Page 43 of Crowned A Traitor
The Leprechaun took the small bag, and Klara made sure her fingers grazed his, "this is sufficient."
In a quick flash, she saw the purple top hat upon his head and his raised thick white brows.
"One question, why was my name in gold? Lokey," Klara spoke his name, making the Demon Warlock shift in his seat. "I didn't think we would meet again so soon."
"Who am I to hide from the Heiress of Hell?” Lokey cleared his throat dropping his glamour and exposing the Hounds at his side.
Klara dropped her own glamour, knowing that with one word from his thin lips, the Demons hunting her would appear. "In gold? Hmm, could be many reasons? Lilith wasn't very vocal about her deals."
"I feel we are at a crossroads," Lokey said, petting his mangy Creatures.
"Was Lilith involved in your smuggling operation?" She asked, and a hearty laugh bounced around the shelves of brightly coloured potions and fungus.
"My darling, Lilith was the operation. The sweet thing needed something to do after her wife was caught smuggling."
Klara stared at the thick ledger, Lilith, the Queen of discipline, was a traitor all along. Klara grit her teeth, wondering how many other secrets had been kept from her.
"Then let's make a new deal. Continue to smuggle whomever you please, and I leave. No harm, no foul. If I stay, I only harm business. Lilith is dead. I see no reason why your business should not continue."
Lokey tipped his hat, thinking it over. "Abadan would have offered such a sweet reward, but I owe Lilith a debt. The business just won't be as fun without her."
Klara tried to hide her relief. The Hounds disappeared from his side, and a slick smile revealed his snake-like tongue. "Where were we?"
"Passage."
"Kharon should arrive in three days close to the Ogres' swamplands where the checkpoints widen to take you across the River, once you reach the Neutral Lands you are on your own."
The River Styx ran for miles but the closer it got to the Queens Mountain, the more border points there were. To cross the River that split Kalos and Malum above the Southern Swamps would be suicide.
"Transport?" Klara asked. "The last transport already left," Lokey shrugged with a smile, "you will have to run." Klara could do it, but with her new heart, it would weaken her.
"I'll introduce you to the others." Lokey's words shook her. "The young beasts were smoked out last night," Lokey said with feigned indifference.Others?Klara thought “Abadan must be delighted to know that the Lycaon caves were destroyed, no more alphas to rile her.” Klara offered no reply as Lokey stared at her.
"Shame there was no one to protect them from the High Queen's wrath."
"I don't need to know the details or a group slowing me down," Klara said, and Lokey sniggered, "what cruelty, you may make a royal yet."
Klara didn't want to travel in a pack.Least the fire would bring growth, Klara tried to find a silver lining to soothe her pestering guilt.
"No one, not even the Heir of Hell passes through alone. The Fae can track one person too easily, but a few Creatures will make it harder for the Fae to track you," he paused watching his words, "different abilities and smells will throw off their radar. It's the safest and only way to get through."
Klara hadn't considered the Fae Guard that would be waiting after the Neutral Lands. She was too worried about her enemies on this side of the River.
"How many are seeking passage?" Klara asked. Lokey slipped back into his Leprechaun glamour as he removed keys from his pocket. "Three."
Klara winced,three to feed and they will want rest.It’s one Hell of a risk. If they are caught in my presence,Klara shuddered at the thought of what the Queens would do to them.
"A Doomed, and two Lycaons," Lokey continued as a rap on the door interrupted them.
"Glaudine?" Lokey called to the door, and it opened a slight crack. While Lokey used a glamour, the woman was an actual Leprechaun. There was no aura of magic surrounding her curves, only a shimmer concealing a top hat tattoo on her exposed cleavage telling Klara that she was under his protection.
"We have a problem."
Klara stared in confusion as the Leprechaun kissed Lokey's cheek. No servant would dare get so close to a Higher Demon.
"My wife," Lokey beamed, and Klara closed her gaping mouth.
"Nice to meet you," Klara said, and the Leprechaun placed a hand on her swollen belly. Lokey followed Klara’s gaze and his brow creased with concern. Glaudine was pregnant.
