Chapter 24

“I think I slept for eight hours. Totally knocked-out kind of sleep.” I told the girls.

“I guess your body needed it after that elixir.” Beth said in a quiet tone.

“After hearing how that miracle sounded first-hand, I’m surprised she’s been awake at all.” Daxx sounded tired.

I looked out the window to see it was almost dawn. On a normal day I’d been going for my jog now. Normal days weren’t what I was living now, I reminded myself. “How’s that guard doing?”

“He’s recovering.” Alona answered.

From the tone of her voice, she was probably still waking up.

“I can’t believe they just left him locked up there, starving.” Paisley sighed. “Arius said another day and he may not have survived.”

Bethany hissed in annoyance.

I smiled, realizing I recognized it was her. For the first time in my life, I could honestly say I had close friends.

“Having seen what happens when they go too long without feeding, I can’t believe they did that to one of their own kind.” Beth finished.

I hadn’t thought of that, what happened when they didn’t feed. I knew they ate food—mountains of food, but had no idea what the difference was. “I have so much to learn about Alterealm…people.” I mumbled.

Crissy laughed. “They have a whole library of information.”

I grimaced, “that’s way too much reading for me. I’d rather ask questions.”

“You can ask me.” She said. “I might know the answers.”

“I don’t think she meant right now, Crissy.” Alona told her.

“Oh. Okay.”

I could hear the ball bouncing and wondered what she was trying to figure out. Hopefully it was the lightning thing she’d been seeing. I didn’t know much about lightning, only enough that I knew I didn’t want to find out what being struck by it was like.

“Have Clairee and Romulus been over?” Daxx yawned.

“For a bit. They had to rethink the plan.” I stared at the floor. “Both required taking something in that wouldn’t have worked because of the herb or that ward.”

“I hope they get it figured out. The guys are going stir crazy.” Beth said.

Daxx snorted. “Serves them right. Now they know how we feel.”

I debated asking about Michael, but decided not to. Rena came wandering into the room. She looked like she had just woken up. She went over to the counter and put the kettle on.

“Hey, is there a way to put this on speaker? Rena’s up.”

“If you look in the bottom left corner on the call screen.” Paisley informed me.

“Ok, hang on.” I looked for the button and pushed it. “Did it work?”

“Yes.” Paisley’s voice came out of the speaker on the phone.

“Okay, now Rena can hear too.” I set the phone on the counter between us.

“Hi, Rena.” Alona said softly.

“Hi.” She replied.

I watched her face, and even though she smiled I could still see the hesitation.

“Hi, Rena, it’s Daxx. Later on—when we can sneak away, we’ll come over and have a girl’s night.”

Rena’s eyebrows went up. “Don’t get in trouble…”

“Trouble? We understand being under house arrest, you must be losing your mind over there.” I could picture Daxx rolling her eyes as she said that.

“I’m not really feeling like going out, so it’s okay now.” Rena stared at her hands, clasped on the counter as she spoke.

“Hi, it’s Bethany. Do you have to stay there until after the baby is born?” Bethany asked. “I mean, I figured you’d decided to have it…”

Rena took a deep breath before speaking. “I have. I-I don’t know what I’m doing beyond that, but I can’t bring myself to end it.”

We’d spent some time talking about that the day before. I felt for her, I really did. I don’t know what I’d do if I were in her situation. Given the fact that I could never have children, I’d never had to think about things like that before.

“If you need anything we’re here.” Alona’s calm voice came through the speaker.

“Thank you. And I don’t understand about this porting thing—Dad asked Uncle Chase about it and the explanation was complicated.”

“How do you mean?” Daxx asked.

Rena looked at me and then to the phone.

I stared at the little counter of the call time increasing. “Isn’t that something we should find out? Once she’s feeling better?”

“Apparently, I can’t cross over?” she looked at me, I nodded, “and take a chance that the baby can’t.”

“Oh. I didn’t even think of that.” Paisley said quickly.

“I can ask the man who is not one, but all, at the library and see if there is a book about it.” Crissy said.

Rena’s eyebrows went up.

I shrugged, if she didn’t know Crissy, there was no way I could explain her. “Can you do that, Crissy? I mean what happens if she has one of those stabilizer watch things on, does that protect the baby too? No offense, Alona, your digs are sweet, but I’ve been here a day and I’m losing my mind, I can’t imagine being stuck in here for months.”

“I’ll go now.” Crissy said quickly.

“No offense taken, Autumn. I agree, Emil can’t expect her to stay in that apartment indefinitely.” Alona sighed.

