Place in This World
Melanie looked at Kingsley. Rifstel and Sherman weren’t approaching to fight us. Kingsley took a step towards them, but they stepped back. Kingsley asked, “What the hell?” I admitted, “I have no idea.” Something about Sherman’s face was bothering me.
Kingsley groaned, “Oh no. I know that face. Don’t make that face when we need to focus.” I asked, “Do we? They aren’t coming at us and….” I trailed off, wishing I could talk to her. I could speak Latin, but Sherman might know that.
I couldn’t link Kingsley, but I knew Shailagh had the power to project. Maybe Rifstel could share her powers. Or maybe he had the ability to do that as well. Sherman’s face. UGH Where have I seen it? I was mentally flipping through options. Freya assured me, “You’ll get it.” I would.
Kingsley asked, “Would now be the time to talk about this sword?” Sherman answered, “I do believe it is.” I muttered, “Umm… I do believe… that we don’t care about what you want… and you have to know that.” Sherman continued, “That sword has been around this realm longer than I have been alive.”
I asked, “Did he not hear me?” Kingsley snickered. Sherman prattled on, “It has never worked for anyone in that time. There was a time people came from all around to see if it would do more than burn them.” Ok?
Sherman pointed at me, “Yet you went for it and were going to give up the man you had to have wanted revenge on for years to do so.” Freya growled in my head, “We got Slade.” Heck yeah, we did! We got both done… because I am that gosh darn good. That made my wolf laugh.
Sherman pointed at Kingsley saying, “All to get that sword to Karlee. How did you know it would work for her?” I said, “I’m sorry… are you actually under the impression I’m going to…. tell you the answer?”
Sherman stared at me waiting for reason.
I questioned, “Is he insane, K?” They all hissed at me.
I stuck out my tongue at them. Freya snickered, “I do love you so.” Kingsley replied, “He’s smart but he doesn’t really understand people.
” No… I didn’t understand people all the time…
.and even I knew there was no way anyone in the reverse situation would answer me.
Kingsley continued, “Sherman has his goals and he definitely doesn’t care about everyone else. This sword is not part of his goal. So, while he might want to know for the sake of knowing; he doesn’t actually care.”
Sherman laughed, “Very good. Too bad you never took me up on my offer, Karlee. It could’ve been fun.” I asked, “What offer? On no… Is this an offer that’s going to make H lose his mind? I think it is. Yeah, that’s…. definitely the face everyone is making.”
Aeidelyn cried, “Someone needs to help Shailagh or she’ll to die because of her!” She pointed at me. I argued, “Point of reference… your sister was always going to die…. because she chose the side of the O’Toole’s…. and you know that.”
“You may not want to admit it… and to be fair, you’ve survived for longer than…
well, you should have. Probably by drinking Vampire blood…
and hiding. So, I mean honestly…. if Shailagh dies…
she’s had a good life.. well as good as one could have with the side you picked…
with people who don’t understand love…or loyalty. ”
“The irony is that…. the two strongest healers among the Fae are related to you…. but because of the choices you made, they won’t help you. Which is quite tragic for you… since you missed out on great people. Plus.. I have plans since you hurt my Xander….OH MY GOSH, I REMEMBER!”
Sherman chuckled then asked, “Remember what?” Kingsley ignored him asking, “Why did you bring us over here? This is very boring and we could’ve been out there, killing people.” I answered, “To annoy our mates. That’s… literally the only reason.” Mentally I added: Sherman’s not even really here.
I was pretty sure that wasn’t his physical body. Freya agreed, “I do believe that’s the case.” Sherman hummed, “Among other reasons.” UGH! Stupid, evil, man. I said, “So, this should be where the evil guys… which is you two…. goes on a monologue and explains things to us.”
Kingsley looked at me. I asked, “What? It is!” Sherman laughed, “My plan is not over. You started the war, but this is not our end. I have many plans.” I reasoned, “Ok… but you know you lose, so…. why not just speed the process along? I just want a normal freaking life…. for five seconds.” Kingsley snorted.
No one said anything. Aeidelyn pleaded, “Rif, Shailagh needs you.” The man actually looked torn before hardening himself.
I muttered, “That’s cold. She’s been with you for…
. centuries…. but then again what does everyone expect…
. from a family who turned an entire group of people against partials… for no reason other than jealousy.”
Rifstel snorted, “Jealousy? Please. Of what?” I replied, “Well… partials are pretty powerful. You were… well… obviously bitter that a partial Fairy was going to be part of huge Fairy prophecy…. once you found out it wasn’t your family.”
