Finding Retribution

by Jana LaPelle

  My demon is in front of me in a nanosecond. “Little one, are you back?” He growls.

  Cupping his handsome cheek, I nod, “Yes. Thank you. I could not have done it without you and my family. I’m free. Finally.”

  “Come. We have much to discuss.” My demon leads me down to where my family waits for me. Before we reach them he pulls me into his arms and kisses me soundly. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

  “Never. You’re stuck with me, demon boy.” I smirk, before kissing him back. My wings fold into my back as we both step back on solid ground.

  “Lillie Joanna, you are never to give your mother a fright like that ever again. Do you understand me?” Mama demands, Da at her back looking relieved. She pulls me into a fierce hug. “I thought I was going to lose you, Lillie.”

  “Never, Mama, you raised a strong woman.” I pull her into a hug that may not end in my lifetime. Clinging to her, needing her comfort and support, needing to feel my mother’s arms around me for more than just a minute.

  45

  The Past and the Present Collide

  (Lillie Joanna)

  As Mama and I pull apart, the heavens open, pouring a cold rain down upon us. It seems fitting that the once sunny sky has darkened into a rolling boiling mass of thunderous clouds. Lightning streaks across the sky and strikes one of the ginormous trees on the mainland, splintering the top and lighting up the darkened sky as booming thunder rocks the land. I think that we are all so shocked by how quickly the weather has turned that we just stand there in the rain, dumbstruck and getting drenched.

  Da is the first to react, “Inside, everyone. This storm is … unnatural. Move!” He bellows as lightning splits the sky once again, dancing through the clouds and backlighting the swirling charcoal mass. The stench of burnt ozone lingers in the air.

  We quickly make our way inside just as the wind picks up and Da firmly shuts the storm outside. All of us are drenched from our heads to our toes, dripping copious amounts of rainwater on the gleaming flagstone flooring. Dagda is at the hearth stoking a fire when Danu and Rhespen Eroan Pan-tarr, my maternal grandparents race into the room.

  “What in the world?!” My Nonna exclaims. “Lillie Joanna, are you okay?” She rushes to my side and takes both my hands in her own, eyeing me critically.

  “Yes, Nonna. I’m fine, but I’m worried that we may be too late.”

  “Too late for what, peata?”

  “Too late to stop Nyx.”

  Mama intervenes with Da by her side, “It will keep for now. We all need to get changed into some dry clothing. It’s almost time for dinner. Let us all reconvene in the dining chambers in an hour. Lillie, you’ve just been through an ordeal. I want you to take a few minutes to regroup before we get into all the gory details of what the realms are now facing. Off with you. Daxell, I trust that you can see to Lillie.”

  Da grimaces at Mama’s words, but Daxell is quick to reply, “Yes, ma’am.”

  With one last look at everyone, I take Daxell’s hand in my own. I look up to see Lachlan eyeing me, his forehead is creased as though he’s trying to make out a puzzle and I know that soon all the puzzle pieces will click into place for him. I reach out for his hand, “Remember that I love you Lachlan.” He nods and regards me strangely, and my heart shudders, knowing that he is beginning to remember. Then I realize that Cara and Ban are missing and I ask, “Where’s Cara?”

  “I sent the two off this morning. It had been a little while since they had been hunting. I expect that they will find a warm dry place to wait out the storm. Don’t worry, they should be back by morning. You know how the two of them are, she will sense that you are back and want to see you. Listen, I’m going to change.” Then with one last look at me he pushes his way out of the library and walks away from the rest of us.

  “It will be okay, Lillie,” Poppy says as Daxell squeezes my hand gently, but her beautiful face is creased in concern.

  “I hope you’re right, Poppy. Go get changed and take a few minutes to chill out with your family. Take this time while you can. See you in a bit … And Poppy? Thank you. You are the best friend anyone could hope to have.” I give her a sad smile, not waiting for her to reply before pulling Daxell to the door. “Come on demon boy, let’s get to my rooms. I need to change and we need to get you a change of clothes as well.”

