Page 131 of The Rebel Seer

Lee straightens up and puts on what I like to think of as his player face. “Oh, well, we’ll see about that.”

Meadow seems thoroughly pleased with her plotting. “Her name is Mia, and send her my love.”

That name. It makes Rhys stand and his mother frown.

We have to find our Mia, and we still have no idea how to do it.

“I will find Arawn when we get home,” I promise. “I didn’t have time to ask him. Perhaps we can use Annwn. It isn’t a Hell plane.”

Devinshea claps his hands like he’s thrilled with the idea. Or he’s just happy to have hands. “Yes. It was definitely a celestial plane. We can use it as a starting point. I think if Nim asks, he can’t say no. He’s back on the I love Nimue train, and I haven’t even told him Myrddin cut her head off yet. He’s going to do anything he can to fuck the asshole over.”

I foresee visiting a lot of assisted living homes. And I forgot to tell him we’re moving to New Zealand. Hopefully he’ll get the message.

Hopefully we’ll get home.

We have to get home.

“Knock, knock,” a feminine voice says. “I hope I’m not being a bother.”

I feel my jaw drop. “Nim?”

Everyone is on their feet now as the gorgeous woman with long dark hair and a whole body dressed in a flowy gown walks in.

“Nimue, what happened?” Zoey rushes to her and throws her arms around her friend. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you. How did you find us?”

“I want to know how she grew her body back so fast,” Danny admitted.

“Zoey,” Neil’s voice is low, and his eyes have the light of his wolf in them. “That’s not Nimue. She’s smells like brimstone.”

Daniel reaches for his wife and the fake Nim frowns.

“What happened to my daughter? Why would she need to regrow her body?” the woman asks.

“Nim has a mom?” Neil asks.

“My name is Lilith. Layla is my daughter, though I suppose I shall have to learn to call her Nimue,” the woman admits “Her father is made of lies. He gave her up to become some balance to the wizard. I hate him as well. You should know he attempted to murder a girl who claims you are her parents.”

“Evan?” All of the royals are around Lilith now, but Zoey asks the question. “You know my daughter.”

“Yes, and apparently you know mine,” Lilith returns.

“Nimue is my friend,” Zoey explains. “I met her years ago when she gave Danny Excalibur and named him the King of the Sword. But then she woke up Myrddin, who was supposed to mentor Danny, but he put a thrall stone in her head and in Danny’s and Devinshea’s and he basically roofied the fuck out of her for like eight years, but then she woke up and she freaked out because Myrddin had taken over the Earth plane supes and she did not sign up for that gig and he cut her head off and stuffed her in a magical box and kept her in my closet with my shoes, but then I sent some Hidden Folk to find my lost bag of holding and they brought her head back instead, so she’s regrowing her body and I think she might need some therapy because of all the rapey shit Myrddin did to her.”

Lilith’s eyes go wide. “I will kill him.”

Zoey shakes her head. “There’s like a prophecy and stuff. We got it handled, but we could use some help getting out of here. We’re in the wrong timeline. I heard my daughter is alive, but is she all right?”

Lilith seems to soften. “Evangeline is physically fine. Emotionally is another thing entirely. She has gone through a change. When that massive asshole tossed her off Lucifer’s balcony, she was forced to accept the physical changes she was trying to avert. It’s not bad. She has wings and some other powers she needs to learn to use. She has asked me for sanctuary for the time being.”

Zoey stifles a cry.

Devinshea moves in behind her. “Why would she need sanctuary?”

“She’s scared,” Rhys says. “She’s been afraid of this change since she had to take primal blood to survive. Has she become bat-like?”

Lilith nods. “Somewhat, but not in a way that would keep her from passing for human. It’s too much for her, and she needs a break. I have offered for her to stay in my kingdom. It’s a refuge of sorts. I take in a lot of strays. Not that she is one, but I believe surrounding herself with them, with caring for creatures who need her love and kindness, will heal her. However, I explained I would speak to her parents, to let you know she is safe. I will send you updates.”

“Is Fenrir okay?” I ask, knowing the answer.