And then aclick.
A rectangle of light appeared, and there was the creak of a door opening.
Shiloh gestured toward the magical doorway. “Here we go!”
Seymour stared. “Like fuckin’ hellfire I’m goin’ through that.” He pointed at it. “That could lead fuckin’ anywhere!”
Shiloh touched the bright light as if it was solid and rubbed it with his shirt sleeve. It squeaked like glass, and the light faded to reveal the dark space surrounding the Inferno. “There! Happy?”
“No, but okay… You first.”
Shiloh saluted and then stepped right through.
Seymour expected a strange sound or maybe a flash of light or glitter—something—but there was nothing. He scooped Day up on his shoulder and grabbed Sariel’s hand. He nodded farewell at Neil. “Take care, Neil. Be seein’ you.”
“Be careful,” Neil said with a strained smile. “Try not to get eaten by faeries or whatever.”
NO GOODBYE FOR ME?
HOW DARE
“Huh?” Seymour gawked. “Aren’t you in the damn rolly thingie in Shiloh’s bag?”
YES
BUT ALSO HERE
I AM EVERYWHERE
“Okie dokie.” Seymour shook his head, hoping his laughter didn’t sound too nervous as Sariel led him through the doorway. It was as effortless as passing through any ordinary door, though it shut with a distinct click once they were through.
Not creepy or foreboding at all.
Shiloh was ahead of them, wandering through the darkness and sniffing the air. He pawed at the space in front of him, sniffed it, and licked his hand.
Day tilted her head. “What is he doing?”
“Good question,” Seymour mumbled. He tugged on Sariel’s hand. “Whatishe doing?”
“Mr. Ricci,” Sariel called out. “We wish to know what you’re doing.”
“Looking for faeries. Duh.” Shiloh kept moving ahead, deeper into the darkness. “A field of bluebells would be great, but sometimes you gotta get a lil’ creative. It could be real subtle. Like the smell of birthday cake or forest right after it rains. Maybe your favorite tea, hot off the stove, or—” He paused suddenly. “Ah, here we go.” He threw something into the air, and there was light above them from a small orb.
It illuminated an odd crack in the ground where indeed there were a few small bluish purple flowers sprouting up.
Bluebells.
“I’d say that’s a ditch of ’em, but whatever works,” Seymour noted. “Is this it? Was I right?”
“Faerie definitely opened here,” Shiloh replied. “But these kinda things are usually a one-way street. Getting them to open in the other direction can be a bit tricky.” He pointed at the crack and raised his hand.
The crack, flowers and all, came up from the ground to hover in the air before them.
“This looks messy,” Shiloh went on. “Like somebody was in a big hurry to get out.” His fingers twitched, the crack shuddered,and nothing else happened. “All right, one second.” He dug around in his satchel. “Here, hold this.”
Seymour found himself holding a very chatty Rolodex.
IT’S DARK HERE
