Lore

by Sandra R Neeley

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  “I said, give us a minute, Lily! We have to get things together to take with us now that we have Boon. Have a little patience!”

  Lily stomped her foot on the floor and held her hands out dramatically. “Jus’ come on!” she demanded.

  Carnage was walking past where Lily stood in the living room on his way to the kitchen to get some of the soft cloths that Carolena used for burping Boon after she fed him. He came to a stop right in front of Lily and leaned over until he was nearer her height. He raised one single eyebrow at her and pointed his finger inches from her nose. “Stop!” he said with a sharp tone.

  Lily held her Papa’s eyes, and to her credit didn’t back away, but she did clasp her hands behind her back and murmur a quiet, “Yes, sir.”

  Carnage didn’t move. He stayed exactly as he was for a moment longer than necessary. “Niiice Mah mah!”

  “Yes, sir. I be nice to Mama.”

  Carnage inclined his head one time, to indicate yes, you will. Then he continued on his way to gather the soft cloths for Carolena to pack for Boon.

  Carolena rushed into the living room, Boon in her arms and a bag on her shoulder that contained extra diapers, extra changes of clothes and anything else she could think of.

  “Do we have everything?” she asked.

  “Yeeesssss!” Lily said dramatically.

  One sharp look from Carnage and she changed her tune. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “You know. You wanted to go first thing this morning. And I promised I’d take you if you’d wait until we were all awake and had our breakfasts, if you were patient. You’ve not been very patient.”

  “I just wanna go to Unca Stoy’s house.”

  “Alright, I need to check on Rowan anyway.”

  “Hers good.”

  “Then why are we going?”

  “’Cause I need to,” Lily answered.

  “Why do you need to?” Carolena persisted.

  Finally, Lily confessed. “Don’t know. Jus’ need to. Unca Lore needs me.”

  “Uncle Lore? Are they back?” Carolena asked.

  “Some,” Lily answered, fiddling in her own bag of stuff she’d gathered together.

  “Some?” Carolena asked, alarmed. “Who didn’t make it back?”

  Lily shrugged.

  “Carnage! Hurry up, hon. We’ve got to get going!” Carolena called, now worried.

  Carnage came over to Carolena and held his hands out, not knowing if she’d give him the baby or the bag or both. She handed him the bag. He tossed it over his shoulder, then took Lily’s bag from her and swung her up into his arms. He walked over to the front door and opened it, standing aside for them to walk through. “’Mon,” he said, motioning Carolena along.

  Carolena, who carried Boon, and Carnage, who now carried Lily, emerged from the footpath through the trees and into the clearing where Enthrall’s and Destroy’s houses sat. Lily struggled to get down, so Carnage obliged, handing her her bag as he set her on her feet. She hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth between the two houses. Then she made a break for Enthrall’s home.

  “Hey! You said you wanted to visit Uncle Destroy!”

  “Unca Lore is here!” Lily called back to her mother.

  Lily ran across the wide expanse of grass and right up the steps to Enthrall’s home.

  Carolena shook her head. Then she spoke to Carnage. “Tell her to wait.”

  “Wait!” Carnage yelled.

  Lily froze on the steps. She knew better than to defy her Papa. When he used that voice, he was serious.

  Lily sighed. “I waiting.”

  Eventually the rest of the family caught up to her, and they finally let her knock on Enthrall’s door. After a moment Enthrall opened the door. He was looking frazzled and more than a bit distracted.

  “Enthrall,” Carolena greeted.

  “Hello, Carolena. Carnage. How are you this morning?” Enthrall asked.

  “Unca Lore needs me,” Lily announced.

  Enthrall smiled down at Lily then looked up at Carnage and Carolena. “Things are dire, I’m afraid. This is not a good day.”

  “That’s why,” Lily insisted.

  Enthrall looked from Lily back up to Carnage. Carnage gave one single nod of his head, then upped his step to be sure to stay right behind Lily.

  Lily darted into the room and did not hesitate to go straight over to Lore. Lore was sitting on the couch in much the same place he’d been when Destroy had still been there.

