Sweet Redemption: The Morningstar Series Book 3
Sweet Redemption Chapter 71

I don't particularly enjoy keeping secrets from my family but I fear that is all I do now. My life is full of secrets that not even my grandfather knows. That's what happens when life forces you to grow up before you should. After being kidnapped I thought I would never get back to my old life, and after I was saved I thought that I would finally get that. I was wrong, but this isn't about me.

This is about my twin sisters. I started to notice over the last few days that something was off. When Sage reached out to me I was shocked. I didn't know that I could communicate with them like that, let alone that they could reach out to me. I thought that for once I had made it in time. For once something worked out in my favor. But that would be too easy. Too easy for this family. But I wasn't giving up. They are my sisters afterall.

I had to desperately try to avoid looking in Bou or Bianca's eyes. Their sadness and agony was too much for me. It was bad enough that their souls were screaming out to me.

Bou was worse. I saw in his head what had happened over the last eight days. While Bianca and Ahkari were in their own little world full of love and ignorance, Bou and Acaisia's was devastatingly depressing. I knew Bou was blaming himself. The potion I gave them, I told them was to help with the pain from being so far away from their mates, but that was a lie. While it would help ease their pain, it also calmed their souls.

You have no idea how the soul cries out when it isn't with it's other half after meeting it. It's heart wrenching and I honestly don't know how people can bare it. My soul didn't feel that way though, not when I was rejected. But again, this story isn't about me. I was surprised that Tia was still letting me help with this. After being labeled The Derranged I wasn't privy to anything anymore. Usually we weren't allowed to attend missions if we were under 18. Mom's rules.

Sometimes me and my siblings were asked to help in small ways. After I came home the only person who ever asked me, or even let me help was Aunt Lenny. So, the fact that Tia wasn't pushing me out the door gave me a little bit of hope. Hope that she didn't see

me as a monster.

Tia was about to replace out some things about me that I couldn't explain. Just because Mom wants me to wait until I'm 18, and just because Tia doesn't believe the Derranged should be on any missions, doesn't mean I was just sitting at home. Aunt Lenny didn't know everything but she knew some.

For example, she had no idea how I got my hands on the Orbuculum. No one aside from my best friend Vessa knew how I got that. It wasn't the sole focus of the mission so when I found it, I kept it. I knew one day it would come in handy, but I also knew I would never be able to explain how I got it. Aunt Lenny understood that but I knew Tia would not. I'm sure she would ask me about this at a later date but by that time she would forget.

Unfortunately, if she was going to keep asking me questions and become curious, I would have to wipe that little bit of her memory.

An example of something Aunt Lenny does know: The Dragons. It's true that they owe me. Aunt Lenny doesn't know the details but she knows we have a favor from them. That was something Pops told her. I rolled my eyes to myself. Aunt Lenny is Pops right hand man, much to my annoyance.

"The Dragons owe you?" Tia asked like she didn't believe me.

I nodded. "I can go meet with the King right now." I said.

Tia clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed with me.

"And I assume you can't tell me much more than that?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Sorry." I stated not sorry at all.

"No you are not." Tia snapped out. "What the hell is going on with you Akeehla? How many secrets do you have?" She asked.

If only you knew.

I stared up at my sister without talking. She is in charge of the only supernatrual BOC. Tia isn't stupid. She would piece together that I was working for someone. If I didn't take care if, Pops would order me to. But right now we have bigger things to worry about. "Tia. Our sisters are missing. Their mates are barely holding on. We have no idea how much time we have. You need to call Queen Annag. Aunt Lenny and I will go to the Dragon realm and speak with the king." I told her.

"And how exactly are you going to get there? They will kill you on the spot if you teleport." Tia asked.

I bit my lip. "Don't worry about it." I said and turned to walk out the door before she could ask me anything else.

Teleporting to my bedroom I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Morningstar." A deep accented voice answered lazily. "What do I owe the displessure of speaking with you Derranged?"

