Laurel

3:03 Delia

I was glad I had been smart enough to call my mother first, and warn her of the trouble in Fae and to prepare the covens for war. I neglected to mention I was in a poly-mate relationship, but that was a conversation I didn’t want to have with my mother right now. 

She was great and supportive in so many ways. I knew she was going to struggle with this, especially with how fast it had all happened. I had wished her luck and told her I loved her before hanging up to call Damon.

I hung up the phone,  “Damon said he was going to search for her through his contacts” I told Brydel as he waited on guard underneath the willow tree where I had stopped right after traveling to call mama and Damon, “He sounded like he was drunk when he answered, can demons get drunk?” I asked him, redirecting my thoughts anywhere but the giant hole in my heart where Laurel’s heartbeat should be. I could feel that Brydel felt the same. That we all did. 

“I’ve seen some try, it was almost impossible for them to find strong enough alcohol and then drink it fast enough to feel its effect.” his extensive knowledge of demons and their pastimes made him a decent resource on their nature at least. It was an area of study where I was lacking, I was glad to have his knowledge, though it hurt to know how he had suffered to gain it.

“Ok let's get going to find Alexander as fast as possible and warn him of what is happening so he can start spreading the word to the other shifters.” Brydel nodded, taking my hand in his and leading me towards his former home where one of my best friends now lived with her own mate and their children.

Alexander would have obviously sensed us the moment we used the gateway on his land, so guards were already closeby as we left the meadow that contained the magical willow tree. We were gently escorted to Alexander. Melody was due to give birth any day now, and things were stressful, especially after what had happened after the last time Melody gave birth. I wasn't supposed to know, magical secrets were hard to keep. Melody had made the right choice trying to keep her secret. 

One of the guards, I think his name was Evan, said Alexander would meet us nearby and he would tell Melody when things were less stressful. Melody would be so fucking pissed. I would feel so bad if the stress of the news we were bringing with us was what brought her babies into the world before they were ready.

“Delia, Brydel, nice to see you both again, and both mated to each other and Laurel! Melody really is going to kill me when I can finally tell her.” The proud daddy to be again was smiling so widely, that I hated to bring him nothing but terrible news. That he had to prepare for war, that all the worlds as we knew them were at risk right now.

Thankfully Brydel saved me, stepping in front, sheltering me behind his strong back as he offered Alexander his hand. There was a tense moment as the men stared each other down, before Alexander smiled at Brydel. Pretty sure that was a wolf moment, and none of my business unless they wanted to fill me in. “Alexander, we come with bad news. Laurel has gone missing again, she is not on Earth or in Fae. Neither of us can feel her any longer.”

I watched as Alexander heard the first part of our news, and I felt the moment he felt sympathy pain for us as he thought about losing Melody before shaking it off, resuming the mantle of Alpha of this area. Raven was pack leader now, this was still Alexander's home. His nature demanded he protect it even if it wasn't in his hands any longer. 

“Anything we can do to help you find her we will do it, do you need the library again?” he offered readily, if only it was that easy this time.

“I’m afraid it's not just that,” Brydel interjected before Alexander could offer anything else, “The Dragon Council staged an attack in the Fae capital. Laurel found some new power and was able to teleport us to what is basically her fortress now in the Fae city. We were inside her home, when we all felt her leave. The capital is under attack from Demons lead by Pestilence one of the original evil gods of the worlds, the dragons seem to be in on everything. You need to prepare for war here, all the shifters and any descendants of Fae need to prepare for war.” He had reached for my hand when he had to say the name of the one who had put him in a collar. We were going to kill her. I would tear her head off myself if I got near enough.