For a Pixie in Blue

by Cecilia Randell

  Also by Cecilia Randell

  The Adventures of Blue Faust

  A Girl Named Blue

  Behind These Blue Eyes - A Between the Adventures Novella

  Beyond Blue Frontiers

  For a Pixie in Blue

  A Blue Star Rising (coming soon)

  The Forgotten Trilogy

  A Forgotten Goddess

  The Legends That Remain (coming soon)

  For A Pixie In Blue

  Cecilia Randell

  The Adventures of Blue Faust:

  The Never-Ending Epilogue Continues

  Contents

  Worlds of Karran

  Map of Padilra

  Preface

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Glossary

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2018 by Cecilia Randell

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotes in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN Print – 978-0-9998728-3-3

  ISBN ebook – 978-0-9998728-7-1

  Ebook Published 2018

  First Printing 2018

  Editing by Heather Long and Jennifer Hinson

  Front cover image by Katrina Curry, Crimson Phoenix Creations

  Published by Blue Wren Publishing

  author@ceciliarandell.com

  Created with Vellum

  This book is for the cats. They helped me type.

  Any mistakes are my own.

  Worlds of Karran

  Map of Padilra

  Preface

  Many believe that Earth is the only world with life. Others believe that there is life out there, but it is so far away and so alien to us that we will never understand it. Both are wrong.

  Somewhere amidst the universes is a world called Karran. This world has a unique trait. It has what the natives call “thin spaces,” where time and space between it and other worlds become disrupted, allowing travel. One such world is Earth.

  Whether human life began on Karran—traveling to Earth through the portals—or on Earth, traveling to Karran, is not known, though many suspect Karran to be the origin point.

  There are other worlds as well. These worlds all contain areas where the energy corresponds to those “thin spaces.” They also contain humanoid life, supporting the “Karran first” theory. Some have advanced civilizations—have even developed space travel and open trade with other worlds. They formed an alliance to advance and support the welfare of these worlds. Others are still relatively primitive and thought to be too dangerous to deal with openly. Earth falls among the latter.

  While those on Karran have developed methods to control the thin spaces and portals between the worlds, these can still sometimes activate on their own, transporting accidental travelers. One such “thin space” is near Austin, Texas, and one such traveler is Blue Faust. These are her adventures through the universes.

  Prologue

  Two months earlier…

  Elder Shinzu gently tugged the curtain closed over the doorway leading to Brika’s Sacrifice. He paused, staring at the deep blue folds of fabric as they absorbed the lamplight.

  He needed to report to the Chief Elder, but he didn’t know exactly what to tell her. Brika’s glow continued to fade; there was no doubt. The questions remained: What exactly did it mean, and what could they do about it?

  A soft scuff of leather on stone pulled his attention to the guards at the end of the hall. They were trained from a young age to watch over his people’s most precious treasure and greatest secret. Guards could sense the crystals. Could they feel the difference?

  Shadows moved in the corridor, and not all of them were cast by the torchlight. He shuddered as foreboding filled him.

  “Elder Shinzu?” One of the guards stepped up beside him. “Is everything all right? Do you need assistance?”

  Shinzu pulled back his shoulders, straightening to his full height, though his was no match for that of the guard. He looked the young man over and raised a brow, knowing it was important to maintain his air of authority. “Brini, yes?”

  The other man bobbed his head. “Yes, Elder Shinzu.”

  “Resume your post, Guard Brini.”

  Brini dropped his gaze. “Yes, Elder Shinzu.” He hurried back to the end of the corridor, shadows and light flickering over him, reaching.

  Elder Shinzu drew in a breath. He had to believe there was a way out this situation, that Guard Levi would be successful in retrieving the crystals. Because if the fading glow of Brika’s Sacrifice meant her power was also fading, the slightest upset could push the balance in Shardon’s favor.

  And then The Powers help them, for no one else could.

  Chapter 1

  BLUE

  Blue and her mini-entourage gathered near the back of the inn. A small pile of bags and packs stood in the center of the group. Inside his stall, Beast kicked up a fuss, and the sound of his hooves hitting the stall door pounded through the air. Blue tensed with each blow.

  She’d gone to see him, wanting to say goodbye—for now only, she had told him—but her quorin had not been pleased with the presence of Phillip. She had eventually convinced Phillip to hang back by the entry, and Beast had settled somewhat.

  It had not been an easy goodbye. Beast had stood, stoic and aloof, through most of it. But when she’d tried to leave, he hadn’t let her. He was protecting her, again. Sadly, the situation she found herself in wasn’t something her Beast could protect her from. He didn’t understand, though.

