Family, Friend, or Foe

By Alexis Donkin

Humans blame a plague of natural disasters on climate change, but 16 year-old Khloe knows the truth.

As her ex-boyfriend goes crazy, Sidhe rebels threaten to overtake the Otherworld, pressuring Khloe to fulfill her role in an ancient prophecy. With the help of her family, friends, and a romance spanning lifetimes, she must unite the Otherworld, plus get through to humanity before the Lughnasa holiday. If Khloe is not successful, a domino effect will send all veils into total destruction. Her only chance lies in the most unlikely path – forgiveness.

Will Khloe be able to fulfill the role meant for her? Will she own her powers and harness them against forces and unknown elements to heal the world? Go beyond the veil to find out in the epic fantasy fiction, FAMILY, FRIEND, OR FOE.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexis Donkin
• Release date: Aug 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311216991

Alexis Donkin

Alexis Donkin is passionate, purposeful, and prolific. If Margaret Atwood and C.S. Lewis had a lovechild, it would be her.Alexis currently lives in Southern California with her family and real-life familiar. She has lived many places and studied many things. Between writing, speaking, and chasing her kid, she paints, sings, and dances. Sometimes she does it all at once. Be sure to connect with her and sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/btmIPD

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Family, Friend, or Foe

Book 4 The Khloe Alwell Series

By: Alexis Donkin

Copyright 2015 Alexis Donkin

All rights reserved.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1: Well Met

So you're telling me you knew this all along?! I growled through gritted teeth. My fingers bit into the long alive table as I glared at the creatures standing across from me. They looked at one another, their black eyes glittering with something I couldn't understand. The tiny man, his head barely above the tabletop, cleared his throat.

Your highness, said the brownie king in his thin high voice, I think you misunderstand -

Misunderstand? I asked quietly, my eyes sliding into slits, what could I have possibly misunderstood?!

The brownie king pursed his lips while the unicorn's nostrils flared. It had only been a few days since I'd woken up from my dream – the longest dream I'd ever had. Visions of Lilith and Ammon's story floated through my mind. In my dream, I saw the unicorn's and brownie's ancestors hinting at secret knowledge to my own – knowledge that would have changed the entire story. Knowledge that might change this story now. Thinking about it only made me angrier as I focused on the rulers before me.

I thought we were allies!

We are. The unicorn's mental speech invaded my thoughts and I shivered. There are rules – boundaries. The brownie king's eyes flicked to the unicorn. Clearly he was missing our conversation.

We could not interfere, added the brownie. A scene of Aberfeldy and Rimu, the rulers of the brownies and unicorns respectively from thousands of years before flashed across my vision. I faltered. This was an issue of force children – not us.

And the destroyers, I muttered the ancient name for humanity under my breath. The two creatures shared a look.

Yes. And them, agreed the unicorn.

But you have to help when asked? Isn't that part of the alliance you made with us? Once more my lids narrowed. The two leaders tensed. This conversation clearly made them more uncomfortable than they'd anticipated. Here was a sixteen year old Sidhe princess confronting them – making them squirm. I smiled at the thought.

Yes, the brownie said slowly.

Good.

There are limits - began the tiny king. I let an eyebrow raise.

Within this veil only. Only within natural laws. Balance must be maintained, amended the unicorn. I nodded.

Yes. It must.

Eventually the two creatures left me sitting in the Kolmarden conference room alone. I don't know why I wanted to meet with the two leaders by myself, but I had. For some reason the unicorn and brownie involvement felt like a private message Ammon and Lilith had given in my dream – my three day long dream. It didn't matter that Laran was the reincarnated Ammon. The information was mine. I didn't let Laran sit in. My parents weren't invited. Even Holly, my husband Laran's most trusted servant, wasn't allowed to come in bearing a tray of refreshments. No. This was a private affair.

Maybe I just knew the two royals wouldn't share any information if others were present. Maybe it was just the fact that I had so little power everywhere else. You might be the prophesied Lilith reborn, but you're still a 16 year old girl out of her element.

I sighed as I stared at nothing in particular, drumming my fingers against the living wood that made the table. The lively sound made me smile. Every structure in Kolmarden was alive – grown out of a series of enormous trees. The decorations within the living rooms were harvested kindly from plants and animals within the forest. Everything was done in the spirit of balance – a principle that was taken to heart by the Sidhe, the Otherworld people my father ruled.

