Surprising allies come forth to help, as Lyden's control slowly begins to erode. Muramasa is meticulously taking over Lyden's willpower, turning his emotions and manipulating his thoughts against those that would aid him. Time draws near for Lyden and company to return to the Shadow World, but will it be a path of stone, or a path of blood?
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Chapter 21
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Subtlety
"And that's the gist of it," I finish talking, looking at everyone in my office. Sheila, Debbie, and Thomas look at me with varying emotions, ranging from pure incredulity on Debbie's slightly plump features, to calm acceptance on Thomas's older face. Even Jennifer shows some doubt about what I'm saying, even though she's faced a denizen of the Shadow World first hand. Sheila just stares at me with an unreadable expression. I wonder how she feels about the way I used her in the fantasy world Marchosias had forced us into. AnnaBelle just nods her head, as if she'd already figured everything out. Only Ondine seems bored with what I've been talking about.
Turning to AnnaBelle, I take a deep breath to steady myself before delivering the news I know will hit her the hardest. "What do you know about your reverend, or father, or whatever he is, Michael Chilton?"
Her brows draw together, and I can see she's already getting defensive. "He's the most pious and religious man I've ever met," she informs me, her tone confident and full of fervor. "I've seen him heal the sick through faith, restore the lame, and help the poor. He devotes his time and efforts at a homeless shelter, and never has an unkind thing to say." Her eyes sharpen as she regards me for a few seconds, and I let her get everything out before I drop the awful news. "Why do you ask, Lyden? Is he someone from your other world?"
I debate on saying that it isn't
my
other world. Earth is my world! But I don't. "He paid me a visit last night, where I'm staying." I avoid mentioning that I'm staying at my girlfriend's place while three other sexual interestsβSheila, Jennifer, and Arethβare here with me. I don't think Sheila would appreciate that news, though I'm certain Jennifer would get a kick out of it. "He was the reason we all shared that, um, vision."
She raises one eyebrow at that statement. "I'm sure he felt there was something to be learned by it." Her words say one thing, but her tone is troubled.
"Oh, he did alright," I tell her, trying to smother an annoyed chuckle. "Areth?" Throughout my talking, the little fairy had remained hidden in the back of my shirt. When she emerges, a new round of gasps sounds around the room. Only AnnaBelle and Ondine show no surprise by her appearance.
"My daughter," Thomas whispers, then shakes his head to clear the thought.
"In the vision she was," I agree with the older man sadly, before turning back to face AnnaBelle. "Marchosias found out I'd tricked him concerning her. That vision was his punishment."
Anger suffuses AnnaBelle's mature features. "Are you telling me that Reverend Chilton works for that demon?" Her voice is almost loud enough to be called a yell.
It's Arethusa that responds, fluttering up to her, "No, he is telling you that your holy man is Marchosias, simple human."
AnnaBelle's face turns a deep dark crimson color, and I fear she's about to blow a gasket, but suddenly she calms. "I don't believe you," she tells us, her voice barely controlled, "but I can see that you believe it. It's much more likely that your demon took the image of my Reverend when he visited you."
I nod to her, though I don't believe it for a moment. The voice of the two had been the same, something I hadn't realized until after he'd changed into his wolf form. I'd only met the reverend one other time, but even then, I hadn't much cared for the charismatic man. Now I know why.
Looking around the small office space, I see all eyes are on me. Well, all eyes except for Ondine's blue orbs. She's looking at Thomas curiously. I remember how she'd acted towards the mature man in the vision, and wonder how much of that carried over into the real world.
"Lyden" Sheila's commanding voice breaks the silence, "can I have a word with you in private?"
I nod to my boss, before leaning over to Ondine and whispering, "Go to him."
She looks up at me wide-eyed, obviously surprised that I knew what she was thinking, before shaking her head.
Shrugging my shoulders, I start to follow Sheila out, but stop when Areth follows me. "Stay here if you can," I tell the tiny golden woman. "If you start to grow weak, then follow after, but this needs to be private."
This might be a good test for how far I can get from her. I'm only slightly surprised at how readily she agrees. She must really trust me.
"Don't be gone too long," she tells me, and I nod that I won't.
Stepping into the hallway, Sheila starts to head back to the conference room, but I stop her before we get too far. She glares at me, her eyes narrowing. "What the hell are you playing at, Lyden?" she demands, her finger stabbing at my chest.
"Um, huh?" I ask, momentarily dumbfounded.
"Don't play dumb," she nearly yells. "You knew who I was in thatβthat place, and you used me like a common whore!"
"What? No! I mean, I did use you like that, but I didn't know who you were. My memories had been changed. I didn't know who
anybody
was!" I try to keep my voice down, not wanting anyone to overhear.
Her hand balls into a fist against my chest, and she drops her head to my torso. She starts to shake, and feeling sorry for the woman, I wrap my arms around her.
"You want to know the worst part?" she asks me, and I can hear tears in her voice. Not knowing what to say, I just rub her back, letting her work through her emotions. "The worst part is, I still dream about that. I still crave it." She lifts her head to look deep into my gray eyes, and her conviction is such that I can't look away. "I grow wet every time I think about it. I didn't wear panties today, hoping you'd come in. Wanting to be used like that again."
"I'm sorry," I murmur, truly feeling bad for her.