Murder Read online

  Evangeline toyed with a strand of his dark, silky hair. “I don’t want you to go there. I don’t want anyone to go there.”

  “I know, but we have to free Murder’s mate.”

  “Why didn’t she just come with you when you freed Murder?” Evangeline asked.

  “I do not know. Maybe she thought she had to remain there, maybe she thought Murder wouldn’t survive and she couldn’t bear witnessing it. My guess is Murder was less than pleasant while he was there, and she believed he wouldn’t want her. Regardless, he’s found her, and he wants to go back for her. I cannot deny him. When I was going after you, I didn’t invite him. He wasn’t supposed to go along, but he refused to be left behind. He grabbed his blade and asked when we were leaving. He’s always stood right beside me, no matter my choices, wrong or right.”

  “I know. And I wouldn’t ask you not to go, it just brings things back that I’d rather not remember.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help distract you?” Lore asked, suckling a spot on her neck.

  “Mmmm,” Evangeline moaned softly. “Perhaps, but, maybe a little lower.”

  “Here?” Lore asked, suckling her breast.

  “Lower,” Evangeline answered breathlessly, lifting her hips ever so slightly from the bed.

  “I do believe you are becoming quite wicked, my sweet,” Lore teased as he kissed his way down her belly.

  “I do have to keep up with you, you know,” Evangeline answered. Before arching her back and crying out. “Yes! There! Right there!” she cried as he settled himself between her thighs, pushing her thighs forward toward her chest to give himself easier access to his favorite treat.

  “Let me hear you, sweet. Let me hear how you love this,” Lore whispered before using his tongue and eventually his teeth to tease her into a frenzy.

  The morning was filled with the passionate cries of two lovers, reaffirming their love for one another, calling their pleasure to the heavens, as one lone Gargoyle stomped around the wet ground of the marshes he called home, growing steadily more irritated as he called out for Lore.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Murder stalked over the wet ground of Whispers as he made his way to Carnage’s home. He had no doubt Lily could call Lore for him, on the slight chance that Lore didn’t actually hear him. Finally, when he was almost to Carnage’s home, he threw his head back and bellowed for Lore. Murder started his march toward Carnage’s home again, stopping when he noticed a purple and silver mist gathering and swirling about his feet.

  Moments later Lore stood there before him. “You called, my friend?” Lore asked, a very peaceful smile on his face. Most of the angst that had been a part of him for so long was no longer detectable.

  “I’ve been calling,” Murder answered.

  “I know. I came as quickly as I could. If you’d been in danger, I’d have come immediately,” Lore explained.

  “My female could be in danger. And I’m slowly going insane. The longer I’m away from her, the worse it gets. I need to go to her, Lore. I agreed to wait for a while, for both recuperation and for you and Evangeline. But it’s time now. I can wait no longer,” Murder explained passionately.

  “I know. And I’m ready,” Lore answered.

  “You are?” Murder asked, with a slight smile beginning to curve his lips.

  “I am.”

  Murder looked down at his feet, then up again to Lore. The expression on his face spoke of the relief he’d finally get when Phrygia was back here safe and in his arms.

  “Are you ready to claim your peace in this world, my friend?” Lore asked.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Then let’s do this,” Lore answered, swirling his mists around himself and Murder and swiftly fading from view.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  “Wan egg?” Carnage asked, very carefully cracking eggs into a bowl to scramble.

  “Yes, please,” Evangeline answered from her place on the floor beneath Boon and Lily. As soon as she’d arrived, she’d gotten down on the floor with the children and the wrestling had ensued.

  “Evangeline, you be careful. They are little ruffians!” Carolena said laughingly.

  “We’re not gonna hurt her, Momma,” Lily answered, squealing when Evangeline grabbed her from behind and pulled her back into the three way wresting match she and both children had going on.

  “Leenah?” Carnage asked, lifting an egg in her direction.

  “Yes, please. And thank you for being careful breaking them,” Carolena answered.

