"So dark. It's like we've been buried," she whispered.
After several moments, I was about to say something.
Veb must've sensed my uncertainty. "We will arrive innnnnn-"
The landing clanged softy, and the water parted like a curtain.
"Now."
We stepped into a wonderland. I was too shocked to say anything. Clear blue sky shone so perfectly, I wondered if it was real. Trees bearing the most beautiful, luscious-looking fruit, in different colors, abounded. Their fragrance had my mouth watering. Surprised, I took a step toward the nearest tree, clasping a lime colored fruit in my fingers. Its texture was soft and smelled like blood, my favorite blood. That of my Hunter's-Gabriel.
How was that possible?
Overwhelmed, my eyes tore through the sumptuous garden, searching for an answer. Birds sang from dense branches. Their feathers all the shades of the rainbow, their tails nearly touching the ground. Animals great and small-the unicorn and the gremlin, the lion and the lamb, the eagle and the mouse-frolicked together.
"Where are we?" I asked, unable to help myself.
"This is my home."
I swung in the direction of his voice. Devoran walked toward me, his hands spread out on either side of him in welcome. He wore a crisp white shirt with embroidered white buttons, and matching white pants. Silk, white slippers adorned his feet. His long silver hair was pulled back and secured, with long pointy sticks, in a bun. He appeared relaxed, his features kind. He smiled. His almond-shaped eyes, the color of a cloudy sky, crinkled in mirth.
"Devoran?" I said, but didn't move. My eyes told me that was who walked toward me, but my mind struggled to believe.
"Welcome, Silindra. I've been expecting you."
I remained immobile. Everything about the way Devoran acted went against all I'd known of him over the last millennium. That concerned me. Why was he different? Was this a trick? Had the phantoms caught hold of my mind, and this was all a hallucination?
It couldn't be, I thought, discreetly pinching myself. The air smelled so intoxicating I almost decided I didn't care. With a shrug, I plucked a fruit from the tree and sank my teeth into it before I changed my mind. The fleshy fruit tasted exactly like Gabriel's blood.
"What is this?" I asked, too startled to follow decorum.
"Amonie fruit. Do you like it?"
"It tastes like blood," I admitted in awe.
Devoran nodded. "That's the beauty of the fruit."
Two crystal chairs and a table appeared in front of the elven leader. He slipped into one of the chairs. A silver decanter materialized along with twin silver goblets, and a miniature. For Ryden, I guessed.
"Won't you have a seat. Take some refreshment." He indicated the pitcher with his pointy chin.
"I'm so thirsty. Do you think there's watermelon juice in that container?" Ryden asked.
I wondered what was in there too. All I could smell was Gabriel's delcious blood.
"Devoran, you know I only drink blood. Is that what you're offering?"
His smile widened. "But, of course, dear Silindra. What kind of host would I be otherwise."
Ryden sighed.
"Can we get some watermelon juice for the pixelette, Ryden?" I asked, sitting hesitantly in the chair opposite him.
"The decanter pours whatever it is you wish to drink, so if dear Ryden wants watermelon juice, that's what she'll receive."
Ryden squealed with glee, and flew from her hiding place toward the tiny glass. Devoran picked up the decanter and poured her a drink. The pixilette took a small sip, and then several more. Clapping excitedly, she flew into the air, spinning like a magical top. When she stopped, she laughed. "It is watermelon juice."
I stifled a smile.
"Would you like a drink, Silindra?"
Curious, I agreed, setting the piece of fruit on the table. It vanished immediately.
He poured, and I watched a thick, red liquid flow into my glass. When it was filled I picked it up, startled by the strong scent of blood. Pressing my lips to the glass, I tasted. It was blood. More specifically, Gabriel's blood. I felt my eyes widen. "How is this possible?" I wanted to set the glass down, but I couldn't. With only a little decorum I chugged down the remaining contents.
"It's part of the magic of my home." He gave a slight chuckle, and I nearly fell off my chair. Devoran never smiled, let alone lifted his lips out of a grim line.
"Who are you?" I finally said, standing.
"Silindra, it is me. I know I usually seem... melancholy. But you are in my home, in my garden, my most favorite place in all the world." He smiled, and I noticed the tiny wrinkles feathering near his eyes. "Can I show you around?" he asked, rising.
I nodded, feeling out-of-sorts.
"Good." He turned to Veb. "You are excused," he barked.
Veb bowed, and left.
Once the water curtain resettled itself, Devoran said, "I know why you've come."
"Happy Halloween, Snow. I know you hate girlie stuff, so I only put a little bit of clear gloss on your lips, added just a few sparkles to your eyelids, and put a red stripe in your hair. The nurses are going to flip about that.
"I'm dressed up like a cheerleader. We had to wear a costume for work. I bought you one just like mine. We'll save it for next year, even though you know I hate wearing the same thing twice. It's okay though. I think, under the circumstances, the Vogue Gods will understand. Just please wake up. I've been lonely without you. Sure, I have other friends, but you're the only one who knows what I am.
"And your dad, he's taken to drinking. Your stepmother left him... Okay, that's a big-time bonus, but not his drinking. Professor Pops isn't sure what to do about him.
"Gatsby has been so desolate. I tried to sneak him into your hostipal room, but the nurses found out and made me take him away. He's with Professor Pops because your dad kept forgetting to feed him.
"Don't even get me started on the guys. Holy-Halloween-in-a-handbasket. They are miserable, except Gabe. He's always out being Mr. Big-Shot leader. I think he forgot he's only eighteen. Yeah, he had his birthday. None of us celebrated though."
Chapter 7
I wasn't surprised Devoran had at least an idea what I wanted. He'd always been astute at Council meetings. But I doubted he understood the full reason. The elves had been around almost as long as the vampires and the secretive chayot, but we still had a few decades on them.