chapter 23

Saras POV

Dirty, sweaty, and exhausted, I finally arrived at the archway. the grey stone glittering in the afternoon sun. Slumping down to the ground, I tried to compose myself, pushing back my messy hair stuck to my damp head. I would hate to see how I look right now. My mouth was desert dry. I opened and closed my mouth hoping to miraculously create some moisture. Fat chance. Letting out a huge sigh like a horse braying, I began looking for a stone. Let's be honest, the longer I hang about the more chance Drew has of finding me, once he has that letter, it's over - no way would he let me go. Walking around in circles like a zombie with no focus, the rocks are too small, too smooth, too fragile. I needed something to break the skin. Collecting rock after rock, examining them only to throw them away again. This was getting tedious. Finally, a sharp brown rock! Grasping it firmly in my fingers, I pushed hard into my hand, only for the damn thing to crumble with the pressure - damn! The tension comes out of me in the form of an exasperated scream. If that's not an omen, then I don't know what is. The pressure is barely on and I'm about to crumble, just like that last rock. Right... take a moment, let's think about this. I lean against the archways, trailing my fingers over the rough edges as I think. I don't have fangs. So that's out of the question, and there are no sharp stones. Gosh, why is it so difficult? It's one drop of blood! Unconsciously, I rubbed the stone so frequently that my fingertips began to hurt. Hmmm. Curious I thought as I began rubbing my finger against the rough stone edge repeatedly and fast, like trying to start a fire with two sticks until the sticky blood came to the surface. I tried finger painting with the blood onto the archway, doubting it would even work. Much to my surprise, the shimmering lights spring to life calling me into their mystic embrace. One final look at Domilia before I left filled me with sorrow. I didn't want to leave. This has become my home, I've fit in more here than I have anywhere else, and that's why I must go. Without Edward, I wouldn't have a place here. He saved me by letting me stay. It's my turn to be who he needs, to save him now. Still unsure of my decision, I backed into the portal, watching Domilia disappear from my sight.

Music vibrates through the air, matching the buzzing in my body from the portal. Arriving at my new destination, I can't help but notice it looks different this time. The room is a dark plum colour and adorned with walnut furniture. Where am I? My eyes dart around trying to work it out. There are antique gold candle holders dotted around the room and a huge open fireplace with some large seats positioned facing them. I can see the outline of someone sitting in them, but I can't make out who. Maybe it's best they don't notice me. I tred backward carefully, eyes fixed on the pale man in the corner. He was an older man as suggested by his short, dirty grey hair. in his hand was a small glass, filled with an amber liquid. It looked like whiskey except the liquid smoked, and the flames from the fireplace reflected on the glass, giving the illusion the drink was on fire. On his exposed arm was a deep purple scar, I doubt it was very old and wonder what he had done to receive a scar that looked like that. He didn't seem to pay any notice to me, and still, everything inside of me was screaming that this man was dangerous. He felt like a wild animal, a bear or mountain lion, and I know all too well what to do when you encounter a wild animal. Slowly, I move my feet back, never taking my eyes off the fire drinking man. My legs move as I step, left first, right... left. I could feel I was nearly at the doorway again, without so much as a glance in my direction. Ha, yes, I was a prooooo.... All my smugness left me along with my balance as I tripped over something... no, someone. Shoot, my heart is pounding so hard in my chest, and I can feel the adrenaline rushing through my body. I should never have been there. What was I thinking about messing with magic I have no experience of? s**t! all I wanted to do was save the alpha and all that's happened is I've got myself killed. My lungs were emptying and filling at a rate much faster than usual. With each new breath, I felt the room begin to spin, and my fingertips began to tingle concurrently. The room was so dark I just didn't see them, I thought I could get away unseen. Huh? It feels like an awfully long time to keep hold of me and do nothing, it was like they'd just caught me and frozen still. If it wasn't for the noises and chatter around us, I would think time itself had stopped. Slowly, I opened one of my eyes, testing the waters. Nothing seemed to happen so I cautiously opened the other, making eye contact with the fire-drinker. There was something about him that sent chills up my spine, the type of man you'd cross over to avoid in the street if he walked behind you. Breaking eye contact, I twisted slightly to see whose arms I was currently in. Met with a charming smile, my heart missed a beat. Oh, thank goodness! Jumping from his muscly arms, I turned round with a playful slap. "Arius! You scared me half to death. How long would you have left me like that?" I laughed, embarrassed at my actions. He returns the laugh, pulling his face into a who-knows expression. Realising I had made a mistake turning my back on the predator, but feeling safe now Arius, I glanced back to the place he was sitting. He had vanished and all that was left to assure me he was there was the glass, still smoking on the edge of the table. Turning my attention back to Arius, I need to know, "where are we?" Looking confused, he answers "The Omnis. Surely Kay mentioned it changes?"

"Can't say it came up" what was I doing here? If I can't even roll with this, how am I going to survive out there?

