Toby
The sun was past the noon mark as Toby watched from a distance several Faes practicing with their swords, shooting arrows and throwing silver disks like the one Wes almost got him with. He was alone now, Lizzi had gone in to do her duties and then she had to practice as well. She offered to show him a few things later in her free time. But what Toby wondered is where Lyssa was. He hadn’t seen her since earlier that day in the orchard.
Suddenly, he heard Craig’s voice in the distance. He was yelling and cheering at something. Toby walked past the orchard to a small open area of grass fenced in by crooked tree limbs. He had hardly talked to Craig since they got here and felt bad for neglecting him.
Toby watched Craig throw a stick in the air to have the wooly beast that brought them here go and fetch it. The creature in his massive size had a childlike quality to him and only amplified through his jumping up and down and eagerly waiting for Craig to throw the stick again.
Craig then turned to see Toby sitting on the fence. He came over as he threw the stick a little farther away so the Mog would have to go and get it.
“Is he your pet now?” Toby asked.
Craig shrugged his shoulders. “He needed someone too. I named him Mike.”
“Mike, how did you come up with that name?” Toby asked slightly laughing at the Mog named Mike.
“That was a name of one of my mom’s boyfriends that I really liked. So I named him Mike.”
The Mog came to him jumping up and down as Craig told him several times to sit until the furry creature listened.
“So what’s going on? They don’t tell me anything here.” Craig’s voice was distant.
Toby told him about how they tried to get the Everspell out of Lyssa, but couldn’t and now they were going to Avalon soon to the Glass Room. He told him about Drake that had saved Lyssa from the Muse brothers and about the oracle Lizzi took him to.
Craig listened to every detail as the Mog looked at Toby with his large eyes as if listening too.
“Avalon, not a good place,” the Mog said in his husky voice.
“Why is that Mike?” Craig asked as Toby still had a hard time fitting that name with the Mog.
“Many Mogs died there. We were hunted and had to fight back. Faes wanted us for magic. Most of us never made it back.” Mike’s large eyes looked down towards the ground.
Craig got off the fence and rubbed behind the Mog’s ears. It made a satisfying groan.
“But I am with you now. I have been spared.” The Mog got up and darted into the forest.
“Where’s he going?” Toby asked.
“He just runs around and then comes back. Kind of like a dog does.” Craig stood gazing into the distance. “You know the longer I’m here the more I forget about home. Ever since Lizzi talked to me about my life back there and the possibilities here, I keep finding myself wanting to stay here more and more.”
“I know what you mean, I do too.” Toby suddenly thought of Lizzi the way she laughed. He then shook the feeling away.
“So your dad is a powerful Fae. Did you get a name or anything?” Craig asked turning to him.
“No, that was all she told me. Time has erased the rest.” Toby jumped down from the fence. “I’m going to find whatever I can on my past and my father as well. I can’t let this go, no matter what they try to do to us here, I’m not going back until I do.”
Craig didn’t reply only stood beside Toby watching Mike the Mog charge up the hill not stopping until he reached them. The Mog towered over them and then slowly bent over allowing someone to slide off his furry back. Lizzi jumped down like a spring and smiled.
“You know you shouldn’t let your Mog just run around as he wills. You should keep an eye on him better.” Lizzi looked at Craig. “He ran through the laundry area and made sort of a mess.”
Craig looked at the Mog who shrugged his shoulders and looked at Craig with his enormous eyes.
“Sorry, I didn’t know he would do that.” Craig walked up to the beast. “Mike you have to stay close to me and listen or they will throw you out into the forest. Understand.”
“Mike understands,” he said in a low voice.
“We should go in. Wes told me that the portal is ready and Lyssa will be leaving in only a couple of hours,” Lizzi said with her eyes on Toby.
“Are you going too?” Toby asked.
“No.” Lizzi looked at the ground in almost a hurt voice. “They may need me to scry latter. Elijah and Merlin are going to secure the portal.” Lizzi lifted her blue eyes and looked at Craig and Toby. “Something doesn’t feel right though.”
“Like what?” Craig asked standing beside Mike.
Lizzi looked away and shook her head. “I don’t know. But, something isn’t right, it’s too easy. That is why I need your guys help. We need to have another plan because Merlin is just shaking off my weird feeling.”
“I take it you’re not involving Merlin or Elijah or anyone else.” Toby asked.
Lizzi smiled at him. “No,” she replied. “It’s getting late, let’s go in and see what we can cook up.”
Lizzi went ahead of Craig and Toby who only gave each other an unsettled look.
“I don’t like secret plans. They usually end up disastrous,” Craig said gently tugging on Mike to join them.
Eli
“How many palm scepters do you think we should take?” Deravon asked holding one in his hand.
“I’m taking four. You never know what we might encounter and hopefully we won’t even need them,” Zoey said dressed in grey pants that were tight and a long sweater that swirled around her delicate curves. “Especially, since we won’t be wearing glamour suits. It’s a good idea that we blend in, but I still don’t like being totally unprotected.”
Eli couldn’t help but noticed how much color had returned to her face and how happy she looked, like she was really going on a trip.
