Page 49 of The Princess of Portals

“Even then, it’s just too complicated getting them all out. They’re so far away, past many twists and turns, past many guards. We have no way to talk to them or get to them. And no way out of here.”

“Actually, I think I know someone who can help us.”

“Who?”

I smiled at her. “Ever heard of the Zodiac Order?”

CHAPTER 4

PORTALS AND PARAGONS

There were no seasons in Fenris’s dungeon. No night or day. No wet or dry. It was timeless and endless, neither hot nor cold, neither bright nor dark. It was just a muted, bland mush of terrible monotony.

But, luckily, I did have magic, and that magic broke through the monotony. I could hear when the guards changed shifts, when they ate, and when they slept. So when they came to our cell, marched us down the twisting corridors, and presented us to their prince, I knew fifteen hours had passed since I’d last stood opposite Fenris in the hall.

His Polymages stood on either side of him. The remaining three Apprentices, those who had not yet succumbed to him, were locked in their cages. I briefly met Kylie’s eyes. The hint of a smile touched her dry, cracked lips. She thought I was going to save her. I would certainly try. Please, oh please, let this plan work.

“Prince Fenris,” I coughed. My throat was as dry as sand. Being imprisoned in a dungeon was definitely not good for my health.

“Savannah Winters.” He stood opposite me, his smile as dark as his soul. “If that’s even your name.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

He stepped toward me, folding his spindly fingers together. “In this place, I will ask the questions,” he snapped sharply. “And you will answer them.”

The ‘or else’ was implied.

“When did you go to Gaia?” he asked me.

I blinked. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“How old were you when you moved to the realm known as ‘Gaia’?”

“I didn’t move to Gaia. I’m from Gaia. I was born there.”

“Gaia is a realm without magic, and you, Savannah Winters, have a lot of magic.”

“I gained magic when the spirits blended with me. That’s how Knights are made. We aren’t born with magic; we get it later.”

“I know how Knights are made,” he hissed. “I don’t care about those pretenders. I want to know where you came from and why you went to Gaia. Who sent you? Who is trying to ruin my plans?”

Oh, crap. It seemed Fenris had indeed figured out that I’d had magic before the Blending.

No need to panic, Savannah, I told myself. Just stay calm.

“If you’re referring to your plans to kidnap lots of Apprentices, then the answer is I am trying to stop you.” I met his cold eyes. “In fact, I will stop you.”

“Will you?” he said with a sinister laugh. “Well, you’re not doing a very good job of it, are you?”

“The last time your guys came to my cell, they shot me full of magic.”

“You tried to escape.”

What I’d done was test their defenses. Conclusion: they were good.

I lifted my aching, bruised arm in front of my face. “How much magic did they shoot me with anyway?”

“Far more than what should have been required to subdue a girl your size. You refused to go down.”