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Rez
Why did I have the more complicated weapon to clean? Mine takes longer than all the others, but when I finally finish, we’re released and told to meet in the parlor. I sidle up next to Knots as we walk back.
“Do you really think there’s going to be a war?” I ask as I slip my arm in his. He’s wearing a dark blue long sleeve shirt, and I notice it somewhat feels a little damp.
“In my long existence, I can say there’s always war, Rez. There are only small bouts of peace between them,” he points out and takes a deep breath.
“Damn. I never thought of it that way,” I admit. I bite my lip before I bring up his condition. “You’re feeling a little sweaty. Are you okay? How are you handling the effects?” I ask.
“I’m fin—”
“Nope. Don’t want to hear that bullshit.” I stop, and he turns toward me. “I want to know what the effects are. I already know you’re fine. I can see that myself, Knots. That is if you consider ‘fine’ being able to stand up and nothing else. I want to know what’s happening to you. How are you feeling? What’s becoming difficult for you? If anything you should be training us, not sparring with the rest of L.A.M.B.,” I state as I move his hair out of his face. He’s left it down today, and I can see where it’s starting to stick to his forehead where he’s sweating.
“I’m just finding myself more lethargic, that’s all. That’s the only side effect I’m feeling right now.” He smiles at me, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “But we’ll be out of here soon enough, and everything will be fine. You’ll see.” He pulls me against him and kisses me.
The way he kisses me leaves no doubt that he’s still capable and strong enough to do other things. I go to deepen the kiss when Lynx calls down the hall.
“Come on, slowpokes; we’re waiting on you.”
“I really am going to skin him,” Knots mumbles against my lips.
“I’m sure he would like to see you try.” I laugh and pull him along with me.
We walk into the parlor, and it looks like everyone is ready to go. They are only waiting on us. Oops.
“Sorry,” I apologize.
“Now that everyone is here,” Lucifer begins, and pulls out the map that I found yesterday.
“Wait, Zissa isn’t here yet,” Astaroth says.
“Oh, she’s coming with?” I ask, perking up. I haven’t seen our Succubus friend since our adventure out looking for ingredients.
“Yes, she will be helping us in our search. Once we find it, she’ll stay here with you all while we go to the Trail of Worth. It’s best that we do that since we have no idea what it contains.”
“Did the other book, the white one, mention anything else besides just having the map in it?” I ask. After we were dismissed yesterday, Lynx carried me off and I never thought twice about it.
“Yes. It stated there’s a Gatekeeper who has a beast unlike any other guarding the door to the Trail of Worth. They either find you worthy to pass and go to the trails, or you have to defeat the beast. We’ll be able to take the beast. We’re the oldest and strongest,” Murmurs says, not boasting, just stating facts.
I guess that makes sense.
Lucifer clears his throat, grabbing our attention once again. “If we can get back to the map. Our best guess is that this tunnel is on the east side of her mansion and probably the access is either on the first floor or in the basement.”
“I sent Benny over there this morning to sniff around, so by the time we get over there, she should—”
“LILITH! My Lady!” Benny yells. Holy Hell. Speak and ye shall come. The fireplace flares slightly at my thought and I feel eyes on me, but I refuse to look. Nope, not falling for that trick. Benny runs out from behind a bookcase. Is there another hidden door back there?
“Benny!?” Lilith says with raised eyebrows. “I wasn’t expecting to see you until we got to the house. What’s wrong?” she asks, bending down so Benny can hop onto her palm.
“My lady,” Benny bows quickly. “There’re… Demons. They have breached your home and are desecrating it. It’s as if they are looking for something.”
Lilith’s face goes blank for half a second until her whole body starts to shake. I quickly reach out and grab Benny, bringing her to my chest as Lilith blows up like a volcano.
Her back bows like Moni does when she has her sonic boom, and a scream is ripped out of her.
“Ahhh! How dare they!” she yells and throws her arms out in a wide arc. Books fly off the bookcase behind us. Zeke and I dive for the bar as everyone else takes cover behind the sofas, looking for shelter from the flying objects. Reaper has the worst timing because he runs into the room at that point. Since my hands are full with Benny, Zeke dives and grabs him before he can run out into the fray.
“Dude, I think your mom is a little unstable,” I admit to Zeke.
