"He doesn't like the travel."
I soon understand why.
The stone grinds open revealing a slab that Tavian leads us both onto. And then it begins to move, dropping into the earth, moving us quickly through the core of our world. "Where are we going?" I ask.
"Avakiri. The Fae kingdom on the other side of this world."
"Other side?"
"You’ll see soon enough." Tavian grabs my hand. "Prepare yourself."
"For what?"
Too late.
Gravity ceases to function and I barely contain a scream as we both begin to float. Tavian demonstrates how to flip over so that his feet are facing what was the ceiling. I do the same, and then gravity hits us hard and we both fall against stone, the floor now above us. "What was that?" I ask, rubbing a new bruise on my shin.
"We are half way there," he says.
Half way to the other side of the world I thought I knew. Surely someone must have discovered these secrets, but I can see why they would be so closely guarded. The vampires made the Fae almost extinct, save those kept as slaves. The Druids were put to sleep, the Midnight Star and all blood ties killed… and yet the Fae found a way to survive. To live. To regrow.
And now they have Ari.
It's still so much to absorb. For so long we have lived in this one routine, existed with our ways intact. Then this human girl shows up and everything I know about my life is twisted into something different. I don't blame Ari, of course. If anything, she's more a victim in this than anyone. But it makes me wonder… how have I become so complacent with the injustices I see? How have I grown so jaded in this world? And what will this trip to Avakiri do to me? To everything I believe in?
When the Waystone stops moving, the doors swing open, and we emerge into a different cave, filled with sparkling green crystal. I can hear running water and smell the scent of fresh grass. Tavian reaches out and waves a hand over me. I feel a shimmering of magic, then it fades. "What did you do?" I ask.
"I cast an illusion over you, to change your appearance," he's says. "I don't know how many would recognize the illegitimate Fae daughter of the vampire king, but likely Metsi would."
I'm touched by his concern and begrudgingly thank him.
We step outside, and into a different world.
No longer covered in snow, this land is a lush growth of tropical jungle, the sun bright and hot upon my skin. Before us flows a waterfall, hiding the cave with the Waystone. I run forward, eager to see more, skirting around the water and climbing a rock covered in green vines, overlooking a pond.
The water is so clear I can see the bottom. Colorful fish swim around as light flickers against their scales. The trees here are tall, with vines growing between them like ropes. Tavian leads us to a stone path decorated with ancient symbols and dotted with moss. Critters scurry through the undergrowth, and the sound of birds and other creatures fills the silence with hoots, chirps and whistles. It's a cacophony of life.
The trail narrows and turns into stone steps, placed so close together I have to be careful not to trip on my own feet. Walking up the steps—it seems there are hundreds—is its own kind of meditative exercise.
I'm entranced by the beauty and serenity of it all until we reach two carved sculptures that act as guardians to the entrance of a garden. When we walk through, it takes me a moment to understand what I'm seeing. At first, I'm taken in by the many waterfalls and pools of clear water dotted throughout, surrounded by explosions of floral color. But the sounds of nature are drowned out by the sound of dying men and women.
Bound to the trees by the rope-like vines are dozens of vampires, stripped nearly naked. They hang over the pools of water, branches curling around their flesh, piercing their skin, fusing with their veins. The enchantment drains away their blood, releasing it through the roots and into the water. The pools swirl with red as the cries of my people carry on the wind.
And not just vampires. There are Shade there too, dying in the clutches of the trees. I prepare myself for the smell of rotting flesh, the smell of death, but none comes. The air is sweet and calming, the scent of flowers. How twisted that such cruelty is masqueraded as beauty.
I stop, my throat dry, my jaw clenched so tightly I might break my teeth. Tavian grabs my hand, but I yank it away. "Is this what you wanted to show me?" I hiss at him.
"No. I have never seen the likes of this. I swear to you, this wasn't my intention."
By the look in his eyes, I can tell he speaks truth. I'm about to suggest—nay demand—we leave, when four Fae arrive wielding swords and spears. They wear masks that cover their faces and blue and green armor that covers their bodies, shimmering like scales.
"The Wild One requests your presence," one of the soldiers—a woman—says.
Tavian shoots me a worried look. It appears we have no choice but to walk with them.
We reach a massive and ancient palace made of stone and carved with more of the glyphs I saw on the steps. Inside, the walls are decorated with tapestries and silk curtains of blues and greens, and everywhere there is water. Fountains, pools, indoor waterfalls… the sound is soothing, and the air fresh.
Fae mingle about, talking, laughing, drinking and eating, reclining on colorful pillows and stone chairs. Their skin is dark, unlike most of the Fae I meet. None seem concerned by the dying vampires and Shade outside their door.
When we enter the throne room, a woman who could only be Metsi sits upon a raised throne, ancient and covered in vines. She wears a long gown of silk and satin, blues and whites. Her skin is dark, like that of the other Fae here, and pale blue tattoos cover her long arms and bald head. Her serpent, Wadu, curls around her left arm. She smiles when she sees Tavian. "It has been far too long since we've been graced by your presence. What brings you to our corner of Avakiri?"