“We’ll have to come over and visit often.” Bethany added. “Try to break up the monotony.”

“I appreciate your sentiment.” Rena said, a brief smile on her face. “I’m still,” she sighed loudly, “coming to terms with everything.”

I snorted. “You’re not the only one. This other realm stuff is…”

She nodded, “that too. After two hundred and forty-eight years to find out I have family, in another realm and I’m not some mutation from a gene gone wrong…”

Alona chuckled, “I feel like an infant.”

Rena grinned, a real smile, “that’s how I’m feeling right now. I thought I was ancient then to find out I’m not…”

I cocked my head to the side. “You look amazing for an old doll.”

She smiled again, the pain in her eyes fading for a moment. “Pregnant at almost two hundred and fifty years old, it is something.”

“What about your half-siblings,” Paisley asked in a quiet way, “did you know them? Their children?”

Rena shook her head. “Only Abraham. Dad keeps track of the family line and checks up on the descendants of Milton and Eliza—I guess to see if they’re like us.” She offered me a small smile. “So far, all of them have been completely normal humans.” She shrugged, “Uncle Michael and Victor think Ellis and my mother, Anexis, as well as Abraham’s mother, Emma, must have had Alterealm genes in there somewhere for us to be as we are.”

“So, you only need one of the surviving descendants’ to mate with someone with genes from here, the children will live longer?” Bethany asked.

Rena came around the island and sat on a stool. “It’s a lot to grasp. Dad is half Alterealm, I guess you’d call it. If my mother had some trace of it in her, that makes me about three quarters… Alterealm.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “This baby will be almost one hundred percent Alterealm.”

“So, there’s a good chance it will be able to live on the other side?” I looked from her to the phone, hoping someone had an answer.

“I would think so.” Alona said, “however I don’t blame them for being cautious, if there’s even a one percent chance that child will be more human than not…”

Rena touched her stomach. “That’s why I’m staying here. I’d much rather be hidden in the chambers Abraham described, safe from ever being taken again, but I can’t condemn an innocent life to death just so I can feel safe.”

There was a long painful pause.

“Michael is having another shouting match, with Troy and Arius this time.” Paisley whispered. “I’m going to go and see if I can break it up.”

I frowned at the phone. “Shouting match?”

“Yeah,” Daxx sounded bored, “they’re running interference all the time to stop him from coming to you, per Mitz’s orders.”

Rena gave me a wide-eyed look.

I shrugged. “I’m feeling pretty good for someone who broke their ribs two days ago. Although I wouldn’t suggest that elixir mix, or whatever it is, to anyone.”

“Seeing how it affected you was enough for me.” Bethany said quickly.

“Crap.” Daxx whispered. “Troy and Michael are in each other’s face. I know that look, you might have…”

Michael appeared on the other side of the counter. “Is there something wrong with your phone?”

“And never mind.” Daxx said quickly. “We’ll let you go. Talk later.”

Michael scowled at my phone.

“Later, girls.” Alona said.

“Bye.” Bethany said with a chuckle.

I pushed the button to turn off the phone, then looked at Michael. “Phone works great.”

Rena stood up. “I’m going to drink my tea in the bedroom.” She inclined her head to Michael and quickly walked down the hallway.

“I have been trying to reach you for hours.”

He stood there with his hands on his hips looking like he was ten feet tall.

I shrugged, “not much to do here, so the girls call to check up on me.”

Michael dropped his head forward and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly before looking back at me. “I was concerned.”

I motioned to the space around me. “This place is very secure. We never open the door, so unless someone can walk through walls, I think I’m safe.”

His blue eyes moved over me slowly, assessing. “How are you feeling?”

“I won’t be taking body shots for a few more days, but considering how I was, I’m doing good.” I stood up and lifted the arm on the side of my injury. “Movement is slow, but I don’t want to scream through it.”

Clairee appeared by the door. “Oh.” She looked at Michael. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” She lifted a cloth bag in her hand. “I want to go over a few things with Autumn, my part, before Romulus arrives.”

Michael crossed his arms over his chest. “Who is bringing Romulus?”

“I believe our night king is.” She gave me a quick look. “I can’t teach her how to get through the ward.”

His jaw clenched a few times. “I’m aware.” He motioned to me. “I’ll just observe.” He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms.

I looked at him for a moment, then gave Clairee a wide-eyed look.

Giving me the universal female look that said ‘tread lightly grumpy man present’ look, Clairee went around the counter and set the bag down. “This is going to be a strange request, but please put your hand in the bag.”

