Our witch magic was too weak to be useful.
“The witches from Utopia will be arriving any moment.” She looked to Mira, who was still holding her cell phone. “It’s time to put that away.”
Mira frowned and kept typing.
“Mira,” Mom said sternly, but she just typed faster.
“You don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with these witches.” I raised an eyebrow at my twin. “Do you?”
Mira stopped typing, and she shoved the phone into her suitcase without clicking the lock button.
She was still zipping her bag shut when four people appeared at the side of the room.
Two girls around my and Mira’s age, and two women around Mom’s age. One of the girls had brown shoulder-length hair and small, serious eyes. The other girl had shiny, jet-black hair that hung straight down to her waist. The women looked like older versions of each of them—I guessed they were their moms. And they all wore fitted animal skins, like they’d time traveled in from the Stone Age.
The girl with long black hair smiled warmly and bounced on her heels. “You must be Gemma,” she said to me, and then she turned to Mira. “And Mira.”
“Yep,” I said, already feeling like she and I would get along well.
“Hi,” she said. “I’m Harper.”
The older woman who I guessed was her mom introduced herself as Tanya.
“And I’m Carrie,” the other woman said. “With my daughter, Alice. We’ve been sent to bring the four of you to Utopia.” She gave away no emotion as she appraised us. Then she turned to Ethan, and suspicion filled her fish-like eyes.
Supernatural men weren’t allowed in Utopia. The queen of Utopia—Elizabeth—had made an exception for Ethan because Rosella had requested it, but Rosella had already warned us that the women of Utopia would be less than friendly to Ethan.
Ethan held Carrie’s gaze until Carrie looked away.
“I’m Rachael,” Mom said, breaking the silence.
Carrie nodded, then glanced at our bags. “Those won’t be coming with us,” she said.
Mira rested her hand protectively on top of her suitcase. “But we need our stuff.”
I moved closer to my suitcase, too. Not because of the clothes inside of it, like I knew Mira had done, but because of my books.
“Everything you need will be supplied by the queen,” Carrie said. “Now, let’s join hands in a circle—one of us between each of you—and we’ll teleport you to Utopia.”
10
Gemma
The ground disappeared under my feet, and my stomach dropped, like it did on a roller coaster. But the feeling only lasted a second, and the next thing I knew, I was standing on soft, grassy land.
We were on top of a mountain so tall that it nearly reached the clouds. Fields stretched out in the valleys between the mountains, and I saw the ocean in the distance. The ocean should have been familiar and comforting, but with the mist rolling off the water, it was so different from the bright blue ocean at home.
“Welcome to Mount Starlight,” Harper said. “What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful,” I said, continuing to gaze around in wonder.
“Just wait until you’re inside.” Her eyes sparkled in excitement, and she looked at the crater on the top of the mountain.
Mira followed Harper’s gaze to the rim, and she stilled. Anxiety radiated off her skin.
Because Utopia was inside the volcano. The volcano was dormant, which I knew simply from the fact that I couldn’t feel the warmth of magma below. According to Rosella, the witches who’d found the volcano a thousand years ago had used their magic to clear out the magma chambers so they could build the kingdom inside.
The witches led us to the crater, and the ground hummed under my feet, like it was welcoming me to the kingdom.
Mira trudged behind. She looked wary, but Ethan held her hand, and soon, we were all standing around the crater’s rim.
An open, steel contraption that looked like a rustic freight elevator hung in the center. Cables held it to the top, and it appeared to operate by a crude rope and pulley system.
“Don’t worry.” Alice smirked and stepped onto the platform. “It’s safe.”
My mom walked up to it warily. “Why can’t we teleport into the kingdom?” she asked.
“Utopia has multiple levels of protection,” Tanya explained. “The dome around Mount Starlight keeps out everyone except those transported inside by the witches who live here. Then there’s another spell cast inside the volcano, to stop teleportation to and from the kingdom’s chambers. So even if someone managed to break through the dome—which has never happened—they’d still have a ways to go before reaching our home.”
“Utopia is the safest place in the world,” Harper added, and she walked over to the platform and gracefully hopped down into it. It creaked under her weight, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“And this is the only way inside.” Carrie motioned to the platform. “Please, after you.” She watched us in amusement, like she was waiting for us to chicken out.
I gathered my hair over my shoulder and shot her a small smile. “Thanks,” I said, and the ground cushioned my steps as I walked toward the edge of the crater with what I hoped was as much ease as Harper.
Harper smirked up at me in challenge, and I hopped down onto the platform.
It moved a bit, and I reached for the rail to steady myself, a thrill passing through me.
“Not so hard,” Harper said.
“Nope,” I agreed. “Not hard at all.”
I looked up at the others, caught off guard by the way Ethan’s eyes blazed as he gazed down at me. Was that… admiration?
He turned to Mira before I could figure it out.
My twin had stepped back, and she’d crossed her arms over her chest, like she was protecting herself.
