by Maria Dean
Skimming down to a bolded title, Astrid added, "The Seal of Solomon is the most complex ward we can use. The lock itself must be made with amber, though substitutes can be used with the help of alchemic wax. The iron seal must be melded with the amber carving before it can be applied to a gate. Upon presentation in a realm, the seal can only be applied to a realm by a magically inclined person. In this case, only an Alice can perform such a deed. The lock can only be removed by the Alice who applied it."
Giovanni's nostrils flared. "Only you can do this, Astrid. Are you prepared to take that upon yourself?"
Taking a moment to snap a picture of the seal, Astrid shut the book. "It's not like I have a choice." Stuffing it under her arm, she offered him a hand up. "We're not done yet. It's only noon, and we have a meeting to hold."
"Oh?" Giovanni replied. "Is this matter of the law?"
"More like a family reunion." Astrid flipped back to the pages detailing how to construct the lock. "Tell me, how many people do you know who can carve things out of gemstones?"
"Only one."
Tugging him close to her, Astrid prepared to portal them out of Hope's house. "Let's just hope he's still willing to help me," she said to herself. "I've been ignoring his texts a lot lately."
Giovanni looked down at her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "I happen to know a lot of people who'd move mountains for you, Astrid. And if forcing my baby brother to cooperate is what it takes to help you, I'm going to knock over the Himalayas."
***
Upon alerting Beatrice and Nicole there would be a family meeting, the sisters got into a brief spat about who'd host.
That summer, Nicole redecorated her house and was waiting for the right moment to show off her minimalist designs. Beatrice argued for the manor, as it was the Russo family home and thus the only place to host the meeting. Tradition led to Nicole's defeat, though she decided for herself she'd cater. She knew her family had varied tastes, though, and had to accommodate both her vegan diet and Irene's gluten issue.
That was how Astrid found herself carrying two large pizzas and a bag of Chinese takeout into the Russo living room. She, along with Nicole and Beatrice, had carried the dinner from the kitchen into the sitting area. It was on Matilde's insistence. She reasoned she was the most knowledgeable of the bunch and therefore could make the calls.
"I knew she was trouble from the start," Matilde said in between bites of a breakfast burrito. "You can't tell me I wasn't right. Astrid's brought nothing but chaos to the family name."
Astrid didn't go to her own defense, too distracted by the fact Lorenzo and Christian were staring at her expectantly. Neither wanted to speak, much to Astrid's annoyance.
She wasn't the only one irritated. Irene, picking their curry, glanced up at their cousins. "If you two keep that up," they said, "Astrid's head is going to explode." Astrid froze as she opened a pizza box. Irene waved her on, continuing, "If you do that, we're all going to be screwed. So one of you say something before I force it out of you."
"I..."
"Listen, Astrid..."
Astrid eyed the slice in her hand, unsure whether she wanted to consume Hawaiian pizza.
"One at a time," Irene said to the brothers. "Lorenzo first."
Lorenzo eyed his oldest brother, smirking victoriously. "Astrid, I'm sorry I left you. You know I just wanted you to be safe." He accepted a cup of coffee from Nicole, before adding, "I didn't know you'd get pulled in further to our family drama. I didn't want to do that. None of us wanted to do that."
"But you never talked to us," Christian broke in. "You said we were smothering you, or at least you said Lorenzo was, I think. Maybe I made that up. But you still didn't tell us how you felt!"
Astrid made peace with the Hawaiian pizza, deciding it was better than no pizza at all.
"Are you even listening?" Lorenzo continued. "Astrid?"
"I am," she said. "And this is exactly why I didn't text you back."
Matilde groaned. "For the love of..."
"I wasn't finished," Astrid said shortly. "I want to clear things up with both of you, but it's difficult when you continue to talk over me. Even you, Lorenzo. You can't blame my accidents on your absence. If you let me explain how any of them happened, you'd know most of them were my own damn fault." She chomped the tip off the pizza slice. "All you do is text me, over and over again," Astrid stuffed a chunk of pineapple into her mouth. "I don't get a minute to think about what you're saying."
