by Lynette Noni
“This place is just too much,” she mumbled under her breath, moving back into the room.
Zaylin had remained as still as a statue near the door while Alex had quickly explored her surroundings, the Tia Auran’s face a mask of midnight stone. All of the other helpers had seemed at least a little warm to their human counterparts, but Zaylin was as unyielding as traesos towards Alex.
Clearing her throat, Alex decided to try and break the ice between them. “You’re Zaylin, right? I’m Alex.”
When Zaylin didn’t so much as blink, Alex tried again, “I know Calivere said you can’t understand me, but, um, well…”
Alex realised there was no point trying to converse if Zaylin couldn’t comprehend what was being said. Instead, she tried something else.
Slowly approaching the woman, Alex pointed to herself and said, “Alex.” She then pointed towards Zaylin and said her name, before doing it again, back and forth a few times until it was impossible for the Tia Auran not to have understood.
Zaylin’s response, however, was unexpected, with her replying in the lyrical language of her race, the words coming out almost bitingly. “I knew who you were before you ever set eyes on me, Alex. I also know you are nothing more than a lost cause sent here on a fool’s errand. You will fail your people, and when you do, you’ll have only yourself to blame. Forgive me if I don’t relish having to bear witness to such an end.”
With a flash of light, Zaylin disappeared, and it was a good thing she did, because Alex wouldn’t have been able to hide her stunned expression a moment longer. She wasn’t supposed to be able to understand the otherworldly language, so Zaylin had no way of knowing her words were not only comprehended, but also taken to heart.
Feeling hollow, Alex moved stiffly to the bed, sinking down into its impossibly soft covers. Curling up into a ball, she wrapped her arms around herself, unable to fight off the shivers that started to overtake her body. She was numb inside—numb with fear of what the next six days might bring, numb with worry for her friends in Tia Auras with her, numb with concern for those back in Medora.
Unless Athora had shared, no one knew where Alex was or what she was doing. Her teachers and friends at Akarnae were likely continuing on with classes as usual, trying to act normal while watching the growing threat shadowing closer in the background. Kyia and Zain were likely watching over Roka and keeping him and those remaining in Draekora safe from Aven. And Alex’s parents…
Her heart gave a pang of longing, knowing that her parents were likely still exploring their Ancient Egyptian environment, oblivious to what had befallen her, to the danger swirling outside of their Library habitat. Having grown up as independent as she had, it was rare for Alex to be so overwhelmed with need for her parents, but right now, she would give anything for her mother’s loving arms, for her father’s encouraging words. Her parents might not have been around for much of her life, so focused as they were on their work, but they had always been there when it mattered. She knew that if they were with her, they would do everything in their power to relieve her of the crushing burden she felt and her fears of what she was yet to face.
Six days. Alex was so afraid of what she would return home to. Because that’s what Medora was to her now—it was her home. And she was fighting so hard to keep it safe. Fighting so hard for something that might end up proving impossible.
‘You will fail your people, and when you do, you’ll have only yourself to blame.’
With Zaylin’s barbed words replaying over and over, Alex’s numbness finally gave way to exhaustion as everything from the last few days caught up with her. She didn’t have it in her to so much as change out of her white gown before her eyes shut of their own accord, her trembling eased and she drifted off into a restless sleep.
Five
The mood at the breakfast table the next morning was subdued.
Alex wondered if her friends had slept as poorly as she, but was too nervous to ask; too nervous to say anything much at all.
Having been awoken by a rough shake of her shoulder by the grim-faced Zaylin, Alex hadn’t tried to start conversing with the Tia Auran again. She’d just followed mutely into her private bathroom and eased herself into the warm bath, attempting to wash away her lingering exhaustion. Despite how long she’d slept, she remained so tired that even her bones ached, making her wonder if she might be coming down with some kind of otherworldly flu. That would certainly be her luck. She only wished she could access some of Fletcher’s quick-fix medicines—or the doctor himself, since he would know what she needed in order to feel better.