  Lily dropped her bag on the floor and climbed up to sit in his lap, hugging her arms around him.

  Lore pressed a kiss to her hair and held her tight, his eyes closed, just drinking in the peace she brought him. “Don’t be scared,‘kay? You has to ‘member to be strong.”

  Lore pulled back and looked at her with a confused look on his face.

  “Hi,” Lily said.

  Lore smiled sadly. “Hi.”

  “I came ‘cause you need me.”

  “You felt me?” Lore asked.

  “Yep. You was sad.”

  “I am still sad.”

  “Unca Stoy’s sad, too,” Lily told him.

  “Yes, he is. And he’s very angry. I don’t blame him at all,” Lore answered.

  “Is her sad?” Lily asked.

  “I don’t think so. She’s a little confused, but I don’t think she’s sad.”

  “Where is her?” Lily asked, looking around the living room.

  “She’s taking a bath. Felicity is helping her wash her hair.”

  “Oh, my goodness! Felicity is so big right now! I’ll go help. Here, hold Boon,” Carolena said, shoving Boon at Enthrall.

  Enthrall turned Boon around and looked at him. “At least you’re not screaming. The last person they shoved at me today was screaming.”

  Boon looked at Enthrall and grinned.

  “Thank goodness you’ve got your sister’s temperament,” Enthrall commented.

  “’Stoy?” Carnage asked.

  “The last roar we heard leads me to believe he’s at home,” Enthrall answered.

  “Mur’er?” Carnage asked.

  Lore raised his head and looked at Carnage. “He didn’t make it.”

  Carnage let out a sound that could only be described as a growl mixed with a moan. He took a step closer to Lore. He raised his voice, asking for Murder again. “Mur’er!”

  “He stayed behind to buy us time to make it safely away. It was his choice, Carnage. I’m sick over it. My heart is shattered,” Lore said quietly.

  “Wheere?” Carnage demanded.

  Lore simply hung his head.

  Carnage looked at Enthrall, throwing his hands in the air to indicate where.

  Enthrall didn’t answer — he just shook his head, the pain and conflict on his face apparent for all to see.

  Carnage snarled and moved closer to Lore.

  Lore looked up at him, a plea for understanding in his eyes, then finally he opened his mouth and spoke. “Hell.”

  Carnage snarled, growling as he stomped around the room.

  Carolena, recognizing the unhappy snarling of her mate, rushed back into the living room. “What is the problem? Carnage, calm down!”

  Carnage was snarling and huffing. He couldn’t even try to speak. He shoved a finger at Lore.

  “What?” Carolena asked.

  “Mur’er” Carnage finally managed.

  “What’s wrong with Murder?” Carolena asked, looking around and noticing that he wasn’t there.

  “He didn’t make it back,” Lore answered.

  Lily slid off Lore’s lap and went to digging in her bag.

  Carnage stomped over to Lore, snatching him up from the couch. “’Mon!” He started marching Lore toward the door.

  “I can’t!” Lore answered.

  “’Es! ‘Mon!” he insisted, hellbent on going after Murder.

  “Carnage! Don’t you think I’d have already gone after him if I could? I can’t, I have no magic left. I�
��m barely more than human now. You snatched me off the couch! Didn’t you think it strange that you could grab me and snatch me from the couch?!”

  Carnage looked at Lore where he held him. Then he looked over his shoulder at Enthrall.

  Enthrall nodded.

  Carnage lifted a hand and wiggled his fingers at Lore.

  Lore shook his head. “I can’t make the mists anymore. I’m little more than human. And I’m fine with that. I’ve brought Evangeline back, she’s safe. But I lost Murder in the process. I am torn, Carnage. I can barely breathe. The worst part is that he wasn’t supposed to be there. He didn’t need to come.”

  “Then why did you take him?” Enthrall asked.

  Lore didn’t answer. He refused to tell Enthrall Lily had said to take Murder with them.

  Lily sat on the couch beside Shane playing with the crystals she’d brought to give to Lore. “I sayed it. Him ‘sposed to be there.”