I looked at the bag, then back to her. “What’s in it?”

“Ground up herbs.” She nodded. “As you know the plan involved a magical talisman, which you couldn’t use.” She looked quickly to Michael. “Too many days without sleep caught up to me.” She gave me a smile. “I’ve gotten some sleep now.” She motioned to the bag. “I need to know if you have any sort of reactions to this herb, as you’re going to have to use it to negate the witch’s curse powder in the room.”

“Oh.” I pulled up my sleeve and held out my hand as she opened the bag. I put my hand into the prickly powder inside.

“You’ll need to wear a mask or scarf to cover your mouth and nose when you do this. The reaction can be quite toxic.”

“How toxic?” Michael asked, leaning on the island and looking down at us.

“It’s very brief, the reaction. Autumn will be able to see when it’s finished and it’s safe to remove the mask.” She paused. “We’ll get you protective eyewear as well.”

I glanced to Michael; he didn’t look reassured.

Clairee motioned to the bag. “Any burning sensations on your hand?”

I shook my head.

“Okay, you can take your hand out now.”

I pulled it out and looked at it. “Should I wash this off?”

“If you like. It’s harmless on its own.”

I wasn’t taking any chances and got up. I went to the sink. Michael turned the water on when I reached it.

“Is she to spread this herb around the room?”

I turned to see her nod. “More or less.”

Turning the water off, Michael handed me a towel. “And that’s it? Spread herbs around, wait for the reaction to be over and it won’t hurt anyone entering?”

She nodded. “There may be a bit of residue left, but unless they lick it, they shouldn’t do harm.”

“Okay.” I felt there was a catch, but didn’t want to say it.

“You’re going to have to take quite a bit of it. We’re depleting our supply making enough.”

“I could lower it down to her…”

Clairee’s expression changed. “We’re not certain if you’ll be able to be on the roof with her.”

“Why?” His harsh tone was back.

“Oh, I thought perhaps your brother would have filled you in.” Clairee bit her lip.

Michael raised an eyebrow. “Which brother? About what?”

“Quinton. He’s been taking us and the mages to check our progress and theories. We’ve hit a few snags.”

Michael rubbed the back of his neck. “Like?”

“We can’t, we, as in the magical folk or your brothers—we can’t seem to get close to the palace now.”

“What do you mean? They were on the roof when we were there?” I went back around and sat down, trying not to get hyped up, which was hard.

“Yes, and the first few times we were able to as well. Now he cannot port to the roof and the closest he’s been able to get to any entrance is, at best, five feet.” She gave Michael a look. “They’re changing their wards.”

“Why wasn’t I told any of this?” Michael scowled at her.

“I was just going to do that, brother.”

We all jolted and turned to see Troy and Romulus standing by the door.

“Romulus has just come back from confirming.” Troy said calmly, in a way that left no room for questions.

Romulus nodded and looked to Clairee. “You were correct. Royal blood and magic holders can’t get close, but humans with no abilities, or royal blood in their system and nothing magical on them can.”

“So, I still can?” I asked looking to Troy for the answer.

He nodded. “Yes.”

“What about this dual key?” Michael asked. “Isn’t it magical?”

Romulus shook his head. “No. While I don’t understand all of the science tech’s rambling, as near as I can tell it’s a sort of polymer that can hide the royal blood inside it from detection.”

“You tested this?” Michael asked.

“Yes. Our normal human—” He paused and looked at me. “I apologize for the term.”

I smirked. “I’ve been called worse.”

He gave me a relieved look. “The human was able to walk up and touch the palace walls.”

“Okay, so that’s good.” I looked at Michael who did not look happy. Turning my head slowly I glanced to Clairee. “So, I go down, spread the herb stuff around, wait until it does its thing, then what? Use that blood key thing?”

“More or less.” Clairee glanced to Romulus then gave Michael a hesitant look. “We discovered something else on those guards that held those keys—and previous hostiles that have been captured.”

Romulus nodded, “we believe it’s part of the puzzle.”

“Puzzle?” Michael crossed his arms over his chest.

Maybe it was just the angle from sitting on the stool, but he looked larger now and very unimpressed.

“What is it?” His tone was low.

“A tattoo.” Troy said plainly. He glanced to me and then to his brother. “We actually confirmed it was on many of the others and missed.”

“And how was that missed?” Michael turned to his brother and king.

Troy shrugged. “We weren’t looking for something in plain sight.”