It was strange that months before I hadn't known anything about my father, the Sidhe, their war with the Seelie, or an ancient prophecy proclaiming the reincarnated Lilith and Ammon would heal the conflict together, and bring balance back to the world. Growing up, I'd moved around from place to place, thinking I was human. Once I turned sixteen everything changed. I, Khloe Alwell, was not human. And beyond that, I was so much more than just Seelie or Sidhe.

My hand went immediately to the emerald pendant at my throat. I fingered the ancient necklace, passed from the eldest daughter to the next in each successive generation, as a token, reminder, and even a kind of protection. Now I knew Ammon had wrought it in his own hands. I knew it was so much more than a pendant and that it lived with the strange life that only the most intense creative love could foster. Imbued with intense love, the greatest force there is.

I was sitting there, my hand on my pendant, when Laran waltzed in. The sound of his big black boots brought me back to the present. My body warmed. My eyes fell on him, and he smiled slowly, even though a tinge of anxiety hung about his eyes. That's my husband! I was still awestruck that a girl could be married at sixteen, not be pregnant, and have it be okay with her parents. Well, then again, it was preordained. The two of us were bound together by more than the normal attachments. The prophecy involved him as much as it did me.

I smiled at him and his green eyes lit from within. I shivered. He was arresting. His dark hair was slightly tousled, probably from worry as he waited for my meeting to end. He may have been the lord of Kolmarden, and combat trainer of the Sidhe military, but he was not typical Sidhe nobility. Unlike other Sidhe, he made sorties into the human world for all kinds of things, as evidenced by his well worn blue-jeans and his Lady Tron tee shirt.

So it went okay? he breathed, What did you find out? I sighed and rolled my eyes.

They – weren't particularly helpful. I frowned and pushed myself up from the table just as Laran rushed to my side. Even though I was tall for a woman at five feet eight inches, Laran dwarfed me. Though I hadn't never asked, I knew he was well over six feet, and his thickly muscled shoulders easily spanned three.

Laran growled.

You've got to be kidding, he grumbled. My frown deepened as I brought my hands to his chest.

It's okay. They'll be there when we need them.

"Yes, but I thought they might help with the current – situation."

They will, but not how we want them to, I replied flatly.

"Well that's really helpful."

I sighed and nodded. We were dealing with a major mess throughout the Sidhe veil. Someone had begun staging major natural disasters in the human world. I'd been threatened several times. Someone had impersonated my father's most trusted advisor, Lord Bran, ruler of the province of Mag Mell. To top it all off, a black out area had been discovered in the province's seat – an area that Sidhe couldn't see into, or jump to. Those were the big things. Then there was my personal life – which didn't bear thinking about. I pushed images of an emo Constantine Grech and crazed Freyr Luft out of my mind.

I know, I groaned, rolling my eyes. I thought the silly rulers would have helped. I should have known better, considering what Lilith and Ammon had shown me. Brownies and unicorns didn't get involved, not unless it was absolutely necessary and specifically requested. Besides, sometimes things were meant to happen and would always happen. What had Aberfeldy said? Some moments were fixed.

Laran frowned.

I think we should get out of here for a while. We're not going to get anything else from those two and there's nothing they need from you at Mac Darragh – for the moment. His green eyes sparkled and I grinned.

Where were you thinking?

Maybe a pegasus ride? A concert?

How about we jump to a show and then go riding?

Laran grinned. In a second we were standing in Times Square. The crowd easily hid another two people. Luckily I'd been wearing human ready clothing – a slinky tunic, jeans, and a pair of knee high boots looked normal, even in late mid-Atlantic spring. Laran pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. I chuckled. There was only one reason he'd have one on him in Kolmarden; he planned to jump to the human veil. Electronics didn't work across veils but only in the human world. Laran really wanted to go to a concert.

So what are you in the mood for? he asked as he flicked through a list of shows.

Uh...

Florence & The Machine is playing a few blocks from here...

Can you get tickets? I asked breathlessly. He looked up, with all the mischief of the Sidhe.

