weapons away and sat across from us on a couch, also clearly only made for two. There were two chairs left at the end, but they were made for one. Leilah could take one. The other chair would remain empty. I just couldn’t see Jeremiah on his knees or sitting with us staring at Leilah like a zealot, sycophant, zombie, idiot.
“What does he mean, master? Seeing me like what?” Jeremiah asked.
“It’s not important, Jeremiah, go to your room and rest. I’ll call upon you when needed. Thank you.” Leilah ordered her minion, my ex, to his room. Cheesus, this was so effing weird.
“As you wish, venerable master,” Jeremiah said before going into the room to the right of the stairs and closing the door. To do, I don’t know what. Probably to rest as ordered or just stand in there like an idiot. Still can’t believe I hit that. Effing awkward.
“Well, your Magnificence and Venerable Higher Angel Majesty. There’s a chair, sit. Have a drink. You’ve planned us a difficult journey ahead,” I waved absent-mindedly to the chair and grabbed a crystal goblet filling it to the brim with wine. Then I passed the decanter over to Abbadon. He, in turn, passed it to Leona and Kendra, all of us being pretty generous with our pours. Kendra then got a glass from the table in the center and poured one for Leilah and offered it to her. Leilah looked shocked to be included but whatever. Who knew if that was even the real Leila.
“Thank you, Kendra,” Leilah said while taking a seat at the chair closest to Kendra.
“You’re welcome, Leilah,” Kendra replied.
So what are we supposed to do now? Behave like nothing happened? This is awkward, I thought. Everyone seemed to grasp or clutch their wine crystal goblet and stare at it pensively.
“Well, this is awkward as fudge,” I grunted.
“I’m sorry, Donovan. I had no idea this would happen. It is really me, though. I was aware of everything going on and
powerless. It held me like a prisoner in my mind while my body did unspeakable and horrible things. Things I will never forget and keep replaying in my mind. I fought incredibly hard to resist, but I had no control.” Leilah said.
“I understand that feeling, all too well, Leilah. There isn’t anything you could have done, no matter how much you fought it,” Abbadon said to my surprise.
I guess Abbadon does have first-hand knowledge. I guess we all knew that since he allowed us in his mind. Crap, I’m going to have to take the damn high road. If this is Leilah right now, she must be suffering. I can hear the honesty in her words and the hurt in her voice. No matter what someone does, if they felt remorse, they can be redeemed. I had to believe this. Yet Abbadon is right. She didn’t have control. Kendra was also right earlier in pointing out Leilah should have read the fine print. Yet I don’t trust the gods’ to have been honest with Leilah no matter what. She probably, alright, I admit it, most definitely, is the victim here.
“All is forgiven, real Leilah. Now hear me clearly. Forgiven but not forgotten. We understand you were not in control. I’m not going to blame you for actions when you were a glorified puppet. But you have to admit this is awkward as fudge and going to take some time for things to get back to normal. Yet I really want us all to take a day off before our quest. Let’s all just have this night for ourselves,” I said. Even though I only planned on staying for the food. What, I can’t be hungry again? Can't live off flower fire and wine. Not that I know of.
“Thanks, Donovan,” Leilah said.
“No sweat,” I casually replied.
Yup, this is going to be a fun few hours. Dinner, please arrive here quickly. My stomach interrupted the silence. Oops. “Sorry, I’m hungry,” I admitted. What can I say? Maybe I’m a little predictable.
“Honestly, I’d be worried more if you weren’t,” Leilah added. This actually broke the tension, and we all laughed.
Sacred Moon: Book 2 Page 4
