by Jana LaPelle
It doesn’t matter what race you are; anyone can be caught in the Fields of Punishment or the Valley of Despair. Anyone is fair game. The shades are the one exception. They are known as the shades, the dead, ghost, spirits, restless souls, whatever you want to call them. Some are the damned and have become something else entirely, some wander aimlessly around The Underworld, but eventually, they end up in the Land of the Restless Dead or they cease to be. Those that have been here for a while begin to lose their physical form. The upper echelon that the Princes surround themselves with snub the shades, they only want live unwilling beings to bend to their will in the games, and as slaves or whatever the hell they want to use these people for. If you are caught by the slavers, then you are brought to the citadel for assessment. There are three categories that potential slaves fall into, gladiator or champion, harem candidate, or household servant. Honestly, I want no part of any of that. I just want to find the rift and get the hell out of this realm, and when I do, I’m taking Pip and his mother with me. I don’t need Ashlinn’s confirmation that they are good souls. Anyone with half a brain can see that.
The truth is, this realm, it’s… intense. So many scenarios of where good people find themselves in bad situations. I had no idea what The Underworld was all about. I always thought that it was just a punishment for the dead. That the demons here were meant to torment the souls unworthy of The Overworld, my education of this realm has been sadly lacking. The demons that reside here are not all bad. This realm is much more like our own realm than I care to admit. The truth is, I’ve learned from Paynga that not all souls that land here are bad, some are just tortured. They just made decisions in their life that they can’t forgive themselves for, or something happened to a loved one that they believe they should have been able to prevent, or there were events in their lives that they are unable to move on from. This knowledge has given me pause.
When we first ascended, Ashlinn was so worried, and she couldn’t understand why I took it all in stride. I think that somewhere along the way she retained an inkling of knowledge as to how huge our role in The Realms was going to be. I’m just now beginning to grasp it all, and only after being deposited here. There are so many shades of gray. Not every soul that is relegated to The Underworld is evil. Some are just lost, and I mourn for those lost souls. No wonder they call it the Land of the Restless Dead. Even though our kindred bond has been nullified, I sense that Ashlinn is near. Within the last few hours, or what feels like hours, the ache in my chest has lessened. That can only mean one thing. Ashlinn has arrived. I never wanted her to follow me to this harsh realm. I know that she is not close, and I can only hope that she does not venture this way. I know that she’s hardheaded and she’s determined to find me. I miss her so damn much, her and the twins and I’m counting the days, hours, cycles, whatever to get back to my family and The Otherworld Realm.
“Hey, Mister!” Pip comes barreling into the room, pulling me out of my ponderings. He beams up at me, “Come on, Mister, Momma said that today is the first day you can go outside to visit the borough. I’m giving you a tour and showing you all my favorite places.” He smiles his toothy grin up at me, “Come on.” I can’t help but smile back at my little friend. He has become so much more than a friend. I look forward to our interactions daily. He’s bright and full of life, and he is helping to shape my view of demon-kind. I can sense that I’m growing attached to him.
My back is still a mess of healing wounds, but at least I’ve gained my strength back, and I’m able to wear a loose-fitting tunic without flinching. I hop up from my sleeping cot and head out to follow Pip. He grabs my hand and leads me through the underground cavern that is, honestly, massive. There is an underground spring that supplies water and forms an enormous lake which helps with the crops that they are growing here. What they are doing is truly extraordinary, and their borough is more like a hidden haven.
Pip’s uncle steps into our path, blocking our way, ever the sour look on his intimidating face, “You need to leave here. Now. You are not welcome here any longer.”
“Rynik, in two- or three-days’ time, I will leave this place. I promise to not look back and not to draw attention to this sanctuary.”
“Uncle, Mister’s my friend, and I want him to stay.”
I smile down at Pip before saying, “Your uncle is right, Pip. I need to be on my way as soon as I’ve had a little more time to heal. I need to find the rift so I can get back to my realm, back to my family and friends.” Looking back at the intimidating imp blocking our way, I say, “Rynik, I would like for you and Paynga to consider traveling with me to my realm. The three of you would be welcome in my world. I would make sure of it.”
“Why would we do that? We have a home here. We do not belong in The Otherworld, we belong here. You do not, and that is why you must go.” Having spoken his piece, he turns abruptly to leave, and I watch him spread his massive red, barb-tipped wings to take flight toward one of the darken tunnels above. He’s right. I don’t belong here.
“Mister, don’t pay no never mind to my uncle. Momma told me that he and my father were the best of friends growing up. He ain’t ever gotten over my father’s death.” Pip pulls me forward with him before looking back at me speculatively, “Mister, don’t leave without saying goodbye. Promise?”
“I promise, Pip, I won’t leave without saying goodbye, and I will talk with your mother about considering following my friends and me back to my realm.”
“I’d like that, Mister. I would really like to see the realm you hail from.”