  Enthrall looked from Lily to Lore. “And you listened to her? She’s a child!”

  “A child who cured your mate!” Lore snapped.

  Enthrall was taken aback. Lore was right. It was easy to forget that Lily was much more than just a child.

  “I’m the one who told Lore that Lily said Murder had to go with them,” Carolena admitted.

  “Him had to,” Lily said, looking intently at her Papa and Lore.

  “Why?” Enthrall asked.

  “Hers lost,” Lily replied, holding the fire crystal up so she and Shane could watch the sunlight playing through it as it bounced around the room. “The lady sayed him had to go ‘cause hers lost.”

  “She’s not lost anymore, she’s here now.”

  “Not ‘Vangeline,” Lily said.

  “Vangen?” Carnage asked, throwing his hands up in frustration, wondering who the hell Evangeline was.

  “She’s Lore’s mate. Her name is Evangeline,” Enthrall said.

  “Yes? I’m right here.” a feminine voice answered. Then the room grew quiet when a beautiful woman with long, curling blonde locks entered, her huge white wings spread out behind her.

  Felicity followed her closely. “It took three baths, but we finally got all the dark smudges off her wings and out of her hair.”

  “Thank you,” Evangeline said, graciously.

  “You’re very welcome,” Felicity answered.

  It was apparent to Enthrall that his very pregnant wife was tired and her back was hurting. He helped her over to the couch and sat her down. “Here, Lici, put your feet up and rest a bit.”

  “I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

  “Rest!” he said quietly, but a little more emphatically.

  “I will.”

  Carnage stared at the woman who’d just entered the room. When Carolena reached out rubbing his arm, he looked at her with his mouth agape, and pointed at Evangeline.

  “Hers a Angel,” Lily announced.

  “She certainly is,” Lore confirmed.

  “Hello,” Evangeline said to Lily.

  “Hello,” Lily answered. Then she looked at Lore. “Hers not sad.”

  “Good,” Lore answered.

  “Who are you?” Evangeline asked Lily.

  “I Lily.”

  “Hello, Lily. You’re a very beautiful little girl,” Evangeline said.

  “Thank you. I like ‘dos wings,” Lily answered.

  She slid off the couch and walked over to Lore, who still stood beside her Papa. She held up her fire crystals for him to take from her.

  “Those are yours, Lily. I gifted them to you.”

  “Yep. But you can sleep wif ‘em.”

  “I don’t think they’ll give my powers back, love.”

  Lily smiled at him and pinched her fingers together, leaving a little space between them.

  “A little?” he asked, smiling at her.

  Lily stepped closer to Lore and slipped the crystals into his trouser pocket. “And don’t be scared,‘kay? Just ‘member to be strong.”

  Then she turned to her Mom and Dad. “Can I go see Unca Stoy?”

  “Uncle Stoy is very upset right now. Why don’t you let him rest for a day or so, then you can go see him?” Enthrall suggested.

  “I need to tell him Unca Murder’s not sad,” Lily announced.

  “What?” came from all around her. Lore, Carolena, Carnage, and Enthrall. All of them.

  “Unca Murder’s not sad. Him knows hims coming home.”

  “When?” Lore asked, desperate for any word of his best friend.

  “Soon,” Lily answered. She picked up her bag from the floor and held her arms up for Lore to pick her up. When he did, she hugged him and kissed his cheek. He didn’t try to put her down until she let go of him. When she was finally on her own feet, she looked over her shoulder at Shane. “Bye, Shane,” Lily singsonged as she headed for the door.

  “Bye, Lily,” Shane answered on a yawn. He still wasn’t fully awake.

  Carolena looked at Carnage. “I guess we’re going to Destroy’s next.”

  Carnage grunted and nodded his head. He hurried to catch up with his daughter and took her by the hand as she started her trek across the open grass toward Destroy’s house.

  Chapter 9

  Lore stood watching Lily go. He slipped his hand into his trouser pocket and ran his fingers over the crystals. There was a steady hum coming from them. It was the same hum he’d felt from Lily when she’d hugged him. The hum had been minimal the last time he’d seen her. Now, it was not. It was equal to that he felt when he’d been near his sister and brothers. He shook his head. He couldn’t believe it.

