The Heart’s Lost Souls: Part One: The Binding Read online

  Belen’s head snapped up. “Do you know what that could do? Has anyone heard from the High Court? Did it awaken them?”

  “That is not all. In our universe three more planets have appeared. I have two scout parties checking out two of the closet planets, but did not send anyone to the third till I saw what was on the two closest. It is as if the shift of our worlds are changing, maybe balancing things out?” Kebar asked.

  Bull leaned against the wall as Apollyon joined him on the bed, reaching out and taking her hand into his. “It was over 6,000 years ago that something of this scale last happened and the High Council didn’t know what or why it happened then and they sure weren’t going to wake Those That Are, to ask.”

  Zeus snorted. “The last time they wakened, the way I heard it we lost 60 planets alone and they were threating to destroy the Great Shield.”

  Fallon stepped up to the end of the bed frowning, staring down at their woman. “She’s not here,” he looked at him then at Apollyon. “Don’t you feel it? Her spirit has been taken somewhere.”

  “What? This place is protected, who could enter here?” Belen asked, standing and staring down at Shannon, when Bull joined them by the bed.

  He sucked in his breath. “They are stirring.” The words hung in the air as Bull disappeared and for the first time Therbelenth stomach was truly in his throat. Not just for her, but for everyone.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Okay, this is so not good,” Shannon said, stepping up to Tabby and Melody. Off to the right side of them was Queen Carmen and to the left was Randy Kruger and Frigga, the mother Goddess.

  “Okay, who am I roasting now?” Tabby asked. Melody snorted and she just shook her head.

  “I have no idea on this one, so let’s keep our cool. I really don’t want to start some war or something,” Shannon said, wrapping her arm around Tabby and Melody when a cool breeze blew over them.

  On their right, Queen Carmen went to her knees as did Randy and Frigga.

  “Okay, if they are kneeling, I have a feeling we should too,” Shannon said, dropping to her knees and pulling Tabby and Melody down with her.

  “Shannon, step forward. I would see the next chosen one,” the man’s voice sent a shiver down her spine. Not only was it but a whisper, but there was such power in those few words that Shannon knew this person or whatever he was could destroy them all with a thought.

  She leaned over and whispered at Tabby. “You do nothing or so help me I’m going to kick your ass,” Shannon hissed, standing up, but she saw the smile on Tabby’s face.

  “I felt the power too, I’m not that stupid,” Tabby said back to her.

  “That’s one for the debate,” Melody grunted, when Tabby elbowed her.

  Shannon swore she heard a laugh from the man, but once she stepped away from her friends, his powers pushed through her. Her hair was flying around her as she was lifted up and brought closer to what she could not tell, a cloud of black smoke.

  “You are a strong one and the choice was wise. What was done to you and your mates should not have happened and for that I am sorry. The women here around you will be your guides and friends for the next thousand years. Eventually you will have eight that will work and be close with you. But you have chosen well those who you trust. Even the mouth behind you.”

  Shannon cringed praying Tabby wouldn’t say anything. She slowly looked behind her and sure enough Melody had her hand over Tabby’s mouth.

  The voice laughed. “Yes, she is a special one and I can see she will keep Wol-item very busy, but that is good. He was getting a little stuffy even for someone so young.”

  “Frigga, you and your husband will leave the Great Shield and stand beside Shannon. I warn you now. I’m debating destroying this place. It has caused enough trouble over the years.”

  “Please do not. There are many who wanted to help. Please allow my mates and me to work on clearing out those that have wronged us?” Shannon asked.

  “That is the only reason I am debating. We will see how you and your men handle this task, and it is a big one, I’m afraid. There are more there that have altered our worlds and I personally want to know how.” A black man stepped out of the fog. His eyes were red and he had a spiked tail behind him, not to mention the man’s skin was like that of a crocodile.

  “You are one of Those That Are, that my mates were speaking of earlier?” Shannon frowned. “I hate to say it but your name for your people needs to be changed.” Shannon said and covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry.” Once more her mouth, like Tabatha’s, got away from her.