"I need to cash in my favor with you King Cadmus." I stated.

The Dragon King chuckled lowly.

"I don't recall owing you a favor my dear." He said.

I knew this would happen. Dragons did not like to communicate with other speices. They especially hated my family. King Cadmus has been the Dragon King for 400 years. He only ever had one son to take over the thrown. That son went missing a few months ago. Dragons hate being in debt to anyone. They are arrogant creatures obsessed with power. Pops had been trying to make a deal with the Dragon King for centuries. He didn't exactly get what he wanted but we got a foot in the door. All thanks to me. Now, no matter how much King Cadmus hated other creatures, he owed me. And that fact alone put a target on my back.

"Perhaps your son would remember me." I said throught the phone. "How is little Caid? He just turned 8 last week right? I was sad to not receive and invitation to his party." I said sweetly.

"Hmm, must have gotten lost in the mail." King Cadmus stated.

"Seems we will lose a lot more than mail if you do not give me my favor." I stated.

King Cadmus laughed through the line. "Fine fine. When can I expect you?" He asked.

"Be there with Lenny in just a few minutes." I said then hung up.

As much as King Cadmus did not like my family I feel I have wormed my way into his heart. For starters, King Cadmus gave me his word that he owed me one day. A Dragons word is law, espeically a King.

Dragons may be a lot of things but they have more integrity than any other species I have met. He would have never gone back on his word and I knew that. King Cadmus was teasing me and that alone told me all I need to know. Pops would be thrilled to replace out that I was the line that was going to connect the Dragon realm to the rest of us.

I teleported back to the room in time to hear Aunt Lenny arguing with Tia.

"She is more grown than you think Tia. I am telling you, stop asking questions. Now." Aunt Lenny said dangerously.

I knew Aunt Lenny was only warning her becasuse I didn't want to erase Tia's memory and she knew it. I didn't like keeping all of these secrets from my family but I had to. No one looked at me the same since I have gotten back and that alone was why I couldn't tell them. That and because Pops wouldn't allow it.

Still, I wished just once, one of them would look at me like I was normal. Not even my own twin looked at me the same anymore. It was almost unbearable.

"Aunt Lenny." I said to get their attention. "King Cadmus is expecting us." I told her.

"Oh great! He didn't give you any trouble did he?" She asked me.

I shook my head and smiled at her. "No, but I'm sure you would have him straightened out if he did." I laughed.

Something I noticed about Aunt Lenny over the last year, she loved to flirt. And she was good at it. But I hear her soul. She's sad and wants to meet her mate. I have a feeling that's going to happen very soon.

"Queen Annag is on her way here." Tia told us.

I nodded. "Time works differently in the Dragon realm. We will make it quick but it's hard to say how long we will be gone." I told her.

Tia frowned at me. "Time works differently there?" She repeated.

I nodded. "They are masters of trickery." I said.

"But nothing tricks you, huh Akeehla?" Tia asked snidely.

This always happens when they replace out. They get mad at me. Their eyes accuse me of being a stranger to them. And I am. I am a stranger to those closest to me, disgused as someone they know and love. This isn't the first time that Tia has become curious. I have had to wipe the minds of Tia, Ares, and Atreus. I only take the memories I need to remain the little sister they think I am. Every time it hurts.

"Come on Aunt Lenny." I said ignoring Tia.

Aunt Lenny put her hand in mine and in the blink of an eye we were standing at the gates to the Dragon King's castle. The Dragon realm is amazing. It's always warm and sunny here, I mean they do have nights but no seasons. Sometimes it rains but not often. The whole realm was like being in the 1800s with some modern things. Lush forests surrounded the castel. Everything here is brighter. The golden gates that circled the golden castle opened on their own. Dragons have a small amount of magic, most don't have any at all but the King does.

