by Laura Hawks
Tyler smiled, looking a bit more like the imp street artist than the militarily-trained soldier. “I do it as a party trick for the humans sometimes. Gets me awesome tips.”
Trinity looked past the others at Coyote in the cage. “Nathan?” she questioned softly.
Instead, Coyote snarled, bearing his teeth and rattling the cage bars.
Mel turned to Trinity. “I need to ask you something. Did he or Nathan ever touch you?”
Trinity blushed, but shook her head. “I never saw this one. And Nathan only held me, but was never physically intimate.”
Mel looked at Tyler, who nodded his affirmation she was telling the truth. “You are lucky in that respect, Coyote. For if there was a different answer, you would be paying the price to Destruction, Nana be damned.”
“As it is, he will pay the price for his audacity and crimes. Take your family home, Azamel. I will be there shortly to discuss some issues which still need to be resolved. As for Coyote, I will take it from here.” Nana appeared out of nowhere, a legion of gods behind him, including Archanidou.
Mel nodded. “Let’s go home.” He turned to Tyler. “Please join us as well. I would like to see you compensated for your invaluable aide today.”
“I want no compensation, Sir.” Again, the soldier was out and the youthful imp stowed for the moment. “But I thank you for your invitation. I fear I must decline. I am sure your family should like some private time to be whole again.”
“Yes. I think we would. However, I still have some matters to discuss with you. We shall plan for a meeting about them later, then.”
Tyler agreed, watching as Logan and his family disappeared, returning to the Nether Realm.
Chapter 20
Tyler arrived in the reception chamber. He wasn’t sure what to do at this point, but within moments Shara entered the room.
“Please make yourself comfortable. There is a beer and other drinks over by the table. Logan will be with you in a couple of minutes.”
Tyler nodded. A beer was just what he needed. Thankfully, he didn’t get intoxicated from them as easily as humans did. He didn’t know how demons reacted, since Logan very rarely imbibed with beer. He preferred whiskey or wine. Tyler always figured the whiskey was the man’s drink and the wine was Logan being whipped by Jazzy, which he so often told him.
It had been a couple of weeks since Jaz had lost her memory then regained it, only to have the information to find Trinity. Although Logan had remained in the Nether Realm to deal with everything in the aftermath of Coyote’s deception and all it entailed, Tyler had been handling Jaz’s post-traumatic stress. And she was not easy to deal with before she was used by Coyote to gain access to the stone, which would have ended her life since it was attached to her beating heart and the blood flow throughout her body. Having come so close to dying was enough to stress anyone out.
Tyler had not seen nor heard from Logan since everything had come to a head with Coyote, so he was surprised when he had gotten a message inviting him to the Nether Realm. Tyler was still nervous about coming here since there was an understanding between Demonkin and Fae to not attend the realms of either. This was the second time Ty was in the Nether Realm and, if not for the fact of Logan calling for him, he would not have come. He realized it had to be fairly important for Logan to take the risk of having a Fae where one didn’t belong, especially for a second time.
A part of him wondered if it were a trap and he was being lured there in order to be arrested and thrown into one of the dungeons he had heard about. A place for those who broke Mel’s law. Depending on the crime, it would also decree any possible additional punishment. However, Ty was of noble birth. Should he disappear without checking in at the appropriate time, there would be a search for him. When they discovered where he was, there would be a Fae uprising, which would not bode well for any. He wasn’t scared of being arrested or even tortured. He was well-trained, as any soldier would have been. However, Logan was a friend; he couldn’t believe it was a trap. Still, the thought did run through his mind, even though he discounted it as irrational and ridiculous.
Yep, he needed this beer. Twisting off the cap and hearing the comforting pop and fizz of the vacuum being released from the bottle, he tilted it back against his greedy lips. He realized, even though he would never admit it, that it wasn’t, in fact, worry about being arrested or tortured, but his desirous longing to see Trinity again. Even in those few minutes he had met her, there was a strength of character and presence which caught his attention. The fact she was also more beautiful than any Fae or human he had ever met didn’t help his circumstances. If he were truthful to even himself, he had not stopped thinking about her. Yeah, there was something the Fae would appreciate. Nobility with Demonkin. Oh, he could see it now. He rolled his eyes and finished off the bottle of beer, hoping for anything which might resemble even a small buzz. Sadly, nothing.
He tossed the bottle in the trash just as Logan entered the room. Logan looked worn and weary, but he smiled as he saw Ty standing there, grateful for even this small connection-by-association to Jaz. Logan strode over and grasped Ty’s hand, pulling him into a bro hug.
“Damn, it’s good to see you. How have you been? How is Jazzy?”
Tyler patted his back a couple of times in the middle of the hug then backed up. “She is managing. It would be easier if you were there sleeping next to her. She keeps crying out in her sleep for you; although, the past couple of nights she has been sleeping a bit better.”
“I want to see her. I am anxious to go back home, but Mom and Trin still need me here. Dad has been dealing with the Elders Council and Coyote’s trial, which, as you know, can be slower than slugs racing snails or watching paint dry. I have heard Dad has almost killed him twice when he became arrogant.