Chapter 8
(Ashlinn)
Since the almighty Prince of Darkness is expecting us, I forego knocking on the front door, so to speak. As I approach the massive doors, I blast them with the force of the air element. The doors swing back violently and bang against the wall, echoing loudly around the inner chamber and announcing our presence. I look around the dimly lit gothic atrium and shudder. This doesn’t look anything at all like I thought Luc’s abode would resemble. I thought it would be a bit more modern, more like Glenndale Loch Keep.
Clapping echoes about the chamber from above, I look up to see the handsome prince looking down at my little ragtag crew and me, “Well done, little Keeper. Such the dramatic entrance, I should try that sometime. Wait… Been there, done that. I’ve been expecting you. Come. We have much to discuss.” He turns and marches up the stairs expecting us to follow in his wake. He’s already two stories above us. Where the heck is he taking us?
I race up the dimly lit stone stairs after Luc and call after him, “Wait! Where are you going?”
“Somewhere where I can speak privately with you and your three companions,” he calls after me.
Clearly, he is mistaken, I have Tarron and Tolin with me, and that’s it. Sighing, I sprint up the staircase with Tarron and Tolin on my heels. I call after Luc, “Hey… Wait up.”
He calls back down to me, “We’re almost there, little Keeper. I would appreciate it if you and your hand-picked protectors would keep up.” As he reaches the top of the staircase, he enters a room that appears to be at the top of a turret, and I can sense that it is heavily spelled. He motions me inside. I hesitate for just an instant before pushing forward. I race up the last few steps to the landing and enter the room after Luc with Tarron and Tolin not far behind me.
Once inside, I demand, “What’s up with you? Why all the secrecy?” I shrug out of my backpack and toss it aside. As it hits the wall and falls to the ground, I hear a grunt and muttered cursing. Looking over at my pack, I mutter, “What the hell? Surely she didn’t…” I take a couple of steps toward my discarded bag as the flap flies open, and out flops an utterly disheveled Jasmine, I have never seen her in such a state, and she is fit to be tied. I can see it in her eyes.
“What the hell, Ash? Are you trying to kill me?” Her crystalline blue eyes flash in anger as she pushes to her feet to take off flying straight for my face.
“My trying to kill you
would require me actually knowing that you were hitching a ride in my backpack. What are you doing here, Jasmine? You are not supposed to be here! I wanted you nowhere near this realm. What is Cam going to think?” Suddenly, I run out of steam when I realize that I’m actually glad to see my sprite friend, I couldn’t stand it knowing that she was so angry with me. I hang my head in defeat, and with a heavy sigh, I ask, “Jaz, seriously... are you okay?” She nods but is looking seriously freaked out, and I ask, “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes are huge, “I can’t shift to my faerie size. I’ve tried.”
Luc steps forward, “As long as you are here, you will not be able to shift from one form to the other. Certain abilities are nullified here in this realm for some of you. Although, I do believe that your pixie size will carry more weight here. Now that the third party in your group has been revealed, Ashlinn, can we get down to business?”
“Not yet,” I hold up my hand and glare at Luc before turning my attention to Jasmine, “Does Camoryn know what you have done?”
She bows her head in dejection and whispers, “He will. He’s seriously going to kill me when I get back.” Tears gather in her eyes, “He may even renounce our binding after what I have done. I promised to behave myself, and I’m pretty sure that meant not stowing away in your bag and coming here with you and without him.”
“Oh, Jaz… Why would you risk so much?” I sigh for like the umpteenth time before smiling at my dearest little friend to impart, “For what it’s worth, I know that Camoryn will forgive you. I fear that you will need to work for his forgiveness. You left him behind. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to push past the sentinels to get to you here in this realm. He will be frantically worried about you. You really shouldn’t have come, my dear friend.”
“I couldn’t let you do this on your own. I know you have Tarron and Tolin, but there is such a thing as girl power, ya know? What kind of friend would I be if I let you come to The Underworld without me, I promised you that we would get Alaric back. We, as in you and me, and this is me making good on my promise to you.”
“You know I love you, right? As angry as I am with you at this very moment, I love your spirit and your intense loyalty. That being said,” turning to Luc I inquire, “Can you send her back?”
“What? No! I’m here to stay. I leave when you leave after we have gotten what we have come for.” Jasmine glares back at me. I can tell that I’ve just pissed her off again, but I have to know.
Luc looks between us and shakes his head, “No. I believe that she is here for the duration. She, as your other companions, has chosen to stand by your side. You should be flattered that you inspire such devotion from your minions.” The prince of darkness smirks darkly before turning his back on us. He casually saunters over to a well-stocked bar to pour himself a drink.
I take offense at my friends, my family being called minions and fire back at Luc, “First of all, these individuals that are here with me are my family. They are not my minions. They are special to me, and I will not have you stand there and belittle the reason why they are here.” At some point, I shifted my stance, and my hands are firmly on my hips as I square off with Luc. He glances over his shoulder and flashes me a thousand-watt smile, and the room seems to light up. I can tell that he enjoys getting under my skin. For a moment, I’m taken aback as I take him in, like really take a good look at him. Yes, there is a darkness within that he willingly embraces, a part of him that he does not deny, but there is also a radiance that shines from him that is throwing me off balance, and I’m not sure what to make of him. The contradiction is baffling.