"Where is she at anyway? Is she off getting you ladies a drink? About that, don't let Meridiana talk you into a drink again - the woman's beautiful but she has a wicked side." He jested but there was an air of true concern in his voice.

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks Arius." he seemed genuinely concerned about me.

Smiling at me, he seemed happy to have had the chance to say that, "So, Katie, where's my girl at?" he clapped his hands together, looking around for her.

Shaking my head as I answered "Yeah, no, Katie's not here right now. It's just little old me," I paused for a moment, cautious as what to say. How much would Katie actually share with him? "... I'm just passing through actually. I ne..."

Cutting me off "Just you? Alone?"

I nodded, his face contorted as if trying to work out an impossible equation. His brow was furrowed and light perspiration coated his face. In this lighting, his skin looked a little ashy, as opposed to his usual glossy chocolaty skin.

We stood in silence for much longer than was comfortable. Arius seemed lost in thought as his eyes skimmed the room, before coming back to me.

Gesturing with his head to follow him, "Come." he told me, already walking down the room. I looked back to the corner one last time to see if the man was still sitting there waiting. He wasn't. We walked for maybe a minute. As we reached the end of the room, we stood in front of a huge full-painted wall mural. The painting was exquisite, showing a thin woman naked at a stream, her skin had a slight green tinge, and her hair was long and flowing, covering her most private areas. The brush strokes told a story of a woman and nature mixed into one being. I've never seen anything like it. The beautiful painting was kept in an antique-style gold frame, with black detailing etched in. Her ears came to a point peeping slightly out of her hair, the image almost looked as though it was real and her hair was flowing directly in front of me. Not trusting my senses, I reached my hand out to touch it, trying to assure myself it wasn't real. However, my hand never met the canvas. My heart stopped as before I could touch the woman. Arius grabbed my hand, pulling me through it, into a new room. The room was made of huge cold, grey stone slabs, the only warmth coming from the light candles all about the room. If Arius felt the cold he didn't react to it, still staring at me with uncertainty, he looked worse than I realised in the previous room, it was not the lighting at all. "Are you OK?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

He took a long time to answer, carefully mulling over his words. Walking over to a large ebony cabinet with stunning stained glass panes, he opened the door, peering over his shoulder to look at me once again. What on earth was he doing? Are we still on Earth? I honestly couldn't say. The clinking of glass bottles filled the room as he picked them up to read before placing them back to grab another. At last, he settled on a single bottle filled with an emerald green liquid. "Pure veritas elixir. One drop is all it takes to reveal all your secrets..." he was explaining what it is but I couldn't understand why. I know what this is, it was in the cocktails Meridiana slipped me last time I was here. "Oh, so that's how it looks - cool." I try to be enthusiastic, he's clearly sharing something with me. "I need you to take it." He looked utterly ashamed as he says this, diverting his eyes to the floor before meeting mine once more. I wonder if I look as shocked as I feel, perhaps that's why he looks so guilty. "please." he adds, he really seems uncomfortable asking this. "why?" I don't understand, the confusion, clear in my voice. "please." He repeats, not answering me. After Edward, I'm not sure I feel so eager to drink foreign substances for the fun of it, and what if I can't keep it hidden what happened to him? How would this affect the pack? I don't know what to do. I need Arius's help and right now l can't see him helping me without this. I glance around the room, taking in the decor. In the center of the room sits a giant circular rug filling almost the whole room, and on top sat a black, ebony wood desk and leather maroon desk chair. The desk sits empty at the moment except for the one elixir bottle Arius has placed on it for me. What do I do? "I can't right now." Arius's posture changed slightly, the change was subtle but my body clearly reacted. My heart sped up as my fight or flight kicked in. "Why not?" he asks through slightly gritted teeth. "There's a lot going on... and it's not my information to share." I shake my head more strongly, I can't tell him, can I?

"I'm going to have to insist, Sara, please don't fight me on this." As he spoke I got a flash of his fangs, reminding me, I'm not in charge here.

"Who can hear us?" I asked, starting to cave.

"No one, the room is magically sealed to ensure privacy, your secrets are safe here."

"It's not my secrets I'm worried about" I trailed off, grabbing the bottle and reluctantly dropping a single drop of the liquid into my mouth.

He stares at me as if waiting for me to grow horns.

Then the interrogation begins.

"Who are you?" I'm confused but the answers spill out all the same.

"Sara glover"

"What are you?"

"Human..." He already knows all of this. Why is he asking the same things?

"How did you get here?"

"The stone archway. Why are you asking things you already know?" I demanded.

He looks taken aback at my outburst but quickly collects himself as he almost walks to the large desk chair. Sitting down, he continues to stare at me, rubbing his chin. "Fascinating." There he goes again with that word, fascinating, it was beginning to feel like an insult. "Fascinating, fascinating. What's so gosh darn fascinating hmm?" I yelled mockingly, losing my cool. This seemed only to amuse him as he smirked with a glint in his eyes.

