“Why are you treating her like she’s dead? Her heart still beats. Her chest still rises and falls.”
“Whatever. I need to move on with my life and you should too. Don’t wait up.”
My heart broke into a million pieces and I wept, allowing myself to be pulled back into Silindra’s time.
Chapter 31
The sound of roaring water came from somewhere within the building and grew louder the higher we went. When the guards, Ryden, and I reached the top, I understood the noise. A large waterfall raged, causing mist to churn and swirl, making the air wet. It smelled of lilies. The droplets clung to my fur and slicked off my wings.
Directly in front of us was a rounded landing dangling by six silver cords. Veb climbed on and beckoned me to follow. I stifled a sigh, knowing if the bottom fell out from under me, I could use my wings to escape. Still, I held the slick crystal rail encircling the landing, hoping to steady my nerves.
Slowly, like molten lava, the landing moved, pulling us closer and closer to the waterfall. When it looked like the raging water would soak us, a circular piece of ceiling, just larger than the landing, appeared, diverting the water around us.
At once we were swallowed in darkness. I was thankful my eyes easily adjusted to the dark, but I knew Ryden wasn’t as lucky. Her tiny fingers clung tighter to my neck.
“So dark. It’s like we’ve been buried,” she whispered.
After several moments, I wanted to say something to alleviate Ryden’s fears.
Veb must’ve sensed my uncertainty. “We will arrive innnnnn—” The landing clanged softy, and the water parted like a curtain. “Now.”
We stepped into a wonderland. I was too shocked to say anything. Clear blue sky shone so perfectly, I wondered if it was real. Trees bearing the most beautiful, luscious-looking fruit in different colors abounded. Their fragrance had my mouth watering. Surprised, I took a step toward the nearest tree, clasping a lime colored fruit in my fingers. Its texture was soft and smelled like blood, my favorite blood. That of my hunter—Gabriel. How was that possible?
Overwhelmed, my eyes tore through the sumptuous garden, searching for an answer. Birds sang from dense branches, their feathers all the shades of the rainbow, their tails nearly touching the ground. Animals great and small—the unicorn and the gremlin, the lion and the lamb, the eagle and the mouse—frolicked together.
“What is this place?” I asked, unable to help myself.
“This is my home.”
I swung in the direction of his voice. Devoran walked toward me, his hands spread out on either side of him in welcome. He wore a crisp white shirt with embroidered white buttons and matching white pants. White silk slippers adorned his feet. His long silver hair was pulled back and secured in a bun with long pointy sticks. He appeared relaxed, his features kind. He smiled. His almond-shaped eyes, the color of a cloudy sky, crinkled in mirth.
His features and the way he moved were unexpected, especially since he acted so differently at the council meeting.
“Devoran?” My eyes told me that was who strode toward me, but my mind struggled to believe.
“Welcome, Silindra. I’ve been expecting you.”
I remained immobile. Everything about the way Devoran acted went against all I’d known of him over the last millennium. That concerned me. Why was he different? Was this a trick? Had the phantoms caught hold of my mind, and this was all a hallucination? It couldn’t be, I thought, discreetly pinching myself. The air smelled so intoxicating I almost decided I didn’t care. With a shrug, I plucked a fruit from the tree and sank my teeth into it before I changed my mind. The fleshy fruit tasted exactly like Gabriel’s blood. “What is this?” I asked, too startled to follow decorum.
“Amonie fruit. Do you like it?”
“It tastes like blood,” I admitted in awe.
Devoran nodded. “That’s the beauty of the fruit within my sanctuary.”
Two crystal chairs and a table appeared in front of the elven leader. He slipped into one of the chairs. A silver decanter materialized along with twin silver goblets, and a miniature—for Ryden, I guessed.
“Won’t you have a seat? Take some refreshment.” He indicated the pitcher with his pointy chin.
“I’m so thirsty. Do you think there’s watermelon juice in that container?” Ryden asked.
I wondered what was in there too. All I could smell was Gabriel’s delicious blood.
