Chapter 47

Ava pulled her bike up beside Espy’s. Jeri was already off hers and holding her helmet. Turning it off, she used the heel of her boot to pull the kickstand down and then got off. Taking off her helmet, she smiled at Jeri. “I’m surprised you rode here alone.”

Jeri laughed. “Trendan had to come with his parents.” She looked over her shoulder, and Ava saw Trendan walking toward them.

“I’m just happy we got to go for a nice ride.” Espy pulled the elastic out of her hair, so it was loose. “We used to all go out together, but now…”

“Realms get in the way.” Jeri grinned at her and then turned to watch her man. “I’ll see you guys inside.”

They watched her leave.

“Is this a circle with stones around it or what?” Espy unzipped her jacket.

“No idea.” Ava looked at the four vehicles parked there. “Looks like most here just magically transport themselves.”

“Capri did that with Daxx and said she liked it.” Espy shook her head. “No other realms or no instantly moving my particles for me.”

Ava laughed. “You’ve been listening to Em’s theories too much.” She undid her jacket and pointed. “I guess we should go.”

Espy nodded and started walking. “She has a point. How does it work?”

Giving her a bored look, Ava shrugged. “I have wings that come and go and change color, so I don’t think I’m the one to discuss things like that with.”

Espy laughed. “Good point.”

Ava was watching as they walked along the path, which she noticed had been mown and groomed, but would never compare to FaTerra’s. “Capri said only those that belong in this circle can get in.”

“We’re supposed to be there, right? We can get in?”

“I guess we’re going to find out.” Ahead of them were several large stones. Standing beside them, she recognized some of the guards that the Alterealm princesses brought with them occasionally.

“If you can’t get in because you don’t belong, why are there guards?” Espy whispered.

“Maybe they don’t belong.” It was strange to her that she was supposed to be here. So many new and odd things were now becoming her life. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She took it out and looked at it. It was from Jeri. You’re going to feel underdressed when you come inside. She held the phone so Espy could read it.

Espy chuckled. “If there was a dress code, they should have sent a memo.”

Ava snorted. Out of all the women that had to come today, she was glad is was Esp at her side. Before they reached the guards, Firo walked out from between the stones. Ava paused. It looked like he’d appeared out of nowhere. He turned, saw her, and smiled.

“Is this everyone?” He asked one of the men.

The guard nodded. “King Troy said that Sigor and Bohdi wouldn’t be here. They’re checking some suspicious activity near one of the Interealm porter platforms.”

Firo nodded. “My princess said they were going to be shutting down all except the one at the headquarters near here.”

The other guard snorted. “Maybe they should have done that about a thousand years ago and then none of this would be happening.”

“Then you would never have met Princess Cristy, Bronx.”

The big man nodded. “True and then every moment wouldn’t be an adventure.”

“No, we’d still be standing guard on King Chase’s side with nothing to do.”

“You’re right, Tim.”

Through the whole conversation, Firo was looking at Ava. He inclined his head and motioned between the stones. “Shall we?”

“Oh, yes, lets.” Espy walked by Ava and then stopped and stood in front of where Firo had come from. “It looks like nothing is on the other side.” She looked up at one of the guards. “I just walk through?” He nodded. “Okay, but if I get zapped or something, I’m not going to be happy.” She huffed out a sharp breath and then stepped between them. Ava watched her disappear.

“Why couldn’t this meeting be at a coffee shop or somewhere normal.” One of the guards snorted. Firo held his hand out to her. She shook her head. “Oh no, we’re not doing that.”

He inclined his head and then swept his arm toward the stones, so she’d go first.

Ava walked through the stones and kept walking normally. Turning around, she saw that she could see the guards standing there, but she was in a different place completely. When Firo stepped in, she shrugged. “That wasn’t what…” An intense burning against her collarbone had her hiss. Reaching, she grabbed the necklace and pendant that Crystal made her. “It’s burning.” She reached behind and undid it. As soon as it left her neck, the burning stopped. She held it up and looked at it.

“No magic works inside of the circle.”

She swayed the stone back and forth. “Tell that to the crystal.”

“Your friend’s spell must be strong.”

She looked at it. “Will it work when I put it back on after?”

He started walking. “We can test it if you like.”

Ava put it in the pocket of her jacket and zipped it up. Turning around, she watched him go ahead of her. She felt different. Not in a bad way, just not the same as she had a few moments ago. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure her wings weren’t doing something without her permission—again. They weren’t there. She started walking, watching all around her. “Whatever voodoo is happening in here, I don’t think I like it.” She whispered to herself and then hurried to catch up to him.

It looked like a field. Plants and growth with large stones were what she thought until she spotted the large area with chairs and platforms—made out of stone. There were a lot of people there. She knew the ones from Alterealm and, of course, crazy Bastian and his, but the rest she had never seen before. They all looked ‘normal’ considering they were from other realms. Most were wearing robes, and she was so happy she didn’t have to. She realized Firo had stopped walking and was looking at her.

“Would you like to sit with your Gemini women or those from FaTerra? My princess wanted me to ask you.”

She bit her lip and looked to where Aireese was sitting. Mystral and her guard were there, as well as the woman who had looked at her from a balcony. The Fa Terra Queen. Technically, her grandmother. “I think I’ll sit with Capri and Espy.” She looked at him.

“If you’re most comfortable with that, then yes, that is fine.”

“There is nothing about any of this I am comfortable with.” She started walking again.

“I got a phone.” He said quickly. “I have no idea how to work the contraption. Perhaps afterward, you could show me?” He glanced down at her. “I didn’t want to ask Aslac or Lady Mystral for help.”

Ava got that. Pride was a real entity in her mind as well. “Sure.” She smiled at him. When he smiled back, she caught herself leaning closer to kiss him. Blinking, she froze and then backed up. “I better go sit down.” She hurried in Capri’s direction. Coward, she thought.