There are no guards because no one would dare attack the King of an entire realm dedicated to him. Well, I would but no one here. Aunt Lenny and I walked the golden path to the front entrance of the golden castle. Typical Dragon styel, gold everything. Real gold too. Dragons love anything shiny, espeically gold.

The castle is huge and spacious. I've been here before but Aunt Lenny hasn't. The castle is made for them to be able to shift and lounge around in their dragon forms.

"Is this real gold?" Aunt Lenny asked me in a whisper.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Damn." She breathed out. "Let's steal some." She suggested making me snort.

"They will know." I told her.

"Pshhh, look at how much they have. Let's just take one of these bricks, they'll never notice." Aunt Lenny said as she pointed to the path we walked on.

We were now in front of the grand doors.

"Trust me Aunt Lenny, they'll notice." I whispered back to her.

Just then the grand dark wooden doors opened. A tall women with long striaght black hair hair that hung past her b**t, and purple glowing eyes stared at us with disgust. I smiled at her as she sneered at me.

"What do you want?" She seethed at me with her thick accent. I wonder what kind of accent that is. It sounds Romanian.

"It is very nice to see you again too, Queen Hydra." I said and bowed slightly out of respect.

When Aunt Lenny just glared back at the queen I hit her arm. She jumped slightly and then gave a lame bow. I rolled my eyes at her.

"And what is this one?" Queen Hydra asked pointing to Aunt Lenny.

"She is a tribrid. And my aunt. Lenny." I said. "Aunt Lenny, this is Queen Hydra, Queen of the Dragons." I introduced them.

Aunt Lenny smiled and put her hand out to shake. Queen Hydra stared down at her hand in disgust. My favorite thing about Queen Hydra is that she is never afraid to show her feelings. I come from a world that is just now accepting that women are powerful. That we deserve to be heard. It's still a battle being faught so when I meet a head strong women I can't help but admire her.

"What are you doing here Akeehla? I thought I told you never to return." She said to me.

Funny how the malice disappeared from her voice after my sign of respect. I was totally worming my way into their hearts. It was obvious.

"I have a meeting with your husband. I apologize Queen Hydra. I should have called you instead. You are the more level headed and smarter one." I stroked her ego.

The corners of Queen Hydra's mouth quirked up.

"Yes well, it would have been a better idea to call me but I have no phone you know that." She said to me.

"That's right." I said with a smirk. "Which is why I brought you this." I pulled a brand new Iphone from my back pocket.

The easiest way to get on a Dragon's good side? Gifts. Shiny new gifts.

Queen Hydra gasped as she snatched the phone from my hand. "Cadmus wouldn't allow me one. You are going to be in hot water with my husband." She said amused.

"I'm sure you can help him to forgive me. Now that we are friends." I said to her.

Queen Hydra's eyes snapped up to mine. She inspected me for a few moments and I only smiled under her gaze. Then she gave me a small chuckle.

"You are trouble." She told me. "Fine, we can be friends, but only because you rescued my son and always give me gifts." The Queen said as she turned and began to walk into the castle. "Come come. Cadmus is sitting on his throne, apparently waiting for you." She said as she rushed off without us.

Queen Hydra's silk purple dress flowed behind her as she strutted through the castle. I was holding back my laughter as Aunt Lenny took in the luxurious castle. Like I said, Dragon's love shiny things.

"Are these dimonds?" Aunt Lenny whispered to me.

"And rubys and all sorts of other shiny things that Dragons like." I told her.

"You are great at networking." Aunt Lenny told me. "I didn't know you saved their son." Aunt Lenny commented.

He was taken by some Fae criminals. I told her through the mind link. I happen to be in Fae realm when it happened. It was pure coincidence that I happened upon them. I took action and explained everything to Pops after. I told her.

Just happened to be in the right place at the right time huh? Cause that doesn't sound suspicious at all. Aunt Lenny said.