  Da calls after us, “Lillie, I’ll have some clothes sent up for Daxell.”

  “Thanks, Da!” I pull Daxell after me and we make our way to the north tower of the Keep. I have rooms on the top floor. That level is otherwise unoccupied. Mama and Da are in the south tower, Lachlan is in the east tower, and Timbra in the west. Evidently, we all like our space now that we are grown. No wonder Mama and Da decided to have more little ones. We’ve all grown up and left them behind. For a moment, I feel sad for them before I remember that one day soon we will be welcoming a new member into our family, and I realize that I can’t wait to see my baby brother or sister. Pulling Daxell up the stairs, we reach the top floor hand in hand. Looking about the landing, I realize that my chambers take up most of the top floor and are more like a large luxury apartment without all the trappings of The Mortal Realm.

  Pausing, I smile and say, “Here we are. I want you to always feel welcome here, Dax. These rooms have been mine for several years now and have been my sanctuary. I want you to feel that way about this space. We can add anything you like.” As we enter, I watch him closely and tune into our bond. I can’t help but sigh in happiness that we are no longer blocked from one another.

  As the door closes behind us, Daxell pulls me into his arms in a crushing hug. It’s then that he opens to me completely. I shudder as it hits home just how afraid he was that he was going to lose me to Nemesis. Wrapping my arms around him, I sink into his embrace and murmur, “If not for you …” I swallow back my fear, not able to complete my thought.

  “LJ?”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t ever, and I mean ever, scare me like that again. Do you hear me?” Daxell scolds me while crushing me into his heaving chest.

  Smiling into his the crook of his neck, I breathe in deeply, “I hear you loud and clear.”

  “I mean it, LJ. That stunt out there, literally, took years off of my life.”

  “Believe me, that is not something that I plan on repeating. I was scared. So freakin’ scared. I had no idea how things were going to turn out. Thank the goddess that I have such a strong connection to you and to the Keeper order. I have you and my family to thank for my coming back, that being said, I will need to always be aware that Nemesis is on the verge of -”

  “She will always be there under the surface, but we can strengthen you. Always.”

  “I love you. Come on, Dax. We only have, like, less than an hour. Let’s make the most of our time.” I pull him behind me toward the large spacious bath.

  I hate that we can’t enjoy our time alone together but we need to act quickly. Once we have bathed and taken a few minutes to just breathe, we quickly change. Sighing, I don a traditional gown. It’s one of my favorites. The deep charcoal silk gown has cap sleeves in an antique gold that matches the stitching on the overskirt. Da, true to his word, had some dry clothing brought up for Daxell and he looks very dashing all decked out in black with a sleeveless double breasted grey waistcoat that closely matches the color of my dress.

  Smiling, I take his hand, “Come on, stud muffin. We’re going to be late.” I slid into my matching slippers and we head downstairs. Hand in hand, Daxell and I enter the main dining room of the Keep. The table is huge and can seat more than who have gathered here tonight. Poppy is quick to join us as all eyes turn or way.

  “We eat first and then discuss the state of the realms.” My father is quick to announce. Everyone is agreeable and Daxell and I watch as everyone gets settled in. Pulling him toward the expansive table we take our seats as the first course is served. Such formal proceedings for dinner. Rarely have we proceeded as such in our house. I’m not sure what
to make of it.

  After everyone has been served the first course, my mother gets down to business. Raising an eyebrow, I watch her attack her plate. She’s always had a voracious appetite, but this is something altogether different. Several of the adults begin chuckling which garners my mother’s attention, “What? I’m expecting.” And just like that my mother has lightened the mood. Dagda along with my grandparents and my mother’s guardians all break into laughter around the room. Smiling up at Daxell we both relax, even for a moment.

  Millie appears with several others and our second course is served. Roasted pheasant and vegetables. Sighing, I sit back and take in the familiar scene. Everyone is so relaxed. Then my eyes land on Lachlan and my heartbreaks. I motion toward the exit with my head and he nods. Leaning into Dax he says, “Go. You two need to address this sooner rather than later.”