“You’re right. But, I do have to say, I feel much more comfortable at killing anything in these wonderful clothes that Casperina got for us. And I like the idea of going as rich Fae. That girl is alright,” Deravon said as he looked at himself in the mirror. Eli on the other hand felt ridiculous. “You need to relax and look more…” Deravon looked up at the ceiling as if trying to find the right word. “Touristy.”
“That’s because I am not a tourist and we are on an important mission.” Eli stood in his long brown traveling coat that had many pockets and pants loose around his legs.
“But look, your coat has so many pockets to carry all sorts of weapons to make you feel better.” Deravon playfully encouraged him.
Eli gave a gruff as Zoey laughed at them.
“We have to do it this way. If we were to walk the streets in our glamour suits with blades drawn, we would certainly attract every sentry not to mention Orzan.”
Just the sound of his name seemed to chill the air.
“Aren’t you ready yet?” Wes asked with his hands in the pockets of his gray green traveling coat. “I’m posing as the young prince of my own kingdom and extending my influence of different cultures by visiting Avalon. What are your guy’s stories?”
“To take Lyssa to the Glass Room, get the Everspell safely there and then return here in hopes that things will sway in our favor,” Eli said nearly pouncing on Wes.
“You know a story would be a good idea, I mean if we get caught or asked something. We need to sound believable.” Deravon suggested.
“We are from Iethia and Eli here is my husband and you are my brother and Wes and Lyssa are our children,” Zoey said looking at each of them. “How is that for a story?”
“Bravo, sister,” Deravon said as she smiled then left with Deravon applauding her.
“I still like the prince idea—girls like that!” Wes said running after her his words echoing down hallway.
Merlin’s chamber was dimly lit. Silently they gathered and gazed at the portal in the m
iddle of the room. It was constructed out of gathered curving twigs and vines some with the leaves still on them dried up from lack of water. But something about it still seemed alive.
Merlin stood in front of it like a painter to his masterpiece. He ran his fingers over the silver liquid like surface. It rippled upon his touch. Even though it was mirror like, it didn’t give hardly a clear reflection like the ones Eli had seen before. He began to question the competence of Merlin’s portal making.
Elijah stood behind the portal, quietly in the shadows as Merlin continued to wave his hand over the surface until it was mirror like. Eli was now impressed.
Merlin turned to them. “This has been long time in the making.” He looked at each of them. “Don’t mess it up.” His eyes settled on Eli.
Eli straightened and felt slightly insulted thinking the last comment was meant for him.
The portal began to hum slightly and Eli could see everyone’s reflection in the portal mirror. Deravon with his striking dark hair smiled roguishly, Wes tilted his head with an arrogant look on his face and Zoey with her soft waves of gold red hair and dressed in civilian clothes looked like the Fae he had fallen in love with.
“We have to wait for Casperinia to be on the other side,” Merlin said.
“Well in that case it may take a while. Royalty comes when royalty is ready.” Deravon stepped away and leaned on the wall.
“Someone needs to go and get Lyssa and Lizzi as well.” Elijah commanded.
“I’ll go get them.” Wes volunteered and quickly went out the door.
Eli stood watching Zoey’s reflection in the portal as she rechecked her weapon hidden inside her wool cape. She didn’t notice his stare, but Elijah did and only grinned before turning away.
Lyssa
Lyssa stood in complete darkness. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face as she slowly stepped forwards. The air was cool and the ground was slippery. She hollered out only to be answered by her own echo. Everything was casted in an eerie silence.
“Lyssa,” A distant voice then called out.
She stood still as it called to her again. The voice sounded familiar.
“Dad?” She questioned it.
“Yes. Come save me!” His voice strained. “Lyssa!”
“Dad! I’m coming!”
Lyssa didn’t care what was in front of her, she was going to follow her dad’s echoing voice. The ground was smooth and slick. Suddenly, the ground cracked under her feet and shifted. Her feet were soaked with cold water. She fell feeling the coldness of the water go through her clothes to her skin. She struggled to grab something to pull herself from the watery abyss that now had her in waist deep water with as she stood on the submerged piece of ice. The sheets of ice slipped from her fingers when suddenly something grabbed her arm.
“Lyssa!” A voice cried in the distance.
Her eyes popped open to a dim light and Wes staring back at her.
Still in her watery dream she tried to focus and bring herself back from it. She got up and ran her fingers through her hair ignoring Wes. She closed her eyes still hearing the sound of her father’s voice.
“Lyssa are you alright?” Wes’s voice sounded concerned.
Lyssa turned to him as Lizzi, Toby and Craig followed by a large hairy creature with big eyes busted into the room.
“Good, you’re not gone yet,” Lizzi said stepping in front of Wes.
Lizzi smiled at her and gently placed her hand on her shoulder. “I know you don’t know me very well and I wish we had more time, but we don’t. Like I said before, I’ve seen a lot of you and feel like I kind of know you at least from a distance and I am going to ask you to trust me.” Lizzi paused as Lyssa shook her head. “I have…” Lizzi looked up trying to find the right word. “I have these feelings when something isn’t right and I am having one about this portal.”
