I follow his gaze and squint at the strange symbols and letters carved into the wood. “You can read that?”
He chuckles. “Yes, it’s part of my training to understand different languages and scripts.”
“Of course it is,” I mutter sarcastically.
Thaldiran approaches the sign and studies it for a moment before turning back to me. “We’re in a place called New York City.”
“‘New York City?’” I echo, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. “Sounds charming.” I roll my eyes. “So, what’s our next move?”
“We need to blend in,” he suggests, eyeing his fae attire and my equally out-of-place leather armor.
“Blending in,” I snort. “Right, because nothing says inconspicuous like a fae warrior and a dragon shifter walking down the streets of... where did you say we are? New York City?”
“Yes,” he nods, pulling a small leather pouch from his pocket. “These are glamours. They’ll make us appear as humans.”
He opens the pouch, revealing shimmering dust inside. He sprinkles some on himself first, his appearance shifting subtly. His pointed ears become rounder, his sharp features soften, and his fae attire transforms into clothing that matches the people around us. A simple shirt and trousers.
“Your turn,” he says, offering me the pouch.
I take a handful of the dust and sprinkle it over myself, the tingling sensation enveloping me as my form changes. I feel my wings bury themselves deeper into my back as if they’re hiding,and my clothes morph into a pair of rough blue pants and a low-cut white shirt.
I’m stunned, completely unprepared for the transformation. I feel so... plain.
“Well, this is a new experience,” I admit, admiring his appearance.
“Indeed,” he replies, running a hand through his black hair, which is now slicked back.
Someone bumps into me but doesn’t seem to notice as they stare down at that small, strange device they all seem so enamored with. The air smells different... dirty, with a hint of a chemical odor, but also sweet, like fruit. I wrinkle my nose as I look around, noticing there’s not a single horse in sight.
“What the hell do we do now? Is this where the Shadowlord resides?”
Thaldiran’s forehead creases as his gaze shifts between the people surrounding us, clearly perplexed. “Now... I have no idea.”
Chapter Six
Thaldiran
The sprawling maze of towering structures and bustling streets surrounds us, and it’s a world unlike anything I’ve ever known. My senses are on high alert, the unfamiliar sights and sounds amplifying my unease. Astryl stands beside me, her eyes darting around with equal amounts of bewilderment and alarm.
“Oh, joy, a fae warrior and a dragon shifter lost in a concrete jungle. What could possibly go wrong?” she mutters. “How are we supposed to find the Shadowlord in a place like this?”
“There’s got to be a way,” I say, although I’m not entirely sure either.
The street is packed with people, most of them dressed in some sort of uniform, but many are wearing casual clothes,their faces concealed by some strange devices. Everything is so... advanced.
I scan the crowd, looking for a landmark or sign that can give me a clue, but there’s nothing that stands out. A loud horn blasts from the sky, and I turn just in time to see a large vehicle moving swiftly along the paved road. A small person is riding on top, perched in a small, enclosed carriage.
“What the hell are those?” I ask, astonished.
“They’re like horse and carriage, right?” Astryl says. “Except bigger and faster?”
“I suppose,” I respond, still trying to process the sight.
I spot another sign across the strange, black road, and as I walk toward it, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, a warning from my Soul Sight senses that something is off. I turn back to Astryl, my eyes narrowing as I spot a group of people approaching us, their gazes fixed on us with unsettling familiarity.
“Astryl, we have company,” I warn.
She follows my gaze and looks at the approaching group, her eyes widening in surprise. “Do you think they can help us?”
