by Allison West
Lil dressed quickly. She wore the eternal suit and sword, hoping she didn't stand out among her new friends. It was hard not to feel at least a little self-conscious with Hudson always watching her.
"Let's go," Rawlie said after they had all eaten and were gathered to go, gesturing for everyone to follow him down through the tunnel to the nearest academy with a portal to Elfinland.
Willow walked behind Rawlie through the dark passage. Jamie and then Arianna trailed right behind, and Lil followed behind them. Hudson kept to the back, as he had the last time they were down in the tunnels, prepared for anything that might surprise them. Lil's eyes moved over the protection markings along the walls. They looked fresh, the ink a deep, shiny black. She couldn't remember the drawings being as dark just days ago. "Do you have to repaint these regularly?" Lil asked as she walked quicker to keep up with Jamie ahead of her.
Hudson heard the question and said, "Once a month, we take turns making sure the markings are secure. The other night, it was my turn to add a coat of paint. What do you think?"
Lil eyed the walls with more curiosity than she had the first time. It explained why he had disappeared during the night. He'd wanted to ensure they were safe for their passage. "What type of paint? Is it special?" She wondered what could keep Eilith away from all the academies.
"It is," Arianna said. "We get the ingredients we need from the other academy, who in turn get it from Morgan."
Lil frowned. "Why don't you get it from Morgan yourself?" She didn't quite understand why there was a third party involved in the transaction.
Willow kept the pace quick as she glanced back to answer Lil's question. "They already made a deal with Morgan. Why allow her the opportunity to ask another favor of us? Besides, the academies are a part of a network that is bound together; we support one another in all our endeavors."
"But they didn't help save you or find Bray." How was that support? Lil didn't understand how they could make arrangements with Morgan when it seemed she wasn't trustworthy. Why not just ask the other academy for help? A hand rested on her back, Hudson's, urging her to walk faster. It would be a few hours' journey before they reached the other academy and then found their way through the portal.
The mouth of the tunnel widened, and Hudson moved to walk alongside of her. "The academy in Eldersburg is different." He paused, choosing the right words. He kept his voice low, his hand still on her lower back. "We trade with them, and they share our portal with us. We offer them what we can, but our numbers are much smaller. We don't have many living with us. At one point, there were six of us." A sad silence filled the air. "Eldersburg asked us once for help against Eilith when we had four in our academy. Our numbers were small, and we couldn't risk what they were asking of us. They barely had a plan—or they refused to share it with us. We didn't fight alongside them, and now we don't feel right asking for their help."
"How many are in Eldersburg?" Lil asked.
"At least a dozen at any time, sometimes more. They recruit from the sacred springs and bring the refugees back to Eldersburg," Hudson said.
Lil tried to wrap her mind around it. "Do they have the same protections? Your and Rawlie's blood are the only ones that allow entrance inside your academy."
Hudson kept next to her as they followed the tunnel to the right at the fork in the passageway. The protections continued on the walls, but they had grayed from months of being ignored. "They run Eldersburg differently. My mother, Rawlie's aunt, equipped our academy for additional protections, making sure Eilith couldn't enter. The other property is less prepared in many aspects."
"Is that why they wanted your help?" Lil guessed. "They thought you'd be able to defeat Eilith?"
"They knew we had Eilith's daughter living with us, but we wouldn't use Arianna as a pawn, like they wanted us to."
She watched the protection markings change from gray to a deep blue as they drew closer to the entrance of the neighboring sanctuary. "Different paint?" Lil pointed, refusing to touch the wall in case it would have an effect on her.
"Definitely newer. Something superior they're not sharing?" Hudson said.
Rawlie glanced back at Hudson, his cheeks reddening with annoyance. Hudson didn't sound too surprised.
Willow rested a gentle hand on Rawlie's shoulder. "Relax. Okay? Don't worry about what they have. Our protections work fine for our home."
