MAE DAY 2 - GUARDIANS (ON HOLD TILL FURTHER NOTICE)

Mae Day 2 Chapter 14

"Bring her around slowly. We don't want to over whelm her," a voice whispered.
My eyes opened, tired, heavy and desperate for more sleep. I dozed off again. Stirring a few more times before I could keep my eyes open.
"Mae, can you hear me?" Lee's mother asked.
"Mmm."
"I'm sorry we had to sedate you but you were hysterical and we needed to help you," she said stroking my hair like a concerned mother. Mother... where are my children?
I tried to sit up but nearly fell out of the bed instead.
"Stay still, you are unwell. The change from the realm you were in to this one has left you unbalanced. It will take a while to find your feet again. I need you to sip this tea, it will help."
I felt terrible, like coming home drunk and trying to sleep but your head keep spinning.
"Tiny sips," she held up a straw to my mouth. I tried a few sips and felt a little better. "Try to rest I will stay with you." I closed my eyes, exhausted.
"The children," I mumbled.
"I can see you have breast milk. You did well to keep it expressed where you have been. Lee will help you find your child," she stroked my hair.
"Our child, Leona Grayson."
"Try to rest."
"I need to see Uncle. He is her guardian. He needs to find her."
"He is off realm, I will talk to him for you when he returns."
"Sebastian then."
"They are at the same wedding, it is several realms away but Lee has sent word. Conrad will be here soon."
"Bowdie?"
"Take a few more sips and sleep. You will feel much better when you wake."
"The children."
"We will help you find your children. Rest."
***
"So where did she come from?" Uncle asked.
"Appeared in the house via a portal from a hell hole. She is has been struggling to adjust. Thank you for your help," Lee's father replied.
"And she is April's sister?"
"Yes, we have tested her DNA and she is a physical match to the photos. No shifter."
"Who would bring her into play? What would they have to gain from it?" Uncle asked as I tried to focus on him.
"Your guess is as good as mine but we owe it to April to protect her."
"She seems familiar."
"Family similarities perhaps."
"No, it is... I can't quite put my finger on it and that is what worries me. I never forget a face, yet I cannot place her."
"Uncle," I whispered, my mouth as dry as bone.
"Hello Mae," he whispered back, coming to help me sit up. "Be careful now."
I leant my head against his shoulder, wrapping my arms around him. He sat on the bed, allowing me to take comfort in his embrace. I stared at Lee's father, I could easily have fallen asleep again but needed to say awake for the children.
"I will go fetch her some soup," Lee's father left the room.
"I know you," Uncle whispered. "I don't know where from but I definitely know you."
I nodded against his shoulder.
"You're special to me," he whispered, his hand pressing my head tighter into his shoulder for comfort as I started to cry with relief that he was here. "Is what you claim true? You are Lee's wife and mother to heirs?"
I nodded.
"Your sister foretold such a union."
A shuddering breath racked my body at the mention of her name. My strength was gone. I was fighting sleep again.
"Close your eyes Mae. Let me help you. It will take but a minute. Your body is under immense pressure and needs to rest. I don't know how you are managing to wake even for a minute."
"Don't leave me," I whispered my hand touching his face.
"I'll won't," he promised.
"Check my memories. I'm not... lying."
"I will honey, shush now, try to rest."
I passed out again.
***
"I think she's waking," Lee whispered. "Pass me that drink." A straw met my lips, I gave it a few slow tugs before realising I was cuddled up to his chest. "You have some colour back in your cheeks," he said stroking the back of his fingers against them as I looked up at him.
"Do you remember me?" I croaked, with a weak voice.
"Not yet, but I will," his smile held a promise and I knew Uncle had viewed my memories to help me prove my claims. I took some more of the sweet ice tea, his mother witchy brew.
"Soup for the patient," his father announced at the bedroom door. "I know you are going to want to eat more but you will need to take it slowly. Your system has been used to existing on food not meant for humans. We need to reintroduce it. As lovely as bacon and eggs are you can't handle them yet."
The smell of the soup filled the room. I sat up slowly, Lee plumping the pillows behind me as my mouth filled with drool. The tray was placed on my lap, my eyes scanning it anticipation. Crackers with Beef and potato soup, which I knew Lee's grandmother usually made, that meant they were all here.
I picked up the bowl to put it to my mouth, a habit from the hell hole.