  This time he did laugh. “Yes, it is true, maybe while we sleep you three can come up with a better name. I am what you would call the guardian, watching what happens below for my people, but this is too big to ignore. We will all will be awake soon. Three of your years, Shannon. We will see what you and your mates can do and find out. Till then, keep your friends here close.

  With those words, Shannon’s world darkened once more till she knew her mates were in the room with her. She opened her eyes, staring up at Belen. Shannon swore she could hear each of them release a deep breath.

  “Well, it would seem we have our answer. They have given their approval.” Belen reached down and ran his fingers over her neck. “Stunning and impressive,” Belen said, leaning down and kissing her. “But I swear if you disappear in you sleep again, I’m going to have what your humans call a heart attack.”

  “What did he say?” Belen asked as he lifted his head up, and reached over pulling her into his lap.

  “We have three years to find out what’s going on and the first place we need to go is the Great Shield.” Shannon said, hearing Tabby’s snarl and Wol-item’s voice.

  “You will not go into there without knocking,” he growled and she laughed.

  “Come in Tabby, Wol-item,” Shannon smiled when Tabby barged in followed by her mates.

  “What is this?” she asked, pointing to her cheek. “Why do you have a pretty one around your neck and I get a cheek mark?”

  “You have been given a huge honor. He has marked you as protected by him. It’s also warning everyone you are the queen’s personal Jovaphile. Think of them as personal guidance counsel, warriors for the queen, and women of the court.” Bull informed them as Melody and Shane moved into the room.

  She stepped up to the bed, frowning at her. “I take it this means for however long they rule?”

  Bull nodded and Melody sighed. “We’re going to be over 1,000 years old,” she moaned and Shannon laughed.

  “Yea, but who better to get old with, but your friends,” Shannon said. “Think of all the different worlds we get to go visit. Maybe Tabby will even get us kicked off of a few “ she teased and Tabby growled.

  “Hey, I didn’t get us kicked out of all of those places. You and Melody had a few wild ones too,” Tabby grumbled and she laughed.

  “Let’s see, I think I had two, Melody?” Shannon asked.

  “Okay, Okay… but can you see them trying to kick me off a planet? This is going to be fun.” Tabby smiled and rocked on her feet, as Hoyt and Chax groaned and Wol-item released a bit of smoke at Tabby.

  Bull shook his head. “You will not get old and 1,000 years is young. That is just the beginning of your rule,” Once more Bull shocked all of them.

  “You’re kidding, right?” Tabby asked. “Is that why he said Wol-item was acting like an old geezer for someone so young.”

  “He what?” Wol-item growled. “I swear they get to be more of a pain in the ass every time they wake up,” he said, when Shannon smelled smoke. Sure enough, Wol-item jumped, swatting at his butt. “You old buzzard, knock it off,” Wol-item growled.

  Shannon glanced at her and they busted out laughing till Tabby glanced at Wol-item. “How close are you to him. He’s not family or something is he?”

  “He is good friends of my great, great grandparents. So, what did he have to say?” Wol-item said, lifting Tabby into his arms and holding onto her.


  “That he was debating on destroying the Great Shield. I asked him to wait, to allow us to find out what was going on. I didn’t want to see so many innocents die because of a few. He’s given us three years. Oh, and he wants those in charge of changing the worlds. He was really not happy about that at all. They believe that those responsible for this are in this realm from what I could gather,” Shannon explained.

  “I have to say I was surprised the spider lady was there and who was this Frigga lady?” Melody asked.

  “Queen Carmen and Frigga are on your Jovaphile. Wonderful choices to say the least. Both women will be assets to you,” Bull said, watching as Tac crawled up her arm to sit on her shoulder.

  “I mean they are acquaintances, well Queen Carmen isn’t, but I really didn’t pick them. I had no idea what this Jovaphile was until tonight,” Shannon said.

  * * *

  Apollyon sat back and watched the play between everyone, while rubbing Shannon’s feet. Her body was tense, but she was trying to play off everything to her friends. Yes, their woman still didn’t like to rely on anyone. Her trust was shattered and it was no wonder after all that she had suffered.

