Shadow Revealed (The Enlightened Species Book Two) (17 page)

Enlil’s shame overwhelmed him. “I am so sorry, my love. I have failed you so much. I had no idea you were continuing to suffer all this time.”

“Oh, Enlil, how wrong you are. I have chosen to remain. I have had the memories of a joyous life, thanks to you. Every day I remained in the Morsdente, I knew it meant that you still lived. You remember the day Girsu and Nippur Einar passed?”

Enlil nodded, the details of their conversation flowing into his mind. “I do remember, but my love, you cannot ask me to continue without you. Not once the Morsdente is dead. Not now that I know Ninlil will survive the separation of our twin bond.”

“You know this of Ninlil how?” So like his Etana, stubborn, her jaw set, her eyes flashing at him. His love for her filled his soul.

“We have granddaughters, my love; twin girls. One of them passed, and the other survived her death.” Enlil explained. “Once your killer is destroyed, I will join you. Brae has suffered much to give you a chance to say goodbye, but this is not goodbye, my love. I will join you before this night is done.”

Etana was silent for a moment, processing, and her gaze shifted to their family waiting. “Innanna, would you join us for a moment?” The female walked over without hesitation. “Was the bond between the twin girls the same as the bond between Ninlil and Enlil?”

Innanna met Enlil’s questioning gaze. Issuing a heartfelt sigh, she spoke to Etana’s question directly. He knew this question was part of why Innanna was here. That, and she’d brought Jess so Enlil could mentor her one last time. Understanding the Oracles was not something he would ever be able to do, but this was one of the rare times he did appreciate them.

“No, Etana. It wasn’t. Ediku’s twins Moira and Marja are Hulven. Only Marja, the one who died, developed psychically; Moira is not psychic. Therefore, the bond she feels is emotional. Though I am sure the pain of the loss is just as difficult, I don’t think it negates the full psychic twin bond of Ninlil and Enlil.” Apologetically, she looked at Enlil, speaking to him this time. “There is no way to know the effects either of you would have from the loss of the other.”

Oh, Fates, Innanna was right, the anomaly of his twin grandchildren hadn’t even occurred to him. Enlil reached up, cupping Umbrae’s chin, and brought Etana’s gaze back to his. “My love, why? Why do you want me to live on without you?” Why would she wish him to continue his suffering? They belonged together, forever, bonded in this life and the next, as it should be. The thought of one more moment without her was more than he could fathom. He had to believe Ninlil would be okay. He needed to go. Etana had to understand his desperation.

She griped his face in her hands, halting his shake of denial. “In you I will always live on, in your heart, in your memories, just as you have in mine.” Reaching up, Etana grasped her hand over Enlil’s against Umbrae’s chin. “I want you to live, Enlil. More than that—I want you to love anew. The universe has accepted the offer of my soul in exchange for
our people
to bloodmate anew, after widowhood. That chance begins with you. You will be the first. It is my gift to you, to our people; my final gift. Promise me, Enlil. Promise you will live on.”

“You’re saying even if I leave this life, we may never again be together?” Enlil choked back a sob, his heart broken into a million pieces. Would the cruelty of the Fates never end?

“We had our time, Enlil. You carry the memories of our great love. This is bigger than us. This is for the survival of our species, the hope of our brethren. I am honored to offer my soul in sacrifice.” The pure sincerity of her burned from within the gray eyes so very different than Etana’s blue. “
You
will love,
you
will find joy, and
you
will have more children. Your example will pave the way for all. Accept your destiny, Enlil. Promise me you will live on.”

How could he deny her? She sacrificed her very soul for him and the hope of the Volaticus species. He could never deny her anything; this was no different. His shattered heart lodged firmly in his throat, he pulled her forehead to touch his and nodded. “I love you, Etana.”

“As I love you.” Placing a kiss to his cheek, she rose from the ground. “I must hurry. Umbrae is weakened.”

Enlil watched Etana walk over to their family, her short strides further revealing that Etana was firmly in control of Brae’s body in every way, a generosity that Enlil wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to fully thank Brae for. In keeping herself this open to Etana, she was also open to the Morsdente; even weakened, the beast was no doubt tormenting her.

Etana walked up to Ninlil first. “If you must hold his soul to you, do it. You have the ability,” Etana told her, tears running down her face. Ninlil nodded.

