Chapter 21 Take Me to the Bane #2
“No problem. I haven’t used this place in years, since before I left the business. It’s the perfect place for you to hold up.” He looked around. “You just missed Rayna. She really wanted to meet you, but she had to run back to earth.”
“Sorry I missed her.” I smiled. “Thank you for letting us stay here.”
“When this is all over, we can double date.” Metice smirked. “Rayna will probably insist on it.”
“A date?” The question slipped from my lips before I glanced at Raymond. I couldn’t even be mad at the way his jaw tightened.
Girl, you were just hanging from this man’s neck, kissing on him and telling him you wanted to make sure he was happy! And now you’re freaking out that someone suggested you go on a date? Get it together!
Metice quickly turned and headed for the kitchen. Because who the hell would want to stand there in such an awkward situation? I braced for Raymond to say something, but he didn’t. He turned and walked away, following the other demon.
I thought about saying something, apologizing for my outburst, but just then, the necklace pulsed around my neck. It was Jackie reaching out to me, and without a second thought, I wrapped my hand around the stone and closed my eyes.
“Thank God!” I blurted out when I saw her face. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I mean, mostly. Why are you thanking God? What happened?” Jackie’s eyes widened. “Are you hurt? Because I promised Raymond I would kick his ass if—”
“I, um, nothing happened. You just saved me from an awkward conversation.” I spoke quickly to calm her down. “Wait. Why is everything mostly okay? What’s wrong?”
“Well…” Jackie chewed her lip. “We have a minor problem.”
“We do?” My heart raced. “Did someone get hurt? Did the demons attack you?”
“I can’t find Kaa,” Jackie said, and my panic eased.
“What do you mean, you can’t find her?” I asked.
“I’ve searched this house top to bottom, and all plants are accounted for except the one that can slither away.”
“She might just be hiding. Maybe she’s upset that I didn’t come there to say goodbye before I left. Just leave out some of the liquid plant food. Usually, that works, and she reappears after a day or so. She’ll be fine. How was everything else?”
“Everything is wonderful,” she reassured me. “You still have a business. Have you found Natalie yet?”
“No, we’ve only been here a little while. We just got to the place we’re staying.”
“Okay, well, at least we know these things work across the realms. Sound quality is not as good, but it works. Let me know as soon as you find out anything more.”
“Yeah. I will.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked. “I know you were trying to tell me something before Raymond came back. Do you want to talk about it now?”
“So far, I’m all good. But no, I don’t think this is the time to talk about it.” I shook my head.
“Okay. I’m here.” She winked.
“I know.” My lips lifted in an appreciative smile.
That static in my mind increased, and Jackie’s voice faded.
“I think the connection is failing.” I sighed. “Love you, girl.”
“Love you too!”
And she was gone. I opened my eyes and removed my hand from the stone. I looked at the doorway to the kitchen. In clear view was the counter, and next to it, Raymond’s back. Damn it, if I didn’t want to run away.
“Jericha! You’re here!” the cheerful voice startled me from behind.
I turned around to find Cufio standing behind me, and behind him, stepping through a portal, was Noville. I didn’t think it was possible, but the big guy looked relaxed. His shoulders were loose, and his dark lips lifted into a smile as he nodded.
“Yeah, we made it.” I smiled.
“Is the mean one with you?” Cufio’s eyes darted around, looking for someone.
“The mean one?” I frowned then caught on to what he meant. “No. Jackie isn’t here.”
“Hmm. I thought she would force Raymond into taking her along for the ride, but never mind. You’re right on time!” He clapped, and as he did, Raymond and Metice came out of the kitchen. “Brother, it's so good to have you home finally.”
“This isn’t my home,” Raymond bristled, and once again, he hardened.
I glanced at Metice, who was right behind him. Something was definitely up with the two of them. It was like Raymond put on a shield the moment he got around the guy who had his horns proudly displayed atop his head now.
“Well, no. They burned your place down after you left, but you know what I mean.”
“What do you have for us?” Metice asked.
“Good news. We know exactly where Natalie is.” Cufio inhaled sharply. “Bad news is, she’s in the last place we want her to be.”
“Where is that?” I asked.
“Klougus has her,” Noville answered, saying a name I didn’t know. He looked at me and offered the explanation I needed. “The guy we all once worked for.”
“Oh,” I said, quickly glancing at Raymond, noticing his worried expression.
“Fuck.” Raymond grunted. “Guess we’re headed there sooner than we thought.”
“Yes, but we need to make another stop first,” Cufio added.
“Why do we need to make another stop? We’re here to save Natalie. That’s what matters,” I spoke up.
“She wants to see her,” Cufio said to Raymond, not me. “It was a part of the deal for making those charms.”
“Does this have to happen now?” Raymond looked at me then at Metice.
“You’re seriously asking me that question?” Metice laughed. “I told you how she was with me. That woman doesn’t like to wait; she’ll deactivate those stones just to be petty.”
“You’re right. Let's go.”
“Better if you two go alone.” Cufio winked. “Let me know how the water is.”
“Shut up.” Raymond moved to me and held out his hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s better if you see it. Trying to explain it will take too long.”
“Okay.” I placed my hand in his as the shadows opened.
On the other side of the path was the opening to a cave.
We stood there together, and I felt that tingle of intuition.
Something inside me told me I knew this place, but how could I?
I was in another world, far from anything I’d ever seen or experienced.
But still, that feeling of déjà vu was there.
“You ready?” Raymond asked me, his eyes looking straight ahead of him at the opening.
“Do you expect me to say yes?” I laughed nervously. “I don’t even know what’s in there.”
“No, I don’t. Let's go.”
We entered the cave, first walking through a narrow space before we came to a wider space with curved walls that reached to an impossibly high ceiling.
And then, it hit me: another wave of familiarity.
I had been there before. Confusion washed over me as I saw the dark pool of water, its surface moving with soft ripples.
“This isn’t possible!” I frowned, pointing at the water. “How is this here?”
Raymond looked at me, his eyes wide. He gripped my hand like he was about to snatch me up and carry me out of there.
“You’re here. Finally,” a cool, melodic voice sang out.
Our heads snapped to the back of the cavern where she appeared. Her skin glowed, and those eyes, soft pink orbs, found my face.
The woman I’d dreamed of all those years ago.
Wrapped around her neck was the scarf I’d left behind.