Chapter 7

Pramlee followed Arianna back to where she locked Meridian up, leaving her alone, upset and crying. The sound of the door unlocking startled Meridian from her sobbing and she looked up from her hands that held her wet, red face to see Pramlee and her mother.

“Mom, why did you lock me away in here? I was not doing anything wrong!” Meridian protested.

“Hush, Meridian! You don’t know that half of why I put you in here, and it goes a little deeper than your puppy love crush!” Arianna scolded.

Pramlee was at a loss for words, not really knowing what had gone on.

“Mrs. A, what has happened? Kieren? Really, he is nice and would have to be decent to have been as upset as he was. I saw him before Luna took him.”

Sure enough, Pramlee was harmless but lacked discretion in adult matters.

“You saw Kieren? How? Where? Who is Luna?” Meridian demanded.

“You both need to settle down right now. Kieren is the least of everyone’s worries. He is fine and away from everyone right now - as he should be.”

Arianna quickly put everyone in their places.

“Now, I want the both of you to sit tight, listen to me, and do exactly as I say. First, Meridian, I am aware of your age. I am your mother. Second, it was a shock for me to see you on the floor with a guide who we do not even know under the circumstances. When Relic snapped, I reacted. Now, he is safe, and he is fine. You need to hear me out on your father. Chance, Relic and Ridge broke your father and me out of the realm prison. As we were leaving, your father felt it would be best if he split up from us and let me get away to be with you. I just do not have any idea where he would have gone. I suspect Ridge may know more, but he is not saying much. All that has been on my mind was getting back to you safely. I am glad you are all right.”

Arianna had calmed a bit and walked over to her daughter, held her and wiped away her tears.

“I am afraid. I do not understand why you and father were taken away in this way. I only know that you both broke some rules. Now, I get taken to somewhere I don’t know, and everything seems to be out of control.”

As Meridian sobbed in her mother’s arms, while Pramlee reached out to her. “Everything will be fine. I have no idea what my father is up to, but I still have faith that everything will be fine.”

Arianna comforted Meridian the best she could.

“Mom, do you even know where we are?” Meridian pleaded.

“Yes, and you don’t need to worry about that. You are safe, and that is all that matters right now. I want you to close your eyes, control your thoughts and emotions, and rest your mind. That goes for you too, Pramlee,” Arianna insisted.

“Yes, Mrs. A.”

Pramlee was all too happy to listen to her, never knowing the connection to her own mother.

A few hours passed, and the tension eased between everyone. Although guides did not sleep, they did need to take periods to rest and recharge their minds.

Cora and Janus had kept to themselves, and not a peep from either one had come through. Ridge, Slaten and Relic sat in silence. The restful period was broken with a loud bang at the door, sending Relic and Ridge jumping to their feet, and they were quickly relieved when they saw it was Chance.

Relic’s face relaxed. “Man, are you a sight for sore eyes! What news do you have?”

“It isn’t good. We know why Arianna and Caius were put into prison, or at least the reason that Warrick wants everyone to believe. I know that the situation was out of control, but I don’t know if Caius has lost his mind or what.”

Chance was somber in his tone, resembling the fear inside that not even Ridge was used to hearing.

“What is going on?” Relic looked confused. “Caius told me to come here, get everyone together and get everyone on the same page. Seems there has been secrecy, and that is the cause of tension and frustration.”

Chance scanned the room taking in the destruction left behind from the earlier squabble.

“What in the hell happened in here? I knew the fairies could party but did you guys drink some of their fairy potions and throw a party or what?”

Chance’s mouth was open as he looked at the trashed room. Slaten interrupted. “Look it’s a long story and considering all the catching up we have to do, this isn’t the priority.”

Ridge quickly left and went to get everyone from their rooms to let them know Chance had made it. Relic and Chance had locked eyes and, of course, now that the dust had settled Relic could not help but grin.

“Man, I know you had something to do with this. I have never seen more mess, drama and destruction than what you leave in your wake!”

Chance was mildly amused with Relic even though he had to pretend it was not funny.

“Well, come on, man, you know how I like to have a good time,” Relic claimed as Chance walked on by toward the dining room.

As usual, Chance was his calculating and dismissive self with Relic. “No, I don’t want to know any of it,” he mouthed off as he waved his hand up at Relic.

Everyone came filing into the room. Arianna was not thrilled to see Janus and Cora there. As she stared them down with her arms crossed, Chance could not help but notice.

“Arianna, what is it?”

“Well, the majority of the issue is about my husband Caius and a lot of what he told me before I escaped is not for everyone’s ears. I am not even sure I want Meridian to know everything up front. Janus and Cora, I would appreciate if you both could join my daughter and Pramlee in the back and allow me to visit with the rest of the guides here.”

Arianna was not asking. Janus and Cora glared back at Arianna and stood up from the table but stopped long enough to listen to the objection rolling out of Meridian’s mouth.

“Mom, he may be your husband, but he is my dad, and you both are the reason I have been stuck here!” Meridian protested.

“She is kind of right, Mrs. A. It may be best to let her hear it all,” Chance quietly but convincingly spoke to Arianna.

“Yes, you are right. Meridian, you can stay. Pramlee and you two need to go to the back.” Arianna flicked her hand away toward the others, while she gave Meridian a look.

Chance took his time explaining everything to the group. The reactions from everyone were as to be expected. The shock to Meridian left her very quiet and in disbelief as she continued to learn that her world was not what she thought it was. Relic was somber, Slaten was in shock, and Ridge just was hearing what he already knew.

“Great! Now what?” Slaten asked. “If all this is true, my father is evil! This is not how he taught me to be. How do you know all of this is true? How can you say those things about my father! What if Arianna caused this? This is unthinkable. My father would not ever come at someone like this. He loves my mother.... I do not believe she would have an affair...and what crazy talk of this Talon guide cast out to a demon? I have never heard of such a thing. My sister...she lives with some servant because my father murdered her mother! How in the hell do you expect me to believe all this? Did I come here for this? My father is a lot of things, but he is not a murderer. The realm would not have all this; he would have been removed of his power. I am going back, and I am going to talk to him myself. I am going to ask both my parents if this is true.”

Slaten was livid and on his way to storm out. Relic jumped to his feet and grabbed Slaten, and Ridge was right behind him.

“Calm down, Slaten! You cannot go back and do that. You would risk not only yourself but all of us here,” Chance pleaded as Ridge and Relic held Slaten.

“Please listen to me and think about this. Why would we all put ourselves at risk for gossip and rumors? Seriously, Caius is a good guide, and I believe him. I have known your father longer than you have been alive. I know how he is and how he operates. You should trust me when I tell you that I see another side of your father every day in business with other guides. He does have it out for Caius, and he wants to be rid of him. He wants Arianna at his side, and he wants Meridian for her gifts and special powers,” Chance explained further.

“Powers? What, because Caius and Arianna were born here? So was I and so was Pramlee,” Slaten persisted.

“Yes, you are right, but he knows that Meridian at some point will be more powerful than he is, and he is threatened by her and what Caius knows. Warrick knows it is only a matter of time before it all comes out. In fact, it’s coming out now. Meridian and everyone needed to know,” Chance explained further trying to get Slaten to think logically.

Slaten relaxed, and Ridge and Relic lightened their grip.

“Okay, okay. Look, I know what you are saying. It is so hard for me to believe, and it is going to take some time to absorb all this. I do not want to hear any more about my father right now. All I want to know is what is next, where is Caius, and what is the plan.”