Page 14

Kael

W hen Lilith’s breathing evens out, I slowly get up and sneak out of the room to meet Daemon and Callum when they get home. I want to be able to tell them everything without waking her.

When I sit on the couch, Daemon and Callum come in. “Hey,” I say. “Feed the lake monster?”

“I don’t think it’s actually a monster, but yes,” Callum laughs. “Lilith asleep?”

“Yeah. She fell asleep a few minutes ago,” I say with a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” he asks as he sits down.

“So, we found this chest with various items in it. There was a letter in some old language that Leli doesn’t know, so it’ll have to be translated when we get to Voradia,” I explain. “Lilith expressed her concerns for Leli not being able to explain things to her fully.”

“Well, yeah. Leli is in a country with one job. It’s not something you can explain while potentially not having any real time to explain it. If she’s not able to explain something, I’m sure it’s for a good reason,” Callum says.

“Yeah, and I think she gets that. Leli ended up doing some spell that allowed her to talk to some guy named Mazvyn. He is on the council and runs the program to find Lilith. He’s been at it since she was a baby.”

“Wow,” Daemon says, raising his eyebrows.

“Yeah, and he had a necklace identical to the one that we found in that box. The one he has belonged to her mom and he started the program specifically to get her back.”

“Back?” Daemon asks.

“Mhmm. I don’t think he knew he said it, and she didn’t catch it, but Daemon… When I tell you this man looks identical to her…”

“Is it possible it’s her Dad?” Callum asks.

“I really do think it’s him. The pure joy on his face when she agreed to come… And when he saw her, he was struggling to keep his composure? I think it is. I don’t think he wants her to know until she is with him so he can see her in person, especially because he never got to meet her.”

“That’s pitiful, Kael,” Callum says.

“Yeah… I think Leli knows, but she’s not allowed to tell her,” I say.

“Do you want to tell her?” Daemon asks seriously.

“No. I think Mazvyn has a damn good reason why he’s waiting,” I say, shaking my head. “Leli cares about Lilith beyond just doing her job.”

“I’m sure she does. You’d need to when you dedicate yourself like she has.”

“Oh, Mazvyn said if you shift, don’t fly out over the water. They have some barrier up, and I’m assuming it’ll fucking suck for you if you hit it.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s some sort of protection spell,” he says. “I’ll keep it to land.”

“What happened to the guard?” I ask.

“His name was Bertolf. He admitted to doing it, then Callum face-fucked him with a dildo gag. I slit his throat and let the creature come up, then pushed him in,” Daemon says casually.

“Well then, I guess that solves that,” I laugh.

“We are in for a shit storm,” Daemon says after a second.

“Yeah… Whatever is coming isn’t going to be pretty,” I agree.