Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
We entered the Supernatural Forces through their magical door, and on the other side, a long drab-looking hallway stretched before us, and one of their employees was waiting.
My eyes turned to saucers when I realized the SF employee was a Nolus fairy.
The male bowed. “Good afternoon, I’m Major Bavar Fieldstone, at your service.”
My gaze alighted on his fae-tipped ears, slightly glowing skin, and bright orange hair.
But he didn’t wear the vibrantly colored clothes one typically saw among the Nolus fae.
Instead, he wore clothing similar to Kole’s.
Black pants and a black top, but the material looked to all be connected, as though it was one piece, which wasn’t like Kole’s attire at all.
But at Bavar’s waist was a belt with a dagger strapped to it, and the weapon looked distinctly fae.
I cocked my head. “You’re a Nolus fairy working in this realm? And your last name is Fieldstone? Does that mean . . .” I was too shocked to continue.
He gave me a delighted grin. “Indeed. I’m also of a royal family, although I’m not in the direct bloodline to claim the Nolus throne. I’m King Fieldstone’s nephew.”
I grinned. “How wonderful! But how did you become a part of an organization in this realm?” I waved at the gray walls.
“That, Princess Primelle, is a very long and tedious story, but you’re correct that I spend my time between Earth and the fae lands.
Now, I’ve been told that time is of the essence, given the time differences between our two realms, so without further ado, I’ve arranged for you to meet with a gargoyle scholar in the Bulgarian Libraries right away.
His name is Nicholas Fitzpatrick, and like you, he is also a vampire. ”
Since neither Kole nor I knew where the Bulgarian Libraries were, Major Fieldstone offered to accompany us. But instead of mistphasing, he withdrew a tiny metallic key from his pocket that I was fascinated to learn was a portal key, something concocted by their magical beings.
I was glad the Nolus royal was willing to help transport us. Kole had been awake for several days in this universe as he tried to figure out a way to help me, and his fatigue was showing. Dark circles lined his eyes, and his magic felt taxed.
But I also knew Kole would carry on without complaint and spend several more days without sleep if needed.
I knew enough of the Imperial Council that it wasn’t just magic and combat skills that they sought in their warriors.
Mental resilience was required too. In a way, I wondered if the Imperial Council was that much different from this realm’s Supernatural Forces.
Major Fieldstone’s portal key transported us in a way that was similar to mistphasing but more jarring. However, it still wasn’t as awful as the realm crossing.
Once the tiny key’s magic dissipated, it crumbled into dust, and I turned slowly around, taking in our new surroundings.
We were in a hallway with black-and-white checkered tiling beneath our feet.
Windows lined one side of the hall, and the other held what appeared to be some kind of shop.
Scents of food and drink filled the air, and my vampiric senses sharpened, especially when I assessed the strange-looking city visible through the windows.
Wherever we were, it was nighttime, but this realm’s stars were less bright. There was also only one moon, and the various colors of the galaxy were missing. All in all, their night sky was similar to the hallway we’d just come from—rather drab.
But that wasn’t what truly commanded my attention.
Instead, it was the box-like carriages that moved without the help of domals along smooth streets outside, and the foreign creatures walking about it snagged my attention too.
The creatures appeared similar-looking to fae, but they didn’t have pointed ears.
“How strange,” I murmured to no one in particular.
“Ah, yes,” Bavar said with gusto. “It can take some time before one gets accustomed to the differences from this realm and ours, especially if it’s your first visit.
” He pointed to the end of the hallway. There appeared to be some kind of closet barred by a chain gate there.
“Follow me. The libraries are buried deep underground. We’ll need to use the elevator to get there. ”
Elevator? It was a term I wasn’t familiar with, but I kept my curious questions to myself.
Kole and I followed the major’s hurried steps to the strange gate that accordioned open. From there, we entered a cramped space that was like a small closet, and after Bavar closed the gate and hit a few buttons on a panel, the closet-like contraption began to descend.
Since neither Kole nor Bavar seemed concerned about that, I figured this elevator was functioning normally and likened it to the floating platforms in the fae lands that could transport fae from floor to floor at inns.
We traveled down, down, down, and finally, with a jolt, came to a stop.
