“And what did you find?” Sylvan asked, coming over to her.
“That everything we did to get this…this stupid thing was all for nothing.” Lissa’s hand tightened on the paper, crumpling it. “It says here that no one—male or female—born of woman can kill the Hoard Master.”
“No,” Olivia whispered. “No, that can’t be true.”
“I’m afraid so,” Lissa said. “The only way Counselor Kall overcame him a thousand years ago was by making the ultimate sacrifice—he left First World and in so doing, he lost his wings. Without them, he had no advantage in the fight with Draven and no way to heal himself. And so he lost his life.”
“Are you saying that someone has to die in order to kill the Hoard Master and swap us all back?” Sophia demanded.
Slowly, Lissa nodded. “And so I’d like…I’d like to volunteer myself.”
“What?” Olivia and Sophia said at the same time.
“You can’t be serious.” Sylvan looked at her blankly.
“Oh, yes, I am.” Lissa lifted her chin. “Just wire me with some kind of explosive and send me to him. The minute we come in contact, you can press the button and blow both of us up.”
“We could never do that, Lissa,” Sophia said, looking shocked.
“And besides, Merrick already tried to blow him up once,” Olivia pointed out. “It didn’t work.”
“It will work,” Lissa insisted. “I tell you, I’ve been studying this scroll for hours—a sacrifice is the only way to best the Hoard Master.”
“If a sacrifice is needed, I’ll be the one to make it.”
They all looked up as L, followed by Lauren, Xairn and Kat, came into the room.
“What did you say?” Olivia asked, frowning.
“You heard me. I brought this mess on you all,” L said, crossing her arms over her breasts. “And I vowed to fix it. So if anyone has to make a sacrifice, it will be me.”
“But…but I just found you again.” Lauren looked stricken.
“I know.” L squeezed her hand. “And I’m sorry, my sister. But I have to fix the damage I did. Besides…” She smiled. “No one else is as qualified as me to do this. I’ve already gotten onto Hrakaz undetected once and I can take any form I need to in order to get to him.”
“But L—” Lauren began.
“No, I’ve decided.” L frowned. “I was afraid switching off the device might not work. Draven told me when he gave it to me that it was tied to his will—he’s the engine behind it. Stop the engine and you stop the effect.”
“So you’re going to kill him?” Sylvan asked.
“If there’s no other way,” L said grimly.
“Kat, is Lauren’s clone in here with you?” Deep who was actually Lock suddenly appeared in the doorway of the now crowded living area.
“She’s here—where have you been?” Kat asked, turning around.
“Fielding a call from First World. Nadiah is on the viewscreen in the viewing room. She says she needs to talk to L.”
“What? But how does she even know about L?” Lauren demanded. “We just found out about her ourselves and Nadiah is light years away!”
Lock shrugged. “She says she has a message from the Goddess. Something she needs to tell L before she goes to Hrakaz.”
“So she not only knows about L, she knows she’s going to try and stop the Hoard Master too.” Sophia shook her head in wonder. “That’s amazing."
“That’s the Goddess,” Sylvan said reverently. “Go L—don’t keep her waiting.”
“I’ll go with her,” Lauren said but Lock shook his head. “Nadiah says only L is to go.”
L frowned. “Did she say what she wanted to talk to me about?” she asked.
Lock shook his head. “No, only that she needed to speak to you. Come on—let’s not keep her waiting.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
L followed Kat’s man to a room dominated by a viewscreen that took up one whole wall. On the screen, looking regal, was a slender woman with pale blonde hair and blue-green eyes. Beside her stood an imposing man with a huge pair of feathery, iridescent wings.
“You must be L, Lauren’s sister,” the woman smiled at her. “I’m Nadiah and I’m happy to meet you.”
L was surprised. How could this woman, whom she had never seen before, know that was how Lauren thought of her? How could she know it was how L thought of herself, after finally making contact with her original?
“I am,” she said carefully. “Well, actually, I’m her clone.”
Nadiah shook her head. “Sister is the word I was given by the Goddess. She wants to speak to you, you know. Before you leave for Hrakaz.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect but I don’t really believe in any—”
That was as far as L got before Nadiah’s eyes, whites and all, turned a solid emerald green and her voice took on a deep and powerful resonance L could feel all the way down in her bones. Goosebumps rippled down her arms and her doubt disappeared in an instant—she knew instinctively that she was in the presence of the supernatural. The very air around her seemed to crackle as the Goddess spoke.
“My daughter, it does not matter if you believe in me for I believe in you. I foresaw your coming thousands of years ago. Why do you think I spoke the prophecy over Draven’s birth into this universe that no one—male or female—born of woman should be able to best him? I knew that you would come—you who have neither mother nor father—to save him from himself.”
“I don’t know if I was going to save him, exactly,” L said, frowning. “Actually, I’m pretty sure I’ll have to kill him.”
A look of pain passed over the Goddess’s delicate features. “If he dies now, in his current soulless state, he will be cast into the seventh hell—the pit from which there is no escape. Not even I can draw him from such depths—his damnation will be final and eternal.” She drew in a deep breath and the emerald green eyes shone with unshed tears. “My prodigal son. How I would mourn his loss.”
