The Dark Storm
Page 28
“So you mean to say that both worlds occupy the same place, but on different levels?” De Mona asked. Her father had spoken of Midland, but he’d always made it seem like it no longer existed.
“In a way,” Morgan confirmed. “The earth is one world of many, but it has different layers.”
“Kinda like those Grams biscuits at the supermarket,” Jackson offered.
Morgan shook his head. “Not quite, but my leather-clad friend isn’t far off with his assessment. Midland is everywhere, yet nowhere all at the same time. It hovers between the two planes like a layer of protective skin, keeping the realms of men and demons from colliding. As a boy, my father used to tell me tales of great magicians who could walk between both worlds as simply as walking through a door, but days of magic that potent have long passed. The most conventional way to cross into Midland now is through the rips.”
“So why don’t we just roll up on one of these rips and cross into Midland?” De Mona asked.
“If only it were that simple,” Morgan said. “With the passing of time and the evolution of technology, there are fewer and fewer rips. The only ones that have withstood the changing of the world are the ones which lead to the last Kingdoms of Midland, and even those are fraught with danger unless you are a member of that particular court. One such rip is the gateway to the Iron Mountain.”
“Then why don’t we have him lead us to the rip to find my grandfather?” Gabriel suggested, pointing at Gilchrest. The goblin tried to mumble something that sounded less than friendly.
“The little one would surely be helpful in gaining access to the Iron Mountains, but it’s navigating the bloody place and the things that dwell there that chill my blood,” Morgan said honestly.
“What if we went in through one of the other pockets?” Rogue suggested.
“What are you getting at, Rogue?” Lydia asked. Until then, she had just been listening and trying to comfort Finnious.
“We need to get to the Iron Mountain, but we may not have to use that pocket to cross into Midland. I’ve got a buddy I can reach out to who owes me a favor.”
Asha tossed him her cell phone. “Be my guest.” To her surprise Rogue wrapped her phone in shadow and crushed it. “Hey, do you know how much I paid for that thing?”
“It’s a small price to pay for your life. Titus has got everybody from street dealers to politicians on his payroll. If somebody’s tracking the cell phone signal, then using it is like painting a bull’s-eye on your forehead,” he said, brushing the rubble from his hands. “Besides, the person I plan to contact won’t talk over the phone and I can’t reach him until after sundown.”
“Rogue, I know you ain’t about to call in no vamps for help,” Jackson said in disgust. He had a special hatred for vampires because of what they’d done to him.
Rogue smiled at him. “Vampires aren’t the only things that go bump in the night.”