  “What?” Enthrall asked.

  “Something’s different,” Lore answered.

  “There are a lot of things different,” Enthrall answered.

  “Yes, but this…”

  “What is it?” Enthrall asked with concern.

  “She reloaded the crystals with energy and left them with me.”

  “Is that unusual? Is she that powerful yet?” Enthrall asked.

  “She is. But she doesn’t know it. She has no idea what she’s capable of,” Lore explained.

  “Then, how?”

  Lore took the crystals from his pocket and lifted them to his nose, trying to scent the touch of any other on them.

  It was hopeless. He’d been so drained that he was truly not more than human at this point. He was perhaps a little more sensitive than most, and the tendencies were there, but the ability to manipulate the world around him was just not within his reach.

  “The magics are here. I can feel them. They’re even stronger than when I gave Lily the crystals. It just makes no sense. They should be a little weaker, or at best the same.”

  “Can you take the powers back out of the crystals?” Enthrall asked.

  “I don’t know. I shouldn’t be able to. But maybe she knows something I don’t. She was insistent that I keep the crystals.”

  “How could you not know, Lore?” Felicity asked.

  “We each, every one of us, myself, my siblings, Lily, have our own special gifts. Mine didn’t work as my sister’s did. Hers didn’t work as my brother’s did and so on. We were basically the same. But with differences.”

  “But you gave Lily your powers, so maybe she could have reloaded the crystals. From before she was born you started siphoning your powers to her.”

  Lore smiled, shaking his head. “No, I didn’t. I simply awakened those she was born with. Taught her how to use them.”

  “But you said you were going to give her all your powers…” Enthrall objected.

  “No, I didn’t. I said I was teaching her all my tricks,” Lore answered. He turned to Enthrall. “I’m tired, Enthrall. I’ve stumbled around this plane and the next since before any were here, but my own kind. And I’m tired. I just want to claim my mate and live a happy, calm life. But my presence keeps a certain balance in place. Without it, all things would be thrown into chaos. It’s the reason my brother didn’t just extinguish my existence when he decided I�
��d done enough damage.”

  “He couldn’t without threatening all else?” Enthrall asked.

  “Exactly. We are at our basest, elemental. Destroy one part of the balance of nature, and the other parts are thrown into chaos.”

  “You can’t just walk away then.”

  “I can. If there is someone else who is willing to take my place.” Lore just regarded Enthrall until it clicked.

  “Lily. You expect Lily to take your place.”

  “She has always carried a little piece of me inside her. She shoulders part of the balance even without trying. It’s merely a small thing to shift it to her. One day. If she’s ever ready, and willing.”

  “Then where is it now? The part that you normally hold?”

  Lore lifted the crystals. He watched the sunlight filter through them. He watched them pulse as though they breathed.

  His eyes met Enthrall’s over the crystals he held in his hand.

  “Son of a bitch,” Enthrall whispered as he stared at the crystals reflecting every color in the universe all around his living room.

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  Carnage knocked on Destroy’s door. No one answered. He knocked again. Still no one answered. He looked down at Lily standing beside him expectantly.

  “I gotta tell him,” she said.

  Carnage looked over his shoulder at Carolena rocking Boon in her arms.

  “Knock again,” she encouraged.

  Carnage nodded. He raised his hand to knock, but stopped just short of rapping on the door. Instead, he curled his fingers and scratched on the door. Moments later the door swung open. Destroy stood there, his face drooping into disappointment. He looked from Carnage to Carolena, then to Lily. He remembered the arrow bouncing off his chest and knew that Lily had more than a little to do with that. He stood back and invited them in.

  “I’m not the best company at the moment. But you are always welcome here.”

  “It’s okay. We understand. We heard what happened,” Carolena replied.

  As she walked by with Boon in her arms, Destroy reached out and smoothed a huge hand over his head. He wanted his own kids so badly.