Destroy grinned and kissed her cheek again. “I’ll bring it by tomorrow.”
Lily nodded at him.
Destroy turned his attention to the new arrival he didn’t yet know. “Hi! I’m Destroy,” he said, holding out his hand for this new Ancient to shake.
The new Ancient accepted his proferred hand and shook it with grace. “I’m aware. Hello, Destroy. I am Terrus.”
“Terrus?” Destroy said, grinning at the fact that this Ancient already knew him. Word of his exploits must have traveled far and wide already. “Terrus. Nice to meet you. I gotta get Murder some food. I’ll talk to you later.”
Enthrall embraced Lore. “Welcome home!”
Lore smiled sadly at Enthrall. “Thank you. I’m glad to finally be back.”
Enthrall stood back looking Lore over. “Are you injured as well? Were you with Murder?”
Lore shook his head. “No, I was in Hell, but not with Murder.”
“You were in Purgatory, brother, not Hell,” Terrus said conversationally.
Lore looked at Terrus. “Truth? He locked me in Purgatory?”
“Where else would you be condemned to relive your sins over and over again?”
Lore nodded, then looked down at his hands as flashes of the memories he’d relived, and those of Evangeline’s that he’d witnessed, played over and over in his mind. “But we are all safe now. It is done,” he finally murmured.
Destroy burst out of the screen door, his hands filled with food and drink. “Ya’ll come sit down. We’ve waited and waited and waited for you to come home,” he called over his shoulder as he brought food to Murder. “Carolena was almost out of her mind with worry! The least you can do is tell us what happened.”
“Very well,” Lore said, and started to walk toward the chairs at the opposite end of the deck. As he got settled in a chair, and Carnage finally took a seat on the bench with Carolena seated next to him, Lily in her lap, Destroy asked something that no one else had yet noticed.
“Hey! Why is it that I can feel you now, your body, and before you were all misty? I could feel you before we left the first time, but you weren’t misting. Now you’re doing both…”
Lore nodded. “When my eldest brother took my powers from me, he left me with my mists. Only my mists. My body was only a suggestion of its former self if I concentrated enough to gather the mists together to form my shape. He meant me to have no physical body. Without a body I could partake in nothing. I was here, yet not. The ultimate punishment personally. Since he is vanquished, I’m restored. But not only that, each of us — myself, my younger brother, Terrus,” Lore indicated Terrus, “my sister Lucitari, who is away on other errands, and Lily,” Lore paused to smile lovingly at Lily, “have absorbed his life force and with it, his powers and strengths. We are all stronger than we were. And thanks to Lily, we are all safer than we’ve been in so long I can’t remember the last time I had no worries about the future of all surrounding us.”
“Lily!” Carolena whispered, surprised, looking at her daughter perched in her lap.
“Srooong!” Carnage said, smiling proudly at Lily.
Lily nodded. “Very strong, Mama.”
“Lily absorbed all the energies tossed her way, then forced them back into me when I was practically human. Lily has restored me, stronger than I ever was,” Lore said, smiling lovingly at her.
Carolena took Lily’s face in her hands and just looked at her. “I missed you so much, little girl!” Then she kissed Lily’s face and hugged her tight. Lily hugged her back. She’d been excited to go, but she missed her mother. “No more of that! Not without Uncle Lore overseeing it, okay?” Carolena said, still hugging Lily to her.
“Okay,” Lily answered.
“Oh my gosh! What else happened?” Rowan asked.
“Carnage and Terrus saved my Evangeline when I was a fool and left her vulnerable. They changed the past, which changed the here and now. But it is all well and good. Evangeline is happy,” Lore said, feigning happiness, but the tone in his voice gave away his heartbreak.
“Where is she?” Carolena asked, looking around.
“She is home by now, I’m sure.”
Felicity spoke up. “I don’t understand. I thought her home was with you?” she asked, bouncing Zeke gently on her chest to soothe him back to sleep as Enthrall sat behind her with Shane seated on the deck beside him.
