Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 47

Victor

"The children have been asking questions," Typhon said. "I know you want them all kept away from this, but don't you think that's a bit unrealistic? Now that you are starting to regroup, it's possible that Erebus would go after each of them to use as bait."

Fuck, that hadn't even crossed my mind. Maybe we do need to rethink this. "What if we all return to Faerie? Now that Deimos isn't a threat it should be safe again. Erebus still can't see there," I suggested.

"I think Lochlyn would be thrilled to have her parents home and quite willing to help rescue the remaining four or is it five now?" He gave me a questioning look. I just rolled my eyes and shrugged. I had no idea what would become of the connection between Eveleen and Deimos. Honestly, I still want to kill him and I'm not sure I won't.

****

When we arrived in Faerie we were greeted with hugs, cries, tears, and an overflowing house.

"About damn time you made an appearance," Lochlyn cried as she clung to Gabriel. "When I agreed to take the throne, I thought all of you would be here to guide me, not dropping off the face of the worlds one by one."

"Mama," Zoe breathed as she took in Jewel's new appearance. "You're more beautiful than ever."

"Oh, my beautiful girl," Jewel sobbed as North wrapped his arms around them both.

I felt a strong hand on my shoulder and turned to see my own son, Dreyken, looking at me with tear-filled eyes, while he had his sister Pandra in his arms.

"Where is he!" Jackson's voice rang out across the room as he stomped in with Filon right behind him. "Where is my father!"

"Jackson," Loki said firmly, "calm down."

"Calm down? You want me to calm down? I've been searching for decades and nothing! Then all of a sudden we learn that mom is safe and some of our dads, but no one will tell us who. Where is he, Loki? Where is my dad?" Jackson's voice cracked as his shoulders heaved.

North and Jewel quickly caught him in their arms, while Marc and Axel comforted Corey and Raven's daughter and son. "I need all of you to be strong just a little while longer," she said. "Everything has happened so quickly, but we aren't letting them go. I just learned where they are, now we need to get them out. I'm not going to lie - Brandon, Corey, and Raven have been the most deeply changed by shadow magic. I'm not sure what will happen, but I am not leaving my husbands behind - not now, not ever!"

"Damn, Mom," Michael's voice was awed, "You look fucking awesome!" We all chuckled. He was right though. As she had become more passionate in her words, her hair began to float and swirl as if a breeze personally followed her. The flecks of color in her now black eyes seemed to glow and shift. You could feel the power emanating from her.

She grinned at him, "Thank you sweetie, but watch your language. Just as bad as your father," she muttered.

"I'm a grown man, Mom," he groaned.

"Grown or not, mind your manners," she chided him.

"Dad..." Michael groaned.

Gabriel raised his hands and chuckled, "Son, I wouldn't fucking challenge her before, what makes you think I'd challenge her now that she's a fucking full-blown goddess?" Michael and several of the children made surprised sounds while the rest of us just laughed.

"So what's up with the gargoyle look, Pops?" Iseldir grinned. "I mean it's cool and all but how the hell did that happen, and seriously more kids? I thought you guys were enjoying your golden years." He made silly faces at Idris as he held him gently, softly adding, "Welcome to the craziness, little bro."

Owen let his glamor shimmer, "I can change but it's only temporary. The gargoyle look as you called it was a result of what happened in my time away. With the exception of North, Gabe, and Loki, all of us have been altered - just some more than others."

Sean cleared his throat, "That, um, brings up a rather important matter. I'm not exactly me anymore."

"Well, that's cryptic, Oto-san," Kiku giggled.

Sean frowned, "More than you realize. You see, I sort of died when I vanished." His girls sucked in a shocked breath, their hands gripping one another's. "Before I actually crossed over, a god by the name of Morpheus made me an offer. He promised to help me find the others if I gave him use of my physical body as a vessel. There were a few other agreements made that I will not discuss, but in the end, I agreed. I know what I've done is reckless, but in my grief, I didn't stop to think."

"So what does that mean, exactly?" Tori asked.

"It means, check when speaking to me. As long as he's using my form, it is difficult to discern who is who," Sean said carefully. "However, I doubt he will interact with any of you children. His interest lies in your mother and the fifteen of us."

After Sean's revelation, the conversations lulled with Jackson, Abellona, and Zoran sticking close to Jewel and North as they tried to comfort them.  

Author's Notes:  We're nearing the end, my lovelies...well, I think so.

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