Then she moved over the Ediku. “My son. You have brought me much joy. I love you so. I am forever proud to be your mother. Never forget.”

Edik also had tears in his eyes. “I love you, mother. I miss you every day.” He pulled Brae’s body into an embrace. Enlil had an overwhelming urge to pull Brae from his son, not because it bothered him to see mother and son embrace. That actually brought him joy. There had been a moment where he’d failed to recognize that Ediku wasn’t essentially hugging his mother, he had only seen Brae.
Love anew?
Oh Fates … he wasn’t ready to love anew. If he couldn’t release his living energy, he’d find some relief in dormancy.

Etana stepped away from their son; she held Ediku’s sword in Brae’s scarred hands. Without a second look back Etana marched to the Morsdente. The lean defined muscles of Brae’s back flexed, the sword completed a high arc. The Morsdente’s head rolled a few feet away.

“Etana, no,” Enlil cried. His shout was drowned out by another.

“NOOO!” Umbrae’s voice ripped through. The sword dropped from her hands, and tears streamed down her face. She went to her knees beside the body of the Morsdente. Brae’s grief was palatable, her hands to her face, a keening wail sound coming from her. Her shoulders shook with her weeping.

Enlil looked to the face of his estranged son, Ediku. Blue eyes so like his mother’s met his. He was sure that unlike him, Ediku had no prior warning of what he’d just witness, yet his son had handled his mother’s possession of another admirably. Through his paternal bond Enlil sent his son the pride he felt. Ediku gave him a shaky smile and a nod then resumed looking at Brae with sympathy.

Even in her weakened condition, it was Jess who’d reached Brae first, and Irsu and Hans were heading to her too. Enlil knew it was his comfort she needed. His dormancy would have to wait … for now. He rose from the ground, intent on taking Brae into his arms and flying her away from here. Etana had gifted more than a possibility of love for him, she’d led him to it; she’d guided him to Brae. Had Etana somehow chosen her in his behalf? If so, he had even more reason to be grateful to Etana. Brae’s unique and beautiful soul humbled and awed him. Maybe someday … the thought quickly vanished at the sight of the body Brae crouched beside.
Etana
. By her hand she was gone, lost to him forever. The power of that realization nearly drove him to his knees before he could reach Brae.

Shimmering, multihued energies emerged between him and Brae. The High Ones and members of the Oracles manifested onto the bluff. Adonai’s towering figure stood directly before him. The speaker looked at him and nodded before stepping around to address Enlil’s family. What the hell was this all about? There were easily twenty powerful individuals surrounding him, and their numbers added to the people already present filled the overlook to capacity.

“What’re ya doin’ here?” Gil asked the High Speaker, a warning tone to his voice. He didn’t seem surprised to see them. Enlil could not see Adonai’s face, but he could imagine the condescension that was probably there. Gil still stood between Innanna and her father.

“I have come for Innanna,” Adonai stated.

“Ov’r my dead body,” Gil snarled, not in the least intimidated by the presences around him. Nin, Sargon, Ediku, and Shane had maneuvered into position beside Gil, creating a unified front to the powerful Elven in attendance. Enlil ported directly behind Gil and Innanna.

Adonai paused. “Killing you would be a pleasure, boy.” Enlil was surprised to see profound sadness in the face of the speaker. Had Innanna gone against her sect in aiding them this day? If Gil were willing to fight, without question, the Lil family would stand united.

“No. I called them to retrieve me.” Innanna placed a restraining hand to Gil’s arm. He turned to her, surprised. “I have to go, Gil. Please understand.” She looked, pleading into Gil’s eyes.

“We talked ‘bout this, Innanna,” Gil growled at her.

“No, we didn’t, not really. There wasn’t time. I must face the consequences of my actions. You’re a warrior, a male of honor; you of all people should understand that.”

“So, I’m juss supposed ta stand here an’ let ya go. Is that what yer sayin’?” Gil crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. “Not gonna happen.” Enlil had always sensed an attraction between Gil and Innanna, though Gil’s behavior toward the female was intriguing.

Innanna shimmered, her body growing to stand eye to eye with Gil. Enlil had to give the female credit, she didn’t back down from the ferocity in Gil’s stance. Enlil’s close proximity to the couple allowed him to hear what Innanna whispered into Gil’s ear. “I wish I’d had time to explain. This has to happen. I’m so sorry.”