Matilde chimed in while she snatched a container of lo mien from Lorenzo's hands. "Basically, calm the fuck down," she translated.
Beatrice coughed. "Though I understand the importance of this conversation, I believe we're gathered for a different reason." She lifted her hamburger up in Astrid's direction. "You have the floor, Miss Pfeiffer."
"The alchemists have the key to the locked realm. There's no beating around it. Aaron stole the key while I was distracted. And that was my fault, I know." She crossed and uncrossed her legs, fidgeting under the heated gaze of seven Dragon shifters. "But we still have a chance to stop them, once and for all. We need to create a new lock. The Seal of Solomon."
Giovanni held up the blue book. "This details a basic outline of constructing the seal. It requires the lock to be made from a carved jewel. Amber, to be specific. The iron seal is alchemic in origin, and must be stuck in the amber before we apply it anywhere. And Astrid's the only one who can place it on the gate."
"Will it require a key?" Nicole asked. "I don't want to work on anything that will need an external key. Too much of a risk."
"Nope," Astrid answered. "Unless you count me as the key. Only the Alice who placed a lock can unlock it."
Matilde sneered. "Again, are we really going to put our lives in her hands?"
"It's our only choice, 'Tilde." Giovanni didn't waver, taking a place at Astrid's side. "This is the last chance we have at saving our world." His hand settled on her shoulder, sending a tingle of warmth throughout her chest. "I, for one, am behind her one hundred percent."
After a moment, Lorenzo stood. "You will need someone who knows their way around carving," he noted. "Besides, we're all going to die anyway," he said. "As long as I can ensure it's not at the hands of an alchemist, I'm in."
"Me too!" Christian, not wanting to be left out, rocketed out of his seat. "I think I can find the iron seal, too. I saw it when they abducted me. They keep hunks of iron littered everywhere in their labs. Someone has to have a seal lying around."
Giovanni leaned down, his breath tickling Astrid's ear. "And I might be able to get my hands on some legal documentation to ensure they're put away for good."
Beatrice and Nicole shared a look. "I'm not sure what we can do to help," Beatrice said, "but you have our full support."
"I can make T-shirts!" Irene added.
Rolling her eyes, Matilde said, "I am not wearing a T-shirt for this. But fine. Whatever. We will help you and whatever. But the minute you step out of line, it's over for you. Understand?"
How on brand of her to threaten me at a time like this? "I'm going to need X's help to build it," Astrid said. "You can come with me if you want to ensure I'm not betraying the family."
Matilde shrugged. Astrid took it as a yes.
"Well," she said, finishing her pizza, "I guess we can get started." Astrid scanned the Russo cousins, deciding which one she wanted to start the journey with. Her gut told her to follow Giovanni, but knew finding evidence of the on-world crimes wouldn't do much to build the seal.
"Lorenzo," she said, "I think I might know a place where we can get large chunks of gemstones. Are you up for the challenge?"
"Always." His wry grin was back, the lazy half-smirk spreading across his face. "Are we portalling?"
Astrid grabbed the Hawaiian pizza box. "Not yet. There's a safer way to get there that doesn't put me at risk of another coma."
"You really need to stop mentioning that," Giovanni whispered under his breath. "I'm getting worried."
/> She handed him the pizza. "Store that in your fridge. I'll be back for it."
"My fridge?"
Feeling bold, Astrid stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. His stubble was rough against her face, not that she minded. "I need some place to come back to after this," she explained. "And I don't think the Wells family needs me around for much longer."
Astrid left Giovanni standing there stunned, with nothing but a box of pizza and a lingering kiss to remind him of the choice of brother she'd made.
***
Taking a motorcycle ride across the Cities was just the adrenaline rush Astrid needed. Even if the ride was wildly uncomfortable. Lorenzo was stiff, and a little closed off, only asking her if she needed anything if he made a sharp turn or an abrupt stop. She had half the mind to tell him off, even though that could worsen the situation.
In all fairness, she had kissed his brother in front of him. It was on the cheek, but still kind of shitty.
