“Thank you and your people for being willing to transport us to the veil to the sprite realm,” Vasile said.
“We’re ready when you are,” Riven said.
Vasile turned to the group at his back. There were a hundred wolves from both the Romanian and former Serbian packs. As soon as they felt his eyes on them, they quieted and focused their attention on the Alpha.
“The fae warriors will transport us to the veil of the sprite realm. You must be touching a few when they flash. Please be respectful as they are our comrades. Am I understood?”
In one voice they answered. “As you say, Alpha.”
The fae began to spread out amongst the wolves, holding out their arms as pack members laid hands on them. Vasile, Decebel, Fane, and Drake flashed first with Riven. In a matter of minutes, the entire pack and all the fae were standing in front of the large, old tree that would lead them into the sprite ream. A human male dressed in what appeared to be an elfin warrior uniform stood next to the tree. He held a sword at his side. And next to him was the luminous sprite leader. She was glowing, and Vasile could feel the power coming from her.
“I am Chris Morgan, Sally’s father and husband of Cindy … a sprite,” the human warrior said, holding his empty hand out to Vasile.
Vasile shook it. “You’ve met my mate,” he said. “Alina Lupei.”
“Ah, yes, she is extremely kind,” Chris said.
Vasile smiled. “That she is.” Then he turned to the sprite and smiled. “Hello, Diedre, it’s good to see you again.”
She bowed. “Vasile Lupei, thank you for coming to the summit.” Diedre stepped to the side, and a shimmering veil parted inside a large opening in the tree. “Walk straight through to the other side. Aurora is waiting with some of the elemental sprites.”
“Diedre,” Riven said just as Vasile moved toward the veil, “my warriors and I have to gather the rest of the supernaturals. We shall return with everyone else for the summit.”
Diedre gave a small bow to the fae warrior and then, as one, the fae flashed from the field.
A sprite met Vasile and the others on the sprite side of the veil. “Please follow the trail of lights,” a female sprite said, pointing left to an illuminated trail. “It will take you to the great gathering room.”
As they began walking, Fane stepped up beside Vasile as Decebel took his other side. “Da,” Fane said, “have you ever been to this realm before?”
Vasile shook his head. “The sprites have kept to themselves for a very long time. They haven’t mingled with other supernaturals or humans.”
“It’s a beautiful land,” Decebel said.
Vasile took a moment to take in his surroundings. It was night in the realm of the sprites. A huge silver moon hung in the sky, shining down on the land, casting long shadows around the trees and bushes. The trees were tall and slender with green leaves etched in gold. Their foliage was unusual and striking. Vasile could tell the gilded leaves might be unnoticeable without the moonlight causing the trim to glitter.
“It is quite lovely,” Vasile agreed.
They reached the end of the trail of lights and found themselves standing in front of a large structure entirely constructed out of trees. The front of it consisted of two huge trees, as wide as houses and at least five stories high. They each arched inward toward one another. There were smaller trees clustered in between the two giants, forming a wall of foliage. As the wolves approached, leaves rustled and the branches of the two centermost trees separated, creating a gap for the party to pass through. Light flowed out of the opening and the sound of voices filtered to the wolves’ ears.
Vasile walked through the trees without pause, his pack at his back. Trees lined either side of the walls and the back of the large room. Vasile felt the pull of the moon and tilted his head back to find an opening in the roof where the bright orb shone down into the great hall.
The light glittered off the tree branches making them appear white.
“Welcome, Vasile, Alpha of the combined Romania and Serbia pack.” Vasile turned and saw Andora, the sprite queen, step from a raised dais and walk toward him. “It is a great honor to welcome you and your warriors into our realm.”
Vasile bowed. The others followed his lead. “Thank you for hosting such an important and momentous event,” Vasile said.
“We should begin very soon. It won’t take the fae long to bring everyone in,” Andora said.
A minute later, Peri flashed into the great hall with Thalion at her side. “I see the party hasn’t started without me,” said the high fae.
“I thought you were with the group going to the Keep,” Vasile said.
“I was, and it’s the Deep Keep, might want to get it right before you see Jen again,” Peri said. “But Thalion needed a ride, and I needed Cyn to take over for me watching the pack while I attend this summit. I need to grab one more guest. I will return momentarily.” She flashed before anyone could say anything.
“Thalion,” Vasile said, holding out his arm for the elf warrior to clasp. “How are things in the elfin realm?”
Thalion took the offered arm, wrapping his hand around Vasile’s forearm. “Could be worse,” Thalion said. “We figured out why my father wasn’t making any moves against us. Turns out, he left the realm with his loyal warriors.”