But Fletcher wasn’t with her, so she had to make do, the bath having at least been refreshing enough to help her feel somewhat human again.
After donning a fluffy white robe that was as soft as butter against her skin, she had been ushered into the communal living area only to find her friends already waiting. D.C. wore a similar robe, but the boys were all fully dressed, their attire having been alarming enough for Alex to do a stutter step on her way to the breakfast table.
No longer in the pure white colours of yesterday, Jordan, Bear, Kaiden and Declan wore black from head to toe. The design and material reminded Alex worryingly of Meyarin fighting gear, only instead of Myrox threading through the leather-like armour, there were hints of gold. Not enough to make the boys look like they were bedazzled, but just the right amount to make them all look like royalty. Warrior royalty.
The question of why they would need to be so deliberately dressed made it difficult for Alex to stomach the buffet breakfast. But despite her trepidation making everything taste like cardboard, she knew she would require energy for whatever they were about to face, so she forced herself to eat a moderately sized meal before pushing her plate away.
As Alex stood again to follow the stone-faced Zaylin back to her room, D.C. reached for her hand.
“It’s going to be fine,” D.C. whispered. “Don’t lose hope before we’ve even begun.”
Alex wished she could be so confident. Fear, grief, doubt— how could she maintain any kind of hope in the face of everything she’d so far seen? In the face of what Zaylin had said last night—words that were still repeating in her head, in her heart?
But, looking around at her friends, she didn’t see any of those thoughts on their faces, not even on Bear’s. They were all nervous, she could tell, but they were also determined. And like D.C., their eyes were clear and full of hope, like they truly believed in a positive outcome.
Alex had never given up before, not even when all the odds were stacked against her. Now was not the time for her to start. It didn’t matter what Zaylin had said—the Tia Auran didn’t know the first thing about Alex or what she’d overcome to get to where she was. And she wasn’t finished yet—she still had a mission to complete, and she was damn well going to do it.
As resolve settled over her, Alex shook off her negative thoughts. She refused to go down without a fight—even if part of that fight meant she was battling her own mind. She would get through the next six days. She would pass the Tia Auran’s Gates of Testing. She and her friends would return safely to Medora with an otherworldly army who would help defeat Aven. Then she would have the rest of her life to figure out what came next.
With a mental nod to drive her optimism home, Alex looked down at D.C. still seated at the table and squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Dix,” she whispered, before looking at the rest of her friends and mustering up a small smile for them all. It was as if they all breathed a sigh of relief, their tense bodies visibly relaxing at the sight. “See you all in a few.”
And with another small smile, she turned and strode towards her room, not allowing any troubled thoughts to occupy her mind. Even Zaylin’s icy features couldn’t sway her resolution.
Alex had been tested before, and she’d always survived. The next six days would be no different.
She would make sure of it.
“I feel like Wonder Woman,” Alex grumbled half an hour later when
she reunited with D.C. in the common area. Thankfully, the boys were still in their bedrooms, which was a relief since she wasn’t sure how she would manage to keep the blush off her face otherwise, not with the Amazonian warrior-like dress she was wearing.
“I don’t know who that is,” D.C. said, tugging at the short hem of her own ridiculous outfit, “but these skirts are rather… lacking.”
That was one word for it. Borderline indecent was the phrase that came to Alex’s mind.
Like the boys, D.C. and Alex were both dressed in black with threaded gold highlights; however, the most coverage the girls had were the sturdy leather lace-up boots that went almost to their knees. With a tight waistline, low neckline and skirt that barely reached mid-thigh, Alex genuinely considered re-donning her dressing gown and remaining in it for the rest of the day. It, at least, covered everything that needed covering.
“We better not have to do anything physical while wearing these,” Alex said, also tugging on her skirt with one hand, while using the other to try and pull up the bodice. The leathery material was surprisingly comfortable and flexible enough to make it perfect for fluid movement, but it refused to stretch in the places she wanted it to.