It was always like this with me. No one trusted me. Not my aunt or my grandfather. Pops had said the same thing to me when I explained it to him. Everything I said was the truth.

Vessa and I had went to the Fae realm in secret. We loved the forest and the Fae throw wild parties. We were camping out in the woods to join in on the week long holiday the Fae were celebrating when we accidently came upon the Fae criminals. We listened in on their plans before we killed all of them and sent their dead bodies to Queen Annag. She didn't know it was us but that was fine. Then we took little Caid back to his parents.

No one ever believed us though, about anything. I stopped trying to defend myself long ago. Instead I put on my best fake smile and let them think what they wanted. No matter how much it hurt, I understood their apprehension.

"Akeehla how do I work this thing?" Queen Hydra asked pulling me from my thoughts.

She had stopped in front of the doors to the throne room. I walked up beside her and started to show her different things. Luckily for her, I already downloaded a bunch of games I knew she would like.

"And this is your contacts. I'm your number one because you only have two." I told her.

"And I can call you anytime I want?" She narrowed her eyes to ask me.

The Dragon King and Queen were always like this. They tried to catch me in a lie, or to give them a reason to not trust me. It was honestly adorable. They know that I can speak to their souls, even though they don't believe that, they could at least stop trying to trap "Absoultely my Queen." I told her with a slight bow.

me.

"Hmm." Queen Hydra inspected me for a moment. "You are much different than others of your kind." She commented.

I beamed at her. "Thank you my Queen. Although, there are a lot out there that would befriend your kind too." I told her.

Queen Hydra's purple eyes darkened.

"The King will see you now." She said ignoring my comment.

Ususally she would start yelling and possibly breathe fire at me. We are making progress. And yes, I might have come to talk with them a few times since returning their son.

Queen Hydra pushed the doors to the throne room open and I walked in with Aunt Lenny right behind me. King Cadmus was sitting on his throne speaking with his son. Prince Caid was sitting on the smaller throne to his fathers left. Once he saw me his little face light up and he jumped up and ran to me. The little prince wrapped his arms around me.

"Kee!! You're finally here! I've missed you!" He squealed out as I crouched down to his height.

I ruffled his black curls. "I have missed you too little prince." I told him.

Caid pushed my hand away from his head. "I'm not little. I just turned eight." He told me.

"Yes well my little sister did teach me not to underestimate someone based on age. I am sorry Prince Caid." I told him. "I am also sorry I didn't make it to your birthday party." My eyes snapped up to the King as a smirk played on my lips. "My invitation was lost in the mail."

"That's okay. You have to come and see me more though." He demanded.

"Of course. Your mommy and I are friends now so I think that you will be seeing a lot more of me." I told him as I stood to my feet.

"Friends? With my wife?" King Cadmus asked amused.

"Yup. I gave her a phone and now we're besties." I told the King with a smirk.

King Cadmus face morphed to one of irritation. "I thought I had made it clear to my wife that she didn't need a phone." He stated.

I shrugged. "How is she supposed to call me without a phone?" I asked innocently. The King shook his head at me. "If you're jealous King Cadmus you could just say that." I teased him.

He scoffed. "Jealous?" He spit out the word.

"Yeah. We can be friends too. No need to be angry about Queen Hydra's new phone." I teased him more.

"Ha ha Akeehla." He rolled his eyes at me.

Aunt Lenny gave me a push and I went straight to buisness mode.

"King Cadmus, this is my aunt Lenny." I introduced my aunt. "I have come to ask a favor of you. It's important and we are pressed for time." I told him.

"And why are you so pressed for time my dear?" He asked.

Pet names. Another step in the right direction. I smiled to myself before shaking the smile off.

"My twin sisters have been kidnapped. We aren't sure what realm they are in but I made a spell that will help us replace them. There is something missing that I need though. Something that I can only get from this realm." I said cautiously. King Cadmus seemed intrigued. "Go on." He ordered.

"I need Dragon scales." I stated.

