11 Chapter 11

Lorelai's P.O.V

In the High Lord and Lady's shimmering estate, dread had encompassed the council room where Lorelai sat. Everyone was there. Azriel, Mor, Elain, Amren, Rhys and Feyre's faces were striped with stress, much to the confusion of everyone else in the room, including Cassian.

The worry had hit Lorelai when she saw that Alec was there. He never attended meetings, swearing to keep out of all business to do with running the court. It was a struggle to get him to attend dinner and balls, but she understood why he did it. Not everyone wants power, and that's ok, some people are just happier with a simple life and that for Alec is running a painting studio in the rainbow.

He sat uncomfortably in the silence, probably wondering what was so important that he had to be here.

Wearily, Lorelai asked, "Dad, why are we here?"

Rhys looked down in disappointment, but it was disappointment of himself. His hands gripped the wooden table they were sitting around so hard that his knuckles had turned white.

Seeing his discomfort, Elain stood up, her floral gown falling around her. "Recently," she began, her words hoarse, "as you know I have had an illness."

Lorelai stopped breathing. Where was this going? Cauldron please say Elain's okay.

"The healers didn't know what it was, but it caused my visions to become...violent." She closed her eyes. "We thought they were just hallucinations, but it turns out they were real."

Azriel stood up and grasped her hand, "She saw the prison, and all of us." Azriel's voice shook, "All of us..dead."

At this, tears streamed down Elain's face as she broke into harsh sobs, leaning into Azriel and clutching his tunic for dear life.

After a shocking silence, Rhys spoke, "Last night someone escaped from the prison."

"Impossible!" Cassian barked, "It must've been a misunderstanding surely-"

Amren's dull eyes looked at him as she interrupted, "We are very sure."

"Who?" Lorelai whispered.

"Crnobog, God of death."

"Cauldron save us," She whispered horrified. It had taken all 7 high lords to lock him up in that prison thousands of years ago, and the night court had promised that he would never escape. Failed, they had failed Prythian. He was the God of all Evil, Death and Suffering, and once nearly destroyed the entire world.

Mor spoke this time, her eyes brimming with tears which she desperately tried to blink away. "Once out the prison we believe he hovered near the Illyrian camps before travelling to the Spring Court, we haven't sensed his power anywhere else so we assume he's still there."

"Last night?" Lorelai hoarsely choked out.

Rhys nodded, as Lorelai covered her mouth with her hands. She could've died last night. She could've been killed. Brennon. Gasping, she realised she had forgotten about him. "Have we warned the Spring Court?" She demanded, leaning across the table to her father.

"We have warned all of Prythian," Feyre spoke up, "We are readying for war."

"Is the Spring Court okay? Any casualties?" Nesta asked, her participation in council meetings usually rare.

"They haven't responded. We have heard nothing from them."

"What about Lucian? What of the Human Lands?" Lorelai demanded, now standing.

"They are fine, and have sensed nothing coming through."

Lorelai held her head high, trying to stay strong for her family which was beginning to crack. "Then we send some Illyrians there to check on the situation, I'll lead and take-"

"No," Rhys voiced cracked. "I don't want to lose you."

Lorelai walked over, and pulled her parents into a tight hug. "I'll be fine." She whispered.

Rhys nodded into her embrace and took a steadying breath. "Here's what's going to happen." He said, as he laid out a plan. "Cassian, I want you to ready the Illyrians, I want the smaller clans to group up so we don't have stragglers on the outskirts, they are easiest to pick off."

Cassian grunted in response, respect in his eyes.

"Amren, I want you Elain and Nesta scrying and researching, try and find any mention of a weakness. Mor I want you to gather all the courts for a meeting, make sure they are all aware of the situation and preparing. Az, I want you checking his whereabouts, track everywhere he goes and report back to me."

Azriel nodded, his shadows, swiftly flowing around him.

"Alec," Rhys began, "strengthen the wards around Velaris and protect it if anyone attacks, we will make this into a refugee camp if necessary."

Alec didn't move, his sombre stare burning into the table.

"Lorelai, I want you to lead your group of Illyrians to the Spring Court to check up on them. If you see Crnobog, do not engage."

Nodding Lorelai asked, "What about you guys?"

Feyre held Rhys' hand, stroking smooth circles into his skin. "We will assist Cassian with the Illyrians and speak with Keir and the other High Lords and Lady's."

"Are you going to fight on the front lines?" Alec asked regretfully.

Lorelai glanced at Cassian and Azriel and her parents, wondering what they would say.

"Yes we will."

As Alec began to protest, Lorelai spoke up.

"Does that include me?"

Rhys held her gaze, "You will fight with the Illyrians, yes."

Lorelai nodded in respect, before throwing sorry look at her brother.

"How can you just throw your lives away just like that? You could die?" Alec exclaimed.

"And if we don't fight we might die anyway." Lorelai shot back.

Alec fell quiet, "Damned if you do," he began.

"Damned if we don't" she finished.

Alec got up and threw himself into Lorelai, throwing her into a massive hug. Rhys and Feyre followed, and soon did everyone else. As they all hugged each other, they knew that this may be the last time they would all have a meeting together, they barely survived the last war, and this one was going to be much worse.

"To the stars that listen," Rhys began. his voice shaking.

"And the dreams that are answered," Feyre replied, tears streaming down her porcelain face.

A/N: Ugh I nearly cried writing this, I love the inner circle and hate when they are upset and get thrown into conflict.