Chapter 143: The Times Are A-Changing

Garnet POV

Water nymphs didn't make waves unnecessarily. They mostly preferred to guard their lake homes. So, for Liriope, with her shimmering dress and gorgeous eyes, making a declaration like that meant she was serious.

Liriope's lavender eyes shifted to indigo. "I can see by your expressions that you want to ask me what this change is."

"An answer would be helpful," Jiro said, draping an arm around Garnet.

Liriope's eyes flicked to him. "The water nymph of the lake in Red Crescent City says you are respectful, Alpha Jiro Cresta. A good steward of the water and the land."

His astonished turquoise eyes matched the color of the lake water. "You all communicate. Of course. You must be like shifters. You share information."

She bowed her head. "Of course, how else could we know what is happening in the world? Lake nymphs ... river nymphs ... sea nymphs ... it makes no difference. We share the signs in the world. We know what is happening."

Anneliese frowned. "You said big change is around the corner, more or less. What can you tell us?"

Liriope tossed a pebble in the water and watched the ripples grow. "It isn't happening all at once. Water takes centuries to carve out a canyon. A lake is fed little by little, unless a flood happens. But the balance is shifting."

Patch hopped from one foot to the other. anxious. "Shifting how?"

Liriope hesitated. "There is one whose death might have seemed to be a good thing, but is actually bad for the balance between light and dark."

Jiro tensed. "Hades Ombra?"

Garnet thought it could be no one else.

Liriope confirmed this with a nod. "Yes. He was never meant to die the way he did ..."

"But is he dead?" Anneliese burst out. 

With a faint smile, Liriope admitted, "No. He is closer than you think. And the change may tip the balance yet again."

"Where is he?" Cyran burst out. "Closer than we think ... that could be anywhere."

"Or with anyone," Patch muttered.

Cyran put his hands on his hips. "Either say what you mean or stick a cork in it, pup."

Anneliese glared. "HONESTLY. He's been one of your biggest defenders ever since you reformed. And he's not the only one who's noticed that you seem off lately."

Cyran męt her gażę head-on. "Hades hasn't occupied my body, if that's what you mean. Kelara confirmed it before we left for Silverpaw territory."

Jiro's eyes focused on Kelara, who stood close to Cyran, her hand on his shoulder, her brows knitted in thought. "Kelara?"

"Hades isn't inside him," Kelara confirmed. "Or any of the Sinsworths, or Naomi's family, the Tenebrusos. Including William, Talon, Florinda, and me. Or," she added humorously. "Duchess Flufftail, the bunny."

Liriope nodded wisely. "You speak the truth. He's gone somewhere the evil one would never think to look. And it's no one whose last name is Cresta."

Azandra stood still, puzzling. "So, where is he?"

Liriope held up her hands again. "I'm sorry, but I can't reveal that. It's not the right time. Everything has its own time. All you need to know is, he's safe."

Even Jiro looked impatient with that answer. "Liriope, we understand the need for secrecy and rules as much as anyone, but--"

"NO, Alpha!" Liriope held out her hands, and the lake water became choppy. "You can press me all you want, but you're not in charge here. This is MY domain and I'll thank you to respect it, or I'll tell Kalliope, the nymph of your lake, that you're very naughty and willful."

Unaccustomed to being spoken to this way, Jiro blinked. His mouth opened and closed several times before he said in a quiet voice, "You have to understand. He died on our watch. He sacrificed himself for us."

Garnet's heart melted, and as she looked around, she noticed Cyran and the others all nodding in sympathy. They felt it, too. They felt responsible.

Liriope's eyes softened, and the lake smoothed over. "He had a choice. And you're not in control of everything, you know, even though you'd like to believe that."

Jiro regained some of his cool. "I'm an Alpha--that's an occupational hazard."

Dane snorted. "With him, it started before he became an Alpha. I'd say the minute he emerged as a newborn pup. We should have realized his destiny then."

Liriope regarded them seriously. "Alpha Jiro taking the throne did change everything. Look at all that has happened, which is just a drop in the ocean. There are tidal waves on the horizon. Events beyond your imagination. Just be warned."

Whipping her head around, she grumbled, "DRAX! Are you getting into trouble again?" Turning back to Garnet and the others, she said, "If you see a baby water dragon, his parents are always looking for him."

Garnet put two and two together. "That's why one of the water dragons is grumpy."

Liriope waved. "Farewell. Enjoy the lake."

Gracefully, the gorgeous nymph sank beneath the water, which bubbled and rippled for a second, then became still. Garnet and the others resumed their picnic.

Little Tiberius tugged at Garnet. "Pretty lady come back?"

Dane snorted with affection. "He's got his priorities straight."

Garnet swung Tiberius up into his arms. "Let's eat, speaking of priorities."

All the Crestas camped out on the picnic blankets, sharing food and conversation. Although the surroundings captivated the family group, Garnet heard quite a few scattered discussions about Liriope's warning. 

Hades had been reborn.

But where? And in whom? It wasn't any of them. It wasn't a family member--or at least not a Cresta, Sinsworth, or Tenebruso.