What do you think?

It was a good show. The opening act was a band I'd never heard of that was way better than I expected, and the main event was a perfect distraction from real life. The lights came up to dimly direct us out of the venue. Laran glanced at me, twining his fingers with mine.

You want to grab a slice? he asked, his lips close to my ear as we shuffled toward the street.

I nodded, smiling widely. Laran anticipated my wants so easily. It didn't hurt that we could read each other's thoughts.

Without bothering to suffer through the crowds a second more, we jumped to the nearest Ray's for a couple of cheese slices and a pair of black iced teas. After we scarfed down our late night meal, we jumped to the pegasus field on the Mag Mell side of Mac Darragh Palace.

It is so nice to avoid regular forms of transportation. Laran caught my thought and laughed.

"This is regular for us," Laran snorted. He had twenty-three years of teleporting from one place to another. Of course he thought it was regular. I only had a few months. I scowled at him.

Whatever.

Sensing our desire to ride, the pegasus herd coalesced around us. Laran glanced at me, his brows raised.

Do you want to ride alone or -? he asked, letting the rest of his question hang for a moment.

I'm still not ready to ride my own, I think, I said, hesitantly eying the nearest stallion. Laran shrugged.

In moments he'd saddled one of the larger stallions and placed a hackamore on the beast. I climbed onto the back and Laran placed himself behind me, wrapping his arms around to grasp the leads.

All right, he said softly to the pegasus, as he dug his heels slightly into the creature's side. Then, like a shot, we took off into the night sky. The wind blew through my hair as the force of our ascent pushed me back against Laran. I laughed and let out a loud whoop. For a few moments as we chased the stars, I could forget everything plaguing me. Awkward relationships with boys disappeared. The huge mess of massive storms, creative deceptions, and courtly scheming were nothing. I was free.

We flew around until it was nearly time for bed. There was no avoiding the days ahead – eventually we had to come back to earth. I frowned as we glided down. Hooves hit the ground, sending a jolt through the beast's massive body. I gasped as my muscles tensed. Even as I felt my body harden with anticipated stress, Laran's arms tightened around me.

It'll be okay you know, he whispered as the pegasus slowed to a stop.

Yeah, I groaned. He chuckled.

Really.

I said nothing as he slid off the creature and helped me down.

I know it will.

I swallowed, keeping my eyes down. The distracting evening was over. I had to get down to business and I wasn't even sure what I was supposed to do. I knew I was supposed to do something but for the most part the hard work was being done by my father and his military. That part felt wrong to me, but I couldn't put my finger on why. Besides I couldn't come up with a suitable alternative, so I let my father's soldiers do raids on supposed hideouts and track down leads. What could I do? What should I do? Outside of a few personal tutoring session with the court's lead balancer, I knew little when it came to Otherworlder politics. Plus, I was sixteen. Who was going to listen to a sixteen year old girl who had been raised human?

Laran's hand slipped into mine and we jumped to the great stand of trees that was Kolmarden's estate. Instead of jumping directly into our rooms, he brought us to the yard in the center of the trees. I barely caught my breath at Kolmarden's dancing evening lights when a messenger boy came up to us, panting, a pained look on his face.

Your grace... he puffed.

Catch your breath man! chuckled Laran, as he pulled his hand from mine to steady the young man. I realized as the messenger straightened up that he couldn't have been much older than me. I gulped.

How could I call him a boy? But then wasn't I still a girl? Does being married turn you into a woman? I sensed Laran's mental laughter as he suppressed any outward expression. He had to appear in control – especially for such a young lord. Yes his subjects loved him, but who knew all the eyes in Kolmarden? Sidhe were masters of disguise. We couldn't take any chances.

Thanks – but – I - he gulped and continued, have an urgent message for her highness! The messenger bowed to me and held out a crisp piece of tri folded parchment. I couldn't tell from the rounded script who had written me, but one glance at the familiar wax seal had me snatching the thing open. Laran looked at me in question.