  Carnage grinned at her. He’d never admit it, but there were times he smashed the eggs on purpose so she’d have something to get all riled up about and correct him on. He loved when she was all riled up and taking control of things with her eyes flashing, her cheeks reddened.

  A purple and silver mist began to swirl around the floor near the dinner table. Lily saw it and jumped to her feet. “Uncle Lore!” she shouted, clapping and jumping up and down.

  Before she had time to blink, Uncle Lore stood there with Uncle Murder.

  “Uncle Murder!” Lily added.

  “I told you I’d be right back,” Lore said, scooping Lily up in his arms for a big hug.

  “I know, but sometimes you forget how long it’s been. Momma says you can’t help it because not all time passes the same,” Lily said.

  “She’s right. But, I’m trying to be more aware of it now that I have so many people I love and have to keep up with. I don’t want to go on a trip just to find you’re all grown up when I get back!” he said, tickling her.

  Immediately Lily got sad. “I wouldn’t like that either.”

  “It’s not going to happen,” Lore promised.

  “Okay,” Lily said, before sliding down his body to walk over to her mother.

  “I didn’t mean to make you sad, Lily,” Lore said.

  “I’m not sad,” Lily answered, knowing full well that she couldn’t help the fear she now had of anyone she loved going away for a very, very long time. And lately every time she saw Lucitari, which wasn’t very often, she was subdued and quiet, too.

  “She’s okay, Lore. She’s just a little more emotional of late,” Carolena said, cupping the back of Lily’s head and pulling her to her to hug against her leg.

  “Well hopefully, this doesn't make it worse, but I was wondering if Evangeline could stay here with you and Carnage for a few days.”

  “Of course,” Carolena answered at the same time Carnage answered with his typical, “’Es!”.

  “Thank you, so much. Murder and I are going away for a few days, and I didn’t want to leave Evangeline alone at our home,” Lore explained.

  “You know you are both family. We’re always here no matter what,” Carolena said warmly.

  “It should only be a few days, but it’s hard to say exactly how many,” Lore added.

  “It’s okay. We have plenty of room for her, and if she gets bored, she can visit with Destroy and Rowan, or Enthrall and Felicity,” Carolena answered.

  “’Arnge no go,” Carnage announced, shaking his head and putting his arm around Carolena.

  “Had enough of being away from your woman?” Murder asked with a smile.

  “’Es,” Carnage answered. “Home!” he said, pointing at the floor.

  “I don’t blame you, I plan to stay home every single day once I get my woman back home,” Murder said.

  Carnage felt bad because he wasn’t going to help Murder get his woman out of Hell. He dropped his arm from around Carolena and stepped toward Murder. “Neee ‘Arnge?” he asked, pointing to himself with a concerned look on his face.

  Lily pulled away from her mother and walked over to Murder, who knelt down so he could be closer to Lily’s level while he held up a finger to ask Carnage to give him a minute.

  “Hi, Uncle Murder,” Lily said.

  “Hello, sweet girl. Why are you sad?” he asked.

  “I’m not. I just feel kind of worried lately. And I don’t like my family going away all the ti
me.”

  “We’ll be right back,” Murder promised.

  “At least,” he said, looking at Lily for confirmation. “I think we will be right back.”

  Lily nodded. “You won’t have to stay this time. You’re coming back home.”

  “Thank you, Lily. We really won’t be long. I’m anxious to get my mate back here so we can have a happy life like your mama and papa do,” Murder explained.

  “Isn’t she here already?” Lily said, looking at him with a confused expression.

  Murder thought her comment was strange. He knew she’d never met Phrygia, so how could she think that Phrygia was here already?

  “No, Lily. Phrygia isn’t here yet. But it won’t be much longer and she will be here,” Murder explained.

  Lily looked at Murder with a very confused expression on her face. “Who’s Phrygia?” she finally asked.

  “Phrygia is my mate,” Murder explained.

  Lily started shaking her head to disagree, but Murder’s attention was taken by a knock at the door.