Lore didn’t even try to smile. He didn’t look at her or anyone else. “She doesn’t know any home other than the one I took her from before we were mated. She doesn’t know me. But she is happy with her family once again and free to dance in the sunshine to her heart’s content.”
“Lore!” Carolena said, her heart hurting for him.
“It is not necessary that we be together, only that she is happy.” He raised his eyes to Carolena’s. “And she is happy.”
Carolena nodded. He was telling her, he’d manage. She didn’t want him, and it was okay as long as she was happy.
“I’m sorry, Lore,” Carolena said, still holding Lily in her lap and leaning her head on Carnage’s shoulder. Finding it hard to even imagine how much it would hurt for your mate to not know you, not want you.
“So am I,” he said simply.
Terrus had yet to take a seat and hung back from the group just a bit, but enough that it was noticeable. He wasn’t at home here as Lore was. He was happy for his brother, but he much preferred his solitude among the flora and fauna of the Earth.
“Terrus, have a seat, join us,” Carolena invited.
He shook his head. “Thank you, but I believe I shall take my leave. I have been too long away.”
“Thank you, brother,” Lore said, rising to embrace Terrus.
“You know where to find me, now that you’re once again able. Do not be a stranger,” Terrus said, a slight smile on his very handsome face.
“And you! Do not be a stranger either,” Lore said.
“Yes! Come visit us, you’re Lore’s brother, so you’re family, too. Feel free to come visit any time you like,” Rowan called out. “We live up near the front of Whispers across from Enthrall. You are welcome to dinner any time.”
Terrus turned to face Rowan, a small smile playing about his lips. “I know well where you live, little witch. I’ve felt you many times.”
Rowan was surprised. “You have?” she asked, a little worried.
“I have.”
“When exactly are you saying you’ve felt my mate?” Destroy asked, not very impressed in the least.
“When her magics flow on the wind. When she calls down the storms, and the little creatures take shelter. When she wanders among them in the winter, scattering food for them. I have felt her.” Terrus turned from Destroy to face Rowan again. “Thank you for your kindness and your gentleness, sweet witch.”
Terrus bowed to the crowd as one, then gathered his mists and prepared to take his leave. “I am happy to have you restored, Lore. I have missed you.” Then he faded from view.
Destroy, who was sitting on the deck floor, leaning back against Rowan’s legs, looked up at her. “Gentleness? I think he has you confused with some other witch.”
Rowan lightly swatted the back of his head and pinched his ear.
“Ouch! See? That! That right there is what I mean!” Destroy exclaimed.
Lore looked over and noticed that Felicity was holding her and Enthrall’s son. “He is quite magnificent, Enthrall,” Lore said softly.
“Thank you, Lore. Would you care to hold him?” Enthrall asked.
“I’d be honored,” Lore admitted. He was fatigued, exhausted. But he wouldn’t refuse an opportunity to be trusted by any of the people here at Whispers, not even those that had known him for centuries.
Enthrall approached and handed Zeke to Lore. “I am ridiculously happy that you’re back, and you too, Murder,” Enthrall said, as he straightened up.
Murder didn’t say too much. “Me, too,” he said, while he sipped the third glass of lemonade Destroy had brou
ght him. He’d inhaled two huge sandwiches and was honestly ready for some time alone and some rest. He had a lot of conflicting feelings to work out.
Lore held Zeke, looking down into his bright blue eyes. “Well, hello, young male,” he said softly.
Zeke was only a few weeks old, but true to his paranormal DNA he was already much more alert than most babies his age. He watched Lore as intently as Lore watched him. “I’m sorry I missed his birth,” Lore said to Enthrall, without looking away from the baby. “I had no idea how long we’d actually been away.”
Lore looked at Lily now sleeping in her mother’s lap. “Lily is a baby no longer. She speaks as well as any of us. Boon is crawling and trying to stand.” He looked down at Zeke in his arms. “Ezekiel is born. Time marches on.” He looked around at the leaves changing colors on the trees, preparing for the onslaught of winter. “I have been too long away.”