It's from the Lufts, but it can't be from Dani! This isn't her writing! I exclaimed as I opened the missive, devouring the letter eagerly. Since electronics didn't work under the veil, there were only two ways to communicate – in person or letter. As the Lufts lived in the human world, they had to communicate in writing. Though I'd received letters before from my friend Dani Luft, a light elf girl my age, I'd never received anything from any other family member. I'd never even gotten a note from Freyr, her older brother, and he was my ex-boyfriend. I frowned. It couldn't be from Freyr. I had no idea why my best friend's parents would write, but it had to be important and that bothered me.

I was right to be concerned. My face fell as I finished reading the letter.

When did you get this? I snapped at the errand boy. He stood to attention as Laran snatched the letter from my grasp.

I've been looking for you for over an hour but no one knew where you'd gone, he said without missing a beat. I opened my mouth to dig into him about needing to look harder, but Laran put his hand out to stop me.

You're dismissed, he said firmly and the boy vanished.

But -

Let me read this, Laran said softly. He held the parchment open, using the light from a near window to read the following:

Dear Khloe,

I'm sorry to contact you like this, especially with everything going on. I'm sure you have enough to deal with considering the most recent storm and the problems at court – but we need your help. We never would have asked but it's important. Freyr is missing.

We haven't seen him since Beltane. He was distraught during the holiday and seemed distracted. That night he left and hasn't been back. We can't hear his thoughts or sense him at all. None of his friends know anything about his disappearance. No one in Asgard has any information as to his whereabouts.

We know that you have an awkward relationship at best, but any aid you can spare would be appreciated. In such an emotional state, both Erik and I are worried he will have done something and I'm terribly worried. Please let us know your answer as soon as you get this.

I hope you and Laran are well.

Best,

Sophie Luft

Laran's muscles tensed half-way through the letter. His jaw clenched as his lips thinned. Laran's hand dropped, still clutching the parchment tightly.

No, he said softly, his eyes cold as he stared into the distance. My jaw dropped.

"What do you mean no?!" I snapped. He didn't look at me but started to walk towards the tree containing our suite.

No, he repeated without turning his head.

Laran! Just because you got into a fight doesn't mean we can't help his family! I called as I charged after him. I had to take twice as many steps just to catch him and stumbled as I tried to keep up.

I have no obligation to anything.

I frowned.

We reached the steps. It seemed he had no intention of jumping, but rather wanted to take the long way to our suite. I scowled as he raced up one flight of steps.

"Okay, maybe not directly...but I do and so you do by association, I reasoned as I tried to match my husband's pace. He was already up a second flight by the time I finished the first. I huffed as I gathered more strength to try to reach him. Laran!" I yelled, but he was already up a third flight of stairs. I growled and decided in a split second there was a better plan. Jumping above him on the steps I waited for him to reach me. Seeing me as he rounded another flight his brows raised but he only grunted in recognition.

No, he repeated gruffly.

"Laran!" I whined.

He glanced at me as he passed and I blushed.

Don't be so ridiculous! I snapped. His brow quirked and he continued up the steps. I jumped, again reappearing on a higher flight.

Forget it, he spat as I opened my mouth to plead my case again. As he passed me I crossed my arms and scowled.

Fine! I snapped at him, I'll just do it myself! I jumped to the landing right by our door and Laran rounded on me, his eyes blazing.

"You will not!" At another time I might have quailed under the weight of his stare but I was so determined it washed over me without a second thought.

"You can't tell me what I will and will not do! You don't own me!" I shouted at him.

"Who do you really care about? After all I did to win you time and again you would go and chase after this crazed Seelie?!" Laran roared. He had completely snapped. Before he had been scary calm but now the dam was broken. He was bellowing loud enough for his words to echo throughout Kolmarden. I flushed, a part of me worried every man, woman, child, and animal of Kolmarden heard him.

"Laran!" I berated, throwing the full weight of my disapproval into my tone. I knew he could feel my displeasure, but I wasn't sure it could break through the barrier of his own emotions. He spun on his heel and strode into our apartment with me following. He paced back and forth. I felt every nuance of anger, distress, and disgust. I watched him move through the room and realized I'd never seen him so agitated – at least not outwardly.

I watched him do this for what might have been an hour. I was silent as he muttered over one thing or another. Then, he suddenly stopped, turning towards me, his green eyes hard with measured decision.