The King's face went from curious to furious in seconds.

"You want my scales!?" He roared making his son jump.

"I need them. My sisters are in danger." I told him.

"What kind of danger?" He asked as smoke blew out of his nose.

I quickly gave him a run down of the situation. Right now we didn't have time to waste on details. The King listened with paitence but he still wore an angry expression.

"Omen.." He said the name. "That sounds familiar."

"If you know him at all I would love more information. No one has any idea of who he is." I said.

King Cadmus seemed to be in thought. I say seemed to be but I knew what he was thinking. He was debating on telling me what he knew. I only hoped he would admit what he knew before I had to force him.

"When I first started my reign as King of the Dragons, the Fae realm's King had requested my help." He started.

"There was a dark Fae who had stolen magic from the Fae creatures and the forest of life. He gathered so much power that he was compared to the Gods. The Fae King at the time feared that they could not take the man down alone anymore. They requested the help of all the realms. I, of course, stayed out of it."

Explains why I now need their help.

"From what I had heard they managed to trap and seal him somewhere. I don't know much other than that." He told me and I knew it was the truth.

"Thank you for telling me. With your help I will replace my sisters and we will kill that bastard." I said with a bright smile.

King Cadmus gave me a hard look.

"You want me to give you something as precuious as my scales?" He asked me angrily. "You have no idea how sacred Dragon scales are." He argued.

I nodded. "I understand King Cadmus." I said softly. "Which is why I am asking. I value the small friendship I have made with you and your family. I don't want to go behind your back to get what I need, but I will." I gave him my own hard look. "I will do what I need to do to save my sisters."

"Are you threatening me Akeehla?" He asked dangerously.

"That depends on you my King." I said calmly.

King Cadmus might be arrogant but he is not stupid. He and I have already faught before, he knows I could easily get what I wanted with or without his help. Asking is just a formailty to maintain our rocky friendship.

"Why not just take it then? Why bother asking in the first place? Why not use your power to get what you want?" He asked me softly. I could see in his eyes that he was genuinely curious as to why I didn't use force.

"Because I care about you and your family." I stated honestly.

King Cadmus inspected me for a moment before laughing lightly.

"The Derranged care? About Dragon's of all creatures?" He teased.

"Just because you fear the worlds beyond this one, does not mean we are all bad." I said softly.

The King again stared at me for a moment. This time the look in his eyes held something other than curiosity or anger. Dare I say that this look is love? The love you would have for someone you cared deeply for, like a sister or a child.

"You, my dear, are a force to be reckoned with." He told me. "I will give you what you want, but I must tell you. I have something that will help you kill Omen. A relic that one of my ancestors picked up long ago. I hear it was made by the Gods themselves. A weapon." He said. "And you're just going to give it to me?" I asked skeptical.

The King smiled wickedly. "The Dragon scales I will give you as the favor I owe you. But... I want something in return for the weapon." He stated.

"And what is that?" I asked.

King Cadmus smile grew. "A deal." He stated.

"A deal?" I asked. "What kind of deal?"

"You said you worked for a program that helps out the supernatural races." He started.

"Well no I'm not old enough to work for them yet but my sister runs it." I told him.

"I want to make a deal with her then. Set up a meeting. It's about time the Dragon realm had a change." He said and both mine and my aunts jaws dropped. "The realms have you to thank for this little Derranged. You should be proud." He told me. No. I can't allow this.

"I'll set up the meeting but no one is to know my involvment further than the people in this room. When you meet with my sister you will tell her that this is all due to Lenny." I stated.

"Akeehla." Aunt Lenny scolded but I shook my head at her.

"You do not wish to take credit? Akeehla my dear, do you know what this could do for your reputation?" He asked.

That was the problem.

"No one is to know. Do we have a deal or not?" I asked as I held my hand out to him.

King Cadmus stared at me for a moment before nodding his head and taking my hand. "Deal."