Astrid also hadn't warned Lorenzo he was taking her back to her old apartment building. When he parked his bike on the street, he whistled. "Haven't been here in a while," Lorenzo noted. "Not since I left." When Astrid led him to the side, he squinted at the building. "They haven't fixed up your place yet." Black soot coated the windows of Astrid's former apartment. The glass was shattered in places, and the only remedy to the jagged edges was poorly applied duct tape. "Are you ever going to move back?"
I literally just told your brother I wanted to live with him.
"I'd like to live on my own again," Astrid said instead. "But I need to sort this mess out first." She led him down the block, to the old shimmer that had marked her first real exploration of other realms. Taking his hand, Astrid pulled them both through the portal. They tumbled into a pastel field, greeted by a gust of fresh air. Autumn had come to the cotton candy realm. The sky was a warm orange and yellow, still dotted with the familiar, puffy pastel clouds that made the realm special.
Astrid took a moment to soak it in, inhaling the crisp air. "All right," she said quietly. "Let's go find us a portal." Without waiting for Lorenzo, she turned and strode off toward the forest.
Lorenzo caught up in a few bounds. "So..." He trailed off, hoping Astrid would turn. "We should talk. For real, this time."
Talking while they were alone was better than putting it off until after they beat the alchemists. Astrid stepped to the side, allowing him to share the path with her. "As long as I can start," she negotiated. With a nod from Lorenzo, Astrid began. "I wasn't kidding when I said the accidents were my fault. My coma was because I pushed myself too hard. The explosion was my dad's idea. Even if I didn't meet your family, my dad still wanted to convert me to his side. He's insane, 'Enzo."
He chuckled. "Already picking up the family nickname, huh?"
"Spend enough time with your siblings and it's not a choice," Astrid muttered. "Really, Christian is relentless. It's something you two have in common. That and your charming personalities."
They stopped at the white stone guarding the spritlings' realm. "I am sorry," Lorenzo said softly.
"And I forgive you," she replied. "But you have to understand, you still pushed me away. You can't disappear and then come back with a vengeance, panicked about my safety. You're not treating me like an equal, Lorenzo. That's all I want from a relationship."
Before she could turn and enter the next shimmer, Lorenzo reached out. "Can we at least be friends?" He asked. "You don't fuck around. I respect that about you. And if I'm not the one you spend your life with, I'd like to still find a way to be part of it."
Taking his hand, Astrid said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Together, they fell into the next shimmer, landing on an old cobblestone street. Astrid looked around, smiling at the confused spritlings who watched their fall. "Can anyone point me to Buckweed?" She asked them.
A small spritling with lilac ears bounded toward them. "It's Fawn!" She shouted. "I knew it, I did! The shimmers shifted again, and I just knew you were comin' through!" Dandy skidded to a halt in front of Astrid. "It's been so long, Fawn. We missed ya! Me an' Buck started our own store, down near the queen's quarters. Ya hafta come see it!"
"So, you can take us to Buckweed," Lorenzo said. "Perfect."
Dandy acknowledged Lorenzo with a curious stare, before turning back to Astrid. "Come on, we need to step to it if we want to catch 'em in time."
"Dandy," Astrid said as the young girl pulled her down the street, "I was wondering if you and Buck knew where I could get a large gem."
Her grin spilled off her face. "Don't ya know it? We sell gems! Stones and jewels of all kinds."
Lorenzo snorted. "This couldn't be any more perfect," he whispered to Astrid. "How d'you know they could help?"
As Dandy rattled off the kinds of stones she'd found, Astrid replied, "Honestly? I had no idea they'd be useful. I've been winging it since we left Beatrice's house."
The shop wasn't too far from the shimmer they used. Its walls were built with a tawny wood, the dark brown a shade too familiar to Astrid. She stood next to it and help a curl up to the walls. "Oh my god," she muttered.
"Is 'at Fawn?" A mop of blue hair peeked out from the inside of the shop. "I'll be! You're back and brighter than ever." Buckweed looped an arm around Astrid's neck and pulled her in for a brief hug. "How d'ya like our place? We got our inspiration from the very Alice that got me outta prison."
