House of Enchanted: The Revelations of Oriceran (Soul Stone Mage Book 1)

by Sarah Noffke

  “I think your secret is safe with me, since you currently have me at your mercy in this strange place,” Azure assured him, staring out the window as the moving thing they were in slowed in front of a strange orb rotating inside a fountain of cascading water.

  When they’d stopped, Ever exited and held out a hand to Azure. “My lady, please come with me so we can get your papers for the Land of Terran.”

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked, stepping out of the compartment.

  “To the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

  Azure’s chest buzzed with sudden excitement. Maybe she was about to meet one of the ancestors who had come over before the portals closed thirteen thousand years ago? Maybe this Harry guy could help her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Where’s Harry?” Azure asked.

  “He’s not really here,” Ever said, pulling her past a large castle.

  “But…”

  “This is a place devoted to a fictional wizard named Harry,” he explained.

  “Fictional?” Azure asked, looking around at the village of Hogsmead. It appeared real. “Earthlings build fake places for people who aren’t real to exist? I really don’t get it.”

  “I know. It doesn’t make sense unless you live here. Harry isn’t real, but this is the place he’d live if he was.” Ever gestured to the castle at their back.

  “But witches and wizards don’t live in castles, since we are nomads by nature. I mean, I live in a house, but most Virgoans live in small huts and cottages,” she said.

  “I knew you wouldn’t get it. Anyway, we are just here to get your papers for the Land of Terran.”

  “Let me get this straight: the papers I need—”

  “Forged papers,” Ever corrected.

  “The forged papers I need, you had to get from someone here in a fake wizarding community on Earth?”

  “Yes, that’s correct. Make perfect sense, right?”

  “It makes as much sense as these uncomfortable shoes you’ve made me wear.”

  “Which make you look stunning, by the way,” Ever said.

  “When do I get my blue hair back?” she asked angrily.

  “As soon as you like. Just get into Terran and get back. What all are you looking for, by the way?”

  “A man, and a witch’s soul stone,” she told him.

  “Oh, well, we might want to pick up some hair dye for the road, then,” he said.

  ***

  “Two rum and Cokes.” Ever said to a girl on the other side of a bar. The bartender was wearing a pointy hat and a flirtatious look. was making the girls blush.

  “Why is everyone in this place wearing those funny outfits and hats?” Azure asked.

  “It’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

  “No wand, a broomstick? I don’t get it.”

  “They’re dressed like house elves,” he explained a bit dryly, handing her a glass of dark liquid. The sparks that trailed his movements on Oriceran was absent on Earth.

  She burst out laughing. “Do you find it a bit offensive that on Earth they think Elves wear funny hats?”

  “If I was offended by all the things Earthlings do, I’d have no time for anything else.”

  “What is this?” she asked, holding up the glass.

  “Two of the best beverages ever invented, mixed together. Rum and Coke. Drink it,” he encouraged.

  Azure brought the glass with its cold liquid to her lips and sipped. It was sweet and syrupy, but not like the liquor Gillian had shared with her. This one bubbled in her throat and went down much easier. “Wow that’s good!” she exclaimed and took another long drink, nearly emptying the glass.

  “Slow down there, Princess. You need to have your head about you for the Land of Terran, especially after all the work I’ve done.” He patted his jeans pocket where the new documents were stashed. He’d purchased the forged papers from a man who stood beside something Ever called a train. Not a real train, but one this Harry guy rode in the fictional world. None of it made sense to Azure, but she was starting to get used to the feeling.

  “Which do you like better, Earth or Oriceran?” she asked, twirling her blonde hair around a finger. She didn’t like the color at all, but after watching many of the people around her she’d realized how well it made her fit in. Not many she’d seen on Earth had vibrant purple or emerald-green hair or bright blue eyes.

  She stared at her new brown eyes in the mirror of the bathroom for entirely too long. Ever bought her contacts that took her half an hour to put in, but in fact changed her eye color. Humans had all sorts of ways to change their appearance. It was almost as if they were thoroughly unhappy with how they were made.