“What are ya talking—” Innanna placed a finger over Gil’s lips, silencing him, and placed a tender kiss to his cheek. “Goodbye, Gilgamesh.” She looked over to her father with a nod. The entire group ported, taking Innanna with them.

Enlil could see Gil trying to port and follow her, his energy flickering weakly. None of them showed their normal levels. “Son of a bitch,” Gil snapped. “Dad, canna ya port?” Sargon closed his eyes his energy flickering dimly like Gil’s, and he shook his head.

Enlil tried—nothing. He tapped deep into his abilities in order to see the spiderweb-like weave surrounding them. “Those bastards. They weaved a hold over us.” Enlil could feel his body shaking in fury. The weaves held a level of protection as well. They couldn’t escape, but no one would be able to reach them either.

Gil was in a similar state. “Why?”

Ninlil shook her head as she mapped the circumference of the weave with her palms. “I guess whatever is happening with Innanna, they don’t want our interference.”

“I can port.” The soft voice of Brae wafted towards them from where she and Jess sat together beside the corpse of the Morsdente. Black circles around their eyes showed the exhaustion of both females.

“So can I,” Jess declared. “They didn’t include us in whatever they did to you. I can see the barrier surrounding you. It’s not over Umbrae and I.” Jess gave a wicked smile. “They must not consider her and I a threat.”

Enlil could see the weave clearer when he looked at where Hans stood with Irsu and her unit. The High Ones had placed a weave over them as well. Between his family and the SOSC warriors sat the most precious females in Enlil’s life. Unencumbered by a hold, the females were free … unprotected and vulnerable.

If this were about Innanna, why hold them all rather than just Gil?
This has to happen.
Innanna’s whispered words came back to him with a sense of dread. The Fates had been against him for centuries … why should this be any different?

It was obvious what Jess was thinking. “No fucking way, Jess. Don’t even think about it.” Shane’s fear for his mate was justified, but his approach was all wrong to have a chance to sway his mate. Jess and Umbrae stood together. “Beauty, you can’t follow Innanna. She will be in the High chambers by now, behind closed doors. It’s a bad idea.”

“Ya got a better idea, my man?” Gil asked him. “Innanna told me she could be put ta death fer helpin’ us.” That would explain the sorrowful look on Adonai’s face and the show of force in retrieving the tiny Oracle. Perhaps Jess and Brae had been left free because they had been in the center of the group and had just been overlooked.

“And what exactly do you think Jess will be able to do about it?” Shane demanded.

Enlil interjected before things could get too heated. “Shane, I’m her mentor. Whether or not Jess goes and what she is ready for is my call.” He fully understood Shane’s concern, but someday Shane would realize that a controlled mate is an unhappy mate. Hell, it had taken him centuries of fighting with Etana before he had gotten a clue. He didn’t like the idea of Brae going into that snake pit either.

Jess squared her shoulders and glared at her mate, then met his gaze in question. He agreed with Shane—Jess wasn’t in a position to aid Innanna. The family united wasn’t enough to save Innanna if the panel put her to death. He didn’t believe that was their plan; Innanna was too valuable to them. He doubted Adonai could order death for his only daughter, judging from the look on the male’s face. If he gave Jess a direct order, would the little firecracker be able to follow it, or would she rush in? She was so like Etana, compassionate to the point of self-sacrificing, but he had to try. If nothing else, it would get Jess and Umbrae off this bluff.

“I can do this, Enlil,” Jess coerced. She had to be aware that Enlil was on the fence. “They can’t get angry for me following when they failed to hold me here.”

Enlil considered her argument; Jess could talk her way out of trouble better than anyone he’d ever seen. Assuming she didn’t interfere, there was no reason for the panel to harm her. “You are prone to rash actions. If I send you in on a watch-and-listen-only directive, how can I be sure you won’t risk yourself should you not like what you hear?” The only way he would get the commitment of safety from Jess was if he could manipulate her into offering it. Short of that, he would not allow her to go.

Jess glanced at Shane again. The male was furious, his knuckles white on his balled fists. Enlil was pretty damn sure that if Shane weren’t under the holding weave, he would have chained his mate to him and swallowed the key already. Thankfully he was an honorable male who knew Enlil was right. It was his call alone.