Calm descended, thick and complete.
She was his heart, his life, and he would forever protect her. Whatever he needed to do, whatever he needed to give up, he would keep her at his side and ally with whoever he must, as long as she was safe.
The vampire was watching him with careful eyes. This channel had to remain open, for the hope of future information. “What if the spell does not work? What will you give that will serve my people here, in this realm?”
The vampire looked surprised. “The Magic Realm will once again exist, Clan Leader.”
“Do not talk to me of certainties, Vampire. Yes, the Magic Realm may once again exist, but I will not make my people an enemy of several powerful Houses on that hope. I want to know what I will receive should this certainty not come to pass.”
“I would need to talk to my Master and ask him what he would wish to give.” Garof nodded at Valry. “I will contact the female in our usual manner when I have a response for you.”
“You speak of this one?” Terak grabbed Valry’s wing and flung her toward Malek who caught and bound her.
“Terak, no. How can you do this, when you yourself are talking to the vampire?” She struggled against Malek’s hold. “Let me go.”
“This one,” said Terak, ignoring Valry’s pleas and cries, “has betrayed her Mennak and kept secrets that might have placed my Clan in danger. Look at this female tonight and remember her face, Vampire, for you will never see it in the flesh again.”
Garof smiled. “I have high expectations for our future conversation, Gargoyle. I will be in contact with you.”
The vampire disappeared, teleporting away in less than a blink of time.
Valry cried as they flew back to the keep, struggling against the ropes that bound her. They landed amongst several warriors. Terak ignored the questioning gazes on him and told Malek, “Lock her away.” Malek nodded and led her to the dungeons.
Before anyone could voice their questions, a cry of “Mennak,” sounded through the crowd, and a warrior broke through and stood before Terak.
“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
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 away 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, Larissa saw Fallon’s expression get 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 then. “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 were in formation behind her. Once they were set 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 said. “Not full-blooded though. That’s why they’re so small.”