The portal was guarded at all times by Society members to ensure no vampires could come through to our world. Though when we arrived, there was no one in sight. Sebastian said he had cast an illusion that sent them deep into the woods. When I scolded him for potentially causing them to be lost forever, he very flatly, without any emotion, told me he would get them back.
Because of the confusing nature of the woods, precise maps had been created to ensure Society members could reach the portal and exit the woods safely. The map was crafted using measurementsinstead of landmarks, since nothing remained stagnant, except for the portal.
We had exhausted our resources here. As far as we knew now, no one else here knew of the portal or how to break the tracking spell. We had to search another world. Sebastian’s world. What I had thought was the underworld. A part of me still thought it might be. It became harder to question myself, my beliefs, what others said. I didn’t know where I stood anymore, so I drifted along instead.
After the small glimpse Sebastian had shown me, I was intrigued to see this new world.
“You’re sure I can enter?” I eyed Sebastian with raised brows. According to Father, no human could pass through the portal. Anyone who entered would immediately disintegrate into dust so fine the faintest breeze would carry them away. Sebastian said otherwise, and I supposed my father could have said that to dissuade any temptation at going through.
“For the hundredth time,” he spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly with an edge of obvious annoyance. “Yes.”
“Alright, but one of the times I asked, you said we’ll just have to see what happens, so my concern is only valid.”
“Yes.” His tone still carried that edge. “But then I tested it.”
“Youwhat?” I squawked.
He bent down to my ear. “Tested it.”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the shiver that washed through me. “What do you mean you tested it?”
“I borrowed a prisoner, pushed him through. He came out on the other side perfectly intact. Then I pushed him through again and locked him back up,” he explained it as if it was the most obvious explanation in the world.
“You could have killed him.”
“He’s already scheduled to be executed.”
“Oh ...” I glanced around, pursingmy lips.
“Now.” He gestured toward the portal as if he were inviting me to enter a gilded ballroom. “Shall we?”
I crossed my arms around my chest, looking to the portal, then to him. “I don’t want to go first.”
“That’s fine. I’ll alert my guards of our arrival.”
Just as he was about to turn towards the portal, a twig snapped nearby. He grabbed my arm and yanked me behind him before I could even look towards the disturbance. I peered around him as we waited to see what would emerge through the trees.
My heart nearly fell out of my body it had sunk so fast.
“Father?” I stepped out from Sebastian.
“Charlotte.” He eyed me, then Sebastian. “What are you doing out here?” Two Society members emerged from the shadows and flanked him.
What was I doing out here? This was quite possibly one of the worst outcomes that could have unraveled today. And one I foolishly did not consider. “I ... well, I ...” His blue eyes burned through me, eating up any thought before it could come to fruition.
“I apologize, Sir. She has always been so fascinated with the portal, and I wanted her to be able to see it in person. It was reckless on my behalf.”
My eyes flicked over to Sebastian in surprise.
But I could see Father’s face begin to harden. “Yes,” I rushed to add. “I did really want to see it, and I shouldn’t have agreed for him to take me.”
“I just wanted to make her happy.” I looked back to him. He kept his eyes firmly on my father. A part of me wilted at knowing it was a lie. Why I warmed at the words, I did not want to know. But Father’s face softened.
“Reckless indeed.” His eyes held the warning he didn’t need to convey through words. “Nevertheless, I am glad I found you two. Charlotte, I need your ... assistance. Willow Park has been overtakenby newborns, and they refuse to come out no matter what measures we take. I cannot send my men in there without proper visuals, so we have had to result to drawing them out.” I knew what that meant.
“Understood, Father.”
I could feel Sebastian’s eyes on me. The side of my face nearly went numb under his gaze. But I didn’t even know how to properly explain this to him. How could I explain that my father used me as bait on occasion?