They slowed as the path sloped uphill. Lil kept quiet, conserving her energy. She had no idea what to expect of these people, let alone the fae. Hudson's hand fell from her back. She missed the warmth and glanced at him every so often, wondering where he found the strength to come back and face the fairy queen after the deal he'd made years ago. Lil would be too much of a coward.
"You'll be fine," he whispered in her ear, and his breath brushed against her skin as he leaned close. Hudson granted her a brief smile that quickened her heart. She'd never felt this for anyone in her life. Perhaps it was the forbidden aspect that made her desire him even more. He wasn't that much older than she was, but he came from another world. She had no idea the consequence it could have on the universe. She did know the consequence it could have on Hudson, though, and she didn't want to hurt him.
Upon approaching the guarded entrance of Eldersburg, Rawlie knocked on the secured door. There was no way in without someone inside opening it for them. A few minutes passed before Rawlie raised his hand to knock again, but before he got the chance, the lock switched back, sliding through the latch, and the door creaked open.
"You're early," a female voice answered on the other side. "Come in," she said, stepping away, watching as the six of them stepped through the door. She wasn't much older than Jamie, and no taller. Her short, black hair was tied behind her head and did little to add any maturity to her. She secured the lock behind them and reached for a torch on the far end of the wall. She carried it with her up the stairs and led them farther into sanctuary. "We weren't expecting you for another month," she said to Rawlie. "Has something happened?" Though she was small in size and rather young, she carried herself well.
Lil watched from afar, wondering why they would let a child guard the door.
"You could say that," Rawlie said. "We need access to the portal. We've come into some trouble and need help from the Seelie Court."
Her small head bobbed. "Oh, I see," she said and led them to a foyer. As they stepped out onto the floor, Lil realized the building looked almost identical to the academy they had just left. "Maybe you should talk to Jayden," the young girl said.
Rawlie shook his head. "I would if I thought it would help, but I don't want to bother him."
"All right. I'll take you to the portal then," she said, leading them through the heavy set of doors that held no protection marks to keep outsiders from passing. Lil examined the long hallway. There were no markings on the inner walls of the academy, either. The structure itself seemed similar, but Lil wondered what else it lacked.
The young girl led them to the main entrance of the building, up the elegant staircase, and to the second floor. She fished into her shirt, pulling out a key attached to a necklace. She unlocked the door and left it open. "I'll wait here for your return."
"No need," Rawlie said. "If we succeed with Morgan, we shouldn't be passing through here again."
"As you wish." She smiled and gave a weak nod. She watched as they entered the small room, which was not much larger than a closet. Rawlie turned the portal on.
Rawlie and Willow stepped through first. Jamie hesitated briefly, before taking Arianna's hand and walking with her through the portal. Lil followed, holding her breath, afraid there'd be no air in the translucent purple substance that shimmered and hummed. The journey took a fraction of a second, Eldersburg giving way to Elfinland. Lil glanced around and saw Jamie, Arianna, Rawlie, and Willow. "Where's Hudson?" A slight panic edged her voice.
"Relax." Willow rested a hand on Lil's arm. "Time works differently in these parts of the world. He'll be here in a minute." Wha
t had seemed like a journey of a fraction of a second took minutes in Elfinland. Hudson stepped through just as the portal disappeared behind him.
"What's everyone staring at me for?" He reached for Lil's hand.
Willow smiled. "Just waiting on you, that's all. Come on." She trudged through the softly packed snow as they edged deeper into Elfinland. From Lil's perspective, it didn't look that different from a winter landscape, except it wasn't cold like it should have been. Her feet crunched snow, but the air was warm, comfortable. As they walked farther into the forest, the snow disappeared and flowers bloomed across the forest walls.
"How is any of this possible?" Lil asked, reaching out to touch a bud, but Hudson yanked her arm back.
"Don't touch that! This world is filled with trickery. You make one wrong move, and you might be stuck here."
She wouldn't have been scared, but then she remembered his story from last night and what he had to offer Morgan. It unsettled her. Who would demand such an act? Who could be so cruel? "I'll keep my hands to myself." She followed the others through the lush forest, amazed at the way it had changed from winter to spring in a matter of seconds. Surrounded by spring, she glanced back behind her and saw the snow just a few feet away. It hadn't been her imagination.