  “You can’t choose between Earth and Oriceran. That’s like saying you like day more than night. They each have a unique beauty and purpose. One isn’t better than the other.”

  “Will you teach me how to use human magic?”

  “Not now. It will take more time than I’m guessing you have. If you chose to cut through the Dark Forest then you must be in a hurry, am I right?”

  “You’re very observant. And yes, I need to return my mother’s soul stone to her as soon as possible,” she agreed.

  “I will tell you how human magic works on Oriceran so you can recognize it.”

  “They don’t have magic here on Earth, do they?” she asked.

  “Not right now, not much anyway. Not unless they’ve been on Oriceran recently and it hasn’t run out yet. Or they have an artifact or live near a kemana but even then, it’s limited. Long story. The two planets operate differently, as you’ve already witnessed,” Ever said.

  Azure scanned the ceiling, examining the bright fixtures that held the humans’ sources of light. Electricity was a power that Azure wasn’t sure she trusted. It was like cars. They didn’t operate using magic, but rather science. That seems like an unstable set of laws to base one’s power on.

  “Anyway, witches and wizards rely on the power within them for magic, and use spells and potions to manifest results. Humans pull from rocks, plants, water, et cetera. A strong human can use their intention to create a charm, like the enchanted metal bars on the pit where the Orc was,” Ever said.

  “You do think a human set that trap.”

  “I know one did. I’ve found them all over the Dark Forest. The message is clear. They don’t want witches and wizards around their land.”

  “Yes, the things they do to witches and wizards when no one is around to witness is pretty horrific. They hate us,” she spat out, seething.

  “I’d say based on the look on your face, that the feeling is quite mutual.”

  “Well, we wouldn’t have a feud with them if they weren’t so disdainful to us,” Azure said.

  “When does the bitterness end?”

  “If you think we should turn a blind eye to their abuse, well, that ended when someone in Terran infected my mother with a virus that stole her magic and will possibly steal her life.”

  Ever’s face grew serious. Now he knew how important this was to her. She wasn’t just a girl with a grudge. She had reasons for her fury.

  “Humans can also create things using their magic, but only if they have something to build from. For instance, see that?” Ever said, pointing at a strange object hanging on a wall. Small people were on it doing various things, mostly activities Azure didn’t recognize.

  “Yes. What is it?”

  “It’s a television. If the rumors I hear are true, you’ll see those in the Land of Terran.”

  “They smuggled them from Earth?” Azure asked.

  “Maybe some of them, and I’m sure that much of what they have comes from the black market. However, if they have a remnant of something, then they can recreate it. Whereas a witch can manifest from nothing, humans need to have materials to build from.”

  “Well, we can’t always manifest from nothing. It depends,” she explained.

  “Of course, but the magic inside you offers different be
nefits than human magic. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Humans form their own kind of magic from the elements and create a television or something else they want?”

  “Yes, but very much like in Cinderella, they need a pumpkin to create a carriage or mice to make drivers,” Ever said. “Oh, you haven’t heard of Cinderella, I forgot. You really have to get off Oriceran every now and again.”

  “What do you call this?” People were chanting at the television as a man ran across a green field with a ball in his hand. “I think that despite your bizarre reference, I understand what you mean. I can create fire from nothing, but a human would need both the energy drawn from something elemental and a material to combust.”

  “Bingo! Yes, they could use a stack of wood to create fire or a can of gasoline. The material has to make sense, though. They can’t just create a car from a tree. They’d need to start with something that had once moved. And to create a television, they’d need an electronic device. I actually make a killing selling broken appliances on the black market,” Ever said, indicating a bag he’d been carrying since they’d left Santa Monica.

  “Human magic is complicated,” Azure groaned.

  “As are humans. And yes, I’ll teach you how to use your human magic if and when you return from the Land of Terran.”

  “Thanks for the confidence,” she said dryly.

