Chapter 69
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
Ken and Alexa appeared in the centermost room of the castle in Elysia. Her whole family was already there, including her parents. There was a lot to discuss, but first she needed to put Raine’s mind at ease.
Alexa looked at her cousin, who met her gaze with wide, worried eyes.
“We found Ryker, and he’s okay. He has his memories back now, and everything is okay with him.
I think it’s more appropriate for him to talk to you about it, but just know he’s fine.
Right now, he’s investigating a pool of power he’d discovered back before he lost his memories.
The others are with him.” She turned and looked at Lucie and Derrick as she said this, letting them know where Jasper was.
Raine leaned back in her seat and buried her face in her hands. “Thank the gods. I’m going to kill him,” she whimpered as her mother comforted her.
Brody sighed with relief as he knelt beside Chelsie and their daughter.
He placed his hand on his daughter’s head and looked up at his mate.
They were both so worried that Ryker wouldn’t return to Raine.
They feared his new memories had taken him away from her, either to protect her or to pursue his old life.
One problem was solved, but now there was more they had to deal with.
He glanced over at Alexa as she continued to speak.
“Ryker mentioned that before he lost his memory, he had information that the demons were working on creating a puppet army with the nembrant glass. And this pool of energy is being used to summon some sort of powerful creatures. In my vision …” Alexa looked at her mother, grandmother, and Lucie.
They had all seen variations of the same vision.
“There were powerful creatures fighting. Monsters I had never seen before.”
“I wonder if there is a way to prevent this future …” Hunter mumbled quietly, his brows furrowed.
Reiya looked up at Lee, but the two kept quiet. They had already decided they would never mention what they’d been told about Mikah. It wasn’t an option, and they never wanted him to find out about it. Instead, they would focus on the things they could do.
We’ll wait for Mikah before we tell his news. Lee mindlinked to Reiya.
Yes, I think it’s fair that he should hear about himself first, Reiya mentally linked back. This was about Mikah, and it didn’t seem right for the whole family to know about him before he himself did.
“How will we know if this is the future we still need to stop or if this future has been changed?” Freja asked, looking at everyone.
“We never know. That’s the problem with time.
But there is one thing we can count on. No matter what the outcome is, we will do our best to meet it head-on!
” Asher smiled at everyone. He knew there was no way to look into the future to make sure everything would be okay.
But he also knew that no matter what, they could only do the best they could.
Lita looked at everyone and smiled. “Our family has sacrificed so much. We have fought hard. Sometimes it’s also best to know when to step back. We can create a safe place for our family. A new home to raise our children in safety.”
“You’re talking about sealing Elysia if that future comes …” Lucie watched her grandmother nod her head. “But if you seal it, that will mean forever, right? It means forming a parallel world away from this one.”
A strange smile rested on Lita’s lips. “Forever is a long time. What might mean forever now might not mean forever then. Or even in a few years from now …” She felt Asher’s arm slide around her waist as he held her close.
While some futures would come to pass, there was also another light.
She was able to see more of the future and the possibilities.
They had come to her in dreams she was certain her mother was sending her. These dreams gave her hope.
“This fight isn’t just about us. Sealing Elysia isn’t just about protecting our family. It’s about creating a safe place for magical creatures. They will all need our protection,” Reiya added.
Hunter snorted, and Reiya turned to see him shaking his head.
“If we stay and fight, we can protect the world that way too.” Hunter frowned. He didn’t like the idea of running away.
“At what price?” Lita asked quietly. “The price of your lineage? You could lose them all. Your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. All the way down the line. Would you risk losing them all? Hunter … it’s our job to protect magic.
This must be our number-one priority. If you’re worried about the packs, we’ll take them in too.
Some will choose to stay, but anyone seeking refuge will be welcome.
All shifters and creatures of magic will have a chance for refuge. ”
“How?” Chelsie asked in confusion. She thought when Elysia was sealed it was only for fairies.
“Just how this isn’t the same fairy kingdom when my mother was queen. A fairy queen is now also part werewolf.” Lita looked up at Lucie and Alexa. “A mixture of vampire, witch, dragon, wolf, and deity. Elysia has evolved with its royalty. It isn’t just a home for fairies anymore.”
“But some will have to stay behind. Some need to stay back and fight. Even if it is just a small chance …” Justice whispered.
“And that will be every person’s choice when the time comes.” Lita cleared her throat. “But let’s not dwell on this.”
“Right, we have another threat we need to concentrate on now.” Alexa watched as they all looked up at her. “A cloaked army is moving toward Elysia. We were informed that there is an army of the Unblessed headed this way.”
Grayson snorted. “Idiots. What do they think they can accomplish by marching on Elysia? The guardians alone can handle them.”
“We don’t know the purpose or what else is cloaked.
But if Erebus is behind this … we need to think about what he’s trying to do.
Is this a diversion for something else? Or is he trying to draw the family outside of Elysia?
The idiot doesn’t think things through. I wonder if he even realizes Levi and I will be here.
” Ken rubbed the creases on his forehead.
“Grayson, have the defenses ready. Let the guardian at the barrier know to be on alert.” Asher looked over at Ken. “How much time do we have?”
“Two to three days.” Ken watched as Asher nodded his head.
“Then we can’t afford to waste a single second. We need to make sure that our home is strengthened. I want the defenses to be ready by the time the army reaches the border.” Asher looked at Grayson. “We have a lot of work to do.”