Together, they traveled through Elfinland to the Fairy Queen Morgan. Once they got to the Seelie Court, Rawlie stopped and looked back at Lil and Jamie. "Remember not to speak unless spoken to. Let us do the bidding."
Lil was afraid to say anything to Morgan. She was content with keeping in the background. After the change she had seen in the forest, she thought it best to keep to herself. This place was beyond strange. Jamie didn't argue, either. His eyes were wide, lost in thought.
Willow and Rawlie held hands, making it clear they were in this together. Lil wondered if that was a bad idea, giving Morgan more information than she may already have about their relationship, but she kept her lips tight. Jamie and Lil walked in together with Hudson trailing behind them. The Seelie Court appeared to reach the sky. The ceiling perfectly captured the outdoors. It was difficult to tell if it was glass or a painted masterpiece. The fae loved to hide the truth, she remembered. Hudson nudged Lil to keep walking and keep up with Jamie.
"Willow Porter. I'm surprised to see you back in Seelie Court." A male fae—if the creature could be categorized as such—flitted over with the slightest buzz of wings and landed down on the first level of the castle with them. Lil eyed his back, staring at his wings. She thought she saw a hint of shimmer, but then he turned around to lead them toward the fairy queen.
"It's impolite to stare." Lil jumped out of her skin when she heard the unfamiliar voice. A fae landed alongside her and began walking with them.
"I wasn't staring," she said. "Just curious, that's all. Have you ever seen a human before? Because I've never seen a Fae."
The young fae boy laughed. "Never. Imagine that." He pondered it for a moment before he lifted off the ground in flight. No one heard the soft hum and buzz of his wings except for Lil. Being in a strange place heightened her senses, including sound. She watched as the young boy fluttered to the second floor, whispering something to a young girl before they both waved at Lil.
"Don't," Hudson warned. He stepped in closer. "Keep your eyes on Willow and Rawlie ahead of you. Don't wave back."
Lil glanced at the second floor. The boy fae had vanished, and the girl fae hovered, watching Lil in fascination. The group crossed through the main entrance, walking farther inside the queen's court.
"Come in, come in!" instructed the queen from atop her throne.
Lil shifted to see past Rawlie, curious as to what Morgan looked like. Her voice was soft but commanding, and her eyes were a deep, rich blue that matched her colorful hair. Blue and white glitter sparkled over her skin, up her cheeks. She didn't look a day over nineteen. Her fingers played with a string of pearls around her neck, and her white gown, in the light of the room, gave the illusion of changing colors. Lil wondered how a fairy queen could be so young.
Rawlie nodded his thanks. "We appreciate you seeing us on such short notice."
Morgan laughed and shifted on her throne. "As if I had a choice? You, coming into my court armed." Apparently, she didn't have to search them to see the weapons they carried into her home. Morgan stood, and the light danced against the material of her long dress. Staring at her was hypnotizing. Lil remembered what Hudson had told her about not looking at the fairies for more than a few short seconds. Now she understood why; the fairy queen's beauty was captivating.
Morgan came to stand in front of Lil, her finger dancing along the girl's arm before finding her chin and raising it to meet her eyes. "You, my dear, are something unique."
"I am?" The fairy queen was telling her she was different. Was that a compliment or an insult? She swallowed her pride. "How so?"
"A daring one, aren't we?" Morgan laughed, stepping aside to take in the sight of each of them. "Why have you come to the Seelie Court?"
Rawlie stepped forward to answer the question. "For help. Someone's created a man-made portal that allows them access to Orenda. We haven't discovered the device's location, only the portal."
Morgan nodded in thought. "So, you've come to me, seeking my assistance. I knew this day would come. Yes, there is a machine powering the portal." She gestured for Willow's doppelganger to step closer. "Lil, is it? Does your home occupy the same space as Willow's?"
"Yes, but in my world." Lil was surprised the fairy queen knew her name.