  “You know Shannon still isn’t opening up to us?” he sent to Therbelenth, who didn’t even glance his way.

  “She is going to crash soon. There is so much inside of her. Do you feel her shaking in our arms? I believe this is another reason her friends have stayed so close to her lately.” Belen smiled. “Shannon really did enjoy the bike ride with her friends. Why don’t we take her for our kind of ride tomorrow? With her children, we can take them to Choibos.”

  Apollyon didn’t move as Furfur entered the room bloody, and fell to his knees. Everyone turned to look at him as Chax ran to him. Slowly, Apollyon rose, placing Shannon’s feet on the bed he went over to his man.

  The last Apollyon had heard from Furfur was on the trail of Lilith, Chax’s mother. “What happened?” Apollyon asked, kneeling down next to Furfur and slowly healing his wounds. With Lilith being so much older, only he could heal anyone hurt by her this bad.

  “How bad?” Nicor asked, appearing next to him with Derk.

  “He will survive. He’s already healing,” Apollyon said, standing and glancing at Nicor who was now glaring at Tabby.

  “Enough,” Apollyon, snapped drawing everyone’s gaze. “Tabby is Chax’s mate and now my woman’s Jovaphile. Do you really wish to anger Those That Are?”

  “Yep, Tabby, Melody, we definitely need to think of a better name for them,” Shannon said, coming over and running her hand down Furfur’s neck where one of the deepest wounds was.

  He was about to say something about her touching Furfur, but when he noticed the wound was totally healed in seconds, all he could do was stare.

  “Shannon, remember our talk earlier,” Bull-The Old One said, moving over to them.

  Apollyon glanced from Shannon to Bull. “You knew she could heal, that she has The Touch of Wavefire and you didn’t tell us?” his anger was slowly building, till Shannon came up behind him wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his back.

  “We just found out earlier. Calm down, demon man. What’s the big deal? Shannon asked, but already Apollyon could hear the exhaustion in her voice.

  He reached around and drew her into his arms. “There are a number of problems, the first is that it takes too much out of you. Second, we’ll have a number of people lined up for you to heal them and it’s another reason for someone to try to take you away from us,” he grumbled and carried her back to the couch, knowing full well she wouldn’t go to bed while they discussed things. “Furfur, start explaining please.”

  Shannon rubbed her cheek against his chest, watching as everyone gathered around waiting to hear what Furfur was going to tell them.

  “Lilith is working with others. I was stupid and allowed her to double back on me, but I did find out there are a few that are following her including, Ipos, Kappas and Nagas. Those are the three that attacked me.”

  “Ipos has always been a hothead, but to go in with Lilith? Sorry brother, but your mom is just disgusting,” Nicor grumbled.

  “I think we need to discuss everything we have found out tomorrow morning,” Shannon said as she reached up and cupped his cheek. “A breakfast meeting, right before we go to the Great Shield.”

  “Shannon, I need to hear this report. Sleep if you need to, I have you,” he said and glanced down at his woman.

  “True, but if you are furious you are not going to hear the report.” She glanced over at Furfur. “Is this the worse of it, these three?” Shannon asked when Bael, their father, appeared in their room.

  “What happened?” he asked, looking from Furfur to Apollyon.

  Chax moved up to his father, placing his hand on his shoulder. “It would seem my mother has others helping her, and they attacked Furfur.”

  “I suspected as such. Many are even worried about your joining, sir.” Bael glanced at him then at Shannon, who shifted, sitting up.

  “Who? I’ll fry them?” Tabby growled and Apollyon laughed when Wol-item lifted Tabby up and threw her over her shoulder.

  “It’s late and I believe Shannon has the right idea. For now, I’m taking our mate back to bed after I have another talk with her about frying people,” he mumbled, heading towards the door. “But Apollyon, watch your back and keep that one from touching others. I don’t need my mate roasting everyone around.”

  “I’m going to roast you, you overstuffed dragon. Put me down,” Tabatha growled and slapped his ass.