“Devoran, you know I only drink blood. Is that what you’re offering?”
His smile widened. “But of course, dear Silindra. What kind of host would I be otherwise?”
Ryden sighed.
“Can we get some watermelon juice for the pixilette Ryden?” I asked, sitting hesitantly in the chair opposite him.
“The decanter pours whatever it is you wish to drink, so if dear Ryden wants watermelon juice, that’s what she’ll receive.” His friendly voice was strange.
Ryden squealed with glee and flew from her hiding place at my neck, toward the tiny glass. Devoran picked up the decanter and poured her a drink. The pixilette took a small sip, and then several more. Clapping excitedly, she flew into the air, spinning like a magical top. When she stopped, she laughed. “It is watermelon juice.”
I stifled a smile.
“Would you like a drink, Silindra?”
Curious, I agreed, setting the piece of fruit on the table. It vanished immediately.
He poured, and I watched a thick red liquid flow into my glass. When it was filled, I picked it up, startled by the strong scent of blood. Pressing my lips to the glass, I tasted. It was blood. More specifically, Gabriel’s blood. I felt my eyes widen. “How is this possible?” I wanted to set the glass down, but I couldn’t. With only a little decorum, I chugged down the remaining contents.
“It’s part of the magic of my home.” He gave a slight chuckle and I nearly fell off my chair. Devoran never smiled, let alone lifted his lips out of a grim line.
“Who are you?” I asked, moving my body so that I fully faced him. The elf beside me couldn’t be king of the elves.
“Silindra, it is me. I know I am usually melancholy. But you are in my home, in my garden, my most favorite place in all the world.” He smiled and I noticed the tiny wrinkles feathering near his eyes. “Can I show you around?” he asked, rising.
I nodded, feeling out of sorts, but stood as well. The sooner we finished with pleasantries, the sooner I could be on my way.
“Good.” He looked at Veb. “You are excused,” he barked.
“Thank you, sire.” Veb bowed and left.
Once the water curtain resettled itself and Veb was gone, Devoran smiled. “I know why you’ve come.”
I wanted to respond, but the girl inside my mind tried to break free at that moment, pushing against my mind and I found my consciousness floating like a cloud back to her time. It was obvious she missed a boy named Gabe. I found it interesting her love’s name was the same as mine.
… “Happy Halloween, Snow. I know you hate girlie stuff, so I only put a little bit of clear gloss on your lips, added just a few sparkles to your eyelids, and put a red stripe in your hair. The nurses are going to flip about that.” Cindy was speaking to me and she said Halloween. How was that possible? It was only November a few days ago. My head pounded and I desperately fought to wake.
Cindy went on. “I’m dressed up like a cheerleader. We had to wear a costume for work. I bought you one just like mine. We’ll save it for next year, even though you know I hate wearing the same thing twice. It’s okay though. I think, under the circumstances, the Vogue gods will understand. Just please wake up. I’m lonely without you. Sure, I have other friends, but you’re the only one who knows what I am.”
Poor Cindy, she must feel so alone. I wondered if she had a boyfriend. I wanted to know all about her.
“And your dad, he’s taken to drinking. Your stepmother left him… Okay, that’s a big-time bonus, but not his drinking. Professor Pops isn’t sure what to do about hi
m.”
Oh no! My dad. I needed to wake for him. I needed him to know I was alive and that I cared about him.
“Gatsby is so desolate,” Cindy went on. “I tried to sneak him into your hospital room, but the nurses found out and made me take him away. He’s with Professor Pops because your dad kept forgetting to feed him.”
My poor cat!
“Don’t even get me started on the guys. Holy Halloween-in-a-handbasket. They are miserable, except Gabe. He’s always out being Mr. Big-Shot leader. I think he forgot he’s only eighteen. Yeah, he had his birthday. None of us celebrated though.”
I’ve got to return. It’s important. Let. Me. Go! I said the words in my mind, but Silindra’s power seemed to grab hold of my soul and yank me back. A tether connected both of us in a way neither of us understood.
