“Well,” I mutter under my breath. “I think I can guess who lives there.”
It has to be Shifters and Werewolves—or whatever the Shadow Realm version is. I’ve read enough paranormal romance in Book Club to know the signs. But a trip to Shifterville is not on my travel itinerary tonight.
I turn back toward the hub’s center. The Nocturne Gates stand tall, right in the middle, the plainest of the lot—stone and iron with their torches casting a steady light. That’s my target. If I can get those doors open—if I can walk back down that endless hallway—maybe, just maybe, I’ll find my way back to my crappy little apartment and my cat.
Mr. Mittens. God, I miss him so bad it hurts. Poor baby—I know he must be missing me too. I’m so glad I made sure his automatic feeder and water dish were filled last night. But when was the last time I cleaned the litter box? I really need to get back to him.
I take a step forward…and stop.
Because suddenly the air changes. It feels heavy and cold—like the oxygen’s been sucked out of the vast room.
A shadow falls across me, so long I’m completely swallowed by it.
My pulse spikes. Slowly, dread pooling in my gut, I turn my head…and see him.
The Magistrate.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit!
He’s even bigger up close. His skin is black as polished stone, his silver eyes glowing like moons. Power radiates off him in waves, pressing down on me until I can hardly breathe. His expression is unreadable, but I feel his attention pinning me like a bug on a board.
Does he know who I am? What I am? Can he tell I’m human and I don’t belong in the Shadow Realm?
Terror spikes through me. Oh God, I have to get out of here—away from him!
No time to think—no time to plan. All I can do is run.
I bolt for the nearest gate. My soles slap the stone, my cloak flying out behind me. The carved letters above it gleam gold: The Carnal Bazaar.
My heart slams against my ribs. It’s not my first choice—not even my last. But it’s close, and I don’t dare look back.
I slap my hand against the iron, praying I don’t need to fumble through another rhyme or blood sacrifice.
Let me in—just let me in! I plead silently
To my surprise, the gates swing open at once.
Relief nearly knocks me over. I stumble through, not even caring where this new path leads. Anything’s better than that silver-eyed giant bearing down on me.
The moment I’m inside, the gates creak shut. The sound echoes like a coffin lid closing.
Wait…that doesn’t sound right. And this whole place—it doesn’t feel right.
Suddenly I’m sick with worry—did I do the right thing? Should I have run to another gate instead?
I whirl around but it’s too late—the Magistrate is gone…the hub is gone…and the gates are sealed.
25
Jules
I wait, trying to control my panic.
Pressed against the iron gates, my hood pulled low, I try to control my breathing. The sense of wrongness is still with me, but I tell myself it will be over soon because I’ll leave as soon as it’s safe. My ears strain for the sound of heavy footsteps…the low vibration of power—anything that might mean the Magistrate is still lurking out there.
Minutes tick by. Finally, I dare to peek through the bars.
The hub is empty—quiet. The Magistrate has moved on—thank God.
