I look around and see nothing but the forest. The sky is a brighter blue than it was back home. The grass seems to be greener, nearly neon green. The trees seem taller, and more vibrant. There is more moss growing in the forest.
We walk for a good fifteen minutes before we hit a clearing and I see a field of flowers; the flowers had the same scent as the ones I smelled before we swam through the stream.
A cabin lies straight ahead. It’s a typical cabin constructed out of logs, with a rustic design that blends into the forest. As we approach, there isn’t a sound to be heard, except the chirping of the crickets and singing of the birds.
Damien opens the door to a wide living space. There is a couch and a loveseat around the coffee table. The colors in the cabin are neutral, not too dark, and not too light. It has an open kitchen, which you can see from the front door. After drying off with towels in silence, we settle onto the couch to talk about the events of recent.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why you are here.” Damien looks deeply into my eyes. I don’t know what to think. I have come to view Damien as a friend, but sometimes I think there’s something more there.
“Where am I?” This place is familiar, like I’ve been here before.
“We are in the Zeather Realm. There has been a prophecy, about you. It stated that the most powerful Suppliant of all time shall come to power through the Azure Pendant. You are that Suppliant.” Damien stares into my face.
What in the heck is he talking about? It seems like he really believes this. What is a Suppliant?
“But what is a Suppliant? How can I be in a prohpecy?” I’m confused. How can I be in a different realm? I have never heard these terms outside of a fiction book before. I don’t know what to believe, but my instincts tell me that I can believe Damien. Should I follow my instincts? What if they lead me astray?
“A Suppliant is a magical creature with special powers. A Suppliant is born to use her powers to keep the balance of the Light and Dark... You are a Suppliant, Layla. You are the one, the Suppliant of the prophecy,” Damien says. How does he know for sure? How does he know that I am a Suppliant? Don’t you think I would know before someone else?
“How are you sure?” I ask. It’s the only thing I can spit out at the time.
“I am your Protector, Layla. The Protector’s job is to help and support a Suppliant in her mission. A Suppliant is known to the Protector by an unusual tension; when we touch, there’s a craving ignited.” Damien runs his hand along my cheek, down my neck. “Do you feel it, Layla?” he asks.
Fireworks go off. His touch creates a tingling sensation that leaves a trail. My eyes instantly close, and I can picture his lips traveling that path, across my cheek, down my neck.
What in the heck is happening to me? I have felt warmth coming from him before, but never like this. Every time he touches me it gets stronger and stronger.
“That is how you know I am the Suppliant from the prophecy?” I question, as I subconsciously touch his hand. As I wrap my fingers around his, I feel the burning desire again and can only think about more. I want more.
Then a thought brings me back. Damien must be telling the truth; I feel it. Everything he said must be right. I instantly believe him.
Damien jerks back and looks at the floor. “Layla, I feel it too. I need to protect you, but we have to fight it.” His eyes run up my body until they meet mine.
“Focus on your mission to find the Azure Pendant.” His eyes are intense. But, what about my real life? I need to get back; I need to find my parents.
I have to work over the summer, and my parents will be worried sick. Not to mention that I’m supposed to go off to college in the fall. I don’t have time to sidetrack my life while I go on an adventure. My mind won’t slow down; it’s in a panic.
“I have to go. I need to get back. I need to find my real parents, I need to work, and I need to save money for college. This is going to have to be solved by someone else.” I suddenly feel panicked.
There’s no way I can handle this; I have a real life that I have to live. I can’t take his word for it. I stand up and take off toward the door as panic courses through my veins.
I’m reaching for the handle when Damien’s hand lands on the door, preventing me from opening it. I turn around, ready to bite his head off, but he’s looking at me with solemn eyes.
“Please, just wait a second. You don’t have all the information yet.”
I’m lost in thought. This must be important to him.
Damien turns toward the couch and I follow, willing to at least hear him out. I’m silently pleading for my heart to slow down a few beats. “Have a seat. Let me explain some things to you, and then you can make your choice.”
I look at him and nod as he continues, “First off, time moves differently here. One year in this realm is about a minute on Earth.” His admission makes my mouth fall open. How is that possible?
“Also you will age here the same as you would on Earth’s timeline, so one year’s aging here is the same as only one minute of aging on Earth. I know this is new to you, and I’m sure it’s scary; just let me explain.” How am I just supposed to accept what he’s telling me?
“I’m your Protector. I’m supposed to help you find the Azure Pendant. I will protect you with my life from the Dark Queen while you’re searching for it.” He grabs my hand, the familiar burning turning to tingling within a few moments.
Why would I need him to protect me with his life? What’s going on here? Is he talking about magic? There’s no such thing as magic. Don’t get me wrong, I love fiction books. That doesn’t mean I believe in magic. Why do I need to get this necklace; why is it important? Isn’t there someone else who can get it? My thoughts are swirling through my mind.
“There’s someone that I want you to meet. She is a powerful sorceress. She can answer all your questions.” Damien drops my hand and abruptly stands. The questions are left on the tip of my tongue.
“Do you know how to ride a horse?” He asks looking over his shoulder at me, changing the subject abruptly.
“No. I’ve never ridden a horse before, but I’m a very quick learner,” I say. I don’t know why I trust him enough to answer him, but I do. I guess I’ll have to trust my instincts from now on.
“Right this way,” he says with a Cheshire cat grin.