  “No, really it’s okay, Carnage,” Lore was answering Carnage’s question of if they needed him or not. “We’ve got someone else coming along to help us,” Lore answered. “We stopped there before coming here. It’s all taken care of already.”

  “Well, I know it can’t be Destroy,” Carolena said. “With Rowan pregnant there’s not a chance of him getting more than six feet from her at all times.”

  There was a quick knock at the door before the knob turned and the third of their party entered. “Good morning!” Enthrall called.

  “Good morning,” everyone answered.

  “Uncle Enthrall,” Lily said, running to have Enthrall pick her up.

  “Mo’ eggs,” Carnage said and turned back to the kitchen counter to scramble up more eggs for Enthrall.

  “You’re going with them to bring back Phrygia?” Carolena asked.

  “Of course I am,” Enthrall asked. “Why would I not?”

  “I guess I just assumed… I don’t know… Because you seem so much more human I just thought it would be either Carnage or Destroy that would need to go,” Carolena tried to explain.

  Enthrall smiled at her as he approached her, Lily still in his arms, to kiss her cheek. “Just because I’m so pretty doesn’t mean that I’m any less dangerous than any of these males, in some cases maybe even more so. Besides, I happen to be acquainted with one of two of their more powerful inhabitants. I’m fully capable of providing backup as needed.”

  “Now you just sound like Destroy,” Carolena answered, giggling at his comment that he was pretty.

  “Oh my gods, I do, don’t I? I’ve been spending far too much time with that male,” Enthrall answered.

  “Eggs!” Carnage announced, placing two huge platters of eggs scrambled with ham, tomatoes and potatoes in them in the middle of the table.

  “Everyone eat, then we can talk plans,” Carolena said.

  “Plans? You mean, sneak in, grab her and run?” Lore asked, grinning.

  “That’s your plan?” Evangeline asked.

  Lore smiled beguilingly at his mate. “It worked before, didn’t it?”

  Evangeline lowered her lashes, peeking at Lore through them, still such an innocent in so many of her mannerisms. “It did.”

  “Then it’s a sound plan,” Lore declared.

  “Do we have to eat?” Murder asked, obviously on edge.

  “Eat, Murder. You will need your strength. She’s only a step away through time. We’ll be there before you know it,” Lore answered.

  Murder took a seat and graciously accepted the plate that was passed to him, but anyone could see the worry clearly on his face. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was enduring while he was here enjoying a breakfast with friends.

  Chapter 3

  Having said their goodbyes, and with their friends looking on, Lore, Murder, and Enthrall stood on Carnage’s deck in the early morning sunlight. Lore looked to Murder and placed a hand on his massive shoulder. “You’re sure?” he asked.

  Murder didn’t hesitate. He nodded. “Yes!.” He laid his arm over Lore’s shoulders, holding on securely.

  “And you?” Lore asked, looking at Enthrall.

  “I need to be there as well,” Enthrall answered.

  “Then, let us away,” Lore responded, his purple and silver mists beginning to swirl at their feet.

  Enthrall reached out and took hold of Lore’s bicep, then closed his eyes to assist with the transport of the three of them into Hell.

  At the last moment Murder had the inescapable urge to open his eyes. When he did, he saw Lily standing there, watching them. But instead of Carolena standing behind her, it was Lucitari. The look on Lucitari’s face was one of defeat, of heartbreak. She didn’t smile, she didn’t speak, just watched him go. Him personally, not all three of them.

  He took a deep breath, holding it for a second before letting it out slowly through pursed lips.

  “You won’t get stuck,” Lily offered, thinking his mannerisms telling of his nerves.

  Murder offered her a smile as they faded from view, leaving behind a faint swirl of purple and silver.

  Lily tilted her head back, looking upside down at Lucitari who still stood behind her. “He won’t get stuck this time.”

  “I know,” Lucitari answered, smiling down at Lily.

  “Why are you sad?” Lily asked her favorite aunt.

  “I’m just tired, Lily. I’m very, very tired,” Lucitari answered.