  “Well, I’ve given you what you need to get into the Land of Terran, but I don’t know what you’ll face once you enter. I’ve never been inside its borders, so I can only guess how strange it is,” he said.

  “You live in the Dark Forest. Isn’t that kind of dangerous?”

  “Danger is a relative term. The forest gets a bad rap. It’s wild, full of mystery and riddles, but it also makes complete sense to me. Yes, I almost die every day I’m there, but I kind of love the thrills. And actually, I only venture into the Dark Forest on occasion. I spend most of my time in safer areas. A man has to sleep, you know,” he said, draining his drink until only ice cubes remained.

  “Are you outcast from the Elves because you’re half human?”

  He shook his head. “No, they’re not like that.”

  “But you’re different. And when people are set apart in some way, it’s hard for them to fully integrate into a society,” Azure said.

  “The magical community both here on Earth and Oriceran are like family. We don’t make the same distinctions as people do. Or I guess, some witches and wizards. I know witches and wizards here on Earth. They’re not like that. The Virgoan attitude will make it hard for you to lead when you’re not like them,” he said.

  “Yes, that’s kind of my point here. It’s pretty futile to think I’ll win the approval of my people.”

  “You recruited a Gnome on your voyage. You fucking rescued an Orc. I merely dropped into the forest on a whim when I spotted you and Cheetos-boy. Now you have a whole crew at your service on this mission. How on this damn planet do you think you won’t win over the Virgoans?” he asked, holding up two fingers at the bartender to order more drinks.

  Azure found the soul stone at the nape of her throat. It pulsed in her grasp. “What color is this stone?” she asked Ever.

  He gaped at her. “It’s blue, obviously. Why does that matter?”

  “It’s the first time that a Virgoan’s soul stone hasn’t been some kind of purple color. I have an amethyst of the wrong color, and that’s not something I know how to change. I’m not like my people, so how can I lead them?”

  “Your strength might very well lie in that difference. As a hybrid, I understand both Light Elves and humans. I know how they think. Once you’re acquainted with the human side of yourself that might be true for you, too. And just think, who better to lead the Virgoans than someone who knows how to protect them from their greatest enemy?” Ever offered.

  “Someone who knows how to create peace with their greatest enemy,” Azure replied, taking the fresh drink. “We better take these to go. I don’t want Monet and Gillian to worry.”

  Ever gave Azure a knowing look. “There you go, thinking like a leader.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Azure stepped through the portal, managing the experience better than the first time. She was actually so happy to see Monet that she gave up the idea of puking on his boots. She rushed toward him and Gillian, who were stationed next to a cluster of trees. However, Monet didn’t look happy to see her—he yanked out his wand and brandished it at her.

  “Stop where you are!” he yelled, as his eyes focused on something behind Azure. She slowed and turned to find Ever stepping through the portal.

  Monet lowered his wand and doubled over gasping. “Azure, you damn near gave me a heart attack. I-I-I didn’t know that was you,” he stuttered between hyperventilated breaths.

  Gillian, who didn’t at all looked startled, leaned back on the tree, hands behind his head. “Of course it’s Princess Azure.”

  Monet rose and pointed in her direction. “That doesn’t look anything like Azure,” he said to the Gnome.

  “I’m right here. You don’t have to speak about me like I’m not. And I’m not a ‘that’,” she grumbled, pursing her lips, which were covered in lip gloss. It was sticky and apparently served no utilitarian purpose at all.

  “You merely see with your eyes, young Wizard,” the Gnome said, closing his eyes, momentarily meditating.

  “Oh, fuck me! I only see with my eyes. What on Oriceran was I thinking?” He blew out an exasperated breath.

  “We brought you something.” Ever changed the subject. He had a bag full of things he bought on Earth. He pulled out a large bag of Cheetos.

  “Oh man, you’re my best friend,” Monet gushed, taking a large step forward, his eyes wide. “Like magic, but better.”

  “What the hell? What about me?” Azure asked, thoroughly annoyed.

