Kara’s eyes widened. “I know that necklace! Mayra has one just like it!”
“Who’s Mayra?”
Lyk put his hand on her thigh as he leaned nearer. “My brother, Nojan’s, wife. She’s also a Guardian and the Great Oracle of Territh.”
Ally moved his hand off her thigh and scowled at him. “Are all your brothers’ wives mythical beings?”
Lyk laughed. “No, just most of them. Zelup married a Territhian scientist. She’s a genius, but she’s not mythical. Three married Guardians, Penn being the last. His wife Tess is a renowned architect, and she can also animate inanimate objects. Juston married one of the Seekers, Midnight. But don’t worry. She’s on our side now. And Marek? Well, my oldest brother married the daughter of the Goddess of Light herself.”
Ally just shook her head, overwhelmed by the knowledge that Lyk’s family was overrun by what sounded like angels and demons. A pirate would fit right in among that mythical menagerie.
“I still don’t understand what any of this has to do with my sister and I.”
Kara spoke, her eyes bright with excitement. “Mayra told us that her necklace is ancient, that the Kings of Territh, or Arth as it was once called, used to wear it. But she never said there were two of them.”
“Do you know where your family got the necklace?” Lyk asked.
Ally shook her head. “We’ve had it since time out of mind. My father said it was the last remnant of our former glory, whatever that meant.”
“Let me do some digging with Mayra and Gemma. Maybe we can figure out how you got one of these charms, and why the Seekers might be after it.”
“You’ve got to be circumspect,” Lyk said. “I don’t want anyone to know this is connected to me.”
Kara frowned. “Come on, brother. We’re beyond old rifts now. Can’t you see? The apocalypse is coming. That means an end to our petty squabbles. You need to come home.”
“You know I can’t do that,” he replied, his voice like gravel.
“I don’t know that! In fact, I know the opposite!”
“Keep it quiet, Kara! Apocalypse or no, my time on Vartik is over.”
“You’re a fool,” Kara said, her voice tinged with sadness.
“And you’re my sweet sister. Find out what you can. I’ll check in soon.”
“Come home!” she said before Lyk cut the feed. He sat there, staring at the space where the hologram had been, lost in thought.
Ally bit her nails, filled with anxiety. It felt like the minutes were ticking away, and every minute that was lost was another minute Evie spent in Hell in the hands of demons.I don’t have time for petty family squabbles. I need to get my sister back!
“They’re on Dazimin,” she said, turning to Lyk.
Lyk nodded. “That’s the most likely location for them to take her.”
“Then let’s go to Dazimin.”
Lyk’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “It’s a hell planet. Literally. And the Crown Prince of Hell is no one to trifle with. I’ve heard of his powers from my sister. I can’t expect to fly in there and defeat him with my crew alone.”
That wasn’t the answer she needed to hear. “You’re the great Raven. You can do anything.”
“Not that, little girl, although I appreciate your newfound faith in me.”
Ally bit her lip. It was clear he was dead set against going after her sister. “If we’re not going to Dazimin, what are we doing?”
“We continue on course for now, heading for the Outer Rim.”
“You promised,” she said, trying a measured tone even as anger flared inside her.
“And I’m going to keep that promise. But for now, we wait for more information.”