“The question is what pointed you to the Holloran family. Because…. you had to know it was them… and not you. None of the books I ran across… specifically say it was the Holloran family. So, I keep coming back to… how did you know?”
Sherman shrugged saying, “I don’t feel like sharing.” I snorted, “Of course you don’t. Why would you be helpful? UGH! Didn’t you … like read the bad guy handbook? THIS… right here… is the moment…. YOUR moment. Why aren’t you giving any details?”
Sherman retorted, “Life isn’t like a movie or a book.
” I disagreed, “We are Supernatural’s. THERE ARE SO MANY MOVIES…
. AND TELEVISION SHOWS ABOUT US…. BOOKS EVEN!
I have been in some weird, discombobulated life…
. not meant for me…. FOR SEVEN YEARS! SEVEN!
I think I am owed…. some sort of explanation here. ”
Sherman bartered, “I’ll tell you why we picked you.” I rolled my eyes muttering, “You would want to explain the answer I have. I know why me… I want answers about my mate.” Sherman chuckled, “We’ll get him.” I snarled at him.
Freya took over, “You’ll never touch MY MATE, you whelp!
” Sherman asked, “Do you know what I find interesting?” I rolled my eyes taking back over.
I told Kingsley, “I bet he’ll tell us…. exactly what he finds interesting…
. about something we don’t need to know…
that he finds interesting.” Kingsley snickered.
Sherman said, “There are rumors circulating about a White Wolf fighting with Black Mountain. I thought that was crazy, but I can feel the powerful aura radiating off you. I wonder how long you’ll survive when that gets out.” Freya snarled in my head.
I replied, “I’ll be just fine… no matter what you do. I’m sure you’ve noticed… I’m hard to take.” Rifstel said, “We ambushed and brought you here.” I gritted my teeth, “Letting you take me…. and you actually accomplishing it, are very different.”
Kingsley said, “Plus, you don’t even know if that’s true. I heard all of you say there’s no way Mel’s shifted yet. You’re fishing.” I countered, “They are stalling… but why? Do you really… want to see Shailagh die?” Sherman’s eyes flickered briefly towards the group making their way towards us.
I gasped, “Nooooooo! Oh, you have a death wish… you want to stay to see Haley.” Sherman hissed at me.
I elbowed Kingsley in the ribs saying, “He has a crush…. on my mother in law. I can’t wait to see my father in law rip him to pieces for that.
Or my mate… Or Elise’s… Or yours. OHHH Yours.
Definitely a combination of that group.”
Kingsley offered, “H is very protective of his aunt.” I knew that.
Freya chuckled. Sherman denied it, “I do not have a crush.” I acknowledged, “Right… you have delusions of grandeur about recreating the promised siblings with my mother in law. Except… you know she can’t have pups with you…
ergo… you just want her. Ipso facto, you have a crush. ” Sherman hissed at me again.
Patrick spoke first when the other group caught up to us. Sherman just really didn’t understand people. I dropped the information I had about what Sherman really was. Freya linked, “You really do remember everything you read.” I answered, “I really do…. I could even tell you what day it was.”
Haley was pissed along with Eric. I winked at Sherman who glared at me. Now, I just needed to tell my father in law about his crush… then he would be more upset than he already was. Ohhh… Or Xander. My options were limitless there.
Freya snorted, “This is all because Eamon’s Uncle thought he could be the female promised sibling? Seriously? That’s petty and vindictive on a whole other level. That’s coming from me, and my sister is horrid.”
I agreed, “Yup. Eamon allowed the torture of an entire race… for centuries, because he was pissed at his uncle. Not even his dad… Jeez this guy needs therapy.” Freya was cackling in my head.
I asked my wolf, “What? It’s true. At least if Eamon / Sherman had a mean mom or dad complex ok…
but his uncle didn’t like him? Haley’s uncle was WAY worse and she’s not an evil person. ”
Freya admitted, “That is true.” Sherman / Eamon had issues, that much was clear. Obviously, I should’ve talked about his DNA first. That was clearly the way to get him to talk. Rifstel actually looked gob smacked.
I lunged at him… just to prove he wasn’t there. Honestly, both men just kept getting worse. This was not a good look for them. I looked at Xander and smiled to myself. I got lucky… with him as my mate. Freya purred, “Yes, we did.”
I watched Shailagh’s face when Rifstel said goodbye to her. Oh… that was an angry face. Aiden and Haley were not happy with their remaining relatives. That was fair. I’d kick their teeth in with their own shoes… to add insult to injury.