Lexi considered Bella's words as a knot began to form in her stomach.
"You know it has to end in his death, right?" she said finally and sighed heavily as Bella inclined her head.
"It does, however, you cannot kill something that has been around since the dawn of time. It is a little more complicated than that." Bella rumbled.
"Then how? If it was as simple as plunging a dagger through his heart then I'm sure it would have been done already."
"Not at all. Eromaug simply hasn't let anyone close enough to take the opportunity," Bella answered with a snort, "He is incredibly clever Lexi, and manipulative."
"Yeah, I kinda got that from all these dreams or flashbacks that seem to plague me," She grumbled sarcastically, "So then how do I do it?"
"How do you do what, exactly?" Narcissa's voice rippled across from the doorway and Lexi stiffened, terrified that Narcissa might have heard their conversation.
"What have you done to my child!" Bella roared at the sight of Orynn unmoving on the floor at her feet.
"Nothing more than he deserves for giving you ample time to toast me to a crisp…again." Narcissa shrugged as she inspected her overgrown fingernails, "This little dance we have between us is really getting old now Bella. Don't you have anything more original to dispose of me?"
"I'm sure I could come up with something," Bella snarled.
Narcissa flicked her hand dismissively in Bella's direction but didn't come any further into the room as her gaze landed on Lexi.
"You need to come with me." she announced as she hooked a finger in Lexi's direction and she suddenly found herself being pulled forward and away from Bella
"What the fuck are you doing?!" Lexi snarled, "Put me down!"
Bella lifted her head and yawned, shifting slightly so that she could adjust her position and reach forward, snatching Lexi out of the air in front of her and wrapping her safely inside her claws.
Narcissa's face contorted in rage as Bella's mouth erupted in another dragon-like smirk and if Lexi didn't know better,she could have sworn that she had lifted an eyebrow in Narcissa's direction.
"What's the matter, wraith? Don't you have any new tricks either?"
Narcissa lowered her hand, clenching it into a fist at her side as she glowered at them both.
"Don't test me today, you overgrown steak, otherwise I might just make good on my promise to butcher you and feed you to the hellhounds." she snarled.
"That would require you to actually come close enough to me to carry out your threat, and we both know that isn't going to happen." Bella snorted, exhaling a wisp of smoke as she did so.
The sound of Narcissa grating her teeth echoed in the cavern much to Bella's delight as Narcissa knew that she was no match for Bella. All of this posturing right now was simply a power trip for her and Lexi was just another pawn to be used in her game.
"You should be careful, wraith. Now that Eromaug has his intended bride here, if you mistreat us in any way, I would think it would be easy for her to have your life ended…permanently." Bella prodded but to her surprise, Narcissa face split into an eerie smile and she laughed.
"Do you think so, , dragon?" she cackled, "I'm not so sure she would…not after she finds out what I'm taking care of in the depths of my cells."
"What do you mean?" Lexi asked, narrowing her eyes at her.
"Well, I know how important our little family is to you, so as my Lord Eromaug has been collecting things that are dear to you, I have been taking care of them and keeping them alive." She beamed.
"No..." Lexi breathed, "You're fucking lying. This is just another mind game!"
"Am I though?" She mocked as she pouted her decaying lips and leaned against the doorframe nonchalantly, "Eromaug really isn't very good at keeping things alive, he tends to get a little carried away…as evidenced by yours truly," She smiled bitterly.
"I don't believe you." Lexi hissed even as her mind screamed a thousand questions and her stomach roiled with the possibilities.
"Oh, I think you do," Narcissa said as she winked knowingly at her, "Whatever you think of me, I'm not stupid. I knew that at some point, I would have to insure my own life…well..unlife I guess…and they are my insurance policy."
"They?" Lexi asked with bated breath as the pit of foreboding grew larger in her stomach.
"Oh yes. You see, your mates were stupid enough to follow you here. What kind of host would I be if I didn't extend them a warm welcome." She cackled as Lexi's heart broke all over again.
The one thing that was keeping her from losing her mind was the fact that when she got out of here, they would be waiting on the other side and even if she failed, she knew that Greyson and Allen would stop at nothing until she was safely home. But now…now they were here and clearly imprisoned somewhere.
"If you hurt them in any way I'll…" Lexi snarled
"You'll what, dear? Flail at me wildly with your tiny fists?" She cackled, "You have no magick here thanks to my wonderful handiwork so do not presume to think that you can intimidate me."
Lexi glared at her sullenly as Bella rumbled her anger but it did nothing to dissuade Narcissa.
"So, you can either come with me like the obedient little whore you are, or, I can spend a little time with the boys and see just how much it takes before a Lycan and his little friend will fill my ears with the delightful sounds of their screams." She purred.
Lexi scowled fiercely and as much as she wanted to tell her to go fuck herself, she didn't dare for fear of what repercussions Allen and Greyson may face.
"That goes for you too, Bella. Any more of this fuckery and not only will I take great delight in making Orynn's life difficult, but I will also add bonus punishments to Lexi's little playthings."
"They are not playthings, they are my mates," Lexi seethed as Narcissa shrugged dismissively.
"I don't care what your relationship with their dick was. Now, get over here, I haven't got all day."
"What do you want with her?" Bella hissed angrily as Narcissa folded her arms in front other.
"Not that it's any of your business, but Eromaug is waiting." Narcissa snapped, "You should know he isn't the most patient of males, Lexi, so i would suggest that you get a move on."
"You can't take her to Eromaug!" Bella protested fiercely but Lexi tapped her tightly curled claws gently and smiled up at her.
"It's ok Bella. I have to do this sooner or later and the sooner I get used to the idea, the better equipped I will be to do what's needed of me." She said flatly, but Bella caught the meaningful look in her eyes as she spoke.
Begrudgingly she released her claws and allowed Lexi to make her way over to Narcissa. She held back the snarl of fury when Narcissa roughly manhandled her out of the room and as they disappeared from sight she let out a mournful whine.
"Be safe Lexi…that's all I ask..."