Lost in Time (Blue Bloods 6)

“Water?” Kingsley asked, hauling himself to a sitting position. He looked down at her and squeezed her shoulder affectionately.

“Please.”

He wrapped himself in a sheet and whistled as he made his way to the kitchen. Mimi changed into a silk robe, feeling a bit cold in the room now that he was gone.

Kingsley returned with two crystal glasses filled with water and handed her one. He jumped back into bed.

“You know, the first moment I got here, I tried to get out.

I got all the way to the gate. But I couldn’t walk through,” he told her. “Croatan blood will do that.”

She snuggled next to him, and he gently stroked her hair as he told her his story. “I tried everything. I bargained with Helda. That’s why I took this post. I thought if I could prove myself useful, I could win some favors. But the years passed—you know time is different down here—and nothing happened. I pretty much gave up. Then I saw you. I thought I was dreaming at first.”

“Typical.” She smiled. “You never believe what’s right in front of you.”

“I’m used to disappointment,” he said, draining his glass and putting it on the side table.

“Do you even want to come back with me?” Mimi asked, fearing his answer and thinking of the flower blooming in the wasteland. “What about all the stuff you’re doing down here—and the way you feel up there… with the voices. The Corruption will be part of you again.”

“I know,” he said. “I thought about it.”

“Really, when?” she teased. “When did you have the time?”

“Right now,” he said. “And it’s okay. I can deal with the Corruption. I’ve dealt with it my entire life.”

“Are you sure?”

“I have never been more certain.” He kissed her bare shoulder. “I want to go home. I want to be with you. The underworld can survive without me.”

She nuzzled his cheek, the happiness returning again.

“So we just walk out of here, that’s it?” Kingsley asked.

“That’s the plan,” she said, pinching his nose. He was truly so handsome. She sighed. Her own handsome devil.

“Seems too easy,” he mulled. “Helda really said I could leave? She’s not going to stop us?”

“Hey, I’ve got some pull around here,” she said. As the Angel of Death, Mimi reminded him that the darkness was part of her birthright.

“I can see that.” He smiled again. “All right, then. If you’re sure this is going to work—”

“Shush!” Mimi said, pouting. “Let’s not be negative. Get dressed and let’s go. We’ve got a train to Limbo to catch.”

Oliver did not seem surprised to see them together at breakfast. He tactfully did not mention anything when they appeared at the table, glowing with satisfaction and bubbling with energy. “So we just take some train? That’s it?” he asked.

Kingsley frowned. “It’s a little more complicated than that, but we’ll figure it out when we get there. I don’t know what the demon told you,” he said to Mimi. Then he looked at the trolls who were standing at attention around the room, their hands at their backs. “Leave us,” he ordered.

He regarded Mimi and Oliver seriously. “There’s something you guys need to know. I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I wanted to wait until I was sure.”

“What is it?”

“There’s been… unusual activity down in the ninth.”

“Lucifer?” Mimi asked.

Oliver forced his bread down his throat. The thought of the Dark Prince was still frightening. He had seen what happened at the bonding, when the Croatan had revealed themselves and captured Schuyler, pulling her into the glom.

Kingsley nodded. “It’s got to be… I think he’s trying to break out again.”