  The last few days had been…interesting. After Mo’ata’s announcement that the Prizzoli—and therefore the Padilrian government—were demanding she accompany Phillip into virtual imprisonment, her days had at first been filled with heavy silences and forced smiles. Then there had been a new development—well, two. The wording on the official agreement with the Alliance had been changed, mitigating the harshness of the sentence. And, someone had decided she and Phillip were now “honored guests” of the Prizzoli and should be treated as such.

  Over the last week she’d gotten a crash course in politics. Some of it she already knew—The Alliance of Cormant, the Ministry, the Order or Terril, opened worlds and closed worlds. When Mo’ata had first told her of these, she’d envisioned a well-oiled system, all the parts moving in set patterns, working together.

  That was definitely not the case. The Alliance, made up of three representatives from each member-world, seemed to worry over trade rights and deals more than anything else, with Martika and Karran constantly jockeying for the upper hand. The Order, which she had assumed was a branch of the Alliance, was actually a separate entity, hired by the Alliance. If that wasn’t confusing enough, the Ministry operated with nearly complete autonomy when it came to the portals.

  It was a mess—a confusing, horrible mess, where she couldn’t figure out who was in c
harge, and the intricacies of these moving parts continued to elude her. She wanted nothing to do with the politics of it all. Unfortunately, she couldn’t avoid it. She’d become a pawn for maneuvering.

  She also hadn’t been able to talk—really talk—with anyone, not even Forrest. The situation with Phillip had left her isolated from her friends, her men, even if one of them was always in shouting distance. She was never left truly alone, but handling Phillip had become a dance on a barbed wire fence.

  On one hand, Phillip’s possessiveness had only worsened as the days went by, to the point where not even Forrest could talk privately with her for long. It was as if Phillip’s craving for the life of others had transferred to a craving for her. On the other, he had also grown… complacent wasn’t the right word. More content with his new situation. A people who truly appreciated the might and power of the crystals planned to take him in. They would celebrate him as he deserved. He would have Blue by his side, for didn’t these people understand Blue needed him just as much as he needed her? And Blue knew all of this because Phillip had told her. Repeatedly.

  Phillip was happy because, in his mind, he had won. Finally.

  All of this had left her feeling lost. And she had to trust that Mo’ata and the others knew what they were doing. Trust that they would figure out a way to fix this. Trust her future, her very life, to them.

  It was one of the hardest things she had ever done.

  And now… Well, now they were off to a reception with members of the Alliance and the Padilrian and Prizzoli leaders.

  It seemed the height of foolishness to her, but the idea thrilled Phillip, so maybe someone more used to dealing with psycho-crazed mass murderers with god complexes had deemed this the correct course of action. She wasn’t convinced.

  Blue stood once more between Phillip and Forrest, waiting for their transportation to the reception on Padilra. Trevon, Levi, and Felix were close. Mo’ata stood apart with the cubs on the other side of the pile.

  Another thud came from the barn, and Blue flinched. Blinking, she held back the rush of tears that flooded her eyes. Her hand slipped into Forrest’s, the movement slow and practiced and not giving Phillip any reason to look down. It was her only comfort right now, these stolen touches, so few and far between.

  Jason exited the inn, accompanied by a middle-aged woman wearing the green robes of a portal worker. The Ministry had sent her to handle the transportation to Padilra.

  Another boom from the stables. The cubs growled, low rumbles of distress more than anger, and purely in response to Blue’s own roiling emotions. As the Ministry agents approached, she attempted to still her thoughts and send calm to Garfield, but failed. Finally, she just sent a plea. Forrest squeezed her hand and moved away, toward the cubs. Low murmurs reached her as he attempted to soothe them.

  “I know you like those little pests, but tell me again why they have to come with us?” Phillip leaned in, whispering in her ear.

  Luckily, Beast kicked again, and her flinch could be explained away as a reaction to that. After a second, Blue recovered and shrugged. “They’re just babies and can’t be away from us for very long. If I’m going to be staying with you, they need to come, too.”

  He sighed. “Fine, but you will be taking care of them, not me.”

  Since there is no chance they would ever let you touch them, I don’t think that’s a problem. She didn’t say the words.

  Phillip stiffened as Jason joined Mo’ata near their things. “He’s coming, too?”

  Trevon stepped up beside her, taking Forrest’s place. “There needs to be a Ministry representative,” he said. Phillip nodded, accepting this, though he frowned. Surprisingly, once Phillip had settled a little more, he’d begun to view Trevon as an ally of sorts. Maybe because he knew him from his time with the Zeynars? Then he must have forgotten Trevon had helped capture him. It made no sense.

