I let out a sigh and followed the goblin as she went back to the lobby and up the stairs. We turned right and went down a set of wide hallways that turned and turned and then turned again. Occasionally, we passed lofts with comfy chairs and small tables, set where the hallways intersected. By the fifth turn and the third sitting area, I was definitely lost.
This place was huge. Beautiful, but endless.
Finally, Myg stopped in the middle of a long hallway and opened double wooden doors. “Please, come in.”
I walked in and like any other room in this hall, this bedroom took my breath away. It was a large rectangular room with a sitting area to the right, and the bed to the left. Vines and roots crawled up the walls, and the furniture was knotted wooden branches. The cushions and bedding were white and light blue, matching the curtains, which were half closed over the set of tall windows along the opposite wall.
“The bathroom and the closet are that way.” Myg gestured to a small archway on the left, past the four-poster bed. “There should be toiletries and clothes, but if anything is missing, you can press this button,”—she pointed to a small green button beside the door—“and I’ll come to assist you.” Her words were polite, but it sounded like a rehearsed script.
“Thank you,” I whispered, still feeling like I couldn’t process all of this. I walked to the window and looked out. I couldn’t see the rest of the building, just lots trees, some as tall as the window.
For some reason, it felt like this place was like Elysium—easily accessible by portals, but not really on Earth. A magical place, alive in another dimension.
“Supper is served in the family’s dining room at 5 o’clock,” Myg said.
I frowned. “And where is the fam?—”
The words died on my lips when I turned and didn’t see her there. The door was closed and the goblin was nowhere to be seen.
Apparently, when it was time for supper, I should probably leave the room early, because I was sure to get lost.
I glanced at my phone. There was no signal, as I expected, but the rest was still working, and the digital clock told me it was only two in the afternoon. Could I explore this place? No, I would probably get lost. What I could do, then? Rest? Check the bandage?
I walked through the archway and found the large closet filled with clothes—and guess what? Everything in here was my size. Gotta love magic—and the bathroom, with a long vanity, two sinks, a standing shower, and a clawfoot bathtub.
Knowing I needed to relax a little, I opted for a long bath in scalding hot water.
* * *
It took me longer than I would admit to redo my bandage and get dressed again after my delicious bath. It hurt a lot too, but thankfully the wound was healing well, thanks to Lacey’s magic, and I was able to put a smaller bandage on the front of my shoulder.
The cabinets underneath the bathroom sink had all I needed, including a first aid kit.
It was amazing.
For my clothes, I almost picked something I had brought over, but opted to check out the closet instead. I found nightgowns, graphics tees, suits, elegant gowns, and everything in between.
I picked black leggings, a boat-neck loose teal sweater, and put on my worn combat boots.
At four thirty, I left the room and turned left from where Myg and I had come before. I was sure my first turn was right, my second too, but on the third, I wasn’t sure anymore.
I knew this would happen and I couldn’t even call Lacey to come and find me, because phones didn’t work here. So, I just kept going, hoping to bump into someone or find a place I recognized.
I turned another corner and found myself in a wide corridor like the one downstairs with all the artifacts. Another gallery.
I slowed down, glancing side to side, taking in the items. Most of them meant nothing to me. A beautiful sword, a broken one, some sparkling jewels, a huge red ring, a silver comb, a heavy cross pendant, a large bow and a quiver with arrows, a piece of armor …
But what made me stop was a beautiful white and silver harp, taller than me. I walked into the gallery and rounded the harp. It looked so much like the one Adona had. She loved playing it whenever we had special events and fancy dinners.
I ran my fingers over the strings and sighed.
What I wouldn’t give to know what was going on back home. Was Adona safe? Was she plotting with Rhodes? Did she send him to retrieve the Scarlet Hex Blade and kill us all? But why? What was the end goal here?
I couldn’t begin to guess.
I felt impotent. I had gotten my wings; I was going to get my magic back somehow, but I was still in the dark, and that scared me.
“You’re lost.”