  The two of us stand and leave our family behind. I follow Lachlan out to the hall and then down to the library.

  Lachlan rounds on me, “Oh my god, Lillie.” He paces back and forth and I let him, knowing that he’s still processing. When he turns, his eyes are wide, and he says, “I get it now. Why you needed space. I need space to process all of this.”

  “I understand. Lach, I’m so sorry.” My words fail me. I can’t even look him in the eye.

  Lachlan pulls me into his arms, “Lillie, you are my sister. Whatever past that we shared is in the past. Like you, I just need some time to process. Tell Mama and Da will you? I’ll be back. I love you.” He pulls me close and my heart breaks into a million fragmented pieces.

  “I love you too,” I breathe out while holding him close.

  “Lillie, I don’t blame you. None of this is your fault. I just need to come to terms with everything. Our past. You are and always will be essential to me. I love you. You are my sister and … well, I can’t live without you.”

  “I love you too, take care Lachlan. I’ll make sure that you have the time you need. Know this, Nyx needs to be stopped. Sooner rather than later. We’ll devise a plan while you are trying to come to terms with everything. I can give that to you.”

  Solemnly, my brother steps back and winks out of sight. I sink to my knees overwhelmed with sorrow. Sorrow for our lost innocence. Sorrow for my lost connection with my brother, my twin. A soul deep exhaustion seeps into my very bones and I bow under the weight of it.

  Strong hands wrap arround my shoulders pulling me up and into his waiting arms, “LJ, what can I do?”

  “Things will never be the same between us again.” Sighing, I just hold on to Daxell. I’m not sure how long we just stand there before everyone begins trickling into the room. Knowing that I need some time to myself but also wanting to get down to the problem at hand. Sensing my mother’s presence I turn to her and she welcomes me into her arms.

  “Lillie, have some faith, your bond with your brother is not broken. If anything? From this moment on, it will be stronger than ever. The two of you have travelled so far and you both are finally ready to fulfill your purpose. Your brother,” my mother sighs, “he, just like you, will get through this. You’ve just had a lot more time to process and you’ve found your kindred. Lachlan now needs to find his own soulmate. I believe that it is key to his ascension.”

  Pulling back, I ask, “But where will he go?”

  Smiling, my mother says, “The same place you did, The Mortal Realm. There he will have the time it takes to come to terms with everything. Now, we have a problem that begs to be solved. Lillie … Daxell? Tell us everything.”

  Daxell and I settle in as everyone draws around us. The fire is crackling and snapping in the grate, the warmth soothing against the stormy night and we begin retelling our adventures starting with Rapa-City. Poppy is quick to add her quirky little details as our story unfolds. We tell them everything from beginning to end. Including what happened just off the back terrace not that long ago. How I had to wrestle with Nemesis and how she is a part of who I am now. As I finish, I sit back to gauge everyone’s expressions. The room is quiet. The only sounds to be heard are those of the fire and the wind that has picked up once more outside.

  My Nonna, Danu, is the first to speak, “Lillie, tell us again what the Fate, Jillisandra said.”

  “Which part, Nonna?”

  “The last part, peata.” She leans back into my grandfather’s arms. The two so attuned to one another and such a handsome couple.

  “Well … She said that Time has brought us here and that the Primordial beings are beginning to wake once more.”

  “Yes, yes, the last part dear.”

  Daxell leans forward, “She said this, “The daughter will seek the mother, but the mother must not be raised, lest chaos be unleashed upon all the realms.”

  I chime in, “She had to be talking about Nyx releasing Morríganna from The Underworld. If we can stop her from doing that then maybe she will not be able to ascend. Right now she’s powerful in her own right but once she gets to Morríganna, what then? She and Mammon have plans that will cause certain upheaval for all of the realms.”

  Dagda stands to pace before turning back to the rest of us, “We may be too late to stop Nyx. Alaric was correct when he said this storm is unnatural. Where did you say that Nyx took you before sending you to The Underworld?”