"Careful," Lee said as I started to sip from it. Luckily it was warm but not scolding hot. My eyes flicking to him from over the bowl, unable to stop myself until half was gone.
"I've always liked your nan's soup," I said as I took a breather.
He smiled, sharing an amused look with his father. "I'm sure she will be glad to hear it."
"Where is Uncle?" I asked between bites of a cracker.
"Doing Uncle stuff," Lee replied.
"Well that could be anything," I said rolling my eyes. "Is he looking for the children?"
"I would think so."
"Has he spoken to Sebastian?"
"No, he is out of range. Uncle only returned because he..." Lee stopped.
"He what?"
"Felt the need to," he replied, raising an eyebrow.
I smiled smugly as I knew it was me. My calling could not be ignored even if he didn't have a clue who I was.
"And Conrad? Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"Is he still in trouble for cheating on his wife?"
Lee's expression told me that he knew nothing of that either.
"Please tell me this is all some fucked up dream and I am going to wake up back in the Hell hole. I would rather that hell to this one. The kids would be safe and I could stay in my trunk."
"Trunk?"
"Yes, Sebastian gave it to me," no sooner had I mentioned it than I remembered the cards, photos etc inside the trunk. I gasped, "Lee, can you go back to the hell hole? Are you allowed? I need that trunk."
"I don't know where you were held?"
"The same place as you."
"What do you mean?"
"We were punished..."
"What for?"
"I can't waste time explaining everything Lee. Just go back get the trunk and ..."
"I would never end up there unless I did something like intentionally kill a helpless human."
I raised my eyebrows and shrugged.
"I killed a human," he looked stunned. "Who?"
I pointed at myself as I slurped some soup off a spoon.
"I am totally confused," he rubbed his hands through his hair.
"Your lion attacked me."
"Bullshit!"
"You were pissed off with me. I think you were spelled. You attacked me, left me for dead and attacked Suri..."
"Suri, isn't she supposed to be my daughter?" he didn't believe a word of it.
"Yes, I said you were spelled didn't I."
"Spelled into killing my wife and child?"
"It was more like mauled, severely mauled."
"Oh well that makes it ok then," he sniped sarcastically.
"Don't blame me, you are the one who did the chewing."
"Chewing," he shook his head at his father who was leant against the door frame.
"You mauled me and ran off, somehow Suri was found mauled too."
"Was it proven that I did it?"
I nodded. "Uncle was pissed off. You were punished and so was I."
"How were you punished?"
"I was left scarred from the attack... oh my god, my scars have gone." I remembered my reflection in the mirror. My scars were gone. My hands feeling my face, pushing the tray away to be able to check my body.
"Scars?"
"Yes, I was left to bear the scars of the attack, as well as your child."
"Why would I attack you if you were carrying my child?"
"I wasn't at the time. God, I have already said it is a long story. Go and fetch the trunk please."
"I am not a dog, you can't just order me to go fetch."
"Ok you two, pack it in. Mae where is the trunk?" his father asked.
"In the cave."
"There are thousands. I need to know which one."
The next half hour was spent drawing a landscape of where the hell hole was in relation to landmarks. Lee still argued that he would never bite me and I insisted he did. His father told us to stop arguing on more than one occasion. I found myself wishing Lee was a mute lion again.
They headed off to find the trunk as Lee's mother found me something to wear and his grandmother took the knots out of my hair with mayonnaise. My bones ached to the core as I tried to walk. In the end I just hobbled to the sofa and stayed there. His grandfather stayed at a distance, always watching but never really engaging with me.
"Are you stalking me gramps?" I teased. I knew he was very down to earth as we usually bantered between each other. I hope it would help set him at ease.
He raised an eyebrow and went back to watching the telly.
"Did your friend get his test result backs from the doctor?"
He turned, waiting on me to give a name.
"Graham, did he get his results?"
"What was he being tested for?" he asked, testing me.
"Remission for his prostate cancer. It is a shame his wife Sally is so unwell too." It was one of those terribly frustrating things, to watch your human friends struggle with illness that could potentially be life threatening. With no Uncle to call on to heal them, he had to watch them suffer. Even with non humans the rules were clear, if they had a role to play in protecting the realms they could be healed, if not they were let die like their human friends. When Lee nearly died in human form thanks to Stephanie he was only allowed to be saved as I claimed him, carrying his child, an heir who he would need to support. Without that, Uncle could not heal him.