“It’s not important. You are here now, and you are home to stay. Aren’t you?” Enthrall asked.
“For the most part,” Lore said, nodding. “This is home. I shall be here, and there, and a bit of everywhere when I feel unsettled, but I shall always come home.”
No one responded. They all knew without his mate, he would surely feel unsettled, and not one of them could possibly blame him.
“You can stay with us any time you want, Lore,” Destroy surprised everyone by offering his home.
Lore raised his eyes to Destroy’s to see if he was truthfully offering shelter of his home or teasing him. On seeing the seriousness in Destroy’s expression, he was humbled. He pursed his lips and nodded slowly. “Thank you, Destroy. I am most appreciative.”
“Just not in the bedroom with us,” Rowan added on a whisper.
Lore couldn’t help himself — he started chuckling. “Okay. I don’t blame you for that one. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. But I am now. If I have need of Destroy, I shall wait until he wakes or knock loudly. I will not welcome myself into your bedroom whilst you sleep.”
“Thanks,” Rowan said, smiling.
Lore looked again at Lily sleeping in her mother’s lap, her legs dangling down beside her mother’s, as Carolena refused to put her down now that she was home. “It is time I take my leave. I have kept you from your families and your daily activities long enough. I will be off.” Lore handed Ezekiel back to Enthrall, smiling over at Shane. “You have two strong, handsome sons, Enthrall.”
“I do. I am very lucky.”
Lore inclined his head and then spoke to Murder. “Shall I take you home before I go?”
“Yes,” Murder said, struggling to stand. He was much healed, but still very weak and exhausted from his experience.
“You can’t be alone. Stay here with us so that we can care for you,” Carolena said. “At least for a few days until you’ve regained your strength.”
“’Es!” Carnage insisted.
“I don’t want to be any burden,” Murder said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We can move Boon into Lily’s room for a few days, and you can sleep in the extra bed I keep in there for if he’s having trouble sleeping, so I can stay near him,” Carolena explained.
“Yes, and I can come by and bring some food for everyone, so Carolena doesn’t have to do all the cooking,” Rowan added.
Murder really didn’t relish the idea of having to stumble around his home, trying to prepare food himself and treating the few remaining small wounds he had. It would be much easier if someone were willing to help him for a short while. But he really wanted some privacy.
“And if you want to be alone, that is no problem either. After a full day of these two,” Carolena indicated her babies, “we drop into bed early. And if you want some quiet, come out here, or stay inside while they come out here. We’ll work it out until you’re strong enough to be alone.”
Murder nodded. “Okay. I’ll stay for a few days, but only a few. I refuse to become a burden.”
Carnage shoved his shoulder. “Fam lee!”
Murder winced. “Ow,” he said, rolling his shoulder. He’d been suspended for so long, his joints ached at finally being in the correct position.
“Then I shall be on my way. If any of you need me, call to me. I am fully restored and will hear you at once.” Lore gathered his mists and faded from view.
“We’ll be on our way as well,” Enthrall said, standing and taking Shane by the hand to help him stand from his place seated on the deck floor. Then he helped Felicity stand and took Zeke from her so that she could get her balance. She took Shane’s hand right away, and after saying their goodbyes, she took Zeke from Enthrall. He wrapped his arms around both her and Shane and ghosted them away.
Chapter 23
Rowan and Destroy were the last to leave. “You need me to do anything at all?” Destroy asked Murder, while helping him stand.
“I’m okay, Destroy. Just weak. Some rest and food and I’ll be fine.”
“You sure? I could help you bathe if you need me to or help you find some clean clothes or something,” Destroy offered.
Murder had made it only a few steps before sighing and turning back to Destroy. He reached up and grabbed Destroy’s horns, pulling his face in close, so their foreheads were pressed together. “All is well, Destroy. You did not desert me. You did not leave me behind. You followed my order. My direct order. I am honored to have battled at your side. If ever I am in battle for any reason, I want you at my side.”
