My other men started arguing over which of them should go.
“Or I could just take El by herself,” Odin interrupted the argument.
“Darc will go,” Torin decided. “He's the most powerful of us and we want Elaria to have as much protection as possible. Don't we?” He gave the other men a hard look.
They grimaced but agreed and Darc stepped forward.
“We shouldn't be too long,” Odin said to my parents.
“I'll have lunch ready when you return,” my mother offered.
“Thank you, Kalli. I'll look forward to it,” Odin said politely. Then he waved Verin, Darc, and I over. “Form a circle. You know how we witches love circles.”
We stood in a circle—me between Verin and Darc—and held hands. All except Darc, that is. Darcraxis held my hand but Odin had to hold his traveling stone to direct us to Sabban so, instead, Darc held onto Odin's shoulder. In seconds, we were in another realm.
Chapter Thirty-One
The city of Rouvanne on the planet of Sabban had a moderate temperature that allowed its residents to wear light, flowing clothes. The men favored loose tunics—most short-sleeved—and trousers thin enough that with a stiff breeze, you could tell their religion. The women tended toward long dresses made out of the same thin material, many worn in layers for modesty, but some went with a single layer that showed off elaborate underwear. Hair was worn long on both men and women, the women adorning theirs with jewelry—as they did the rest of their bodies—and there were no visible weapons. There were, however, fascinating creatures that clung to witch shoulders, peered out of carried cages, or prowled alongside their masters.
The sun was high in the sky, gleaming off architecture that looked very similar to what you'd find in any human metropolis. Unlike human cities, Rouvanne was free of trash and pollution and everything was clean and in good repair. Buildings soared into the air in glassy glory, pedestrians strolled down stone sidewalks, and streamlined vehicles rolled down the paved streets. Those magical pedestrians looked out of place against the mundane backdrop.
I peered up at a traffic light. “Um, Odin, are you sure you took us to another realm?”
Odin laughed. “Who do you think taught the humans about the combustible engine and how to construct buildings over thirty stories tall that wouldn't fall? It wasn't the damn Gargoyles.”
Verin made an appreciative and impressed sound.
“It's a shame the humans have used your knowledge so poorly,” Darcraxis murmured as he watched a woman stop before a shop window and admire a display of books. “This city is superior to any I've seen on Earth.”
“Well, you can lead a horse to water,” Odin grumbled. “We've been trying to teach them about renewable energy sources and ways to keep their cities clean, but it's a surprisingly hard sell.”
“Witches are hippies!” I exclaimed suddenly.
Odin grimaced at me.
“I'm serious.” I waved around myself at the draped clothing, excess of jewelry, and long hair. “Okay, not hippies exactly but... what's the new term for hippies who don't get high or sleep around? Oh, yeah, eco-activists. That's what Witches are. A combination of hippies and eco-activists. Bohemians with respect for the environment.”
“We'rewitches,” Odin corrected. “Any human classification cannot be applied since we came first. They mimic us, Elaria.”
“Yeah, okay. You're right.” I held up my hands in surrender but when Odin turned around, I winked at the guys.
They both chuckled, then gave each other irritated looks.
It was strange to see Odin walking past other witches without being acknowledged. Everywhere he went on Coven Cay, people genuflected or made some other sort of indication of respect. On Sabban, Odin wasn't as famous and from the way he was grinning, I'd wager that he liked the anonymity. He was like a celebrity suddenly able to walk down the street without being mobbed. In fact, Darcraxis and Verin received more lingering looks than Odin.
“Do you miss it?” I asked Odin as I stepped up beside him.
“Sabban?” He looked around as if the thought had never occurred to him. “I suppose I miss it less now that you've given me an easier way to travel here. I visit often.”
“Glad to have helped.” I grinned at him.
“Should you leave them back there unattended?” He lowered his voice and glanced over his shoulder at the other two men.
“I think they'll survive for a few minutes,” I said dryly.
Odin gave me the once-over with his one eye. “You look different.”
“Than what?”