L felt a twinge of sorrow for the Goddess’s pain. The prodigal son—wasn’t that what Lauren had compared her to? A child who had gone far astray but who still wanted to return home?
“I’m sorry,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “But I’m not sure what else I can do.”
“There is a way, my daughter, if you are brave.”
L lifted her chin. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Good.” A smile curved the Goddess’s lips. “Then listen well—the loss of his soul is what turned Draven into the creature he is today. I had hoped that during his enforced convalescence over these last thousand years it might have regenerated.”
“It may have—a little,” L said cautiously. “He, uh, shared some things with me that were surprisingly personal. And even though he sent me to sabotage the Kindred, he didn’t want to kill them—he just wanted to do some mischief.” She shrugged. “Although I admit, switching everyone into different bodies is more than just mischievous. It’s painful and I’m sorry for it.”
“You shall undo all the sorrow that has been done by your hand,” the Goddess said. “What you tell me of Draven cheers me greatly but I fear we don’t have time for his soul to regenerate further. His next attack on my other children may be more savage and they are in chaos now, unable to defend themselves.”
“The body swapping has caused a lot of confusion,” L admitted ruefully. “But what can I do to stop Draven short of killing him?”
“As I said before, it is his lack of more than a shred of a soul that makes him as he is. If you are willing to share your soul with him, his conscience and innate goodness would return—as well as his other angelic attributes.”
“Share my soul?” L objected. “But…I’m a clone. I don’t have a soul to share.”
“Yes, you do, my daughter.” The Goddess smiled at her. “You have the soul of Lauren’s twin—the one who died when her mother gave birth to her. Why do you think you felt so drawn to her? Why could you not kill her? Why wer
e you unable to resist her love when she offered it to you?”
“Her…her twin?” L shook her head in wonderment. “Then…I really am her sister?”
“Search your heart, L,” the Goddess said gently. “You know it to be true. Her soul cried out to yours and yours answered it. That is why you felt so instantly at home in her arms. That is why you are willing now to risk your life to save those she loves.” She leaned forward. “But I believe you feel such an affinity for Draven too, do you not?”
L thought of her pity for the Hoard Master when he cried out in his sleep, of her horror at hearing his sad tale and her wonder that he would reveal it to her at all.
“I do,” she admitted. “But Goddess, he’s utterly ruthless. And I don’t have any idea how to go about sharing my soul.”
“I will not lie, it is dangerous in the extreme. And failure could result in your death.”
“Just tell me,” L said. “I told you I’m not afraid.”
The Goddess smiled. “Your courage does you credit, daughter. Very well, I will tell you. Listen carefully…”
She outlined her plan while L listened, taking mental notes. As the Goddess said, it was extremely dangerous—an all or nothing shot. To an outsider it would look like suicide. But when she thought of the tears in Draven’s blank silver eyes and the pain in his voice, she knew she had to try it. She just hoped she would survive but if she didn’t…
“I’ll do my best,” she told the Goddess. “But you’re right—it’s really risky. What if I fail?”
The Goddess looked sad. “If you fail, Counselor Rast will repeat his father’s sacrifice. He will likely not survive and all of First World will be in mourning, especially this little one I am speaking through now. But he should be able to put Draven out of action for at least another thousand years.”
L drew herself up. “That’s not going to be necessary. I refuse to fail.”
“I’m so proud of you, my daughter.” The Goddess smiled gently. “I thank you for your courage. And I swear to you now that even if you are not able to bring Draven back to himself, you will not die in vain. You and your twin, Lauren will be united after death. That I promise you.”
“Thank you.” L felt a lump in her throat. “I…I’d like that. I’d like a chance to get to know my sister.”
“And you will,” the Goddess said gently. “In the fullness of time. Now go and take my blessings with you.”
“Thank you, Goddess.” L bowed her head respectfully and left the viewing room.
She wanted a chance to say goodbye so she decided to try and find her sister. But when she looked up, Lauren was already coming down the hallway toward her.
* * * * *
The minute Lauren looked in her sister’s eyes, she knew.
“You’re going, aren’t you?” she asked, gripping L’s hand and squeezing it tightly. “You really are going.”
“I have to, Lauren. I’m the only one who can.” L squeezed back. “I’m so sorry. I know we haven’t had much time together.”
“Much time!” Lauren exclaimed. “We haven’t even had a whole hour alone. I feel like we’ve got a lifetime of catching up to do and now you’re leaving again, possibly never…never to return.” She could barely get the words out; they stuck in her throat and made her want to cry.
“I’ll be all right,” L assured her earnestly. “This kind of thing is my bread and butter—I’ve had the best training in the universe.”
“I don’t want you to go,” Lauren whispered. “I mean, I understand why you have to. But I can’t help it. I feel like we were meant to be together.”
“That’s because we were.” L smiled at her sadly. “The Goddess told me there was a reason for our instant connection.”
“There is? What?” Lauren looked at her anxiously but L only shook her head.
“I’ll tell you when I get back—I promise.”
“But—” Lauren began but just then Olivia came jogging up to them, still wearing her mate’s body.