  “I don’t even know you, Blondie,” Monet said, plucking the bag of Cheetos from Ever’s hand and opening them at once.

  “It’s me—Azure.”

  Gillian cracked an eye and closed it again. “I admit Ever created quite the transformation, but you mostly look like the Princess.”

  Monet raised his chin and regarded Azure for a long moment, shook his head as if trying to rid himself of a gross feeling. “I don’t like it. What are you wearing? I can see your undergarments!” He pointed at her see-through tank.

  “Apparently it’s all the rage with humans,” she told him. “I don’t get it either.”

  “Yeah, they are such bad seamstresses that they can’t even make clothes that cover them properly. And those shoes! Remember when you turned up your nose at the modest heels your mother wanted you to wear to your coronation? These are monstrosities compared to those. And with those on, you aren’t going to get far in the Dark Forest,” Monet said, cramming Cheetos into his face. Azure wanted to punch him.

  “Good thing she doesn’t have much more forest to pass through. Actually the next bit is really easy to cross,” Ever said.

  “Why is that?” Azure asked.

  “Because it’s mostly devoid of plants, trees, and rocks. Well, let’s call it what it is. It’s barren,” Ever said.

  “Why?” Azure asked, but she knew. “The humans of Terran… You said they pull their magical energy from the elements. Have they stripped the area around the Land of Terran?”

  “Good, you’ve been paying attention,” Ever quipped, hiking the bag up on his shoulder. “Now I’ve got to take my leave, but you’ll be fine. Well, or you’ll be imprisoned for the rest of your life. Either way, I’ve done all I can at this point.”

  “You’re leaving?” Azure asked.

  “Indeed. I’ve got deliveries to make.” Ever patted the bag on his shoulder.

  “They can’t imprison her for life. She’s royalty.” Monet scoffed.

  “It doesn’t really matter to the Terrans. If they catch her, she’s a trespasser, and their law clearly states they can imprison anyone who trespasses illegally into th
eir land,” Ever explained, mostly indifferent.

  “What about my soul stone? Do I need to hide it?” Azure asked, realizing that the low neckline of her shirt didn’t cover the jewelry.

  “You must have it in case you get hurt. And since it isn’t purple like other witches’ and wizards’, I wouldn’t worry about it,” Ever said, pointing at the leather band on Monet’s wrist that held his purple amethyst to clarify what he meant.

  “What should we do?” Monet asked, indicating himself and Gillian.

  “I’m going to take a much-needed nap,” Gillian announced, pulling his bowler hat down over his eyes. The poppy folded its petals. He wasn’t interested in the present conversation.

  “You will wait here,” Azure said. “I don’t want you any closer to the Land of Terran than this. You two will get me caught immediately.”

  “What does that mean?” Monet said.

  “It means you both reek of nonhuman,” Azure explained, a lump rising in her throat. If she hadn’t already formed her soul stone, she’d think she was about to cough it up.

  “Okay, but if you’re not back in a day I’m coming after you,” Monet said, and caught an expression on Ever’s face. “Scratch that. If you’re not back in a day, then the Elf is going in after you. Ever, you can pass into the Land of Terran, right?”

  “If I desired to do so, although I never have. We’ll wait and see. Hopefully it won’t come to that,” he said. “I’ll be back from my deliveries by sunrise tomorrow, and we’ll reconvene here afterwards.”

  Monet clapped his hands, but he wasn’t happy. “Then it’s settled. I’ll stay here and drink the Gnome’s flask, and you, Azure, will storm the Land of Terran. Put something gnarly in their well, like pickle juice.”

  “Yeah, after I somehow magically locate my father,” she agreed, her head suddenly feeling crowded. Before now, Azure hadn’t really thought about how she’d find her father. A detection or connection spell might work, but she hadn’t really mastered either yet. She felt slightly haphazard now, having set off on this mission without planning the most crucial part. She expected the solution to occur to her as she journeyed through the Dark Forest.