“If we do, everyone watching will get an eyeful,” D.C. agreed, giving up on her own attempt at modesty to slump on the couch that had materialised near the piles of cushions overnight.
“I’m not sure anyone would mind, to be honest.”
Alex swung around at Jordan’s amused voice to find him walking towards them, his eyes roving over D.C.’s outfit. Behind him followed the rest of the boys, all of whom were trying much more valiantly to hide their humour as they took in what Alex and D.C. were wearing.
“Gotta say, I love this getup, Dix,” Jordan teased, pulling her up from the couch so he could get a better look. “We’ll have to ask if you can bring this home with you.”
D.C.’s face flamed but she rolled her eyes and said, “Sure. I’ll introduce you to my parents while wearing it, shall I?”
Jordan chuckled, unafraid. “I’ve already met your parents. At your birthday party, remember?”
“Just my dad,” D.C. corrected. “And I meant, as I introduce you to them as my boyfriend. I could even tell them you picked this dress out for me specifically, if you want?”
Alex had to bite her cheek to keep from laughing at the look on Jordan’s face, unsure if he was more worried about the outfit threat or the king and queen learning of their relationship status. She should have felt compassion, especially after having had her own unintentional ‘meet the parents’ experience with Kaiden, but it was too entertaining to watch Jordan freeze as panic overwhelmed him.
“Now that we have that sorted,” D.C. said cheerfully as she leaned forward to kiss him, “no more comments about our clothes. Got it?”
Jordan made a gurgled sound of agreement.
D.C. glanced at the rest of the boys. “That goes for all of you.”
Declan raised his hands. “We didn’t say anything.”
“And you won’t,” D.C. said warningly. “Even though it’s clear you want to.”
They were still trying to hide their grins—even Bear, who was in better spirits today, determined to do as he’d said yesterday and honour his father with his own actions—but Alex couldn’t blame them. The dresses she and D.C. wore were embarrassing on so many levels.
“Feeling any better?” Kaiden asked quietly as he walked over to Alex. His eyes remained squarely on her face and not… elsewhere… and for that, she was grateful.
“Much, thank you. Sorry about this morning,” she replied, tugging lightly at her skirt again, this time more just to fidget than anything else, since she knew it wasn’t going to miraculously lengthen any time soon. “I was having a bit of a Debbie Downer moment.”
Kaiden cocked his head to the side. “Freyan colloquialism?”
Alex blinked, realising what she’d said, then laughed quietly. “Yeah. It means—”
“I think I’ve got it,” he said, lips curling with amusement. “And no one can blame you for having doubts. Your fears are justified.”
“Maybe so,” Alex said. “But I still shouldn’t have been so freaked, not when you’re all being so great about everything. I just—something happened with my helper last night and it shook me up a bit.”
Kaiden’s expression became concerned. “What happened?”
Alex was quick to dispel his worry. “She said some stuff that upset me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m over it now.” Or at least, trying to be.
He moved forward until he was all she could see, like they were the only two people in the world, and quietly asked, “What did she say to you, Alex?”
Hypnotised by his gentle tone and caring eyes, Alex answered automatically. “She said this is a lost cause—that I’m going to fail everyone, and I’ll only have myself to blame.” She swallowed. “She didn’t realise I could understand her. And now I can’t help assuming all the other Tia Aurans are thinking the same.”
Kaiden closed his eyes, knowing just how much Zaylin’s words must have affected Alex. He knew everything about her—more even than D.C., Jordan and Bear, since none of them knew the entirety of what had happened during her time spent in the past, including her friendship with Niyx and the loss she was dealing with. Kaiden alone was aware of all that Alex had faced in such a short period of time, and therefore knew Zaylin’s attack would have hurt beyond words.
As if in response to her own pain, Kaiden moved even closer and pressed a quick, soft kiss to her forehead.
