KEEPERS BOOK 2: THE HUNT FOR SONJA

Chapter 30

When they reached the Spa, Hulya took Tara to the edge of a hidden grove close to her grandmother's house, there they sat in silence with Ali's leaving them alone for privacy. But it wasn't long before the ancient night crawler joined them and pulled Hulya a quiet place where they would not be heard.
"How long do you want to keep her hidden?" Ali's asked quietly. Her granddaughter was her main focus, feeling a maternal instinct to protect the young lady from further disaster.
Hulya knew that question spoke volumes " I don't know" she replied honestly.
"She will have to face the council for her atrocities. Hulya my protection can only stretch so much"Ali's said impatiently.
"Can you not stretch it a bit more" There was a ring of hopefulness in her question.
"Alas, she has broken many of the rules that we abide. She's killed humans and defiled the very code we stand for.  I cannot protect her.  What kind of life will she have? You know Lucifer wants her soul and that will put us all in danger." Ali's warned.
Hulya looked up at the sky, the weight of the world suddenly upon her shoulders. "I cannot abandon her."
The pain in Hulya's expression was enough to make Ali's almost give in but she had to harden her heart against sympathising with the young girl's plight. She was in all respects as good as finished, there was no other way to save her. "That may be how you feel now, but when the tables are turned and you become the hunted Hulya you'd wish you would have ended her yourself. There is no hope for Tara, she has become a slave to her impulses. After the carnage I saw at her parents place I'm sure she has come to that realisation herself. I will leave you alone to be with with her for awhile but my decision is made, she faces the council's decision."
Hulya knew that council would not be forgiving, sighing she turned back to the rock where she had left Tara only to find her friend seated in the same place she had left her. Looking at the sky once more She saw the grey flecks of light slicing through the darkened sky. The sun would make its appearance soon and she needed to get Tara indoors before the sun engulfed her friend in flames.
Tara turned to Hulya as she approached, her expression unreadable. "Your grandmother is right Hulya, I have no control of what's inside me"
"Don't say that Tara"
"What I did to my parents, it was unforgivable.  Even if that devil convinced me to do it, I could have stopped myself but the need to drink the blood was too powerful to resist.  I cannot bear to live through what I have done." Hulya realized there was still a spark of humanity running through Tara.
She held Tara's hand as they watched the sun rise. There was no burst of flames for her creation only a slow and subtle disinteragtion as her hand started to turn to ash. The slight wind blew the tine whisps of ash, scattering it about until all that was left was nothing. Ali's watched the sorrowful sight with a heavy heart until Tara was no longer anything but dust. The sobs wracking her granddaughters body was enough to make her want to run and comfort the young girl but she wouldn't. There was still the council to face.
As she turned to leave she caught a glimpse of Femina and the one they called raziel, two angels stood to watch as the ashes started to float into the air and disappear with the wind. As soon as the last spect of ash vanished so did the angels.
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Sonja rubbed her palm against the scratches on Garrick's back asking him questions about his recent encounter with the creatures. As he recanted the tale of his ordeal with John she tried to remain passive but her worry for both her men was not to be ignored.
"You were both foolish. You should have sent me a message, I would have come immediately." She chided as she watched his flesh knit together. They were in the bedroom allowing them privacy to discuss the events.
"Agreed. There are no words to describe the demons we encountered  those creatures were merciless. I have witnessed many battles, never have I encountered such creatures. Their maker was pure evil" Garrick shook his head at the memory.
"And the one you encountered called Lucifer?"She proded.
"He looked human but he wasn't, there was something about him that was unsettling. He was shrouded in darkness a palpable menace that is difficult to define." He was baffled.
"He's a creation of the father, one of the fallen angels"
Garricked turned to meet the gaze of his mate "A fallen angel?"
"He was created by the father" she continued "once he had dominion over the father's realms but his jealousy and thirst for power drove him away from his brothers and sisters. As an outcast the father gave him dominion over the damned, human souls that have led a life similar to his own atrocities. The more souls he collects the stronger he becomes"
"But why lend such power to one whose intent is bent on destruction?"Garrick was puzzled by this action. His own father had been deposed for such atrocities.
"The father likes to test all he has created, for the humans he granted them free will to choose between love and fear. Love will ultimately lead them back to their creator, fear will sow the seeds of self destruction. Ultimately both shall reach a balance which causes equilibrium. These are the challenges a human must face." She concluded solemnly.
"We face those challenges as well, our lives are not so dissimilar and yet we have been distanced"he mused. It struck him that there was more at play in the circumstances they were dealt with. "It makes me wonder wether our own history had been manipulated."
"I pondered on the same thoughts" she agreed "My mother had told us once that there was more to the circumstances of banishment that we realized.  She never divulged her misgivings however it made me wonder if deep down she already knew she had to make the ultimate sacrifice to appease the council.
My mother is not a cold blooded killer . " her eyes glowing with an iridescent light. " I believe she was used."
"Why would they use her?"
