Entwined Realms Volume One(75)

“What is it?” Terak asked.

“The warrior Fallon has been seen in the Wilderness with two other females entering the Oracle’s domain. The one who spotted them wasn’t certain who the other females were, but one of the females had blonde hair.”

There was no need to hear anymore. Terak leapt from the parapet, letting the rage and adrenaline that had been banked to come to the fore and fuel him.

It was time to meet Fallon.





Chapter Twenty-Five





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For the first time in her life, Larissa found herself in the area known as the Wilderness. Several miles from the city, it was a mini-city in its own right, except here you could find any race, any beast, or any magic.

Too dangerous, Dad had said when he forbade her or her brothers to ever go here, with the creatures that had only become known in the last few decades mingling with the humans who didn’t feel the need to separate themselves from everything new the realms offered.

The building they pulled in front of was a dark-brown brick box, but the line of beings outside of the building was a sight from Larissa’s wildest imaginings – neo-hippie fairies, elves in leather corsets and collars, dwarven drag queens, and even the occasional humanoid beast in a business suit.

Fallon and Aislynn rode in the front of the car, Aislynn driving. Car, what a laugh. Tank was more like it, everything thick and dark. Safe and suffocating.

From the vantage point of the middle seat and observing in the rearview mirror, Larissa watched as Fallon’s expression got progressively darker throughout the trip, until now when it was near thunderous. “Should I be scared about meeting the Oracle?” She hated that she had to ask, making her appear weaker than she already felt.

Aislynn looked back and gave a reassuring smile. “Don’t mind Fallon. She has issues with this place.”

Fallon’s lip curled. “Oh, of all the beings in that place, I’m the one with issues?”

“We’re expected,” Aislynn said, pointing toward the door.

“Fine, fine.” Fallon looked back. “Stay with us, don’t drink anything, and roll your eyes at whatever the bitch says.”

“Fallon!”

Fallon didn’t respond to Aislynn. She got out of the car and waited until Aislynn and Larissa lined behind her. Once they were ready, Fallon walked across the street, aggression projecting from every line of her body.

At either side of the entrance were two giants. Literal giants. They had to be about nine feet tall, both bald with grey-tinged skin. They were big and blocky, and Larissa didn’t want to be anywhere near them.

Aislynn must have seen the question in her face because she leaned down. “Stone giants,” she explained. “Not full-blooded though. That’s why they’re so small.”

Larissa nodded, not sure what she could add to that.

Beside the stone giants was a man. He was human, unless excessive greasiness was a special characteristic of one of the new races. He was in charge of admittance – allowing entrance at his whim, denying those who seemed to have a problem with him putting his hand under their skirts. Anyone who voiced disappointment was given a look by one of the giants, after which they slunk away.

As they walked toward the door, something that looked like a cherub with a mustache zoomed around them. When he saw Fallon, a small scream erupted from him and he headed for the door, waving chubby arms. “Boss, she’s here!”

Fallon approached, her gaze focused entirely on the greasy man. Aislynn was on lookout, taking in their surroundings and the people around them.

They stopped in front of the giants, ignoring the loud complaints of those in line they jumped in front of. Fallon said, “Seemus, nice to see you at the door today.”

The oily man’s lips pressed together, his eyes giving a slow rake over Fallon’s body in an obvious and distasteful show of dominance. It might have worked if he wasn’t noticeably shorter than the swordswoman. “You’ve been summoned, I assume?”

“Would I be here otherwise?”

“You have to leave the sword,” Seemus said, taking a step back between the two stone giants, getting out of Fallon’s reach while allowing the giants a clear path to her.

Fallon eyed the two giants and snorted. They did not like this probably rare display of fearlessness, for both brought themselves to their full height in preparation for a fight. Fallon took a step closer. “Tenro goes where I go, and as I’ve been summoned, I’m going inside.”

Seemus made a small motion with his hand and stepped back even farther inside the doorway. “I’m afraid my orders are very specific. No weapons ever. You need to go now, and tell Wulver to send someone more respectful.”