Fine. But I'm going with you, he said quietly. I opened my mouth to protest thinking of all Laran's obligations and responsibilities in the veil and Kolmarden proper but he shushed me with a single deft movement. "No. There's no way I'm letting you go hopping around looking for your ex-boyfriend without me. I don't care who is going with you." My brow furrowed.

Who's going with me? I asked stupidly. Laran rolled his eyes.

Really, Khloe! Are you completely daft? His tone went flat as he sighed and all my annoyance came flooding back.

"I don't see why I should automatically assume certain people would come with me to look for Freyr! I don't see how I could know how the Lufts are even planning to search!" I spat at him. Laran's right brow quirked but he ignored my snarl.

Regardless of your mental state, he said with a spark in his eye and I growled at him, we should stop at the palace to let your parents know what we're doing. They'll need to keep apprised of things, especially our whereabouts. My jaw worked as I let his words sink in. Of course my parents would needed to know what I was doing. Though I was living with my new husband in his estate, I was still a key piece in a prophecy that many people believed was true. As my parents ruled the Sidhe Otherworld, it was important they know where I was, along with my new husband, who was just as important to the prophecy as I was.

Yes. Of course, I licked my lips and my eyes flicked to the bedroom and my closet. When do we leave? Laran's brows rose.

I think a little sleep is in order.

I hesitated. He knew I would have left right then.

It's not your fault. Laran's mental voice caressed my thoughts.

I know, I answered aloud, but I feel like it is... And I need to make it right.

And what if you can't? asked Laran gently as he closed the distance between us. My green eyes met his. All the warmth in his eyes transferred to his hand as he set it on my shoulder. I shivered as the heat coursed through me.

I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself, I whispered.

The next morning after breakfast Laran's news practically toppled Holly over.

"You're what?! she blurted. Quickly she choked down the rest of her thoughts. Her throat clear, she ran her hands down her apron and continued in a calmer tone. I beg your pardon, I don't think I heard you correctly."

We're going to search for Freyr, beyond the veil, he said smoothly as he sipped his pinyon berry tea, the hot beverage so favored by Sidhe.

Maybe I can import some coffee plants, I thought wistfully. Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw Laran's mouth quirk, though his eyes hadn't left Holly's concerned face.

But Freyr has no love for Kolmarden, or Mac Darragh for that matter, Holly frowned as she glanced my way, and you both have so much here to do. I scowled.

What had my parents asked me to do? Since when was I involved in anything?! Laran's eyes flicked at me, but quickly returned to Holly.

It's important to Khloe, said Laran simply. Fortunately I had the good sense to blush, especially when Holly leveled me with her gaze.

I told him to stay here, I mumbled uselessly. Holly rolled her eyes.

So I suppose you'll need a few bags and such? she asked, as she lifted the tray of breakfast dishes off our coffee table. I frowned.

Bags? I repeated blankly.

Yes, Holly. We're planning on staying there, answered Laran evenly as he rolled his eyes. Holly glanced at me briefly before she nodded and left. Laran gulped his tea and decidedly slammed the mug down on the table. With a leap, he was standing and offering me a hand.

Shall we go drop in on his highness?

Nodding hesitantly, I took his hand and we transported to the courtyard where I'd eaten so many meals with the Sidhe court. I blinked in the bright morning light. Even though I'd been jumping regularly, the process still left me disoriented, especially when we moved from two places so radically different as Kolmarden and Mac Darragh Palace.

Normally I would have enjoyed the strange stone architecture or the fact that the fourth side of the courtyard was a cliff edge that gave an excellent view of the southern part of the veil. I loved that I could see all the way to the island province of Tir Tairngire in the south sea. Today however, I only had eyes for the single other brown-haired person in the Sidhe veil – my mother. And where my mother was, my father couldn't be far behind.

At the long breakfast table, I spotted several different lords and ladies, along with a few balancers and advisors. I noticed the palace guards' presence was more obvious than usual. Several stood overtly along the perimeter while several more stood near the tables. Normally I wouldn't have been able to pick out half those hidden in the palace's walls to protect the royal family and its court. Things had changed however, and the need to show strength seemed to outweigh the need for stealth.