“Drink, anyone? Ashlinn, I do believe that this bourbon is distilled in your home state in The Mortal Realm.” I recognize the liquor bottle behind him to be Maker’s Mark Private Select. The bottle is about two-thirds of the way full with the amber colored drink, and it sports a red wax capped top. It’s their signature, every bottle is hand dipped in red wax sealing the bottle.
Tarron steps forward, “I’ll have a drink, I take mine neat.” I slap his arm, and he just grins at me, “What, mo solas? It will take the edge off.”
Tolin strides forward, “I’ll have mine on ice if you have any. Come on Ash, lighten up. I believe that we have just reached the negotiation phase of our trip to this realm. Let’s relax and hear what Luc has to say. A drink couldn’t hurt.”
I sigh and look at Jasmine. She just hovers beside me and shrugs. Apparently, she is settling in for the long haul. I have to give the girl credit. She is loyal to a fault. Looking back at the males in the room, I watch as they get cozy over their Kentucky bourbon. Sighing, I realize that if you “can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” I walk over and say, “Two fingers, neat. Now… Let’s get to it.”
Luc smiles, turns to pour my bourbon, and motions for us to take seats on the terrace overlooking the mountain range that we just came from. I opt to walk over to the railing for a better look around me. The rift shines brightly for all to see nestled up in the dark mountain, it shines with the intensity of a star. Its light is a bright white with hues of blue, and it pulsates with life drawing your eye to it. In the time that we have been here, the dark red sky has not changed its hue, which showcases the rift in all its glory. I can’t imagine what he thought when that atrocity appeared, wreaking havoc here in his domain. I walk toward the stone railing and lean on it as I casually look around me. I startle when Luc appears beside me suddenly, holding out my drink to me. I stare down at it and take the heavy crystal highball and toss the bourbon back down my throat in one swallow, and hand the glass back. “Thank you. Now, I have a few questions. How do I find Alaric? I know he’s here.” I point to the mountain range, and say, “He’s over there passed the mountains. How do I get to him?”
Luc’s eyebrows are raised, but there is a quirky grin that lights up his handsome face, “Well now, I didn’t expect that. Would you care for another?”
“Not particularly. Answer the question, Luc.” I press.
Sighing, Luc walks back to the bar and refills my glass. Tolin and Tarron are watching me, concern etched on their faces, and I shake my head, indicating that I do not want them to interfere. Not yet anyway. Luc turns back to me, “Alaric’s time here is not yet complete, and neither is yours. You have only just arrived. Little goddess, you and he both need to understand what it would mean if The Underworld found its way to the realms of the living. Not that this realm is strictly designed for only the dead. As you have seen firsthand, there are quite a few beings here that are part of the living, but their souls belong to me. They are part of The Underworld, and only I have dominion here. You may be the Keeper of Souls in The Otherworld, The Mortal Realm, and in Taisclainne Anam, but not here. In this realm, you are not permitted to reap a single soul. All souls in this realm belong to me and to me alone. If you attempt to reap even one soul, then you will forfeit either your soul or Alaric’s to reside forever here in The Underworld. Do you understand?”
I stare at him defiantly, “Why would I want to reap any souls here in your domain? If what you say is true, then how is it that The Morrígan was so easily able to rip Cú Chulainn’s soul from your grasp?”
He regards me as if I’m a petulant child, and I guess that I am for all intents and purposes, he has been around since the beginning of time. I don’t fail to notice the hard glint of his eyes before he responds to me, “What Morríganna did was no easy feat. Lest you forget how many souls gave their lives for his.” He motions toward the rift, “It was not without consequences, not a single solitary soul was ushered into my realm.” His tone is reprimanding, “Little Keeper, do you think that all souls here in The Underworld are souls of the damned? The living and the dead? Souls that you would never long to reap?” He asks, studying me, waiting for my answer.
“It is The Underworld.” I take my refilled glass and eye it warily before glaring back up at Luc defiantly.
“You may be surprised, little one. I’m curious. What did you think you
would find here in this realm? Chaos? All matter of demons running amok? Please indulge me.”
“I really had no idea as to what to expect. My Guardians here tried to prepare for any and all possible threats, but I saw that as pointless. We had no idea as to what we would find here. I know that I did not expect the civilized town that we rode through not that long ago. I’m curious to know if there are others like that one and if that is where I can find Alaric.” The need to know where my kindred is has begun to nag at me now that I’m so close to getting him back.
“Ashlinn, I need for you to focus on the question at hand. I can assure you that Alaric has found temporary sanctuary. He is healing, and he is safe for now. He has made an unlikely friend. He is well.” Luc, studies me before continuing, “I know this won’t sit well with you, but you will not be allowed to leave here for a few more days. Alaric has much to discover as do you.”
My anger boils to the surface, “You said- “