“What do you mean Lizzi?” Wes interrupted.
Lizzi glanced over at him.
“I don’t know exactly, but Lyssa you need to take this.” Lizzi opened her hand to reveal a slender silver tube pointed at one end. “It’s the Razor Wand of Nerabeth. She was a warrior a long time ago and not only does it hold magic it acts as a weapon as well.”
Lyssa took the wand and looked at it. It was light in her hand and cool to her touch. She looked back up at Lizzi who smiled at her.
“What is she going to do with that? She’s just…” Wes was stumped for words as he looked at her. Lyssa glared at him in a warning as he slightly smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Wes you know my feelings are true.” Lizzi’s eyes were steady on him. “Then trust me.”
Lizzi turned to Wes touching him gently on the hand. Wes’s face turned slightly white as he looked down at the ground.
“I know you’re right.” He finally replied. “And we need to go-the portal is ready.”
Lyssa glanced at him then over at Toby and Craig. Wes paused for a moment and then left as Lizzi prompted for them to follow.
“Are you coming too?” Lyssa asked Toby walking beside her.
“No, I have to stay here.” His voice sounded regretful. “They wouldn’t let me go.” His hand slid into hers as his fingers laced with his.
Toby stopped at the end of the hallway leading to Merlin’s chambers. Lyssa looked up at him as Craig and the wooly beast stood beside them.
“Lizzi had a feeling something wasn’t right and I believe her. I want you safe Lyssa.” Toby was so close she could feel the heat from his body and the softness of his voice.
Craig then cleared his throat. “You know I am standing here.” He glanced at Toby then at Lyssa.
“Sorry,” Lyssa said shrugging her shoulders.
Craig looked at her steadily with his blue eyes. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how rude I was to you all those years.”
Lyssa smiled at his sincere words. Toby caught her by her chin tilting her head upward and brushing his lips across hers. Lyssa was surprised, especially with Craig looking on, but she didn’t care, she was going to kiss Toby.
“The portal isn’t going to wait.” Wes’s voice pierced through the anticipated kiss like a hot knife.
Toby jerked away as Lyssa’s eyes flashed to Wes standing outside the door. She looked back up at Toby as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek and lingered for only a moment as a promise for a better kiss when she returned.
Lizzi gave Lyssa a holster to put the wand in and told her to keep it secret, which she didn’t feel was the thing to do, but was convinced by Toby’s words as he slowly unlaced his fingers from hers.
Lyssa stood with Wes behind her as the door slowly went shut separating their stare and only then did she turn to see the mirror like portal surrounded in intertwined vines.
Zoey stood beside Lyssa and Wes on the other side. He looked at her for only a moment and then back at Merlin.
Merlin stood on one side of the portal and Elijah on the other. The portal began to hum like a hundred angry bees waiting to attack anything that came close. Merlin nodded at Zoey as she glanced at Lyssa and smiled.
“Here we go. Stay close,” Zoey whispered.
They stepped up to the portal and its glow intensified until all Lyssa could see was a blinding light. Her eyes didn’t hurt and she could feel Zoey beside her and now Wes’s arm interlinked with her. She didn’t know why he had to stand beside her as Eli and Deravon walked behind them.
Suddenly, the light and weightlessness faded. Lyssa stood looking at a girl who sat on an elaborate canopy bed. Her legs were crossed with one foot swaying back and forth. She had long blonde hair with a bored and slightly agitated look on her face.
“It’s about time. I thought Merlin was some great master of portals. It certainly took him long enough.” The girl got up and walked over to them.
She stood with crossed arms and then looked at Lyssa with her icy blue eyes. Her head wobbled
in amusement to Lyssa. The girl’s wavy and perfect blonde hair, blue eyes so cold and her perfect figure reminded Lyssa of Megan.
“Megan?” Lyssa softly asked.
“It’s me—looser.” Her voice still had that venom touch to it.
“Look, I want to make this quick.” Megan rolled her eyes and looked at Zoey.
“You’re right we do have to hurry.” Zoey looked down at Lyssa.
“Are we in the Etherworld? I mean Megan you …”
“I’m not who you thought I was. If it wasn’t for you I would have the perfect life not here with my duties and shit to do.” Megan still had the same attitude.
“What about me?” Wes chimed in. “And all of those nights were just nothing.” He smiled at her as he went to kiss her hand. Lyssa thought she was going to throw up.
“Look, we need to conduct business here before someone finds us Casperinia,” Eli said stepping forward and pushing Wes away from Megan.
Megan’s eyes flared up like flames.
“First of all, my name is Megan, not Casperinia.” Megan’s mouth curled up like she could have spit flames out.
Eli waved his hands in front of him. “Fine, my apologies. But please take us to the portal that leads to the museum.”
Megan smiled. “You know I wouldn’t be doing this if one day it wouldn’t piss off my mother.” Her voice had a mischievious giddiness to it.
“And that’s what I like about you,” Wes said as she led them out her door into a darkened hallway.