Ethan rested his hand on the small of her back. “I’ll be behind you the entire time,” he assured her. “And Gemma will help you inside.” He glanced at me when he said my name, and I nodded.
“It’s completely solid,” I assured her as the platform creaked under my feet. “If you can stand on a surfboard, then standing on this is a breeze.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp mountain air. When she opened her eyes again, they glinted with the same determination as when the surf was particularly strong and she was set to conquer the waves.
She made her way toward the crater, and Ethan and I helped her onto the platform. She was shaking a bit, and her face was pale, but she did it.
Mom went next, followed by Harper and Alice’s moms, then finally, Ethan. He hopped onto the platform like it was nothing, and didn’t even reach for the railing. Instead, he made his way to Mira’s side.
“You okay?” he asked her.
“Yep.” She nodded, even though she looked like she was about to be sick.
With everyone finally on the platform, I glanced down. Lights like stars twinkled below, leading into the abyss.
“How far down does this thing go?” I asked.
“A bit over two hundred meters,” Alice said as she stepped to the lever on the side of the platform. “The ride can be a bit jerky, so you might want to hold onto the rails.”
She pulled the lever, the platform shook, and we descended into the volcano.
We quickly reached the tiny stars, and I looked around in awe. Because they weren’t stars—they were glowworms. Living organisms that hung from the rocks by strings of their own creation. They glowed a soft blue, and it felt like we were traveling into another universe.
“I’ve always wanted to visit the glowworm caves in New Zealand,” I said as I looked around.
“So you know what they are,” Harper said. “Not all of our visitors do.”
“I’ve never heard of them,” Ethan said.
“That’s because you’re American,” Mom said, as if it were some kind of insult.
“I’m not American,” he said. “I’
m from Ember.”
We all silenced at the mention of his home realm.
“From where?” Harper asked.
“Ember,” I repeated. “The dragon realm.”
She looked just as confused as before.
“You haven’t heard of it?”
From the way Ethan and Rosella had spoken of Ember, I’d assumed all supernaturals knew of the realm.
“We don’t know much about dragons,” she said. “Except for—”
“Harper,” Alice cut her off. “Don’t ruin it.”
Harper pressed her lips together, like it was taking all of her energy not to continue.
“Ruin what?” Curiosity brewed inside me.
“If we tell you now, then it won’t be a surprise,” Alice said, and then she pushed the lever, slowing the elevator down.
I glanced over the rail, and leaned forward to get a better look at the city below. The stone buildings were natural extensions of the walls, and they continued down for what must have been over a kilometer. They were linked by rickety wooden bridges, and orbs of orange light lit up the city like small suns. And straight down the center, at the bottom of the vertical city, was a large, crystal clear lake.
Mira relaxed at the sight of the water.
“How many witches live here?” I asked.
“Thousands,” Tanya said. “And there are about a thousand vampires, too.”
I spun around to face her and gripped the rail behind me, waiting for her to say she was joking.
She didn’t.
Mira and Mom looked as shocked as I felt. Ethan, of course, seemed unfazed.
Like he knew about this.
The elevator landed on top of the tallest building in the city, but I made no move to hop out.
“Vampires,” I said, like I was testing out the word on my tongue. “You’re joking. Right?”
“Why would I be joking?” Tanya asked.
“Because vampires…” I almost said, because vampires don’t exist, but I stopped myself. Because witches existed, and dragons existed, and prophetesses existed, and monsters like the griffin existed. I’d wondered about other supernaturals, but I didn’t think we’d be descending into a den of vampires.
“Vampires are dangerous,” Mom said, and she walked over to stand protectively in front of me and Mira. “They’re murderers. Take us back to the surface. Now.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Carrie said. “The vampires in Utopia pose no threat.”
“Witch blood tastes terrible to them,” Tanya added. “Don’t worry. We’re safe.”
Mom didn’t budge, so I walked around her. “What about dragon blood?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Tanya said, and she looked to Ethan. “Has Rosella tasted your blood?”
No way.
All eyes went to Ethan, who looked as stoic as ever.
Mira stepped away from him. “Why would Rosella want to taste your blood?”
“Because Rosella’s a vampire,” he said simply. “She didn’t want to mention it to you—and she asked me to say nothing—because it would delay your decision about coming to Utopia. And we needed to get you here quickly.”
“So you lied to us.”
“I did what I had to do to keep you safe,” he said, and then he glanced at me. “Both of you.”
Warmth heated my core at his protective gaze.
Mom’s eyes swirled with anger. “You sent my daughters into a pit full of vampires without bothering to warn us about what we were walking into,” she said, loudly enough that the women walking the paths below looked up to see what was going on.
“You’re causing a scene,” Carrie said.
“You bet I am.”
Carrie stared at my mom, then nodded in what might have been respect. “Arguing about this here will do no good for any of us,” she said. “Let us escort you to your quarters. Then, once we’re there, we’ll explain everything.”