"Because of my sisters and I" she paused grabbing his hand as if the act would ferment her convincing him "I always wondered why they separated our family giving me and my sisters the privileges while her visits remained controlled under an unbreakable edict that was linked to her sentence of eternal damnation." Tears gathered in her eyes as she faced her mate with the anguish that burnt inside of her " As a mother I now know the terrible price we have to pay in order to let our younglings live.  A love between a mother and her child knows no limits. She was used and I believe the one who could shed light on this can only be her brother, my uncle." She said vehemently
"There in lies the truth."he agreed
"What was done to her was not right, we have to put it right Garrick. She and my my father deserve their freedom and I will make it my mission to free them. It's about time we had that chat with uncle Jason.."
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Kibble's chatter, her incessant questions, and the clatter of cutlery should have made him kick her out but instead he was thankful that she was there because it helped clear the cobwebs in his mind. Upon returning to his apartment and finding her there waiting patiently it almost felt too domestic for his taste but for now it was essential.
"That night crawler is a trouble maker" she stated matter of fact. "Her carelessness got you all into trouble, not to mention the poor humans whose lives she interferes with. Let's just hope the woman who took her will deal with her severely. She deserves punishment. And you said Garrick transformed into a wolf? Well that is what a Lycan looks like in its true form. It's what you have within you if it came out."
He was about to speak but she did not allow him the chance.
"Well that power is within you. You were able to throw off one of those creatures from you despite its strength. You see you have it all you have to do is make it come to the surface. It's right here" she rubbed her belly.
The knock on the door interrupted her tirade but she was at the door before he could even get up from the couch.
Kibble's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed as she looked at Engin with distaste.
"What are doing here?"
Engin was not surprised to see the gorgeous Fae in John's apartment. Her irritation at his presence made her even more appealing. Offering a smile he pushed forward a bottle of red wine.
"Peace offering. May I come in?" He asked politely.
"Your not welcome here" she replied tartly.
He chuckled slightly seeing  the anger in the Fae "I know that now is not the right time after what Everyone's been through on account of my daughter but I was hoping that we could set aside our differences for the moment and make peace."
John stood behind Kibble eyeing Engin skeptically but he didn't see the harm "it's alrightKibble. Do come in" John invited.
Turning around Kibble walked ahead of the men leaving John to accept the peace offering. She was in the process of laying out dinner but stood behind the kitchen counter instead and watched as the night crawler make himself comfortable. John took the bottle and opened the wine, taking a few glasses from his cabinet and pouring drinks, he handed a glass to Engin and left one on the counter for Kibble before grabbing his and Joining Engin in the living room.
"Nice place" Engin started casually as he surveyed the small apartment. He took a sip from his glass
"Nice wine" John stated savouring the rich flavour.
"It's from a vineyard in Tuscany, I have it shipped for the Cave." He paused, his eyes remained fixed on John "I must apologize for the way I've been behaving it's not often My daughter does something careless, no strike that I am apologising for her stupidity. She shouldn't have gotten you involved in her antics."
"Where is She now?" John asked directly ignoring the insult to his a daughter.
" She's with my mother, the woman you met. If you need to speak with her I can give you their address" Engin offered politely.
"Yes I will need to speak with her." John replied. Selling his daughter out was another issue.
"This business with the humans, it's not something we do." Engin began
John almost chocked on his wine but swallowed slowly "isn't it?" The lie that spewed out of the man's mouth like honey but he remained cool.
Engin sighed looking for a way to reach out. "When we first came here to this side of the realms, there was a pact made that we wouldn't interfere with the humans so much at least we would not turn them unless they were willing. Hulya will have to face the council for her transgression.  I hope you can, in your human capacity find it within yourself to close this issue." The night crawler arched his brow hoping his message came across.
"I have not closed anything yet" John replied. Once again mentioning realms and other worldly stuff was beyond his current comprehension but he wanted to listen.
"You found Tara, that's enough burden off my back and if she's with my mother then there will not be any mercy for her crimes.  But those crimes of for the council to decide"
"I will have to turn her in"John stated squarely. he didn't understand nor did he care about this council.  They were not sanctioned by the law.
Engin gave him a grin shrugging his shoulders, "that's up to you, however I do believe there are some travellers that seek to leave this place and I may have some information that could help" Engin suggested knowing he finally caught the attention of the Fae who had been silent all that time.  Finally she surfaced, glaring at him as she face him arms crossed against her chest.
"What information?" She
"You will need a mage if you have to make that journey and we have a powerful mage at the council.  You will have to meet them, they have been intrigued by your presence and have communicated with Jason countless of times but your uncle is quite stubborn."He spoke enigmatically handing the other paper to John "that's the address to where you can find the council. Hulya is with my mother in the spa if you need to speak with her further." He shrugged "I am willing to cooperate in whatever capacity you need"
Engin carefully put his glass down and nodded to both of them. "I will be seeing you again I hope" this time it was an invitation directed at Kibble who only snorted as the man showed himself out.
They both looked at each other for a moment "he's a strange one" Kibble stated.
"My thoughts exactly. How about dinner?" John suggested