Page 91 of Redeeming the Angel

“Black with lavender.”I took a seat on his sofa and eyed him in surprise as he heated the water.“I was led to believe that you weren’t ready to talk about that place.”

Tanis shrugged and measured out the tea in steel infusers.“I don’t want to tell Queen Kerainne because she’s suffered enough.Princess Nikkita is out of the question for similar reasons.They have family imprisoned there, after all.That’s part of why I couldn’t speak when the Leonines from Luminista came down even though I tried.But you…” He eyed me intently as he handed me a steaming mug.“You’re a luminite from the home realm.You and the others in Luminista need to know what we Medicia luminites have been through.And, more importantly, what’s at stake.”

Guilt curdled my belly, giving me a reason to delay tasting the tea.“I know I’ve been taught that Luminista is superior and mattered more than Medicia, but I promise, I take this all very seriously and believe that all of our people should as well.”

“Mephistopheles cannot create.”

“Yes,” I nodded, wondering why he was pointing out a well-known fact.“Which is why Qua’ al-fán is composed of stolen lands and magics.”

Tanis sipped his tea and continued.“He has to continue to force his prisoners to create for him to maintain the world.But doing so drains us.It’s killing us in ways we can’t be brought back from.”

“What do you mean?”The idea of dying and not returning to Luminista made me shiver.

“The luminites that Sylvis saw imprisoned in stone?”The tea cup clattered as Tanis set it back on its saucer.“Many weren’t imprisoned.That’s what happened to the ones who gave up.Mephistopheles just tells everyone he turned them to stone to make it seem as if he has more control.”

“I’ve heard legends that luminites who run out of things to create return to the elements.”My skin crawled.Everyone who repeated those legends spoke as if that were a noble, romantic thing to happen, but I never felt that way.

Tanis continued as if he hadn’t heard me.“He doesn’t only have luminites creating for him.He’s captured demons from the realm of Irkalla, though some are there voluntarily, hoping for a better life than the ones under their original overlords.”

“I wasn’t aware that demons could create.”Despite nearly a quarter century of studying, I knew very little about Irkalla.

“They can’t in the way we do, but they’re still of use to Mephistopheles in that some can extend life, others reshape elements to a point, and many can rip holes in the fabric of space and time itself.”Tanis lowered his voice as if worried about someone listening.“I also heard tell that there’s a demon king who can grant just about any wish if the sacrifice is right.”

My mind spun at all these horrific revelations.“I will have to inform the Queen and the General about this as soon as possible.Do you have any other knowledge that can help with this war?”

“I do.But…” Tanis took a deep drink of tea and leaned back in his chair.“I’m still very drained from that place.My mind is dulled and scattered and I’m trying very hard not to let it shut down again.It’s already taken this long before I was able to articulate the things I’ve told you today.”

“I understand.”The first time I’d seen Tanis in his catatonic state, I’d been disturbed on a level I’d never before experienced.“I should probably depart and let you get your rest.”

“Wait!”Tanis grabbed my hand before I could rise from the sofa.“Do the all of the matriarchs and patriarchs of Luminista know about the portal to Qua’ al-fán?”

“I’m not sure.”I finished my tea and searched my memories.“Queens Silvara and Lucretia both keep many secrets, but I don’t know if they’d keep that information from the other clan rulers.”

“Well, make sure they know,” Tanis said severely.“Because that portal gives me great worry.”

“Why?”Sylvis had done a good thing, hadn’t she?My confusion increased even as tendrils of worry sprouted in my gut.“Mephistopheles has been tearing his own way to other worlds for thousands of years.What’s the difference if the good side gets a way into his world?”

Tanis leaned closer to me, his voice and eyes eerily intent.“Because, if a Jagwolfe can create a portal to Qua’ al-fán, where else could they create one?”

I pondered Tanis’s words, but didn’t fully comprehend what he was getting at until I arrived in Luminista with the news that I was going to marry Kerainne Leonine.

Before my mother called Lucretia who would then call Silvara, she looked around, took my hand and transported us to a mountain overlooking the palace.

“Mother?”I shivered and muttered a warming spell.“What are we doing here?”

“I don’t want anyone overhearing me.”

“I think you may have gone further than necessary.”

“Perhaps.”Lucinda conjured my favorite blanket, lifting on her toes to throw it over my shoulders.The absent manner of the gesture warmed me and reminded me why I loved her despite her flaws.“Do you remember the first time we visited Medicia?”

“No.”I shook my head.“I was a baby.Which was strange because someone would have had to kill me so I could go back home with you and Father.”

“Exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were born there.Silvara was still the ruler at the time, but she was close to retiring and letting Natalya and her newly wedded mate, Kiernan, take the crown.Her mother, Glenda, was done ruling over Leonine clan here and ready to return to the elements…and so was her mate, your grandmother.”

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