  Lily watched her suspiciously for a brief moment. “If he can’t see you, then he’s not good enough,” Lily finally said simply.

  Lucitari smiled at Lily. “Perhaps you are correct, little girl. How did you get so wise?” Lucitari asked.

  Lily wiggled her fingers and the wisps of her lavender and silver colored mists wafted away from her fingers.

  “I forget sometimes, you are so much more than just a girl,” Lucitari confessed.

  “Maybe you could sleep for a little while, and come back all fresh,” Lily suggested.

  “I just may do that,” Lucitari answered.

  “You should sleep,” Lily said, more confident in that option now.

  Lucitari looked down at Lily. Regardless of her strength and power, she still saw things so simply. It was a gift she hoped the child never lost. “I fear not even sleep can heal that which ails me. But I shall try it.” Lucitari reached out a ghostly hand and stroked it through Lily’s hair.

  “Won’t you stay for a while, Lucitari?” Carolena asked, walking over to where her daughter and Lucitari stood, speaking softly to one another. “We’ve been busy making snacks and decorations for Rowan’s baby party. We hope you’ll join us for the party. And you could help us prepare for it,” Carolena invited.

  “Thank you for the invitation. But I must be on my way. Many things to tend to,” Lucitari answered sadly.

  “You should visit us,” Evangeline added warmly, trying to reach out to Lucitari as well. It was obvious she was feeling off. “I know Lore misses you. He speaks of you fondly.”

  “If I’m able, perhaps I will,” Lucitari said. The pain the female was dealing with was palpable to all present.

  Slowly, without further explanation, Lucitari began to fade from view. Her blue and silver swirling mists enveloping her as she faded away.

  “Come see me later!” Lily called. “And come to the baby party with me! We’ll have fun!”

  “I will try,” her voice could be heard answering, though she was already misting away.

  “Promise! Please come with me!” Lily insisted.

  “I will promise to try,” Lucitari’s voice whispered as an echo in her absence.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Murder, Lore, and Enthrall traversed the realms necessary to reach Hell. While they were all there in a capacity of support and defense of their friends, they each had their own reasons, their own agendas. Lore was fulfilling a promise to his best friend. Murder was on a mission to free the fe
male he believed was his mate. Enthrall was there because he believed in second chances, and at this particular time, he needed to know if the soul begging for a second chance in his dreams every night was truly ready for that chance.

  Enthrall had spoken to Lore regarding that same soul, but Lore was less inclined to believe the soul was ready. Before making a judgment on his request for sanctuary among them, Enthrall had to see for himself. His integrity demanded at least that much.

  As the scenery, the wailing, the winds, and the glimpses of other places and times slowed to nothing around them, Murder, Lore, and Enthrall became aware that their feet were on solid ground. “We’re here,” Lore announced. Murder opened his eyes and looked around. The slate and shale walls, the dingy, smoke filled corridor. The scent of sulfur heavy in the air. The distant wails of those in torment. This was indeed Hell.

  “Where is she?” Lore asked Murder.

  Murder looked at Lore with a question clearly expressed in his eyes. “How would I know?” he asked.

  “She is your mate, how would you not know?” Lore countered.

  Murder, completely unfamiliar with the whole mate thing, wrinkled up his forehead and narrowed his eyes as he considered Lore’s words. “Let me try to find her,” he finally conceded. He closed his eyes and did what he considered to be opening himself up and sending out feelers for her. Honestly, he got nothing back, but he continued to try. “Let’s try the holding cells. I think she is there,” he finally answered.

  Slowly Lore began moving, unsure of exactly where the holding cells were since he no longer had Evangeline’s voice and sobs to lead him, and the layout of Hell changed each time the Dark One moved through it. “Perhaps if I try to go directly to the cell you were in, and we move outward from there…”

  “Let’s do it,” Murder answered.

  “Enthrall, you are on alert?” Lore asked.

  “I am. Reading the emotions in all directions,” he answered. “It is devastating,” he added on a whisper as he fell into step behind Lore and Murder, keeping well within the circle of Lore’s mists for protection.