The Darkness Within

Chapter 27

Dear Readers: Sorry it took so long, I was almost done when the outage erased mostly all of it. So I had to start over, plus I've been busy. Well hopefully you enjoy, thanks for reading! 

Please Comment/Fan/Vote!

-Mlana-

Chapter 27

Caitirina~

"Lorcan" I cried as I launched myself into his arms.

"Caitirina." He breathed. His arms tightened around me. "I was so worried." He pulled back and stared deep into my eyes as he cupped my face tenderly within his palm. 

Pantera cleared her throat. "I don't want to ruin a moment or anything, but I fear we don't have much time." Lorcan's concentration broke from my eyes and his gaze landed on his mother. 

"Mathair." He let go of me and turned to bow down to his mother. 

"Oh, would you stop that! I haven't seen your beautiful face in how long? Now get over here and give your mother a hug." Lorcan walked over to his mother and stiffened for a moment as her arms curled around his back. But after a moment his features softened and he met her embrace.

They both pulled back and looked at one other; Pantera placed both of her hands on Lorcans cheeks. "I've missed you son." 

"As have I Mathair."

Pantera looked down for a moment, her hands dropped back down to her sides.

"Your brother?" She asked.

"...Gone." Lorcan replied, he turned to me and gave me a look that that was all she would know.

Pantera nodded thoughtfully and then her expression changed quickly back to that of the care free motherly hostess.

"Now look what you've done to me, got me all emotional. Now come along and we'll get you settled in. You can stay here for the night, but you best be off right away tomorrow. There isn't much time left." Pantera said as she started to walk out of the room. Lorcan and I followed her after a moment.

"Athers?" He asked.

"Safe, and very content. I think he likes it here." I replied.

"Good, because he'll be here for awhile. I'm not taking the chance of him getting hurt." 

"Hurry up you two!" Pantera called as she hurried up the beautiful walkway surrounding the inside of the building. Great vines with large healthy flowers curved around columns that lay along each side, their long vines curving down to make a beautiful door between each… A large court yard lay just beyond the vast covering. More flowers resided there, along with a great fountain that rose above all. Atop it sat a large panther made of stone, and next to it stood a stone woman. A woman that looked strangely like Pantera.