Bavar opened the contraption again, and a long and dark hallway stretched before us. The ceiling soared high above, and a wave of magic brushed against me.
Bavar quickly gestured for us to get out of the elevator, and something inside me vibrated, my senses instantly going on high alert. Magic tingled within me, and somehow, I knew that another one of my kind was close.
No sooner had that realization hit me than a male vampire appeared before us.
My eyes widened. He looked to be around my age with blue eyes and blond hair that brushed the tops of his shoulders. Leather loafers, fitted slacks, and a crisp shirt with buttons up the front adorned his frame.
For a moment, all I could do was gape. I’d never met another vampire before, and my innate sexual urges began to warm. Mortification hit me, but if he sensed my arousal, he had good enough manners to hide it.
Instead, the vampire’s nostrils flared, scenting us no doubt, and then his lips lifted in a smile. Like me, his canines were retracted, but the tips of his looked just as sharp and deadly as mine.
Even though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but stare at him. His skin was also pale, and an undercurrent of sexual need clung to him.
Gods and goddesses, he’s just like me.
“Now, this is quite interesting,” he said in a smooth, cultured tone. His words held a strange accent with a cadence that I’d never heard before. “A fairy who’s been made into a vampire. I can’t say that’s something I’ve encountered often in my lifetime.”
Bavar grinned. “Or ever? I can’t recall meeting a fairy who’s been turned, but I’m glad to see that you’re right on time.
” The SF Major waved between the three of us.
“These are the two fae I was telling you about yesterday. This is Kole Swordwielder, the warrior who works for the Imperial Council on the Silten continent in the fae lands. He’s agreed to help our organization in the future in exchange for our assistance with this pressing matter.
And this is Princess Primelle Rose Everline Manafold, third daughter to the king and queen of Mistvale Kingdom on the Silten continent.
I’m afraid she was turned into a vampire against her will by a potion.
Tell me, have you ever heard of such a thing happening before from a potion? ”
Nicholas’s eyebrows rose. “You’re truly saying that someone was able to create a potion mimicking vampire venom? But no one’s ever been successful at it before.” His attention shifted to me. “And was this potion injected into your blood?”
“No, I drank it.”
Nicholas’s frown increased. “How odd. Vampire venom usually needs to enter the bloodstream to turn a human or supernatural.”
Human? But I figured it was another term I wasn’t familiar with and stuck to the matter at hand.
“We believe the potion was blessed with magic from Tenevris, the God of Night, the original creator of vamfeers that morphed into vampires under alterations made by Heleveer, the Goddess of Light. Perhaps it was the godly intervention that allowed such a potion to be drinkable.”
Nicholas’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. He looked between the three of us. “And where did you learn this fascinating theory about fae gods creating vampires?”
“We don’t believe it’s a theory,” Kole replied.
“Our own scholars in the fae lands have found it documented in our most ancient scrolls. The God of Night is the original creator of vamfeers, and the Goddess of Light is the original creator of vampires. Proven even more since a fairy in the fae lands discovered a way to contact the God of Night and have his assistance in potion making.”
Nicholas dipped his head, and it struck me that, unlike Bavar and Kole, he was as silent as me. No heartbeat. No breathing. And when he’d been listening to us, he’d stood entirely still as he contemplated everything.
Bavar clapped and grinned. “Lovely! Well, I can see I’m leaving you in good hands. Nicholas is very knowledgeable in all things related to vampires and research. And I really must return to headquarters. Nicholas will take it from here.”
Kole and I thanked Bavar for his time and help. But I kept wondering how much assistance Kole had promised the Supernatural Forces in exchange for their help in assisting me.
But I didn’t ask. That was something I could learn later. At the moment, the clock was ticking, and in all likelihood, we only had another hour, two or three if we were lucky, before we had to return home.
Bavar ascended in the rickety elevator, leaving us alone with Nicholas in the dark hall.
The gargoyle representative clasped his hands behind his back.
“We can begin today by me gathering as much information from you as possible so I can help you with your current predicament. Unfortunately, at the moment, all of the gargoyles are still sleeping since it’s nighttime, but the sun rises soon, and I can task several of them to work then.
” He gestured to the long hall. “Shall we?”