Her breath stuttered audibly, and when he moved back again, she was certain he could see the heat touching her cheeks. But all he did was look directly into her eyes and say, “Prove them wrong.”
Prove them wrong.
Those three words resonated deep within Alex’s soul.
Unable to respond past the lump in her throat, she offered a firm nod of agreement, which caused Kaiden to smile proudly before he stepped away and turned to those gathered around them.
Suddenly remembering that they weren’t alone, Alex took in the curious faces of Declan, Bear, D.C. and Jordan. But she thankfully didn’t have to explain what had just occurred quietly between her and Kaiden because a flash of light swept the six of them from the room.
After blinking away stars, Alex looked around at their new surroundings and felt her stomach tighten.
Having arrived in the middle of a massive gold stadium surrounded by nothing but clouds, the area upon which Alex and her friends stood was perfectly circular and centred in between tiered seating that enclosed the space. Another thin layer of clouds bordered the circle, creating a gap between the stage and the seats that made the stadium seem larger than it already was. The entire setup was like some kind of fantasy gladiatorial arena—but with an otherworldly feel to it, rather than an Ancient Rome vibe. That was likely because it was still as ostentatiously sparkly as everything in Tia Auras.
“That’s not something you see every day,” Bear said, sounding awed.
Alex nodded, but when she glanced over at him, she found his head tilted back and his focus upwards.
Following his gaze, Alex discovered three fiery arches high above their heads, floating mid-air as if attached to invisible strings.
“The Gates of Testing,” Declan mused, looking up as well. “I hope we don’t have to learn how to fly through them in order to prove ourselves.”
Alex was hoping right along with him.
Another flash of light, this one much more intense than any of the others Alex had yet experienced, and suddenly the stadium was filled with Tia Aurans. There had to be thousands upon thousands of them in the stands, causing Alex’s stomach to tighten even further. Her pulse beat loudly in her ears, but it wasn’t enough to cover the noise of the crowd, the sound of the masses overpowering her senses.
“Oh, boy,” D.C. said, her voice trembling. “This is something else.”
She could say that again. Alex hadn’t known w
hat to expect with the Tu’eh Saeron ess Telari, but she hadn’t been counting on such a large audience.
One final flash of light, and the three Tia Auran leaders appeared—Empress Saefii and Calivere both seated on thrones that had the best view overlooking the stadium, and Tayros materialising on the circular platform.
The dark-haired advisor held a box in his hands that he opened as he stepped closer. Inside were six pairs of identical golden wrist cuffs, beautifully crafted pieces with swirled engravings and—
“You guys have a thing about mixing diamonds and gold together, don’t you?” Jordan observed, pulling one pair from the box at Tayros’s gesture.
“What you refer to are neither gold nor diamond,” Tayros said, “but rather a precious metal and stone native only to our world. They cannot be replicated in such a pure form elsewhere.”
Jordan just blinked at him. “Okay. Well, whatever it is, you seem to really like using it.”
“It is a symbol of our supremacy—of our strength, of our power. Of our dominance.”
“If you say so,” Jordan said, snorting lightly as he slid the cuff onto his wrist. “Personally, I think it’s a bit excessi—”
Alex shoved her foot down onto his before he could finish his sentence, and he broke off with a curse, glaring at her in question. He had been too busy fiddling with the cuff to notice Tayros’s darkening expression, but she hadn’t missed it. The last thing they needed before doing whatever they were about to do was to offend one of the Tia Auran rulers.
Reading the warning in her look, Jordan turned back to Tayros, realising his mistake. “Uh, excessively underdone,” he quickly tried to cover. “I think you should use more of it. Every chance you get. It’s so… shiny.”
Alex felt like smacking a hand to her forehead, at least until it appeared that Jordan’s blundering attempt appeased Tayros. Apparently the Tia Aurans weren’t skilled at recognising mortal sarcasm, to her relief.