"Of course. The device is located across the street from Lil's house," she said. "Close enough to use the dispersed energy between worlds, but just out of Willow's grasp." Morgan's stare landed on Willow. "We've been monitoring it for some time now."
"Bray's house?" Lil asked, incredulous. She felt Hudson elbow her in the ribcage. He probably wanted her to be quiet.
"Why didn't Eilith kill me when she had the chance?" Willow asked.
"She made a deal with Bray, but what transpired is not mine to tell. In truth, she might have, after the gateway between worlds was stabilized. I suspect she'll be looking for The Book of Incantations to ensure the gateway works both ways indefinitely, so she can use her power to bring the Scourge to Lil's world. Find the book, bring it to me, and the fae will intervene."
"Where's the book?" Willow asked.
"I don't have all the answers," Morgan said. "I suspect it's in Lil's world, but I can't know that for certain. My sight is limited. But, without a deal, no one is going to the other universe."
Jamie glanced between Willow and Lil before stepping forward. "I'd like to make a deal."
"What?" Willow reached for her younger brother to stop him, but he stepped forward to Morgan and out of Willow's reach.
Morgan smiled. "A brave young boy you are." She ran a hand through his soft hair. "Come with me." She took his hand and led him toward her throne. Morgan sat down as he stood before her. "Tell me what you want and what you have to offer."
"You help Willow regain her ability, and in exchange, I will give you my power."
Morgan paused. "Your power is sight." She tilted her head, trying to absorb his gift.
"Not yet!" Jamie held up his hand. "I need to know that Lil can go home safely. You must offer us a direct portal to her home."
Morgan laughed. "I don't have a portal, but I do have something… better." She stepped out of the room.
"What's going on?" Lil asked, keeping her voice low.
Willow stepped closer to her little brother, her hand reaching out for his. "Do you know what you've done?"
"It doesn't matter. I don't need it." He stared at his sister. "I'm doing the right thing. Do you trust me? Lil sacrificed what she desired to save me. I owe it to her to try to protect her world by sending her back home. I also know how important your power is."
Willow hugged her little brother to her chest and ran a hand through his hair. She dropped a kiss to Jamie's forehead. "I love you," she whispered. "I just don'
t want to see you taken advantage of, Jamie."
Jamie hugged his sister in return. "I'm okay. Don't worry about me."
Morgan entered the room and Willow let go of her brother.
Morgan glided over to the six of them, handing a fairy wand to Jamie. "You will need this to return to Elfinland."
Jamie took it in his palm.
Rawlie eyed the wand. "What does it do?"
"You don't trust easily, do you?" She eyed Rawlie. "Such a shame. What have the fae ever done to you?"
Rawlie's eyes narrowed. "I'm smarter than to ever trust a fae, especially the queen."
"Just remember, child, you came to me for help." Morgan stared at Rawlie. Her hand fell to her side. "We share a common enemy, whether you want to see it or not."
Jamie played with the wand in his hand. Morgan stepped over toward him, reached for the wand, and pointed it down at the ground. "Never point it at another unless you intend to use it," she said.
Jamie nodded, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "How do we use the wand?" It was heavy in his hands and shimmered like glass.
"It will do as you've asked—grant you passage to the other world. Take the hands of those you wish to transport. Use it again, and it will bring you back to the Seelie Court. When you return, I will restore Willow's powers—after you've given me what's rightfully mine, of course."
"Deal," Jamie agreed. "Let's go." He approached the others and reached for their hands. They stood together in a circle.
Chapter 10
Blue Skies
With the power of the fae's wand, they appeared on Lil's front lawn. Those from Orenda stared up at the bright yellow sun and blue sky. It was clear where they were.
"Wow," Jamie said, mesmerized.
"Home, sweet home." Lil glanced back at her house. Her little sister, Jamey, was likely inside, watching television. Did she have a babysitter? Lil doubted her parents would ever leave their children alone again. She wanted to run inside, throw her arms around her little sister, and tell her she was home, but she couldn't. Not yet. They needed to stop Eilith, or they wouldn't have a home for long.
