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We neared the oaks and the energy between them crackled, lightning bolts in miniature flaring between the trunks. The trees were ancient, with swirling rings in their aura. They were old past counting and their roots ran deep into the world, their veins glowing beneath the surface. They burrowed down--foot after foot the sparkling anchors delved through the soil. They had been alive and growing long before my ancestors set foot on this land.
The energy flowing between the trunks set up a grid of sparkling lines through which we had to pass. I sucked in my breath and wondered if the portal would knock us off the astral, or if it was simply a gateway.
Kaylin paused. "Let me go first. If something happens, then you run like hell and ask your Elemental to escort you to the nearest dreamwalker to see if they will take you back over to the physical side."
"Won't this just wear off?" I blinked. "I thought there was a time limit on the spell?"
"Theoretically. In practice, I don't know." He shrugged. "Here goes nothing. I'll cross over, then return for you if everything's okay." Before I could say a word, he passed through the portal--and in the glare of smoke and mirrors was gone from sight.
I waited, watching the portal. If I'd been able to breathe, I would have been holding my breath but barring that, I counted seconds. Of course, on the astral--as in the realm of Fae--time ran differently. We could be out here for days and only minutes would pass in the physical world, or vice versa. Still no sign of Kaylin. Where the fuck was he, and what was I going to do if he didn't come back?
I was about ready to follow him--he didn't really think I was going to run off and leave him there if something happened, did he?--when there was a shimmer between the oaks and he reappeared, motioning to me.
I hurried over to his side, Ulean following me in her cloud of starstuff.
"Is it safe?"
Kaylin nodded. "For now, at least. But we were right to worry. There's a group of the Indigo Court Fae near the mound. I don't think they can see us. Let's get our butts over there before that changes."
He grabbed my hand and the smoke of his hand mingled together with mine to form an odd merging of our bodies. It was as if we were conjoined twins, bound by our fingers.
"Hold on to me when we go through the portal. It's a little freaky."
Without any further warning, he dragged me between the Twin Oaks, and I went flying along behind him as he leapt through. The crackle of energy rattled me, disrupting my entire system.
"Crap! Is this what it feels like to be a live wire?" The words jolted out of my mouth as we exited the other side.
"Hush," Kaylin whispered. "We can't be seen, except as a fleeting shadow here or there, but if they have anybody who has clairaudience, or who can hear the wind like you can, they might be able to pick up on us."
I squinted, trying to focus on the physical. The astral was superimposed over the swath of trees, but if I kept my attention on the forest, it became clearer, more distinct.
We emerged into what looked to be a large, circular glade. The forest was lit up like a pack of matches, the energy racing through the trees, flaring with deadly brilliance. Everything was swathed in a sparkle of silver, in tones of deep indigo. The trees were barren, their branches weaving a latticework of silver webs across the sky.
Rhiannon's vision! This had to be the home base of the Indigo Court. Or at least their headquarters in our area.
You're right. Ulean was drifting along behind us and I was relieved to see that she'd made it through the barrier okay. I hung back, letting Kaylin lead.
The Marburry Barrow was huge--the entire New Forest Conservatory campus could have fit inside--and it looked like an overgrown bump in the ground. A number of figures wandered around the outskirts and from here, I could see a shimmer against the lower edge. No doubt an opening.
The Barrow looked as though it had been built on a circular platform raised some fifteen feet above the ground. Steps along one side led up to the top of the mound itself, and at least two figures were lounging on the snow atop the dome.
I scanned the figures. All had a particular tint to their auras, and I began to understand why they were called the Indigo Court. The energy swirled, indigo and deep purple and black and silver--the colors of night and of shadow. Incredibly beautiful, their energy was magnetic and seductive and I longed to edge closer to the group, to bask in their presence.
Kaylin hissed. Startled, I slipped out of my reverie and looked at him with a grateful nod. I raised my hands to assure him that I was okay.
We watched for a few minutes as I tried to memorize the spot of shimmer that I was sure was a doorway. If we were able to sneak back on the physical, we'd know where to go without having to scout around for the entrance.
And then, it happened. The shimmering door parted for a moment and a contingent of the Indigo Court came out with two figures between them. Two figures who weren't of the Vampiric Fae. Both whose auras read as being of the magic-born, one weaker than the other in power.
Your aunt and your friend. Ulean was right behind me.
"Heather! Peyton!" I jerked away from Kaylin, heading for Heather.
"No! Cicely, come back!" Kaylin was on my heels, reaching for my arm. He managed to catch me before I'd gone more than a few yards, but then Heather swiveled in our direction and I caught her little cry on the wind.
At that moment, one of the Indigo Court turned toward us and shouted something, waving in our direction.
Shit! We'd been spotted.
