My eyes widened. “Isthatwho’s coming?”
Kole’s jaw locked, and he grabbed my hands. “It is. Come on. We need to find a way to stop your uncle.”
Kole pulled me forward to another magical door. However, instead of this one being green, a red wavering line waited in front of us, and for the first time since entering this realm, I detected magic outside of me. The subtle flavor of mint and anise hit my tongue.
“What is this place?”
“The Supernatural Forces’ entryway. This is a portal door created by their witches.” He gestured to it, and I gazed at the milky interior. As if sensing us, a voice spoke from thin air.
“Warrior Swordwielder and Princess Primelle Manafold, welcome.” Another shimmer of magic lit the air, and then a glowing flat surface appeared, also appearing from out of nowhere. There was the outline of a hand on it, and the strange voice said, “Please scan your palm before entering.”
I stood entirely frozen, shock rendering me still.
Kole smirked and laid his palm on the device. “Come on, Princess. I’ll show you the way.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
We entered the Supernatural Forces through their magical door, and on the other side, a long drab-looking hallway stretched before us, and one of their employees was waiting.
My eyes turned to saucers when I realized the SF employee was aNolus fairy.
The male bowed. “Good afternoon, I’m Major Bavar Fieldstone, at your service.”
My gaze alighted on his fae-tipped ears, slightly glowing skin, and bright orange hair. But he didn’t wear the vibrantly colored clothes one typically saw among the Nolus fae. Instead, he wore clothing similar to Kole’s. Black pants and a black top, but the material looked to all be connected, as though it was one piece, which wasn’t like Kole’s attire at all. But at Bavar’s waist was a belt with a dagger strapped to it, and the weapon looked distinctly fae.
I cocked my head. “You’re a Nolus fairy working in this realm? And your last name is Fieldstone? Does that mean...” I was too shocked to continue.
He gave me a delighted grin. “Indeed. I’m also of a royal family, although I’m not in the direct bloodline to claim the Nolus throne. I’m King Fieldstone’s nephew.”
I grinned. “How wonderful! But how did you become a part of an organization in this realm?” I waved at the gray walls.
“That, Princess Primelle, is a very long and tedious story, but you’re correct that I spend my time between Earth and the fae lands. Now, I’ve been told that time is of the essence, given the time differences between our two realms, so without further ado, I’ve arranged for you to meet with a gargoyle scholar in the Bulgarian Libraries right away. His name is Nicholas Fitzpatrick, and like you, he is also a vampire.”
Since neither Kolenor I knew where the Bulgarian Libraries were, Major Fieldstone offered to accompany us. But instead of mistphasing, he withdrew a tiny metallic key from his pocket that I was fascinated to learn was aportal key, something concocted by their magical beings.
I was glad the Nolus royal was willing to help transport us. Kole had been awake for several days in this universe as he tried to figure out a way to help me, and his fatigue was showing. Dark circles lined his eyes, and his magic felt taxed.
But I also knew Kole would carry on without complaint and spend several more days without sleep if needed. I knew enough of the Imperial Council that it wasn’t just magic and combat skills that they sought in their warriors. Mental resilience was required too. In a way, I wondered if the Imperial Council was that much different from this realm’s Supernatural Forces.
Major Fieldstone’s portal key transported us in a way that was similar to mistphasing but more jarring. However, it still wasn’t as awful as the realm crossing.
Once the tiny key’s magic dissipated, it crumbled into dust, and I turned slowly around, taking in our new surroundings. Wewere in a hallway with black-and-white checkered tiling beneath our feet. Windows lined one side of the hall, and the other held what appeared to be some kind of shop. Scents of food and drink filled the air, and my vampiric senses sharpened, especially when I assessed the strange-looking city visible through the windows.
Wherever we were, it was nighttime, but this realm’s stars were less bright. There was also only one moon, and the various colors of the galaxy were missing. All in all, their night sky was similar to the hallway we’d just come from—rather drab.
But that wasn’t what truly commanded my attention. Instead, it was the box-like carriages that moved without the help of domals along smooth streets outside, and the foreign creatures walking about it snagged my attention too. The creatures appeared similar-looking to fae, but they didn’t have pointed ears.
“How strange,” I murmured to no one in particular.
“Ah, yes,” Bavar said with gusto. “It can take some time before one gets accustomed to the differences from this realm and ours, especially if it’s your first visit.” He pointed to the end of the hallway. There appeared to be some kind of closet barred by a chain gate there. “Follow me. The libraries are buried deep underground. We’ll need to use the elevator to get there.”
Elevator?It was a term I wasn’t familiar with, but I kept my curious questions to myself.
Kole and I followed the major’s hurried steps to the strange gate that accordioned open. From there, we entered a cramped space that was like a small closet, and after Bavar closed the gate and hit a few buttons on a panel, the closet-like contraption began to descend.
Since neither Kole nor Bavar seemed concerned about that, I figured thiselevatorwas functioning normally and likened it tothe floating platforms in the fae lands that could transport fae from floor to floor at inns.
We traveled down, down, down, and finally, with a jolt, came to a stop.