  Thinking back on my brief captivity, I recall the fortress, and I relay what I remember, “It was a castle carved into the side of a volcanic mountain. It was like nothing that I had ever seen before. It was black obsidian with veins of crimson. It was nestled into a mountain range. Why?”

  “Because we never found The Morrígna’s fortress after they were dispatched. I believe that is where Nyx has been hiding all this time. She must be powerful indeed to keep the wards up for twenty-some years.”

  “Well, she evidently trained from birth with the dark witches that pledged their loyalty to The Morrígan.”

  “That would explain why we never found the fortress. I would hazard a guess that all this unholy weather that we are experiencing has something to do with Nyx’s plans for her mother.” Dagda ponders.

  “Of course!” Aunt Lexie exclaims, “The Beltane. That’s this evening.”

  “What does Beltane have to do with anything?” Poppy asks.

  “Beltane ushers in a time of renewal, fertility, and growth. Most majic users will wait until the Beltane to practice their most powerful majic. Whatever Nyx has planned for Morríganna will take place tonight. Dagda’s right. I don’t think that there is anything that we can do to stop her tonight.”

  “But there has to be something that we can do!” I demand.

  “I’m afraid not. We just don’t have enough information. We don’t even know where she is, Lillie. Sometimes you just need to sit back and regroup.” Da says, “This is just the beginning, it’s not a sprint, this will be a marathon, so we will need to pace ourselves and determine what the end game will be.” For the first time ever, Da looks weary, older somehow standing next to Dagda.

  Sinking back against Daxell and taking comfort in him being there, I ask, “Then how do we need to proceed?”

  Daxell speaks up, “We need to understand what Nyx’s end game will be. I have no doubt that will evolve after she ascends. We need another Primordial’s take on things. One that has been awake all this time. We need to speak to one of the four horsemen. We need to speak with Thanotos.”

  “Thanotos? Why ever would you need to speak with him?” Neamhain waltzs into the room. Her sun-kissed skin glowing and her golden blonde hair flowing behind her. Unlike the rest of us she’s more casually dressed in a slim fitting gauzey white gown, her feet are bare and she looks as if she has been spending time in some tropical paradise.

  “Neamhain!” I jump to my feet and rush to her side. “Where have you been?”

  She welcomes me with open arms, hugging me tightly, “Little flower, I see that you have finally found your place. Retribution. You wear the mantle well.” Smiling down at me, she asks, “Now why in the worlds would you ne
ed to speak with Death?”

  “Well, if you had gotten here earlier you would have been privy to the discussion of our little problem.” Mama scolds before smiling, “We’ve missed you Neamhain.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Ashlinn.”

  Daxell is by our side, “Do you know where we can find Thanatos?”

  “But of course, I know how to find him. He serves under my husband, Neit, the White Horseman.” Neamhain drops that little bombshell without batting an eye. Leaving the rest of us speechless.

  46

  Surprise!

  (Daxell)

  Everyone just stops to look at Neamhain in disbelief. Evidently, not even her closest friends have any idea as to who she is at her very core. I’m the first to recover from her announcement, “It’s very important that we speak with him.”

  Neamhain stills, assessing me and LJ, and then nods, “Of course. I can arrange a meeting, but you will not only want to meet with Thanatos, but the rest of the four horsemen.”

  “I don’t understand. Neamhain? How could you have kept this from us all this time?”Ashlinn demands as she begins to pace out of the corner of my eye. After everything that has transpired this afternoon she looks almost distraught with this latest revelation. “And who, pray tell, is Neit?!” She demands.

  “My dear, my relationship with Neit and the four horsemen has been a secret from everyone at large. It was never my intent to hurt any of you with my omission, but it looks like the time has come for me to introduce you all to my husband as well as his fellow sentinels. You see, Neit is our god of war, it only made sense that he would become the White Horseman, but the rest of the Horsemen are comprised of Nyx’s children.” She looks at LJ before continuing, “Nemesis’ brother and two of her sisters. That’s why I think it will be pertinent to include all of the Horsemen in this meeting.”