When the twins were born they could not be healed. Initially they were considered human and their parents deceased, as such they were orphans and I was their only option until there was proof they were cubs. As they had been born early they didn't get time to prove themselves in the womb like Leona did. Instead they were left to fend for themselves, just as cubs were in there wild. Human technology gave them that vital chance they needed to survive. Lee was not supposed to come to the hospital and see them. He broke the rules, desperate to see his brothers children, having just buried him. In sharing a picture with his parents via text message his parents could not stay away either. A vigil was held to help with their healing. His father using his healing powers to help the children, but he is not the miracle worker Uncle seems to be. If he was the children would have been healed. Instead he moved them to the hospital with the best neonatal care and without my knowledge they received healing each day to help strengthen them. Willow was still ill when she met Uncle. He was not permitted to heal her but he sure made a difference as her scarred lungs can be heard screeching out of her cub chest when feeding time comes around.
The thought of Willow and her ability to break glass with her cub cries made me teary. I couldn't help but worry about what she was doing, where was she, was she ok... were they alive.
Lee's grandfather wrinkled his nose as a bad smell filled the room.
"It wasn't me," I said wondering who had dropped their guts. That was a silent but ever so deadly fart.
"They are back," he nodded to the other room.
I tried to get up too quickly and felt the pain in my bones prevent me. I slowed and hobbled with his assistance to the other room. There was Lee and his parents staring at the trunk.
"You found it!" I was ecstatic.
"It won't open," Lee replied.
"It is spelled by Sebastian, only I can open it. Well other than Uncle, Sebastian and Conrad. Once open you can enter it," they all stared at me as I lifted the lid. "Don't take anything out as I am not sure how everything relating to the children has disappeared from this realm. Leave them in box or they could disappear," I warned.
I stepped inside tentatively, feeling the pain in my bones disappear as I did. Crouching down I picked up the plastic bag I had used to protect the photos and cards. Opening it, I saw their faces smiling and couldn't help but laugh at how happy they looked.
"Meet the Grayson Pride," I said turning the picture of them all laughing to face them.
Lee's mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as tears filled her eyes and her husbands arm drew her in. His eyes on the picture the same as everyone else. Lee didn't look shocked, he looked sad as he mumbled, "What were their names again?"
"This is Suri," I said pointing at her. "She is your daughter from your first marriage."
"She is so much like you," his grandmother said as she patted his arm sympathetically. He nodded.
"She was thought to be pure witch but finally made her transition to cub when I became pregnant."
A few looks were exchanged as to what that meant, I knew it was very important to the protection of the realms. Specifically why... that I was not privy to but was sure I would find out one day.
"The twins are Willow and Bay, Glen and April's children. They are cubs. Willow is a white lioness and very demanding. Bay is more inquisitive and laid back. The next in age is Lilly Mae, she is your daughter," I told his mother who was crying into a tissue passed to her by her father in-law. She smiled through her tears and looked up at her husband lovingly.
"We didn't think we could have anymore," she sniffled.
"You did and she is wonderful."
"Is the baby, Leona?" Lee asked. "Our child?"
"Yes, she is only a few weeks old. Now you can see why I am so worried. We were in the hell hole together Lee. You were in lion form throughout, not allowed to change and I was unable to hear you telepathically. One day a counsel member appeared and took you with him. Telling me I had four days left. He said when the portal reappeared my time was up. It appeared, I entered it and came here, only for you not to know who I am. I'm not worried about that. It is the children. Not only are they missing, but no one knows they existed let alone that they need to find them."
"We do now. We can't risk removing the items from the trunk. Call Uncle back and tell him we have more information," Lee's grandfather replied.
"There is one more thing," I announced. "Inside these cards are strands of hair. Can we use the scent to trace them?"
"The scent will be long gone with the stench of that realm," Lee replied.
"We can use them to test DNA," his father added.
I sighed, they still weren't 100% convinced. Well who could blame them? A portal began to open and Uncle appeared with Bowdie. I explained everything to him and he agreed that nothing was to come out of the trunk. No one was to touch it either. He didn't want to risk contamination.
Lee leant against the doorway not saying a word. His expression a mixture of confusion, anger and need for action.
"We will find them," his father said passing him in the doorway and placing a reassuring hand on his sons shoulder.
"I am going to put a protection on those items," Uncle announced. "I want you and them to stay in the trunk until then."
"What! Why?" I was not having it. "I've only just got out of the bloody thing after living in it for months and before that I spent months in it so Lee didn't kill me. This is totally unfair, it may as well be my coffin!"