Chapter 32
I wasn’t surprised Devoran knew what I wanted—he was always astute at our council meetings—but I doubted he understood the full reason. The elves had been around almost as long as the vampires and the secretive chayot, but we still had a few decades on them. “I went to see Abernathy,” I said, getting right to the point. “If we are to save the seven magics, I must have a specific property from each of the great magical races.”
He nodded solemnly. “And what did Abernathy give you?”
Answering Devoran was necessary. I knew that. He would expect nothing less and his question was worthy. “A piece of his soul.” I brought the amber teardrop from the satchel I carried, showing him the magical gem.
His eyes widened. “Unbelievable.” He reached out as though he wanted to touch it, but I immediately returned the stone to my satchel. A flash of anger—the look I was used to seeing on Devoran passed over his features for the briefest moment before it was gone. He slipped his hands behind his back and began walking. I moved to stay alongside him. “Abernathy and I have never agreed on much,” he went on. “He is more impulsive with his decisions, while I tend to think things through so I can plan for different variables.”
Abernathy just seemed lazy to me, but I nodded my agreement. Better to be diplomatic and let him believe he had the upper hand.
“By my calculations, you are here to ask for the eternal sight of an elf, correct?” He raised one meager eyebrow in my direction.
“That’s right,” I answered, not even a little surprised he did in fact know exactly what I needed.
“We can discuss it, but first I want to introduce you to someone.” Pointing at a small black unicorn, he changed the subject. “I call the little unicorn over there Envy. See the lustrous shine of her coat? The perfect length of her mane? Her violet eyes?”
“Yes, she’s lovely.” I had a soft spot for unicorns. They were healers by nature.
“Her brothers and sisters hated her for her beauty. More than that, they hated her for her great magic. They were awful to her, refused to play or show her any kind of affection. Her mother and father possessed very little magic and they despised her as well. She was considered the runt. One night her family gave her a sleeping potion and as she slept, they proceeded to break her legs and tear off her horn.” He shook his head sadly.
I was in shock. It never made sense to me that there was such cruelty in the world. But I wasn’t naïve enough to believe it didn’t exist. All creatures had malice woven into their DNA as well as goodness. The difference between those who were malicious and those who were kind were their choices. Whether they clung to the best parts of themselves or wallowed in the rest.
Devoran went on. “They abandoned her at the edge of our forest. I believe they hoped the phantoms would destroy her. But her magic is very strong, and I sensed her and brought her here before any more harm could come to her.”
I was surprised he helped. Elven magic was rooted in sight. They were able to see back through time as well as forward in time. With all they could see, they cared little for the rest of the world. I guessed he saw something in Envy he wanted to use for himself. “I’m so glad. She seems to be doing better.”
“She is.” He nodded. “When she woke from the sleeping potion, she possessed enough magic to heal herself, and now she’s happy and thriving.”
The unicorn, acknowledging Devoran’s words, shook her mane and pranced over to him, pushing her nose against his hand. He smiled, petting her between the eyes, below the small nub where her horn was growing back. “She is loyal to me to a fault.” Devoran playfully shoved Envy away. “That loyalty could be the death of her.”
I shivered, understanding what he meant. It didn’t matter if Devoran’s desires were good or evil. Because Envy was loyal to him, she would do whatever he commanded. It was the same with the vampires loyal to Sharra.
Beyond the unicorn’s extraordinary beauty, she seemed kind. As I watched, she nudged a baby hedgehog over to a patch of clover and kept him company while he ate.
It occurred to me that Devoran had shared the story as a stalling tactic while he deliberated whether or not to give me what I needed. Though I was in a hurry, I would allow him that time. Not that I had a choice. Not really. I could take what I wanted but doing so would have consequences beyond the war with the vampires. All creatures of magic would take sides. Stealing from the king of the elves would turn many against me. That wasn’t an option worth considering, unless he gave me no other choice.
After we strolled the entire sanctuary twice, Devoran stopped, facing me. “I will give you what you desire, but you must agree to something first.” As he spoke, several of the creatures from the garden raced over to him. He looked away from me, giving each of beasts some individual attention before sending them away.