“Trinity still doesn’t believe he was Nathan, even after they made Coyote prove it by changing his form.”
“How is Trinity doing, otherwise?”
Logan shook his head and sighed deeply. “She is suffering and I don’t know what to do for her.”
“Is she in pain?”
“Only mentally. She was stuck in that room—in that prison—for so fucking long, she doesn’t know how to socialize anymore. And with Coyote fucking with her as Nathan, she is unsure what to believe or disbelieve. She is having a hard time and it’s driving me bonkers since I can’t seem help her. I don’t know how to help her.”
“You know, it’s not my place to say anything, but then you know me better than that. Maybe this isn’t such a good place for her.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she was a virtual prisoner before she was taken. You have told me how you could rarely leave the house because of possible enemies of your father, so it wasn’t safe. When you did leave, you were surrounded by guards. I assume it was the same with her. Then she was taken and stuck in a different, but very similar, cage before she was found again after so long, only to be returned to the first gilded cage she was originally confined in.”
“It’s not like we are not trying to get her out, but having her just leave her room for a meal is like pulling teeth.”
“What incentive does she have to leave her room? Listen, dude, all I am saying is maybe take her out someplace more interesting. Someplace she might want to go or visit or see. Something which will prove to her she is still not a captured prisoner. I, um. Well, I could even go with you and help guard her if you would feel safer with her being out.”
“I don’t know if she will go, but that’s why I called you here. The only place she ever wanted to visit, that I know of, was Faefardom. She wanted me to sneak her into the realm just to have a look around, but that was before she was taken. Who knows if she is interested in anything anymore? She sure doesn’t seem like it. I was hoping I could take her there to see it. You know, get her outside and show her she is not under Coyote and the Rougarou anymore.”
Tyler thought a moment. “I will make sure she gets an invitation. Give me
a day. Talk it up. Get her excited to see it, and I will be your personal escort. I just need to make a few arrangements for your visit.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll make sure you both can visit. Your parents, too. Was there anything else you needed from me?”
“Actually, yes. I was hoping you would talk to Jazzy. I need to see her. I miss her.”
“Trying to make me more useless?” Tyler teased. He hadn’t been fully needed to protect Jasmine since Logan came, and he knew soon he would no longer have a job. He might even be forced to return to Faefardom and take on other duties, something he was not too keen about. He enjoyed the free spirit of the human world: the parties, the tattoos, the general freedom he was allowed to have, which he wouldn’t once he returned to Faefardom.
“Useless is your middle name,” Logan teased him back. “Actually, no. Listen, Ty. I need your help with Trinity. I’ve seen you work with Jaz and know you can calm her when necessary. I figure it’s one of your special abilities. I am hoping you can help Trinity the same way. If she is a little less skittish, maybe she will settle back into her life better. Maybe even begin a new and better chapter of it. Could you help? Would you be interested?”
Tyler hemmed and hawed a bit, shifting uncomfortably. If he agreed, it would mean spending more time with Trinity, and he wasn’t sure he could hide his growing affection for her. He was known as not interested in anyone except to sow his oats as often as any mare would let him. Rarely the same twice; he never wanted to get attached to anyone. Until he met Trinity. Even under the direst circumstances of being held captive for so long, something about her caught his attention. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he had to admit he had done nothing but think about her since he first saw her. Out of respect for the man-code, he wasn’t going to say or do anything. If Logan figured out how he was really beginning to feel, it would cause innumerable problems, to say the least.
“Even if I did agree, I couldn’t be of much help. She’s here and I’m already pushing my luck by breaching the contract between our realms twice already. Besides, she has been through a hell of her own. She sure as fuck don’t need a screw up like me protecting her. Why ask?”
“I just thought if you could help, you might be interested in getting her back into the world of reality. I trust you, because I know she would be in good hands, like Jaz has been all these years.”
“I would still guard her, if you wanted me to. You just got to bring her to the Human Realm or something.”
“She still has this thing for Nathan. Fucking Coyote, screwing with her head like that. I would love to get my hands on him for five minutes without the council looking, but Dad has already tried, from what I heard. Anyways, I just thought, maybe you could help me get her out more. If I could bring her to the Human Realm and away from here for a bit, get her among others, maybe she would adapt better.”
“Maybe. Or it might make things worse if she becomes too frightened.”
“I thought about that, which is why I thought of your ability. What do you think?”
“I don’t know her very well, Logan, but despite everything she went through, she still seemed amazingly strong when we got her. She wasn’t going to leave without Nathan. She was willing to fight for him, for us to find him. Meek and frightened like some little mouse is not the impression I got. She didn’t cower or back down in any way, despite being restricted, and fuck-only-knows how she was treated for as long as she had been there. You would know these subtleties better than I. Listen, bro. If you want, I will help you help her however you wish.”
“You are great, Ty. Let me know if you can make those arrangements and when they are done for Faefardom. I’ll call you when things are settled for her to come to the Human Realm.”
“I’ll get some planning done for her visit to the Human Realm. Might even give Jazzy some of the planning work, help her get her mind off of her experience and give her something to look forward to doing.”
“Do you think she will be okay with Trinity?” Logan asked worriedly. “I’m afraid she will hold it against my sister for what happened.”