  “Woman, you just don’t know when to stop,” Wol-item said, heading out the door with Hoyt following.

  Chax put his hand on Furfur’s shoulder. “Do not hesitate if you see her. She is no mother.” Chax glanced at his father. “I only have one parent.”

  Bael pulled Chax into a hug. “Always, and tell that cute little woman of yours I’ll visit with her later. It’s time for me to bring Lilith in and I know how to do it.” With that Bael left and Chax turned to him.

  “What did he mean, he knows how to get her?” Chax asked.

  Apollyon sighed. “He had a child with her. Of course, your father is going to have a connection with Lilith. A part of her is in him. As a part of him is in her, but this only happens with royal blood.”

  “We have no royal blood,” Furfur said.

  “But you do. Your father is my brother,” Apollyon said.

  “How? Why weren’t we told?” Chax growled.

  “Nicor, Derk, follow my little brother and make sure he does not do something stupid. When he finds Lilith, call me, I’ll come.” Apollyon said. “Furfur, go rest. It’s time this one sleeps.”

  “No, I think we need to make a trip to reassure your people,” Shannon got up and stretched, her clothes changing to what she had on earlier.

  “And you think you are going anywhere in that outfit?” Zeus growled.

  “What? I happen to like this outfit. You think it makes my butt look too flat? I always hated that I had no ass.” Shannon said going to a full-length mirror. “On Earth I was heavier, always trying to lose weight. I still can’t get over how much I’ve changed. But I still need a butt, now that Tabby has a butt.”

  Apollyon, had to smile as Kebar stepped up behind Shannon, reaching out and cupping her ass. His hand was twice the size of her butt cheek. “Your round globes are perfect. You do not need to change anything. I am Kebar, eldest son of Trundell the great and king of my world. I think it would be better if maybe you stayed here, safer.” Kebar glanced at him and he shrugged.

  “No one will harm her. If she wishes to come it might ease some of the tension below to actually see our mate. It also might help if we showed a united front?” Apollyon asked.

  “I am right beside you,” Therbelenth said, as Fallon and Star all agreed.

  Shannon turned around and stared up at Kebar. “Are you a butt man?” she asked and Apollyon couldn’t help but laugh as Chax snorted, leaving with Furfur, knowing the t
wo would be below waiting for them.

  Kebar leaned down and kissed her nose. “I’m a Shannon man, the whole woman.”‘

  She laughed. “Well, my man, are you accompanying us below, dear sir?” Shannon, wrapped her arm around his and frowned. “What about the children?” she glanced towards their door.

  “They are safe here, and our sons know we are leaving,” Apollyon said. “Are you ready?”

  “Go, you should be on his arm, entering this world. When you come to my world, you’ll be on my arm.” Kebar kissed the top of her head. “And yes, I go with all of you.”

  Shannon stepped up to Apollyon. He stared down at the woman of their center, heart, soul and knew that no matter what, at all cost, she would be protected. “Come, my lady,” he said, escorting them all into his world.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Shannon leaned on Apollyon, holding onto Belen’s hand, as they took her to Apollyon’s world. To say she was scared was an understatement. Plus, add the fact Apollyon had been right, every time she had healed something major, it did seem to zap her out of energy. Plus, the fact she still believed that someone was taking what they could from her, that there was another hidden spell inside her.

  Once more Shannon took a few seconds to compose herself after transferring herself to Apollyon’s world. She had to admit the travel to other planets was right up there with scary. She hated to admit that Apollyon might be right, to always have one of them with her, because she’d really hate to end up on some strange planet, surrounded by things.

  The tiny feet of Tac on her shoulder had Shannon lifting her head up to look around. All seven of them were in what appeared to be some great hall and they were at the top of it looking down at what had to be thousands of Apollyon’s people.

  “Wow, and this was last minute?” she asked, seeing Chax there, “off to the side watching with a few others. One of them started to move towards them, when Belen and Kebar stepped in front.

  “He is safe, my second in command is down here,” Apollyon said as Belen and Kebar stepped aside, but kept close as did all of her mates. “Caym, our mate Shannon.”