Dandy posed next to the light brown front door. "Get it? It's Fawn!"
The Dragonshifter chuckled. Astrid elbowed him in the side.
"Fawn needs help findin' a gem," Dandy explained to Buckweed. "We have plenty of those." The four ducked into the shop. While the spritlings gushed about their different acquisitions, Astrid searched their wares for a hunk of amber. They had acquired a wide array of jewels and colors, but none of them matched the dark yellow stone she was looking for.
"Is there anything in particular you were looking for?" Buckweed popped up next to a display of emeralds. "We 'ave some new finds in the back if it's not up here."
Perking up, Astrid asked, "Do you have any amber?"
Buckweed deflated. "An' that's the one thing we don't have," he admitted. "Amber's scarce around Piazza. Not something we can just dig up when we like. It's not like the big three gems. We find rubies, sapphires, an' emeralds more than we find diamonds."
Lorenzo wandered to a dark corner and began to root around in a large black bin. "You have a lot of jade," he noted.
"Jade grows like a weed," Dandy said. "We've no need for it, but some folks like to come in and buy some for their kids. Makes a good teethin' device for babies."
"Is there anything we could use?" Astrid asked Lorenzo. "The book said we could use a substitute if we applied alchemic wax to the seal. We might not need amber if you can carve it out of jade."
The Dragonshifter grasped a piece of jade roughly the size of his head. "You're lucky I frequent the gym," he muttered as he weighed the stone in his hands. "We'll take this."
Buckweed frowned. "Why d'you need something lame like that?"
"We're building a lock," Astrid explained. "We need a material to carve the lock out of. As it happens, Lorenzo knows a thing or two about carving jade. This might work out better than the amber would."
The spritling shrugged. "Whatever makes ya happy, Fawn. You can have that hunk on the house. As long as, ah, we're not the ones bein' sealed in with that thing."
"Of course not," Astrid reassured him. "We've just run into a problem with some alchemists back home."
Dandy spat at the ground. "Nasty good for nothins'," she growled. "Last time an alchemist came through Piazza, they took everything we had and left us for dead. Ya better lock 'em up tight, Fawn."
"On my honor." They might not get all the alchemists in the world, but this cabal was a good start. Dangerous people like her father needed to get put away.
When they said their goodbyes, Astrid promised Dandy and Buckweed she'd visit them more often.
If everything went according to her plan, Astrid would have a lot more free time in the future to explore the other realms. She considered taking the spritlings along too. Dandy's ability to sense when a shimmer was being used might benefit Astrid when encountering other Alices.
She wondered, too, how Dandy could tell she was the one entering the realm. Would that mean she could detect when Calypso entered too? Questions about Calypso and other Alices bounced around Astrid's head as she returned to her realm with Lorenzo. With step one out of the way, she had more time to worry about her mother's sudden presence. If Astrid was going to take out her father, she and Calypso needed to cooperate. In order to do so, one of them was going to have to swallow her pride. And the Gray women had a very tough time doing so.
Lorenzo dropped her off at the manor once more, before driving off to his newly repaired house to carve the lock. She texted him the basic plans for the design, though he had the creative liberty for the more intricate details. He promised he'd get it back to her as soon as possible, even if it meant working all night.
It was no problem for Astrid, who needed a little more time before she took up the next step of the plan. Traveling to Buckweed's realm was easy. He and the spritlings liked her and had no qualms with her status as an Alice. Traveling to the alchemic realm, however, would not be the same walk in the park. Astrid was already public enemy number one for the cabal, and that didn't account for the fact she was taking Christian with her. Lorenzo could at least play it cool around strangers. Christian? Not so much.
Astrid stretched her fingers, sending the Christian a text about meeting at his house the next day. The worst thing that could happen was Christian giving her an earful about abandoning him for Giovanni. He was a good friend and a great partner in bed, but Astrid knew from the beginning it wasn't going to work out with him. They would always live in two separate worlds, no matter how hard she tried to show him her side of the story.
All she had to was figure out how to let him down easy.
CHAPTER 3