Tyler shook his head. “No. Jaz has said the whole time, she knew it was Coyote and the Rougarou and Trinity was only a victim who was being manipulated. If there is any resentment still there, she has not indicated anything to that effect.”
Logan sighed with relief. “I was worried she would hate my sister because of what happened and, in association, me.”
“No, dude. She loves you too much and you know she had felt awful about the loss of your sister. There is no way she would think anything less of her or you.”
“Still. I had to wonder.”
“I get it. I do. I will call you when I have everything planned for tomorrow.”
Logan shook his hand, his other slapping his shoulder. “Tell Jaz I’ve not forgotten about her and I miss her terribly.”
“She knows, dude. I’ll tell her, though, and suffer the eye roll I will probably get as a result.” Chuckling, Ty headed back through the portal.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, Logan braced himself then headed back to help his mom with Trinity.
Chapter 21
Tyler had to pull a lot of strings, use up favors he had collected over the years and make a few promises he would have preferred not to, in order to get the two visitor passes: one for Trinity and the other for Logan. He was going to get additional ones for Clarissa and Mel, but after talking with Logan was informed they would not be going. Clarissa wanted to, but she also realized her children didn’t need their mom tagging along.
Although she was nervous letting either of them, especially Trinity, out of her sight for any extended period of time, she also believed it was a necessary step. Trinity needed to have a bit of her independence while Clarissa needed to overcome her motherly overprotection, which was a bit smothering. She knew she had every right to want to put her daughter in bubble wrap, but it wouldn’t be very conducive to any mental and emotional healing, which needed to be accomplished by both of them. Clarissa spent years hunting and searching for her daughter. She was as emotionally raw and exhausted as her child must be.
It had seemed odd for Clarissa to awaken with no plan on where to search or who to beat up in order to get the next clue as to where her daughter was being detained. The first night they brought her home, Clarissa stayed in the same room as Trinity so every time she opened her eyes, her daughter was visible.
Years ago, Trinity might have balked at the over-concern she was being shown, but truthfully, she appreciated the security she felt with her mother being so close. She was sure it would take a while for Trinity to feel secure again. Five years being alone, except for Nathan and her guards, would take time to overcome. Trinity knew she had to adapt to many things again, some new and some old.
Trinity’s mother even encouraged Logan to take her to Faefardom, just to give her opportunities away from being cooped up in her room. True, it was someplace Trinity had always wanted to visit and had even blackmailed Logan into taking her there once many moons ago. So why wasn’t she excited about the prospect now?
Trinity realized part of it was because she had pictured Nathan with her once they were both free. She believed they would spend their time together, maybe even grow old together. How could she have been so wrong about him? How could she have not known he was lying to her? True, she had no experience with boys other than the guards, her father, or her brother before she was taken from her home, but she didn’t think she was so stupidly naïve. Yet, the entire time Nathan wasn’t real. He didn’t exist. Someone she had cared for, maybe even loved, was nothing but a lie, an illusion. How was she supposed to deal with that? How was she supposed to trust anyone? Nathan told her what she wanted to hear, gave her the comfort she longed for and wormed his way into her heart. She would have done anything for him, had done everything she could to help keep him safe, when in truth, he was never in danger. Talk about screwing with one’s head!
Trinity didn’t wa
nt to go on Logan’s planned field trip. She wasn’t ready to leave the sanctity of her home when she barely got past the inviolability of her room. Logan and Tyler knocked on her door. When she finally answered, Logan and Tyler waited until she invited them inside. They both were trying to be respectful of her or they would have just each grabbed an arm and toted her away. Definitely not the most appropriate course of action with someone who was kidnapped and held against their will for so long.
“Hi, Sis. You remember Tyler? My buddy?”
Trinity nodded. “Yes. He was part of the, I mean, he was with you when you all came and got me.”
Tyler walked over to her and held his hand out for hers. When she eventually gave it to him, he bowed low over it. “My greatest pleasure in being a participant in your freedom,” he said graciously.
Trinity blushed and looked at Logan, confusion etching her features. Logan still had a difficult time adjusting to seeing his sister more mature in stature, as well as appearance, since she had been gone. It tore at his heart they could not find her sooner. If only he had told them about Jazzy sooner, or that his girlfriend was most likely what they had been seeking when they took his baby sister. But, hindsight was twenty-twenty when it came to the past, and what ifs would drive any sane person bonkers.
“Don’t mind him. He is always weird, but he is harmless.”
Tyler threw Logan a ‘shut it, asshole’ look, which only made Logan smirk.
Trinity pulled her hand back. “Thank you for securing the passes to visit your realm, but I am not going after all.”
“Of course you are going. You have no idea how difficult getting these passes for folks from the Nether Realm were to achieve. I had to use a lot of persuasion to get them and I hope you won’t deny me the wonderfulness of your company. I have so much to show you, such as the Trident Falls and the Singing Springs. It’s so beautiful; I know you will absolutely adore it. Our skies are a pale lavender and the clouds are sky blue. Please, don’t disappoint me from showing you around. I promise you will have a great time and you will be safe. You have my word on that.”