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this way before, alone and in the dark, which impressed the hell out of me
since the snowbound stillness of the woods was enough to spook even me. I
preferred the dark glare of the city streets at night to the wilds here
Earthside. There was more control, more ability to predict what was going
down. Rooftops were easy to scale, and I never felt like the buildings were
watching me.
Camille led the way. We moved silently, any sound we made muffled by the thick
cloak of snow. The moon shone through the parted clouds, the edge of her full,
round beauty slowly being eaten by the dark gods. During the black of the moon
was the time in which the dead preferred to prowl. The Moon Mother owned the
Hunt and witches like my sister, but the Dark Mother watched over those of us
who had passed; the icicles of the Crone mirrored in the reflection of
Grandmother Coyote's steel teeth.
We came to the portal, and Grandmother Coyote, who was there, silently stood
aside to let us pass. As we. stepped through the shimmering web of magic that
stretched across the standing stones, I wondered what we'd discover in
Aladril. And would it be enough to help us find and destroy Dredge, before he
created a panic that would sweep the human community and stir up a violent
hatred against all things supernatural?
CHAPTER 12
I'd forgotten that the lack of neon and electricity made for darker nights in
Otherworld, with a clearer view of the stars. The world seemed far larger and
bigger than over Earthside, and it shocked me to realize just how used to my
adopted home I was becoming.
Earlier in the day, Camille had sent a message through the Whispering Mirror
that we were on our way, and Trenyth was waiting for us. He brushed aside
pleasantries.
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"Her Majesty sends her regrets she won't be able to meet with you tonight. Do
not go to Y'Elestrial, no matter the temptation." He bustled us toward a road
near the barrow in which the first portal rested. "Follow me. I don't have a
lot of time, so I won't be able to go all the way to Aladril with you, but you
may return this way to go home again."
Everything about Otherworld was different from the feel of the air to the
energy coiled within the ground. As we stepped out of the portal, it was as if
the entire world had come to life and was aware of our presence.
Earthside, I'd gotten used to the muted sense of awareness and actually had
developed a taste for it. When my senses were hyped to every noise, every
smell, every pulse that walked by, it was nice for a change not to be
inundated by the natural energies of the elements, too. But here that
aliveness was still a glowing, living entity that permeated the essence of our
homeland.
A look of bliss spread across Camille's face. "Oh, it's so good to be home.
I've missed this."
Morio gawked at the panorama of stars. "I've never seen the stars so
clearly not even on the slopes of Mount Fuji." He took a step closer to
Camille and she dropped her head back and sucked in a deep breath.
"It's quite the sight, isn't it?" she said. "I wish we could show you
Y'Elestrial. Our home is incredibly beautiful."
"We need to hurry," Trenyth said, motioning to us. "I wish we had time to
tarry, but we don't."
I touched Camille on the arm.
She let out a long, tremorous sigh and her shoulders drooped. "I'm coming, I'm
coming."
I swung in behind her and Trillian, next to Morio, and we continued on another
quarter mile until we came to an ancient oak that must have been a good six
hundred or seven hundred years old. The tree rose into the night, a dark
silhouette framed by a faint glow. The branches spread over the path, draped
with oak moss and ivy. Spiderwebs stretched between limbs, and the spiders
within watched us with careful precision, their jointed legs crooking in the
air when we got too close.
Camille let out a low gasp. "This oak must be ancient."
"I've never felt this much power from a tree before," Morio said. "Or maybe I
have, but not this much& connection."
"The woodlands here are more connected to those of us who walk the magical
path," Camille said. "Earthside, the forests are wild and unpredictable. They
keep to themselves and harbor their secrets, darkly. Here the power of the
forests is stronger, and allows us an easier communion. Though the forests
don't like everyone, of course. There are those who enter the woodlands, never
to emerge."
Morio nodded, staring up at the ancient behemoth, a rapt expression on his
face. "I think I understand."
"We grew the oak around the portal," Trenyth said. "I remember when we planted
the acorn. The moment you walk through the door, you'll enter the portal. May
the gods be with you." He motioned to the guard on duty, who opened the door
and stood back.
Trillian stepped to one side. "Here's where I must leave you. I'll return
Earthside as soon as possible. Be safe." He turned to Camille and held out his
arms. She silently walked into his embrace and their lips met. They looked
perfectly matched. He loved her, and she loved him. In their own ways, they
were as good as married, though I knew they would never wed. When she stepped
away, Camille's eyes shimmered with tears.
"Every time you head out, I worry that you won't return. You make sure you
keep your butt alive, you hear me?"
He held her hands in his. "These are dark times. I can't make any guarantee,
but I'll always come back if there's a way."
"Walk under the Moon Mother's protection." She reached up and brushed his long
silver mane back from his face. "You are mine. You belong to me."
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Frost-colored eyes flashing, he merely inclined his head, then turned and
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