She leaned over to Kelara, who was talking to Tulaska and Roslynn. The two wise women seemed to have taken Kelara under their combined wing. "Do you know who Hades' host might be?"

Kelara paused around a mouthful of boar, then swallowed it. "I can feel him in general, but can't get a sense of where he is. He's extremely skilled at camouflage. I don't think he wants to be found."

Tulaska shook her head, and so did Roslynn. "He's really done it this time," Tulaska commented. "I can't sense him at all. He probably doesn't want HER locating him. Whoever it is, it's someone we wouldn't suspect."

Kelara concentrated, going deeper. Talon and Florinda clustered close, supporting her.

* * * * *

Kelara POV

Hades' life force was a flickering flame in the mists. An elusive spark hidden in the wilderness. 

Kelara delved deeper in her mind. She had to find him. But she shielded herself, creating protections so that the Dark Goddess wouldn't learn the truth.

Following the trail, she came upon a clearing and that same skull with flowers around it. Staring into its eye sockets with the jewels glinting in the light, she asked, "What does this mean? Why am I seeing this?"

Hades' voice echoed around her, disembodied. "It represents death and rebirth. I have been reborn, as the nymph said."

She narrowed her eyes, scanning the clearing. "Reborn as whom? Or what?"

His laughter rippled throughout the clearing, sounding like the rustling of the leaves. "As myself for once. Or the self I wish I'd been."

"Can't you give me a hint?" she begged.

"NO. You know why. I won't reveal myself until ... until I'm sure. And it's better I talk to you rather than Cyran. SHE is watching him. You're shielded a bit. I think it's the pup in your belly. He has both your mage powers and Talon's wizard powers."

Kelara huffed. "I wasn't shielded when she created that nightmare version of when Talon and I became lovers."

Hades laughed sardonically. "Be at ease, my dear. She can only touch the surface. She doesn't know the depths of who you are. That old fear was inside you, but not deep inside your heart."

Kelara stared at the bedecked skull thoughtfully. "Like an old scab that has to fall off. I guess it finally did."

"Yes. We all carry around old fears and wounds that no longer serve us," Hades' voice said. "That one never became deeper, because you know who Talon is. A strong and complex man. He is my descendant, after all."

Giving up on her investigation for now, she said, "No argument there. But you are safe."

"Extremely. Concealed by hidden magic myself. IF my host stops fighting me, and realizes that we are meant to be as one. The signs will be there, just like this skull altar. Be watchful, Kelara. You never know what may be important."

Suddenly, she sensed the whisper of a dark presence, like an approaching storm. She broke the connection, and returned to the present, staring at the knowing eyes of the wise women.

Tulaska shook her head, with admiration. "Hades is going to drive the fiend out of her mind searching for him. Good."

Kelara took deep breaths, and Talon held her close. "My love?"

She smiled bravely, like Lady Blackthorn needed to. "I'm starving. I'm going back for seconds. And I suggest we spend the night here, then head to Graywolf City. We want to be refreshed and ready to greet the new Luna of the Silverpaw Pack in all her glory." 

* * * * *

Talon POV

The fire burned low, and Talon slipped out of the tent he shared with Kelara and William. Honestly, her pregnancy was too advanced for such a long journey. After Jude's and Ravyn's ball, his family was teleporting everywhere, or taking a comfortable carriage over land with luxury stops.

He traveled toward the treelike around the lake to find more firewood. His instincts screamed alert as he spotted Aldwin patrolling. It would shock many people to learn that William's vigilant tutor had been a bandit. He seemed more like a mother hen. A mother hen armed to the teeth.

Aldwin wasn't alone. Caden Wolfbane had joined him. Didn't the tiresome man ever give up?

However, this time, Aldwin didn't appear to resent Caden's company. The silverback Alpha spoke to him in low tones, and patrolled with him. Hmmm. Maybe getting rebuffed a few times made Caden rethink his strategy. 

Keeping to the shadows of the treelike, Talon bent low, staying out of sight. If the pair spotted him, he had a tangible excuse. Gathering some sticks, he listened closely.

"... fated mate."

Caden's words made him perk up. 

Aldwin Brocius, born into the notorious Thugs of the Sacrificed Clan, a human former criminal, was Caden's fated mate?

Aldwin huffed. "I'm human. Not even a mage. Nice try."

Caden's red eyes flashed, shifting from their normal gray. "You think that in the Wolfspeaker Pack we sit around in some castle or mansion drinking wine? NO. The land is cold, the terrain will kick your tail, and we have to fight for every scrap that we have. You're ideal as my omega ...maybe even my Luna."

"That's a good one. A male Luna?"

"It happens from time to time," Caden said with candor. "You'd make a great Luna."

Bristling, Aldwin adjusted his leather vest and marched onward. "Find yourself another queen. I ain't the one."

Talon smelled defensiveness on Aldwin ... and also pheromones. Aldwin was attracted to Caden. Also scared.

Stewing, Caden watched him go. looking around, bewildered, he made eye contact with Talon and marched over. "Spying on us?"

"He's part of my pack," Talon snarled. "If you want him, ask my permission. And then do a little better to win his."

"And if I don't ask your permission?"

Talon smirked. "Then get ready for a pack war."