“What is it?” I asked, when he was done cooing at them. Whatever the cost, I would do it.
“To give you the sight, it must become a part of you, mingle with your magic, and insert itself within your body and soul.”
That didn’t sound pleasant or even possible. Warily, I scrutinized him. What was he playing at?
“It isn’t the same as what the dragon did. It can’t be taken but must be freely given. I won’t tear the eyes from an elf. That isn’t how our magic works.”
“How then?” I was prepared for worse.
“In order for you to receive our sight, you must experience the pain and power that comes with such an incredible gift.”
“Of course,” I said, bracing myself. I had no idea what he meant, but I knew it didn’t matter. Whatever the cost, I would pay it.
“Come, let me direct you to your room. You need some rest before we can begin.” He picked up the pace, and I worked hard to follow.
I didn’t want to rest. I wanted it over with now, but one look at Devoran and I knew it wasn’t up for discussion. “Excellent,” I said, gritting my teeth.
One of the elven guards directed me to my chamber after Devoran promised to return soon. I took in the four crystalized walls. Five small rectangular windows ran the length of the wall to the left of the large bed covered in white linen and lavender—my favorite color. Nothing covered the windows and I saw the beautiful gardens beyond.
“I’ll be back,” Ryden said, flying toward the window.
“Stay out of trouble,” I commanded softly, though I knew she would do what she pleased. As she exited, I watched her disappear into the trees. I had a feeling she was after more watermelon juice. With nothing to do but wait, I removed my satchel and lay down on my side, careful to keep my bare feet off the downy covers and my wings from getting smashed. As an original, I needed very little sleep, less than most other creatures, especially humans. Or dragons. They could sleep through centuries. I rarely became tired, but I found myself so exhausted I closed my eyes.
… “Her birthday’s coming up.” Dorian’s voice cut through the darkness. “I can’t believe it’s been almost a year. It’s a good thing her dad agreed to bring her home. I think the doctors wanted to run tests, treat her like a lab rat. Thankfully, he wouldn’t allow that.”
“I believe they would be shocked at wh
at they discovered,” Professor Pops said. “They’re already curious about why her body isn’t breaking down.”
“She looks the same as she did a year ago, only her hair is longer,” said Gabe, and my heart squeezed.
“Vampires age at an abundantly slower rate than humans, son. I’m more than six hundred years old, yet I don’t look older than forty.”
“Right.” Gabe sounded irritated and weary. I did that to him. Though I knew I was somehow connected to Silindra, I willed myself to break free so I could explain it all to my dad, Professor Pops, Gabe and all the rest of my family. It made no sense that in the human realm a year had nearly passed, yet with Silindra, it’d been less than a day.
“Gabe, come on. Don’t be like this. Talk to me. Tell me how everything’s going. Did I hear the rumors right? You captured Christopher?”
My veins filled with dread. I couldn’t let them hurt my hunter. I growled, trying to wake, to separate myself from Silindra, but she wasn’t through with me yet. Or, more precisely, the Seal of Gabriel wasn’t through with me.
“We had him,” Gabe said, interrupting my thoughts. “But he escaped. Next time we catch him, I’ll kill him.”
I couldn’t let that happen! Somehow, I needed to separate myself from Silindra and the Seal.
Chapter 33
When I opened my eyes, it surprised me that I had, in fact, fallen asleep. My body hummed with invigoration. It also dazed me to realize I somehow saw the world differently. Was it the elves’ eternal sight? There hadn’t been any pain.
I got to my feet, shaking out my wings, allowing the circulation to reach every tendon and vein. They felt good. I felt good.
A large bumble bee flew in, lazily making its way across the room to the wall on the right of my bed. It bumped into the door several times.
“Oh, you poor thing.” I went over and cupped the bee between my hands, took it over to the window it came through, and released it. The garden’s aroma filled my nose. It still smelled like Gabriel’s blood, and my knees went weak. I was hungry.
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