“Hi guys, I don’t mean to butt in here but we kind of need to know what L is going to do. Because, well…” Her face twisted. “Baird has gone into labor again and this time Sylvan says he can’t stop it.”
“I’m leaving right now,” L assured her. “I was just saying goodbye to my sister.” She pressed Lauren’s hand again. “I have to go, you know I do.”
“I know.” Lauren pulled her into a tight hug. “Just be careful. And come back to me—we have a lot of talking to do. And I still have to introduce you to Mom.”
“I want to meet her with all my heart—especially since the memories I have of her tell me what a wonderful mother she was.” L sounded wistful. “I always wanted a real mother.”
“She’s going to love you,” Lauren assured her. She sighed. “Well I guess…guess you should go. Do you want me to come to the docking bay with you?”
L shook her head. “I can run a lot faster than you—I’m not pregnant. And time is of the essence now.” She nodded at Olivia who was still wringing her hands in agitation. Then she looked at Lauren. “Goodbye, sister.”
“Goodbye, sister,” Lauren echoed. “I…I love you.”
A warm look came into L’s amber eyes. “I love you too. And I promise I’ll be back.”
With a final wave, she set off at a jog down the corridor. When she passed the curve in the long metal hallway, she disappeared from sight.
Lauren sighed heavily. “There she goes. I basically just met her and yet…I feel like I’ve known her all my life.”
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said sadly. “It’s not right for us to ask you to risk your sister.”
Lauren shook her head. “No, it’s fair. You and Sophie and Kat all sent your men to help Xairn when he had to face off against the AllFather. You put your happiness on the line for me—I can do no less for you.”
“I just want you to know how grateful I am.” Olivia pressed her hand. “And how sorry. But, well, I’d probably better get back to Baird. He’s uh, not handling the contractions very well.”
Lauren sighed. “I understand—go be with him.”
Olivia squeezed her hand one more time and then went jogging down the corridor, in the opposite direction L had taken.
Lauren walked slowly back, her feet dragging and her eyes unseeing as she somehow traversed the long metal hallway. Would she ever see L again? It sounded strange since they had just meet but she truly did feel that she had just sent a beloved sister into the lion’s den. We belong together. She’s part of me. A part she had barely even begun to know before it was ripped away…
“Lauren…”
The deep, familiar voice shook her out of her silent contemplation. Lauren looked up to see Xairn striding along the corridor.
“Olivia said I could find you here. Are you all right?” he asked gently, putting an arm around her. “You’re crying.”
“Am I?” Lauren put her fingertips to her face and they came away wet. “Oh. I guess I am.”
“You cared for her deeply, didn’t you?” Xairn asked. “I can see it in your eyes.”
“She was like the sister I never had.” Lauren took a deep breath and let it out as a sob. “I know…know that doesn’t make any sense but it’s how I feel.”
“It’s all right.” Xairn pulled her close and stroked her hair gently. “Everything will be all right, my love.”
Lauren buried her face in his broad chest and breathed him in, the dark spicy scent that had come to mean safety, security and love. But though Xairn’s strong arms around her comforted her as nothing else could, she couldn’t stem the rising tide of sorrow or shake the feeling that she would never see L alive again.
Chapter Thirty
“She broke the device! Damn it—how dare she spoil my fun! What’s the point of switching them around if I can’t see the results?” Draven raged, kicking aside the imp who was timidly offering him wine. “I should have planted a real bomb—one that would blow the entire fucking ship out of the sky! I shou
ld—”
“My, my—such language. You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
“What?” Draven turned in surprise just in time to see part of the wall melt into a human shape. It was the shadow caster in her true form—a slender girl with amber eyes and creamy light brown skin. He blinked and she was gone again, perfectly camouflaged somewhere in the room.
“I met her, you know—your mother.” Her voice came from somewhere on his left.
“I don’t have a mother,” she said sharply. “Any more than you do.”
“Not true. I met the Goddess and she still cares for you, Draven. In fact, she loves you desperately.”
“Why should I care?” he demanded, searching the room with his eyes. Where was she exactly?
“Because she loves you. Loves enough to give you another chance.”
“So she sent you? After converting you to “good”? Now why in the seven hells would she bother doing that?” Draven snarled, still looking for her.
“Maybe because she thought I cared for you.” The shadow caster’s voice was little more than a whisper now. “She thought there was something between us…something that might grow.”
Draven was shaken but he tried not to show it.
“And you believed her?” he sneered, attempting to sound incredulous.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” she murmured, right in his ear this time. “And if I didn’t feel the same.”
Draven whirled to find her fully visible again and standing right in front of him. In one hand she held a small, silver, deadly looking blade. As he watched, she sliced the skin of her palm, opening a line of crimson in her creamy brown skin.
“What are you—?” he began but the shadow caster disappeared again.
The next moment, Draven felt a sharp pain in his own palm. When he looked down, he saw that she had sliced it open as neatly as she had her own.
“You bitch!” he growled as his wound oozed a dark, blackish-red. His blood wasn’t quite the same color as the ichor the imps and trolls had running sluggishly in their veins, but it wasn’t far off. He was corrupted through and through, right down to the molecular level.