They ran out of hiding places, thought Laran at me as we approached the table. The palace guards have at least doubled since the last time we were here. I tried to swallow, but my mouth was dry. The presence of the guards brought home the desperate nature of current events. Steeling myself, I tried to focus on the brown head before me, seated beside a black one.

Khloe! my mother cried as she stood, her arms outstretched. My father rose a second after, his eyes strangely bright.

They haven't gotten over the sleeping incident, I thought and Laran nodded almost imperceptibly. It was less than a week since Beltane and so much had happened. Laran and Freyr fought. Laran and I got married. I went into a three day coma...

Hi, I rasped as my mother's arms squeezed any remaining air from my lungs. Coughing I patted my mother's back and she released me.

Laran, my dad said gruffly and the two men nodded. I worked hard to suppress an eye-roll.

Did you come to spend some time in the garden or -? My mother looked eagerly from one of us to the other.

We're going to visit my friends in Massachusetts for a few days, I said a little too cheerfully, my smile a little too forced. My father's brows rose.

Alone? he asked.

We'll be with the Grechs. I think Khloe and I are more than capable of taking care of ourselves, Laran said easily. My father's eyes flicked to Laran, assessing. After a minute he nodded. My mother didn't look too sure.

Don't you think a few guards -

We'll be fine Ceres. I promise. Laran placed a hand on her shoulder and she took a deep breath, throwing an uneasy smile.

I expect the two of you to come by when you get back, she said looking at each of us in turn. We haven't had dinner together since... I thought of all the different things she could say. Since I was married? Since Beltane? Since I fell asleep for several days dreaming the beginning of my soul's journey? But instead she added, Well, you know.

I promise we'll come back for dinner as soon as we can, I assured her. It was all I could do. Anything firmer than that and I knew I was in danger of breaking my oath.

Leaving my parents to their courtiers, I turned to try to find my brother, but his black hair was nowhere to be seen. I wasn't sure if I was looking for an excuse to delay our departure or if I genuinely wanted to speak to Toran, who I knew would be interested in helping the Lufts. Suddenly I realized my stupidity. He was probably already there. I smiled at the thought of my brother's recent closeness to Freyr's younger sister. I turned back to Laran.

Well? I asked. He shrugged.

Let's go. He must have felt my anxiety building because as he laced his fingers with mine he added, It's now or never.

With that, we jumped.

Chapter 2: Two Skeletons

Standing at the end of the gravel drive was a bit of a shock. I remembered the first time I'd been there – I hadn't seen the building's stone exterior until later. Once I did, I realized just how spectacular the Grech manor was. As usual the lights beckoned, as was the case for any Otherworlder home. It was one thing human myths got right. And despite the seeming warmth of such a call, the stone was coldly intimidating. I wondered how I could have ever seen it as warm.

Maybe it's just because you used to live here, came Laran's flat mental voice. I glared at him. We both knew what was hiding in his words – I used to date Constantine, the eldest and most beautiful of the Grech boys. Even though we were on civil terms, it wasn't that long ago. His ache couldn't be completely gone, especially because of, well, everything.

Each step to the front door was heavy and only increased my anxiety. When we reached the front door, my palms were sweaty and cold in the warm May sun. Laran stood woodenly, unmoving. Clenching my jaw, I held my hand up to knock, but before my knuckles hit the solid wood it flew open.

"Khloe!" There was Julian, the lady-killer younger brother of Constantine. His shaggy hair hit his shoulders and his warm eyes danced with mischief as usual. In seconds he'd wrapped his thick arms around me, squashing me in a bear hug. Then, just as quickly he dropped me and went on to Laran.

"Laran!" He grabbed my husband who was too shocked to prevent the embrace. The look of confusion on Laran's face combined with Julian's silliness broke my anxiety apart. I laughed. Come in!

I didn't expect you to greet us, I chuckled. He led us into the foyer and my eyes found the closet where I used to – along with the rest of the family – keep my winter outdoor wear. It had only been months but it felt like years. I swallowed.

Suddenly I heard pounding feet and Julian's twin came into view on the second floor.

"Khloe!" Leo yelled, grinning. Leo wore his customary beanie and a button shirt. I knew the beanie was to protect his hair from distracting girls at school. Of the brothers, Leo's hair was the longest and most magnificent.

