Chapter 117

Jerold

“Fuck.” Said the Horned One. “She cannot know. You were not here…. But I do not give anything. You have as of yet to do your end of this bargain.”

“I told you to just let him have Tvendrrealion’ahz.” Said the Pit given form, his herald is the End, the Finality of souls. On a whim, I could have been shredded, without a trace of me left…. And my mate would have never known….

This was so reckless… I am in a place where even my maker cannot save me, yet I know myself. I would try this regardless of whether I knew the dangers or not…. And I was greatful to the Moon Goddess….

She saved my life.

I don’t understand why?

“If I cannot have my way, then I will do the next best. You will Bake, and Broil. Your bones will be gelatin by the time you leave here, but I will not lay hands nor claw on what my wife saw fit to bless… If I damage you, or ruin your bond, she will hate me for it. So you will hurt, but not forever...”

A flash of blue lightning and smoke appeared, followed by my maker in white robes.

“Wait your majesty! Don’t-” he was cut off by the dismissive hand wave of a King who was somewhat thwarted.

“I already Saw Humblon.” Sighed the Horned One. “… How fairs my mate…. Is she well?”

“He keeps her alive.” Said The Lord of Mercy, looking away as if he was ashamed. “I can’t do much more King of the Void…. If the King of the Sun found out that I even told you this much, her suffering would increase twentyfold… It’s why I asked her to bestow her mercy, in exchange for this message. She said ‘I love you, but please don’t punish the innocent, or be angered that the forces of Light preserve the humans in their charge. One day, I will be free, and I will see my children.”

Children?!!!

I thought there was only one…. Shit.

“Relay to her that our youngest is safe, and I ensure our babe does not, nor will not, participate in the war…. Tell her that I love her… I think of her always… I will love her always….” Said the Horned One with a sigh. The thought of his mate stopped such an insatiable temper. “And I suppose, if I cannot break this flesh, I should send it back up.”

“And I will not ask for your youngest’s name, nor location.” Said Humblon. He grabbed my hand, but I watched my body walk away with him. “So long as your youngest child remains uninvolved, and honestly much too young, I don’t think it would be right to tell my brother.”

My body looked back at me with a sad, knowing look… It knew what I was about to endure, and I would not be broken.

\----Noah-----

Speaking with another person with Second sight, having some regenerative tea, and having a moment to decompress made me feel better about all this.

Apparently at some point, I’d encountered an old one with an aura that was too much. I bet it was Dr. Sampson… I remember the twang of fear that went through me when we spoke, and I was in an environment where I didn’t have the time, or forethought to fight it. That’s what the tea was for. And now, I felt refreshed.

I was also a little excited to be back so I could share my findings with Jerold too. I was hoping to know if he got Mr. Twarznai back or not, and how he went about it.

When I got back to the office, Jerold was sitting in the office, but he felt… different. His eyes were fully red, and he sat there, staring at me as if he was conflicted.

I didn’t feel any love off him…. I couldn’t tell that was my husband.

“Where’s Jerold?” I asked firmly. “Why’s there a moon on your neck too. You should try harder next time.”

I had my hand on my gun, ready to draw it, but Not Jerold sighed.

“Feel your neck; the mistress graced you both with her mercy.” Said the impostor.

He was right… The symbol on my neck had the Praying Hands of Mercy inside the Cresent Moon of the Moon Goddess…. Every single feature that Jerold had was there, except the feeling I get when I look at him… His eyes were there, but they were red, dead, and hollow… He didn’t smell as enticing as he usually does, nor did he seem particularly affectionate as he looked at me. That’s how I knew that wasn’t him.

I realized that I felt a little empty, but not fully…. It was almost as if I were connected to that body, but something was missing…

“I suppose we’re like shifter mates now.” I mumbled.

I didn’t know there was any kind of difference?

“That the mistress marks you both, means you are true mates. The God of Mercy tends to make less bonded pairs, but the mistress in her benevolence allows mortals to understand how she feels for the master….. But also….” He fumbled around with his fingers, looking down as if he were sheepishly embarrassed. “I had no intention of deceiving you; you just were too quick witted to give me a chance.” The imposter chuckled. “I am far too greatful to do such a thing.”

“Then speak. Where’s my mate, and what did you do to him demon?” I demanded, raising my voice only a little louder than speaking volume, but it caused a chain reaction.

“That’s all I needed to hear.” Said the Chief, barging in first, followed by Beck, who didn’t say anything.

“Get back Noah!” Yelled Rory.

Bobby had his gun out, pointed at the demon’s chest, which worried me. A shootout in here could end up with an innocent bystander outside in the hospital should a bullet get out the window.

I didn’t realize my slight tone would spark a crowd, but the room was Instantly barged in. Everyone was behind me, putting me behind them as they flooded the room like a swarm of fire ants. They had their guns drawn, ready to shoot, but he shook his head.

The imposter held up his hands, and sighed.

“I’m occupying your mate’s body to ensure no one else can. It’s just me by the way, Tvendrrealion’ahz. Compel or exercise me if you wish, but know your mate will be a body without a soul, and likely suffocate, or heart stop.” Twarznai warned.

“…. Did he do this to release you?” I asked.

“Your mate volunteered himself to my torments, and I’m pretty much imprisoned in this body until his trail is over… Being in flesh… I hate it. I feel all mushy and floppy…. Ugh.” He complained. “This is worse than the wrack.”

“And he just did this without so much as saying anything to me that he’d do something THAT dangerous?!” I said a little pissed.

“I heard his summon spell. It was not his intention; the master was initially going to do much more than this, but the mistress, in her mercy, blessed this body that it is not crushed by the weight of the master’s might…. Your love did that.”

“Oh…. Well, when you put it like that, I’m not as mad but I’m still Kind of mad.” I admitted.

“I suppose, but please, forgive him. Your mate stood before the master and was judged, yet, he was found innocent. That sways the mistress’s heart, and for it, he will return to you maybe a little singed, but fully intact.”