Chapter 5
"Almost there," Veb said, stepping off the worn dirt path. He and his fellow guard wound us through ferns toward what I thought was an arbitrary tree. Its trunk was wider than I was tall. Veb touched the tree slightly, and whispered something. I watched, curious. The bark on the tree folded in on itself, revealing an entrance.
Ryden and I inhaled simultaneously.
"Right this way." Veb presented the opening to us, his hand beckoning. I hesitated, but could sense no danger. The other guard wearing black entered the tree trunk. A large orb of light seemed to swallow him, and he disappeared.
I'd heard elves travelled on light. Since I never spent any time, other than occasionally at the Council Meeting, with elves, I doubted the whisperings were true. Now I could see it was a fact.
"Please, this passage will take us directly to Crystal City."
Not wanting the elves to know I was nervous, I moved to the opening. "Is there anything I need to do? I'm not an elf," I said glaring, making myself appear confident.
"Travelling by light will not harm you, Silindra."
I nodded, hoping they didn't hear me gulp.
"Might as well get it over with," Ryden whispered.
I stepped into the trees' trunk. Several things happened at once. A whoosh sounded in my ears, as though I were travelling at an extremely rapid rate. There was a pulling. The scent of daffodils filled my nose, and a tingling sensation started at the tip of my head, ran down my back, along my wings and through my toes and fingers. I became the light. Pulsing. Vibrating. Throbbing.
Time and space seemed to stand still and rush by in one blinding flash. Images of a human girl with dark hair, and bright blue eyes raced along my mind. She was bitten by a Hunter, drank the blood of humans, became numb with pain, and then she was...
I screamed.
The light was gone, and I was at the top of a grassy hill, looking down on the most glorious sight I'd ever seen.
"Welcome to Crystal City, Silindra."
My insides raged with fear, but I forced the feeling away. I didn't understand the images, the girl in my mind.
Somewhere in the city was Devoran, the ruler of the elves. I needed to ask him for his eternal sight.
"Let's go," I growled, rushing down the hill.
"Did you feel that? It was like I was torn apart and put back together again at the same time. Are you alright?" Ryden asked timidly.
I grunted my answer. She'd described what I'd felt exactly. But I doubted she saw any human girls in her mind.
"The city looks like the end of a rainbow," Ryden added.
I nodded, expanding my wings, making sure they were still in one piece. When I was satisfied they were, I relaxed a little.
"Keep your wits about you, Ryden, my friend." I whispered.
"I will."
Opulent grass gave way to crystal-paved streets and buildings. They ranged in color from light red to sunny yellow, sapphire blue to the palest purple. The structures correlated with the roads. Sunny yellow streets contained businesses, homes, and gardens swathed in yellow. The purple streets correlated with purple buildings. Blue with blue. Green with green, and so on. Elves were everywhere, busily bustling about their lives.
After several minutes I realized the elves wore clothing associated with street colors. Where all of the colors appeared overwhelming at first, their meaning quickly became clear.
It was a pecking order.
Fascinating, I thought, but kept my mouth shut.
Elves gawked excitedly. Some of the young ones followed, giggling behind their hands, until we reached the end of their street. Then they would abruptly stop, as though crossing into another color would produce severe consequences.
The closer we got to the middle of the city, the more exquisite the buildings, the roads, and the clothing. Everything in the center glistened like diamonds-clear and faceted. The elves' clothing was a blinding white. They adorned themselves in luxurious furs, jewels, and fancy hats. None of the elves on these streets seemed excited to see me. In fact they looked down their long, skinny noses at me.
A rumble grew in my throat.
Ryden patted my neck. "Don't mind them. Their haughtiness will be their downfall."
I calmed down, swallowing my desire to tear into them with my fangs so that I could get their snooty blue blood all over their pretty white clothes.
At the thought, I laughed.
Veb scowled, wariness pressed into his thin lips. And I closed my mouth.
He held open a door, and I walked through.
The decorations inside the building were scarce. Like everything had been swallowed by light. Resisting the urge to raise my hand and block the blinding brightness, I followed Veb up a circular corridor.
"Where are you off to, Gabe?"
"Several of the Chosen are dead. Holden thinks those responsible are renegade chayot working with other magical creatures, including the Hunter, Christopher, and even the witches. Holden wants me to take my father's place as leader. I'm going to destroy Christopher-make him pay for what he's done to Snow. Besides, there's nothing I can do here."
"Oh, son. I know it's hard, but we've got to-"
"Don't bother. I've got work to do."
"What about Snow? Did you want to say good-bye?"
"I've already said my good-byes. Now I'll avenge her."
"Why are you treating her like she's dead? Her heart still beats. Her chest still rises and falls."
"Don't wait up."
Chapter 6
The sound of roaring water came from somewhere within the building, and grew louder the higher we went. When the guards, Ryden and I reached the top I understood the noise. A large waterfall raged, causing mist to churn and swirl. It clung to my fur, and slicked off my wings. A chill saturated the air.
Directly in front of us was a rounded landing dangling by six silver chords. Veb climbed on, and beckoned me to follow. I stifled a sigh, knowing if the bottom fell out from under me I could use my wings to escape. Still, I held the slick crystal rail encircling the landing, hoping to steady my nerves.
Slowly, like molting lava, the landing moved, pulling us closer and closer to the waterfall. When it looked like the raging would soak us, a circular piece of ceiling, just larger than the landing appeared, diverting the water around us.
At once we were swallowed in darkness. I was thankful my eyes easily adjusted to the dark, but I knew Ryden wasn't as lucky. Her tiny fingers clung tighter to my neck.