Destroy had issues because Carnage believed him to have deserted him during battle for so many years. It was a sore spot. And he didn’t want anyone to ever think that of him again. And Murder was a male he highly admired. He was a friend. He was crushed when it became clear that they were to leave him behind. “I was so distraught,” he finally admitted.
“I’d be offended if you weren’t,” Murder teased him. “You are a good male, Destroy. One of the best. Go home now, spend some time with your female.”
“Okay. I’m happy you’re home, Murder.”
“I am, too, Destroy.”
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Lucitari materialized on the stone steps of a small abbey hidden away in the trees, bordering the meadow Evangeline immediately recognized.
“I remember this! And through there, if you follow that path, is the meadow!” she exclaimed.
“It is. You are home, Evangeline,” Lucitari answered.
Evangeline made to sprint up the steps and hurry into the sanctuary, but Lucitari stopped her. “Just a moment, Evangeline. Allow me to speak with your sisters first. They may not understand your absence.”
“But surely, once I tell them I was stolen away and hidden by the Dark One himself, they will be so happy just to welcome me back into the fold.”
“Most likely, but still, I wish to speak with them before you enter. Will you allow me to do so?” Lucitari asked.
Evangeline was confused, but she agreed. “Alright. I’ll wait here.” She took a seat on one of the long, flat steps they stood upon.
“Thank you. Do not wander from here. I shall return shortly.” Lucitari misted directly into the sanctuary, materializing right beside the altar. It was time for afternoon prayer, and her appearance caused more than a slight commotion. Angels darted this way and that to avoid her. Only the eldest and the wisest of them stayed to confront her.
“Why do you invade our sanctuary? You know you are not allowed here. Only the purest of our kind is allowed here.”
“Which is why I’m here.”
“I do not understand,” one of the eldest said. It was apparent from the way all the others fell back behind her, she was their superior.
“I’ve come to return Evangeline to you,” Lucitari explained.
“Surely you jest. Evangeline cannot rejoin us. She’s fallen from grace. She can no longer enter our inner sanctum.”
“Are you aware that she was lured away from you? Stolen away against her will?”
The Angel superior opened her mouth as though to answer, but thought
better of it. She considered for a moment before answering. “It was told to me that she willingly ventured too far near the edge of the meadow, and there met with a male whose arms she willing went into. He then spirited her away from here, leaving us and the sanctuary behind. She’s made her choice.”
“And there is no way for her to return into the fold?” Lucitari asked.
“Is she pure? Is she chaste?”
Lucitari ground her teeth. “Is she pure? This Angel is more pure than you, you or you!” she insisted, pointing out several of those who’d lingered out of curiosity. “She does not judge. She does not expect anything from any of you! She’s spent centuries at the hands of true evil, years locked away in Hell, every day a threat from the Dark One. And still she is pure, her heart is innocent, and she holds no ill will against any. Yet here you stand, holier than thou, passing judgment against her because she was lured from your fold by one of my kind. Can she truly be blamed for having been swayed unfairly by my kind?”
The Angel Superior stood her ground, aware that her own behavior was being called into question.
“Evangeline has no memory of what transpired. She knows she was in Hell, she knows she was held prisoner, but how she came to be there she has no clue. She’s looked upon the male who lured her from this sanctuary and has no memory of him either. She is as pure as she was the day she left you.”
The Angel Superior started to speak, but Lucitari cut her off.
Lucitari tilted her head just enough to give the impression she was considering her next move — then, she allowed her mists to gather at her feet, her winds to tousle the tapestries on the wall, snuff out the candles. “I suggest you consider your next words wisely, lest I be tempted to flush out the truly judgmental among you, and deliver you all to your own judgment day.”
The Angel Superior looked around those of her flock gathered around, watching, undecided of her next move, but fearing the Ancient female standing before them.
“Surely judgment is a sin as much as pride. Are you too proud? Will you pass judgment on one of your own who was led astray? All she remembers is this place, and you, her sisters. She does not know why you wouldn’t accept her. I will not see her cast out after suffering so much already.”
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