  Of course, Phillip didn’t make any sense most of the time.

  “Are you ready?” the portal worker asked, her eyes wide. “There should be another agent awaiting you at the Padilrian site.” She swallowed, her gaze fixed on Phillip.

  So the rumors were already going. Whatever happened to discretion? “We’re ready,” Blue said.

  The woman tore her attention from Phillip and focused on Blue. “Please clear your mind. It will make this a little easier for me.”

  Blue nodded and did her best, but the request was near impossible. In the next moment, the small yard, the stable, the woman, the gray skies over Firik, they were all gone. Instead she stood in a massive room, the span clear of any columns or obstructions. Ambient light filtered in through high windows along one wall, and a set of doors marched across the opposite.

  The transition was as smooth—and startling and abrupt—as it had been when Director Piran sent her home the first time. No rumblings, no tremors, no disorientation as there had been when she herself had activated the natural portals. There’s been something new this time, a kind of stretching sensation, but not physical. It was hard to describe…

  Phillip slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in. Another portal worker stood before them, a young, well-built man around Jason’s age. And, here we go.

  He kept his gaze focused on the floor. “I am Jonathon. Welcome to Padilra.”

  Another man, this one older, came through the center door. He came to a halt just in front of Jonathon and bowed. “Greetings. I am Councilor Jacob. If you will follow me, I will show you to the rooms where you may rest and prepare for the reception.” He spoke in Common, slow enough that Blue could follow fairly well, but Trevon murmured a low translation. The councilor, too, would not meet anyone’s eyes. “Your belongings will be brought shortly.” He headed for a door on the far left, pausing briefly to be sure they all followed. “There are about five hours before the opening ceremony. An attendant will alert you when you must begin to prepare and offer any assistance needed.”

  They wound their way through the halls, the decor becoming gradually more ornate. Jonathon stopped before a door painted in subtle swirls of cream and gold. “Miss Faust, these will be your chambers. There is a connecting room as well. It is my understanding this is the living arrangement best suited.” He looked to Phillip. “You will be in the next room, as well as…”

  Felix stepped forward. “Me.” The mercenary exchanged a look with Mo’ata and Forrest before looking back at the Councilor. “I am already prepared for the… reception,” he said.

  Councilor Jonathon nodded. “Very well. And your pets? They will need to be restrained. The appropriate gear will be brought.”

  Blue, already so far over the edge of tense that she felt like an overstretched rubber band ball, couldn’t even react. Finally, she managed, “They’ll need to be with Forrest or I when that happens.” Trevon translated for her. “Actually, I would like them with me now, if you don’t mind. They probably need the rest as much as I do.” This was probably a stupid move. They and Phillip barely tolerated each other even now, but… she was about to head off into who knew what. She needed this down time, she needed to feel close to something, and the men were off limits. She suspected they were keeping things from her, but hadn’t been able to gain a moment alone with them to find out what.

  Phillip shot a glare at Garfield, who rumbled back at him.

  “Please,” Blue said, hating herself just a little for the pleading tone that slipped in to her voice.

  After a tense few seconds, Phillip shrugged. “Fine.”

  Blue opened the door and ushered the cubs inside the room. They leapt on the bed and circled, rumpling the covers before curling into medium-sized balls of fluff. A tendril of affection worked its way through her and to them, and Garfield let out a small meep. She looked back at the group in the hall. “I will see you guys in a little bit, I guess.” She conjured up a smile for Phillip and shut the door, breathing a sigh of temporary relief.

  Chapter 2

  LEVI

  “Guard Levi, please
, sit.” The Chief Elder gestured to the cushion across from her. Its fabric had a golden sheen laid over the green that reminded him of the plains of his home. A pang of longing drove through him for the open land.

  He approached, bowed, and took the indicated place, crossing his legs as was proper. When he was settled, he tilted his head forward and kept his gaze on the floor, waiting for the elder to speak.

  The room was empty of other people. He had been escorted to it as soon as the others had been settled in their rooms at the Ministry’s facility on Padilra, which served as both an embassy and trade headquarters. Sometimes the line between the Alliance and Ministry blurred, even for those who governed.

  Built on the border between the Prizzoli lands and those of the Formangi—the unclean, the corrupt, those who were not Prizzoli—the facility was both too grand and too stark. The private rooms held none of the warmth he was used to with his people, and the public spaces were overdone. He’d gotten used to the tastes of the people of Karran, he thought, but seeing these foreign things so near his home struck him as discordant, wrong. An invasion none of them could fight, and an inevitable change.

  “Please, be at ease.” The Chief Elder shifted in her chair, sitting forward just the slightest, and Levi looked up at her.