Chapter 43
Dylan watched as Carina approached everyone in the house, whispering to them. The fire in his mother’s eyes at her words. His mamaw’s arched eyebrow.
He had just stepped out of the bathroom when she approached him, her voice a hissing whisper. “It is time for us to eat supper. Follow me.”
He chuckled softly and shook his head, following her outside and down the path he knew went toward the gate. As they approached the foot of the hill, Carina turned down a path he hadn’t noticed before. Freshly cleared brush lined the side of the path. It wasn’t new. He thought it was as ancient as the path to the gate. He followed Carina until it reached a small clearing, sheltered under the massive arch of the tree canopy. A stone table sat at its center, and everyone he cared about was sitting around it, and a few pizzas sat in the center. He took the remaining seat next to Gabriel. Carina approached slowly, her steps almost reverent. She traces the edge of the table with her fingers. “Dylan, did you know this was here? Was it referenced in any of the materials left by the gatekeepers?”
Dylan shrugged. “I didn’t know. I’ve not read everything.” He looked at his grandmother. “Did you see anything about it?”
She shook her head. “No. I would’ve remembered something like this. What is it? I mean, I know it’s a table, but you’re acting like it’s something to be worshipped.”
Carina smiled softly. “I would not go that far. But it is something ancient. Few have seen it. Prior to the outbreak of the last war, it has not seen use in a millennium.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “In your time?”
She nodded, and Dylan blinked rapidly, trying to comprehend the math in his head. Johnny had been here for over twenty years, and she had suggested it was much less than a year through the gate. “What was it used for?”
She pulled out a large leather tome and looked to Johnny. “Do you know?”
He shook his head. “No. I didn’t know anything about it until you sent me out to look for it. I’ve never heard of it. What’s the deal with it?”
She nodded, setting the book down on the table. “According to this, the world we stand in was created as a place to settle disputes. Ancient magic runs deep under the ground, magic from every other world. We are all connected to this one place. The royal families of every world infused their blood into the oaths taken here. The people of this world, whether they can touch the magic or not, are all descended from that royal blood.”
Gabriel gaped at her. “So, you’re saying humanity is like a merging of the people from all of the worlds connected by the gates? But that doesn’t make sense.”
Dylan’s mamaw chuckled. “Doesn’t it though? Think back to Sunday school. I was never a fan of church, but couldn’t the Garden of Eden story fit into this rather nicely, if not slightly bastardized?”
Merrin rolled her eyes and scoffed. “America is the Garden of Eden?”
She shrugged. “I said the story was probably bastardized. Continue Carina.”
Carina furrowed her brow. “Perhaps not as much as you would think. This book calls this place Adan. I think that sounds quite a bit like your Eden . But it is referencing this entire plane of existence. Not just where we stand now.”
Gabriel cocked his head. “I don’t get it. A group of interdimensional royal magic users created the earth as what, a place to have binding arbitration between the worlds?”
Carina chuckled. “That is a decent assessment. But it goes beyond that. The magic here has slept for a long time. The Coates tapped into it some, as did the Tiresian line, but overall, it does not appear they fully awakened it.” She flipped to a specific page, pointing to the beautifully illuminated script. “And I think I know why. According to this, the laws governing Adan strictly prohibit killing your adversary when here. It is unclear what the punishment would be, but it specifically says that Adan will punish anyone who comes through the gate and sheds the blood of those seeking peace. ”
Merrin narrowed her eyes. “That bastard killed my Anthony, and Adan didn’t do shit. How can we trust that book? What exactly are you suggesting we do?”
Dylan chuckled as his mamaw cast a piercing gaze in her direction before grabbing a slice of pizza. “I think we need to eat and hear her out. I think I know where she’s going with this. If I’m right, my only concern is that it’s not tested.”
Carina bowed in her direction. “Thank you. According to this, any royal house member can summon any other royal house member to the negotiations. I propose you summon the Vurdalan king to sue for peace.”
Merrin growled. “What makes you think that will work?”
Carina shrugged. “Johnny does not know the history of this place. The Vurdalans are not known for their study of history. We can assume they do not know what the rules are, and I would say safely so because of the prince’s actions against Dylan’s father. And if they try to attack you, then it would be over for them.”
Dylan cleared his throat. “Mom. I saw dad earlier today. He told me that Carina had found answers and that the guy in the cellar was the key to stopping all of this.” He paused, jerking his head up. “Carina. Since the Vurdalan prince has killed already, could that be used against them?”
She smiled softly. “I think that would probably be the case, but I cannot say for certain.”
Dylan grabbed a slice of pizza. “Tell us everything. We need to discuss this. Every single detail of what we need to do. Is there any way for them to figure out what you took or even what it was about? I know they were after you when we pulled you back.”
Carina laughed and took her own slice of pizza. “Not a chance.” She looked down. “There is something else I learned.” She looked at Johnny, and Dylan thought for the briefest moment he saw a tear in her eye. “You will not like it, but I believe it will help us.”