Leo! It's good to see you! I called, smiling back as he leapt down the stairs. Upon reaching us, he wrapped me in a hug, which while exuberant, wasn't nearly as rib-crushing as his twin's.

What are you doing here? asked the less intense boy as he let me go. The two boys looked at each of us, brows raised in expectation. I turned to Laran.

You didn't send a message ahead of us?

And you didn't?! Laran's thought was annoyed at best. I bit my lip.

Have you talked to the Lufts? I asked gently. Julian shook his head as he briefly glanced Leo's direction.

Where's Constantine? asked Laran as he scanned the room, and tried to look down the hall into the rest of the house.

Is my room available? I asked without giving the boys a chance to respond. Their mouths hung open in an effort to get a word in but it was no use.

"Khloe!" cried Freya Grech, their mother, as she came gliding into the foyer from the hall. She was a vision of a woman, almost as beautiful as my mother. Almost.

Freya! I called brightly. Every bit of warmth I felt for the woman poured into my voice. It was almost embarrassing for the others as we embraced like long-lost family. Freya treated me like a daughter while I stayed with the Grechs the previous fall. She took me on a crazy shopping trip to New York and had designed a beautiful suite in the Grech manor specifically for me. As she pulled away, I saw her eyes watering.

To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure? she asked smoothly, glancing from Laran and back to me. I bit my lip.

You don't know? I asked quietly, letting my eyes flick to each of the twins. The Grechs looked at one another.

Know what? asked Julian.

Obviously! muttered Leo.

Freyr is missing, pronounced Laran purposefully. Freya's eyes widened as she raised her hand to cover her mouth.

Oh no! she cried. The twins brows raised as the twins exchanged a look.

The Lufts contacted us asking for help with the search, I said. Then, with a quick glance to Laran, I added, We thought you knew what was going on.

We're not quite as close with the Lufts as we used to be, said Julian quietly as he threw a quick look at his brother who appeared to stare off in the distance.

The legacy of Apollo is strong here, thought Laran. No luck with women despite their great beauty. I could feel Laran's head shaking with pity.

I guess Sophie and Erik have been too busy to say anything, mused Freya with a frown.

Where is your brother? asked Laran with authority. The twins faltered under Laran's piercing gaze. He was used to being in command, and was ready to order my friends around. I guessed it was a coping mechanism. After all, how comfortable could it be standing in your wife's ex-boyfriend's house?

Constantine? interjected Freya, He's out. Our brows rose in unison.

Are you sure all of your family haven't been in contact with the Lufts? asked Laran quietly. Leo's mouth began to flap but I prevented him from speaking with a gesture.

We need a place to stay. Could we use my old room? I asked sweetly, addressing Freya. She blinked.

Yes of course darling, she paused, anything you need.

Some servants will be by with a few bags, said Laran and Freya nodded.

I think we'd better check in with the Lufts now, I said glancing again at Laran. He nodded. I turned then to the twins, If you'd like to come with us -

I don't think that's such a good idea right now, interjected Leo. My brows rose.

"I think they could probably use all the help they can get right now," said Laran pointedly. Leo didn't even look at him.

It's a wonder you're here, but I guess they felt they could reach out to you. They didn't to us, said Leo simply. He did a good job of masking his bitterness. Dani Luft, Erik and Sophie's daughter and my best girlfriend, used to date Leo. She'd had a crush on Julian which she'd transferred to Leo easily enough. Leo had harbored feelings for her for years. Unfortunately, after a very short time with my brother Toran, Dani's attentions were not only diverted, but completely arrested. She'd thought Leo had lost interest in her and so she hadn't worried about breaking up with him. Leo was better with books and painting than he was with girls, though he tried. Unfortunately there was no competition when it came to a bond, and Dani had a strong connection with my brother. Two souls that were destined to be together shouldn't be apart. I understood that more than most.

Just then Laran brushed the back of his hand against mine, sending waves of electricity throughout my body and heightened color to my cheeks. Blinking, I took a breath to bring myself back to the conversation.

Maybe they contacted Constantine directly, I offered quickly, to spare Julian's and Freya's feelings. I noticed Julian nodded slightly, thinking this might be the case. Freya only sighed.

"Whatever the case, you should be on your way darling. We'll see