I held my hand up. “Wait. Are you saying I’m going to have to get a tattoo?” I looked at each person standing there. “A tattoo that is part of the lunatic cult that took me? That are still taking people?”

“I’m afraid so.” Clairee said softly.

I blew out a breath and got up. Ignoring all of them, I went and looked out the huge window and stared down at the street. There were people down there, all starting their day. Innocent people—okay, maybe not innocent. I’m sure a lot were jerks, but even those were innocent to the fact that another realm existed. And lunatics trying to bring down barriers and rule the realms, or whatever it was the sickos were actually doing. “Has Crissy seen it?” I turned around and looked at them. “The tattoo? Has she seen it?”

Troy nodded.

Michael glared at him. “Why haven’t I been informed of any of this?”

Troy gave him a bored look. “You’ve been a little distracted lately. When we discovered it, Autumn was going through the effects of the hyper-nostrum elixir process.”

Michael heaved a loud sigh. “What do you know about it?” He looked at Romulus and Clairee.

“We’re analyzing what it’s comprised of. Checking if it is ink or has other matter.”

“Other matter?” Michael became iceman in a single breath.

Clairee gave Troy a nervous look. “We’re not certain if it’s the mark, or what was used, that’s the key to surviving the wards.”

I just stood there, trying to process everything they were saying. “What’s the tattoo of?”

Everyone turned to look at me, except Michael, who stared at them waiting.

“Symbols.” Clairee said.

“Of?” Michael put his hands on his hips.

“The Hubert crest.” Troy answered without fear.

Michael threw his hands up in the air, then motioned to me. “You want Autumn to get a tattoo, on her body of the Hubert family crest with some sort of substance?” He growled. “Unfuckingbelievable!” He paced away from them until he was in front of the wall. Where he just stood hands on his hips, and head down.

Part of me was with him on this—then I noticed Rena standing in the hallway. Her brown eyes reflecting every reason why they had to be stopped. I blew out a breath, then went over to Michael. I stood almost in front of him, but where I could still see the others. I looked up at him. “They have to be stopped. We have to find every place they’re using Michael. I need to get us in the palace.” I whispered.

He just stood there looking down at me.

“When I do, you can have an army of soldiers, witches and mage people—”

“We actually—”

I looked over at Romulus, hoping my face portrayed that he should not speak right now. “When I get us in, they can make it so no one can ever go in there again—without the secret handshake or whatever else they use.” I glanced to Clairee, “right?”

She nodded quickly.

Moving my gaze back to him, his blue eyes were searching my face. I saw his chest rise as he took a deep breath. Then fall as he exhaled with his eyes closed.

He turned and pointed to Romulus. “You figure out the tattoo and test it.”

Romulus frowned. “You-you want us to tattoo someone else?”

“Yes!” Michael and troy answered in unison.

“Oh-okay.” Romulus answered hesitantly.

“You have twenty-four hours to perfect your plans for Autumn to go in.” He clenched his jaw for a moment. “If they’re not—then any life harmed because you can’t get her in there is on you.”

Romulus gave a small non-committal nod.

Troy cleared his throat. “You may not be aware, but Autumn is Princess Paisley’s blood sister…”

Michael’s gazed snapped to me. I nodded.

“And,” Troy continued, “therefore, very important to our Warden of Justice—not to mention our Law’s mate. So, it is in the best interest of your health that nothing happens to Autumn.”

Romulus’s eyes went huge. “Yes. Yes, of course.” He looked at me and bowed his head.

Troy sighed. “Go. Your twenty-four hours starts now.”

“Oh.” Clairee opened the device on her wrist as Romulus put his hand on her shoulder.

They vanished.

Troy turned and looked at Michael. “Coming brother?”

Michael frowned. “I—”

“You need to come back with me, so you don’t do something we’ll all regret.” Troy gave him a patient look.

“What are you implying?” Michael put his hands on his hips and glared at Troy.

Troy smiled. “Exactly what you think.”

Michael glared at him. “You do know I’m the older brother, right?”

“King.” Troy said trying to keep a straight face while pointing at his own chest.

“Am I allowed to call her later to check on her?”

Troy nodded. “Only if you’re in different realms.”

Michael shook his head, gave me a quick look then was gone.

Troy inclined his head to me, then looked at Rena. “Niece.”

She smiled. “Uncle.”

Then he was gone.

She gave me an amused look. “That was interesting.”

I laughed carefully, so I wouldn’t hurt my ribs. “It always seems to be that way with all of them.”