“I’ll send word to the centaurs,” Chasen said as he stood up. “I’d rather we be over-prepared than under-prepared.”
Preparations were being made and they were erring on the side of caution. They weren’t sure what they were up against, but they wanted to be ready. The sun had disappeared from the trees, and there was only a faint blue hue left. That was when two large dragons descended from the skies.
“They’re back,” Alexa said, but her brows furrowed as she noticed Mikah wasn’t with them.
She realized Ryker wasn’t either, so she figured he must be with him.
Still, her heart rate started to pick up as an anxious feeling washed over her.
Jasper and Terra jumped off Bella and Brian’s backs before they shifted back to their human selves.
Alexa walked up to them, with Ken by her side.
“Where is Ryker?!” Raine asked, looking around frantically.
“I’m going to meet him soon. He needed to relay a message to a group of dragons.” Brian looked up at Ken and Levi. “We found the pool of power. It …”
“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen or felt,” Jasper whispered, looking at Derrick. “You should have felt the malevolence coming off of it.”
“And it is huge. It takes up a massive area of a swamp,” Brian added, noticing the concern in both Levi and Ken’s eyes.
“Wait, so where’s Mikah?” Alexa asked anxiously.
“He stayed behind to see who was feeding the swamp. We told him we would bring Levi back to check it out.” Brian saw Alexa look up at Ken. They seemed to be having a mental conversation from the looks in their eyes.
Alexa, no!
I’m going. Mikah’s there!
You stay here. I’ll go.
Ken, I’m going, and no one is telling me differently. I am not a child. I am not weak. I am a powerful demigod and my mate is a deity. Plus, I am my own person and can make this decision on my own.
Then don’t decide like a child. You have a responsibility to stay safe.
I have a responsibility to Mikah!
The two quietly faced off as their emotions and thoughts poured through to each other. His worry for her safety and hers for Mikah. Her determination and strength swarmed in Ken’s head. And Ken felt his resolve crumble.
Ken growled lowly, still unhappy over the situation. He turned to look at Brian. “We’re coming too.”
“No,” Levi said simply.
“It doesn’t work like that anymore, Dad. You can’t keep me locked up and a prisoner here.”
“You can become one real quick.” Levi growled as his dark eyes flashed up at Ken.
“Pick your battles, right? Alexa has made up her mind. This isn’t one I’m willing to challenge her over. I can teleport her away instantly if I have to.” Ken turned and looked at Alexa. “And I will. Regardless of who is fighting. I will leave them to protect you. You’re sure you’re coming?”
Alexa snorted and walked a few steps away.
She shifted into her dragon and roared into the air.
She was going to Mikah. There was a nauseating feeling swirling in her stomach, and her chest felt uncomfortable.
Mikah was probably fine. She was just worried about him. She would feel better once she saw him.
The four dragons landed near the swamp. Levi’s colossal dragon made the earth tremble as he landed. Ken hopped off of Alexa’s back and she shifted back to her human self. Ken instantly took her hand, intending to keep her within arms reach at all times.
Brian and Bella led them through the forest and down the ravine. Ken would have teleported there instantly if he’d known where the location was. Instead, he had to fly here on Alexa’s back.
Ken looked up as they came to the swampy area.
The dark energy swirled around menacingly.
He looked over at Levi, whose lips curled up in disgust. The foul power in front of them was overwhelming.
Even as deities, they had rarely seen anything like this.
This was the type of power you would find in the demon world, not here.
“Where’s Mikah?” Alexa asked, looking around. Her breathing grew heavy as her heart raced. Her fingers began trembling and she couldn’t shake the suffocating feeling constricting her lungs.
“Mikah!” Brian called out, looking around. “This is where we left him.”
“Mikah!” Alexa felt hot tears stream down her face as her lungs constricted. A pain in her chest sizzled through her. Her palms began to sweat as she whipped her head around frantically.
“Easy, Lex.” Ken wrapped her in his arms. Her distress was out of control now. She was getting desperate. “Shh. Shh. Shh.” He glanced up at Levi, who was looking around the edges of the swamp, scanning for signs of Mikah like everyone else.
“These tracks are fresh,” Levi whispered as Brian knelt next to him.
“Those weren’t here before.” Brian frowned and looked around. There was no sign of Mikah anywhere. The only lead they had was the tracks in front of them. He looked up at Levi and mentally connected with him.
She can’t come with us now. She’s too emotional.
Levi nodded his head. The only way I can keep her from this is if I seal her temporarily.
She’ll put up a fight. And I don’t think Ken will allow that.
Levi frowned as he looked up at his daughter.
Ken had his arms wrapped around her. She wasn’t crying, but her hands were trembling.
Suddenly, she stepped away from Ken and looked around.
Her face was taunt, and her lips were pursed in a thin line.
“If someone has hurt him … I will make them suffer whatever pain tenfold.” Alexa took a couple of steps toward her father, with Ken at her side.
She could feel his concern for her, but she quickly blocked him out.
She put up a mental wall, pushing them all out.
There was only one thing on her mind right now. Mikah.
“Lex, you should go back to your mother and help Elysia prepare.” Levi turned to face his daughter as she flicked her gaze at him.
“You can do that. You go back to Elysia. I’m going after Mikah.” Alexa squeezed her fingers into a tight ball as the wind began to swirl angrily. “Whoever has taken him … is going to pay.”