"That is enough back chat from you, sit down and get comfortable," Lee mother snapped. "You are the only person in this realm who has any knowledge of these children. If you get out and become affected by the spell the children are done for. I will also remind you that we don't have any proof they exist other than your word for it and a niggling feeling of déjàvu. We know magic enough not to trust that feeling."
"Oh great I am living in the matrix," I huffed.
"Have I not just told you to watch your mouth?" she glared.
"Here is comes, any second now my teeth will be falling out for having the balls to complain about something."
Lee grinned.
"Well at least there is no chance of you sending me to bed as I have to stay in this stinky thing. You have blankets that have spent less time in trunks than me."
"I'll see what I can do about the smell but one more word out of you and I'll remove your mouth, not your teeth."
Her eyes flicked to my top, causing me to look down as my breast milk leaked through. It was coming through quicker here than in the hell hole. Wrapping my breasts in fruit leave to appease the pain of mastitis was not fun but with a baby to feed when I got home and the risk of running out of water, I had to keep my milk flowing for all our sakes.
"Lee, go fetch a breast pump for your wife," she ordered sniping the word wife like it was an insult.
"I don't know where to go, let alone what to get," Lee replied with a shrug.
"Well learn, if what she says is right you are a husband and a father. Time to man up and stop hanging onto my apron strings or your fathers coat tails."
Lee sighed, before sulking off with his car keys in hand.
"And some chocolate please!" I called out to him.
"You are not allowed chocolate," he called back.
"Please! I will give you extra ear scratches."
Everyone laughed as Lee left with no promise of chocolate.
"I would like some ear scratches," Conrad teased from the corner of the room in his human form.
"Ahhhh, Conrad!" I screamed with excitement, reaching out to him like a child wanting picking up.
He ignored me, raising an eyebrow, as had everyone else.
"Yes, it is my father trunk," he said to Uncle. "No I don't know her but she smells like food. I wouldn't trust her as far as I could throw her."
"What the hell?"
"Who in hells name are you, don't you mean?" Conrad asked moving closer.
"Mae Grayson, the human you like to tease, torment and shave my legs."
"Now you know she is bullshitting, as if I would ever groom a naughty human. It's like asking you to shave a burger before you eat it, it is not going to happen."
"Well watch her while we arrange the protection," Uncle replied as they all headed out to the other room leaving me with a stern faced Conrad, stood with his arms folded assessing me.
"So human, where did you meet Lee Grayson?"
"At the hospital after the funerals."
He went on to grill me for half an hour or so. I knew he could tell when someone was lying so was happy to answer them all.
"My turn to ask the questions," I said turning the tables on him. "What happened about you cheating on your wife? Was it proven false? Did she win the fight and get the kids back?"
He scowled, "I don't have a wife and you know it. I can also tell when you are lying or distorting the truth to meet your own agenda. That shit will not wash with me human." He morphed into his demon form in the time to took me to blink. A huge demon. One minute I was in the trunk, the next I was thrown down his throat, screaming as I went.
My mind and body scrambling to save themselves as the scalding hot walls of his throat crushed me on my way to his stomach. Screaming grappling for something, anything to stop me as my mind flashed back to the two headed snake in the hell hole who nearly killed me. No more screams could emerge as the air was gone, the heat of his throat crushed the breath from me as I slipped further down.
Acid in his throat began to burn through my skin, my feet dangling towards heat like hanging over a volcanoes edge. I grappled to stop from passing out and clinging on, there was no point, I was done for but my body automatically fought to its last moment.
"Spit her out, now!" Echoed through the walls of his throat as it started to shake.
"No, it's too late," Conrad replied.
I slipped further still, managing to grab onto a tiny wrinkle in the flesh as I dangled over into an abyss of lava. Half melted corpses, wings, hooves and everything else still digesting. Light shot through the red darkness like a bolt of energy. Conrad screaming in agony as hands reached in and grabbed me, slipping as they tried to pull. Nearly sending me hurling into his stomach with the others. I clung on, as Conrad screamed again, a tearing sound followed by silence as he stilled.

"He deserved to die, he ate my granddaughter. No one eats a Grayson," Lee's grandfather growled pulling me from inside the now torn open carcase of Conrad. Everything was a blur as I heard my sister yell 'Stay with him, Mae. Stay alive. The children are alive.'