“It’s because we use magic for everything. Where you’re used to relying on the weather and soil quality to determine how well things grow, we give it all a helping hand.” I shrugged. “I have an affinity for defensive magic, for intuitively knowing when people are hiding things or being truthful. For knowing when an investigation is headed in the right direction.” I laughed at his doubtful expression. “I know it sounds unlikely, but I’m telling you the truth. My point is that while my magic leans towards defence and investigation, others have an affinity for growing things or for building, creating art, and whatever else you can think of. We all have magic, and we use it to the best of our ability.”
Gabriel’s expression slowly changed from awestruck to confused, and I knew exactly what he was going to say next.
“Do you think I have any?”
If only I had an answer for him. I glanced at Axel, but he gave me a slight shrug. “I don’t know. Have you ever asked your mum? Failing that, you could always talk to Lady Sarhin. I’m sure the high court would be able to answer this better than I can.”
He pulled a face. “I’m not sure I want to involve the high court. I guess I’ll ask my mum when I see her later.” When both Axel and I looked surprised, he sighed. “I spoke to Rys last night. Although he was fine with me sitting in on your interview, even though it meant I’d have to keep things from him, I don’t think I am.” His jaw clenched and I wondered if he’d expected us to try and persuade him otherwise.
“Then you shouldn’t be there. We’ll make records of any information Blake gives us, and you and Max will get copies as soon as we’re done. There’s no need for you to be in the room with us if you don’t want to be.”
Gabriel huffed. “There’s no point in me being here at all, is there?”
I shook my head, but Axel beat me to it. “Not true. Lady Sarhin requested your presence, the same as she did mine and Dathal’s. In Max’s absence, you’re the fae liaison to the paranormal police department. You might not be present at the interview, but Lady Sarhin and possibly other members of the high court will no doubt want to speak with you.”
“Besides,” I added, “you can visit your mum, and then we can show you around properly before we go back.” I gave him a gentle nudge. “Aren’t you curious about all this?”
His smile slowly returned and he put his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart. “Little bit, maybe.”
I laughed because his gaze had already drifted past me to the thick forests to the left of the gateway. “Later, though. They’ll be expecting us.”
Gabriel frowned. “I thought the gateway was monitored from both sides. Shouldn’t we have an escort?”
“Normally, yes,” Axel answered. “But since it’s me, we don’t need one.”
He led the way along the wide pathway, lush green grass on one side, forest on the other. Almost immediately, they gave way to bright white single-story buildings that sparkled in the sunlight. Most were residential, this far out of the centre, my own home not far from here. I wondered if Gabriel could see them or if they’d be shielded from him like the entrance to the gateway.
I caught Axel’s eye and nodded at the buildings.
“Gabriel?” he said, slowing our pace. “What do you see?”
“Is that a trick question?” Gabriel glanced left and right, then shrugged. “Trees, grass… um…”
“Look harder.” Axel brought us to a stop, and we waited while Gabriel frowned, then narrowed his eyes at the grass, concentrating.
“Are those…” He squinted, taking a couple of steps closer. “Buildings?”
“Homes, mostly.” I pointed in front of us. “The city is up ahead. You can see the towers of the high court in the distance.” At least Axel and I could.
“Why are they so hard to see?” Gabriel asked.
“So that if anyone other than a fae managed to get through the gateway, all they’d see is trees and grass.”
“Makes sense, I guess.” He ran a hand through his hair, clearly unhappy.
Stepping up beside him, I said, “Maybe it’ll get easier the more time you spend here.”
“Maybe.” He sounded less than convinced. “If the high court is way off in the distance, how far have we got to walk?”
Axel snorted. “We’re not walking all the way there.” He gestured up ahead of us. “There’s another gateway.”
“Oh yeah. I remember doing something like that when I was last here. It’s all so vague though.”
Gabriel peppered us with questions all the way to the next gateway point. We walked to the edges of Cathyl, where both Axel and I had homes. Cathyl was a thriving place full of trade of all sorts. I’d love to have given Gabriel a tour, but we had to get to the high court. They’d be expecting us.
The next gateway brought us out into the centre of Anyath. The buildings here were so much more impressive. Axel led the way out of the building that housed the gateway, nodding to the two fae guards on the door. I recognised them both and greeted them with a smile and a nod. They were in uniform, of course, and I felt odd being here and not wearing my own.
Maybe I should’ve done.