11
Gemma
The witches walked us down a flight of steps, to a rickety bridge. I held onto the rope railings the entire time, hoping it wouldn’t snap. Once across, we walked down a path lined with simple stone houses.
Everyone cleared the way for us, watching us curiously.
Their gazes were mainly on Ethan.
Tanya stopped in front of a wooden door identical to the others. “These guest quarters are reserved for witches from other kingdoms when they visit,” she said.
Carrie removed a bone-colored skeleton key from her satchel, unlocked the door, and swung it open. The walls of the small living room were stone, and the simple wood furniture matched the flooring. The only pop of color was the faded red rug beneath the sofa and armchair surrounding the fireplace.
A platter of bread, cheeses, and sliced meat sat on the coffee table, and an orange ball of magic lit the hearth with a warm, welcoming glow.
I loved it.
There were also three open doors along the walls that led to bedrooms. Each was decorated in a similar sparse manner as the living room.
“Looks like me and you are sharing a room,” I said to Mira.
“The three of you will each have your own room,” Carrie said stiffly. “We’d never allow such valued guests to share.”
“But there are four of us,” Mira said.
“There are three women.” Carrie raised her chin. “The boy will stay in the men’s chamber.”
“I will not.” Ethan stepped forward, and the specks of orange around his pupils glowed. “I’m the twins’ protector. I need to remain as close to them as possible at all times.”
“The twins are well protected in Utopia,” she said. “You should be grateful that the queen is allowing you to stay here at all.”
“A bit of extra safety never hurt anyone,” he said. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“It’s against protocol. However, you’re free to take the matter up with the queen when we take you to see her.”
“And when will that be?”
“Today.” She glanced at me and Mira. “After they’re prepared for what to expect.”
He nodded, apparently understanding what she meant. “Great. I will.”
Mira rested her hand on his arm, but he didn’t move or look at her.
Tanya clicked the door shut and walked to the center of the room. “Before we introduce you to the queen, I believe we have a conversation to continue.” She motioned to the sofa and armchair. “Please, sit. Harper and Alice—bring over the chairs from the table so there are enough seats for all of us.”
The girls did as instructed, and the four witches sat on the kitchen chairs. Ethan took the plush armchair, and Mom, Mira, and I made ourselves comfortable on the sofa.
Tanya motioned to the platter of food. “All our food is grown and produced in the kingdom,” she said. “Help yourselves.”
Ethan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I’m not hungry,” he said.
“Very well,” she said. “But I hope you’re able to work up an appetite before meeting the queen. It’s customary in all kingdoms to break bread before entering into an important discussion or deal.”
He nodded, although he made no move for the food.
But I was hungry, so I made myself a small cheese and meat sandwich. The bread was still warm, and it was delicious.
“You say the vampires here pose no threat, since they don’t drink witch blood,” my mom launched back into the previous conversation. “But I assume they must feed somehow.”
“Correct,” Carrie said. “Thus, we have the men’s chamber.”
I nearly choked on my sandwich, but I forced the bite down. “You keep the men here as sacrifices for the vampires?” I asked.
“Of course not.” Tanya chuckled. “It’s illegal for the vampires in Utopia to drain humans dry. They drink until they’re satiated, and no more.”
“And how do the men feel about their role as living blood banks?”
“They’re grateful,” she said. “All of
the human men in Utopia were rescued from dire living situations. They have a home here, and they’re taken care of for life. They want for nothing.”
“In exchange for being fed on by vampires,” my mom said darkly.
“The experience is pleasurable for everyone involved,” Tanya said with a small smirk. “And there’s no lack of women for our men to choose from. In fact, there’s no need for anyone to choose at all. The majority of us don’t mind sharing.”
Mom raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
“I’m interested in seeing the men’s chamber.” I wanted to see where Ethan would be living, so I’d know where to find him for any reason.
“Looking to have some fun during your time here?” Harper asked.
“No.” My cheeks warmed, and I looked down at the half-eaten sandwich in my hands. “Nothing like that.”
“Oookay.” She didn’t sound like she believed me. “Maybe you’ll change your mind after you meet them. Our recruiters only select the most attractive men.”
Ethan sat straighter and glared at her. “Gemma and Mira can’t afford any distractions.”
“I thought you were their protector,” she said. “Not their keeper.”
“I’m here to help them learn how to use their magic. To do that, they need to stay focused.”
“I think they can decide what keeps them focused.” She smirked, clearly baiting him, but he stared her down until she looked away.
Tanya looked back and forth between Harper and Ethan, amused. Then she looked to me and Mira. “There are clothes for you in your wardrobes,” she said. “Rosella passed along your sizes. You’ll need to change so you blend in. Then we’ll get Ethan situated in the men’s chamber, and take the four of you to meet Queen Elizabeth.”
12
Gemma
The animal skin skirt and top were surprisingly comfortable. So were the shoes. They reminded me of moccasins, and they were lined with wool.
Mira hated the clothes, but I didn’t mind them.
The Dragon Twins (Dark World: The Dragon Twins Book 1) Page 5