I heard footsteps enter the room behind me but kept my eyes fixed on Arius. "You were looking for me, were you not?" Arius nodded at the guest, his face churning over some information that was irrelevant to me. "Ah Sara, it's nice to see you again." I cannot stop myself and spin to look at the new addition to the room at the mention of my name. "Alwyn." I sigh, grateful it was him. His pitch-black eyes and pointed teeth could send fear into the hearts of anyone I knew back home. He looked as though he had climbed straight out of a scary story, with his long thin ears and pointed teeth. Having met him before, he has a way of calming any room he's in as he speaks in such a smooth way. "Where is Katie, I didn't see her on my way here?" I look over to Arius, who is watching the interaction intently, knowing I cannot stop myself from answering- what game is he playing?

"Just me today, Alwyn."

"Such a shame I missed her. I do quite enjoy her presence. Did she mention when she would return for you?"

Return for me? I'm not a child!

"She didn't come today and I'm not heading back to Domilia just yet." At least I hope I'm not.

"She came alone," Arius spoke up as I watched the two men share a moment. I could tell what Arius was thinking, to a point anyway, but Alwyn was much harder to get a read on. They stared at each other, not breaking eye contact. Arius repeated his earlier questioning as if to prove a point, his eyes never shifting from Alwyn, awaiting a reaction.

"Sara, what are you?" I'm getting tired of this game now, it's boring and insulting.

"Same thing I was the first time you asked me! Human." I'm waiting for the punchline as this has got to be a joke.

"Fascinating, isn't she?" Arius says to Alwyn as if I wasn't even in the room.

"Indeed." He crossed the room, sniffing the air around me. Feeling highly uncomfortable, I cleared my throat. I need to be careful what I say. The only way to do that is to answer the questions before they are asked. "I need your help. Both of you if possible." It worked, that got their attention. "I need to find a blue narcissus and I have to find it fast." Arius pushed back the seat. It screeched against the floor as he did and his eyes widened with concern. "Katie?" I shook my head hoping he wouldn't pry deeper. "How can we aid you, Sara?" Alwyn asked, allowing Arius to regain his composure.

"I need passage towards wherever I must go to find the flower, any knowledge you can share with me... and supplies. All I have is what you see. I know I'm asking for a lot, but I assure you, it is important."

Alwyn and I both glance over to Arius but he is not ready to acknowledge us. He must have known why the plant was needed and the thought it was for Katie seemed to have affected him deeply. I guess they are really that good of friends.

"I know of someone who can help..." Arius cuts Alywn off mid-sentence.

"She will never survive. You know yourself, the journey is treacherous - even for the likes of us. How would a mere human survive?"

"What's so treacherous?" I wondered aloud.

Alywn turns to me, his pitch black eyes and pointed teeth and smiles drawing me in as he begins his tale. "You would need to navigate 'round parts unknown, survive creatures you only dreamed were in nightmares, travel far through less than friendly towns and venture into woods no sane man would dare go. Whilst on your journey you will discover an aid. Should they deem you worthy, only then you will collect your prize... if you survive." I audibly gulped, he seemed to be consumed while spinning his story. Arius coughed, bringing Alwyn's attention to him. Alwyn shook his head to regain control of himself, his smile only now dropping and his tone changing to a more genuine, sympathetic one. "If you wish to take the risk, for Katie, I will assist?" Did I still want to do this? I felt a deep shame rush through me even considering what would happen if I didn't try.

Nodding my head, "This is my journey to make, my risk to take."

Seeming satisfied with my answer, he took a pinch of dried leaves from his long dark green cloak and whispered in a language I did not know before tossing them into the air. As the leaves float to the floor, a golden glow ties them together, connecting each leaf. When the last leaf fell, Alywn bent his thin body down, and brushed the leaf crumbs away, revealing a small bag. The bag was no larger than an apple yet he supported it with one hand on its underneath and the other holding the long rope strings.

"This bag shall aid you with all you need, Sara. I hope to someday meet you again." he hands over the small satchel as I gulp. Will I make it back or is this a suicide mission?

Arius twists his beautiful face with indecision, before going into a desk drawer and pulling out a woven coin purse, and chucking it at me. The bag falls to the floor and a few coins escape and Arius let out a chortle. Feeling the blood rushing to my cheeks as I bent down to pick up the straying coins, tears were threatening to spill if I dared to look up. Refusing to blink, I got back to my feet meeting Arius's eyes. "I wasn't ready..."

"Are you now?" he asked, walking toward me.

"No." Oh, that stupid potion. I had wanted to say yes, yes I was ready - saying may make me believe it. "Let's go... Please."

Arius and I walked in silence to the portal that brought me here. "Arius, I'm not going back to Domilia."

"I know.'

"Why are we here?"

Arius explained the portal linked up to a number of archways, and when activating it with your intended destination in mind, it was enough. "Once you step through this portal you will be alone Sara, these places you need to go - they are not Domilia. I cannot guarantee you will survive." I was wishing he would shut up and stop talking, right now I felt like my legs were barely holding up. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Looking directly into his eyes, I could see my own fear looking back at me, yet I nodded anyway and stepped into the portal.