Chapter 20

Time Enough

Lily lived with Ash's sisters in total bliss for months before the real world intruded upon them.

Kenny and Lily spent most of their time together, and when they weren't together Lily was getting to know Ash's sisters better.

Thiery had left after the first week saying there was nothing more he could do, Ash and Adain had stayed for protection, but sometimes Lily wondered if it was more for the lovely girls that lived there.

Luck had been with them, since it was summer vacation they just told everyone they were friends visiting before going off to college. Summer, like all things, ended though, and so did the blissful time with Ash and his sisters.

It was a few days before Kenny, Lily, Adain, and Ash were about to leave when it happened, Lily had told Ash, ordered him in fact, to stay with Mary, but he had declined.

"She's headed off to college anyway, I'd just get in the way," he had mumbled when she asked why. "And you need me more right now, so I'll just stick with you Lil."

Lily was sitting on her bed wondering where she could go, where she would be safe from Azheda when the door burst open.

"Lily, it's your brother Josh," Rowan said as she rushed into Lily's room. Lily jumped to her feet in surprise and stared at Rowan for a minute before her words came crashing down on her.

"Where? How?" She asked urgently.

"He's downstairs on the couch, Lily, he's very hurt. He stumbled in a few moments ago and collapsed on the floor."

Lily ran past Rowan and down the stairs as fast as she could go without falling. She stopped when she saw her brother's pale face as he lay in semi-unconsciousness on the couch. Tears sprang to her eyes and she dropped to her knees beside him.

"Josh," she whispered, touching his forehead tentatively. His eyes flickered open and he seemed to look through her, his eyes focused after a minute and a smile lit his face before being covered by pain again. "What happened?"

"Was coming- to get you," he mumbled brokenly. "Azheda – knows you're here. Leave Lily, leave now."

"I'll take care of him, you must go now," Kestrel urged as Josh fell back into unconsciousness.

"But shouldn't we all leave? You're in trouble too if he knows I'm here."

"Don't worry about us, just leave now." Lily hesitated for a moment, fortunately Ash didn't.

"Tell Mary I love her, and keep her safe," he yelled as he grabbed Lily around the waste and carried her to the door, Kenny following close behind, and Adain behind him.

"But what about Josh?" Lily cried as Ash dragged her out the door and shoved her into the car.

"You can't help him by getting taken, we have to leave Lily. Sit in the damn car." Lily looked from Ash to Kenny, and then sat in the car. "Good," Ash murmured as he got behind the wheel and started up the car, pulling out of the driveway. "Adain call Thiery and tell him what happened, tell him we need an escape now."

A few hours later they were sitting at the Portland Airport waiting for their plane. Thiery had arranged everything, as he usually did, and now all they had to do was get to where they were going without running into Azheda.

"Don't worry Lil, we'll take care of you," Adain murmured, patting her awkwardly on the shoulder.

"Are you sure about that?" A voice whispered behind her, Lily jumped from her seat and stared into pure darkness. "Lily my love, aren't you happy to see me?" Azheda asked, smiling at her in amusement.

"How did you find us?" Ash asked, stepping in front of her.

"It was easy; where else did you have to go? I've been waiting here for you. I hope you got my message? Your brother should have killed those wretched girls by now and be headed this way." Azheda began to laugh at the look of shock that came over her face.

"You're a liar," Ash yelled, his face white. She knew he was trying to contact his sisters telepathically, and wasn't getting an answer.

"I have no need of lies you fool. If you want to live, unlike your unlucky sisters, I suggest you give me Lily and leave now. If you're here when my men get here I can make no promises. And as for this piece of shit," Azheda growled pointing at Kenny, "he will accompany us to my home."

"No," Lily whispered, holding Kenny's hand in a vice like grip.

"Yes," Azheda growled again.

"No, you can take me, but I will kill you if you touch Kenny."

"Is that so?" Azheda whispered.

"Yes."

"No," Kenny yelled, "don't go with him Lily."

"I have to, I love you," she said as she pulled his lips to hers and kissed him softly.

"I love you too."

Lily smiled up at him, then dropped his hand and walked to Azheda.

"Well then, now that it is settled, I suggest we all depart our separate ways," Azheda laughed, then picked up Lily effortlessly and began to run out of the airport faster than either Adain or Ash could. She could feel Kenny's heart break as she was taken from him again.