Chapter Fourteen
I lift my sword and snap the whip as energy crackles along both weapons. This is not happening. We’ve done nothing to these people. They keep threatening us and I’m going to do more than nick someone with my blade. I will destroy them.
“Stand down,” Rosaline bellows at the warriors. “What is wrong with all of you? They are my guests.”
The warriors sheath their blades but I’m not convinced they won’t attack so I keep my blade out. The only one who’s been hospitable in the least is Rosaline and I’m not entirely sure I trust her motives. She already told us that they are secretive. What are they planning?
The warriors stand down and clear a path for Rosaline. Despite my reservations, I follow closely behind Rosaline.
“I would be honored if you and your mate would join me in my home. There is much to discuss.” Rosaline bows her head slightly.
“Um, what about my friends?” I ask, unsure if we should split up.
“We can go check on the humans. We need information. If she’s offering to talk, you need to take the opportunity, B,” Raven says.
“Okay.” I sigh.
“It will be okay, baby.” Jayden pulls me into his side. “They’re just going to check on the humans. We’ll see them after we get answers.”
We follow Rosaline through the quaint village to a large house at the end of the path. People with bright-colored hair and pointed ears line the path, selling their wares or just mingling and talking. It’s so normal you would never know that the veil between worlds has been disrupted. That’s probably the same in our realm. If it weren’t for news stations, would anyone know?
Rosaline waves a hand and the door opens on its own. A breeze ruffles my hair. She has air magic. That’s super cool.
“You come from the nexus,” Rosaline says.
“Nexus?” I ask. “What do you mean the nexus?”
“Your realm is the center of all the realms around it. The others all have similar landscapes to yours.” Rosaline shows us into the living space and points to a couch in the center of the space.
“So, we’re like the center?” I tilt my head to the side.
“Yes, the nexus of our cluster of realms affects all the realms as well. The problems you have been facing have been leaking into ours as well,” Rosaline says.
“Well, shit.” I run a hand down my face.
This is bad if it’s not just affecting us. How many others are suffering because of the queen’s schemes? The gods really just don’t give a fuck, do they? Their wars don’t just affect humans but other realms as well. The weight in my chest increases. It was bad enough when it was the weight of the world, but this entire cluster of realms is at stake now.
“Breathe, baby.” Jayden crouches in front of me. “We’ve got this.”
“Do we, though?” I take a shuddering breath. “This is so much worse than just our world.”
What if I fail? Everything in all the realms will be impacted. This can’t be the truth. It just can’t. Rosaline has to be mistaken. They can’t put even more pressure on me. It’s not fair.
“It doesn’t change the mission, my love.” He kisses my trembling hands. “The mission is still exactly the same.”
“The stakes are just so much higher,” I whisper.
Jayden shoots a glare at Rosaline. I glance over. Her eyes are wide and glassy with tears.
“You are the ones,” she whispers, cryptic.
“What?” I sniffle.
“Many years ago, a seer came to our realm. She sought me out specifically. She said there would be a time when the realm bleeds with never-ending day and then travelers from the nexus would find themselves trapped in realms that aren’t their own.”
“Never-ending day? You had that too?” I gasp.
“It almost destroyed us, but one day the moons rose again, and then the travelers began appearing. They are different. Their ears aren’t pointed and their coloring is dull. Many had no magic at all, but you two are different than the rest.”
