Page 6 of Magic and Muffins

“Soundproofed?” Anchor asked.

Cross nodded.

“Why is soundproofing needed for this conversation?” Vena asked as she sat with Anchor on the couch.

“Otherworlder origins aren’t as peaceful as current human history says they were.”

I went to sit in a chair, but Cross caught me around the waist, stole my seat, and settled me onto his lap. When I gave him a look, he returned a subtle, sexy smile. I rolled my eyes and snuggled in as Vena dialed Miles’ number and placed the call on speaker.

“If you’re going to tell me not to look into it, I don’t want to hear it, Vena,” Miles said instead of a greeting.

He didn’t sound like himself. He sounded tired and sad—on the verge of tears.

Vena and I shared a look. No matter how she felt about the book, her brother needed some closure for his own sanity.

“Miles, it’s Cross,” Cross said. “You’re on speaker. Vena mentioned your interest in the book, and I thought you might like to understand more about its purpose before reviewing its contents.”

“I’m listening.”

“The book documents some of the earliest encounters humans had with otherworlders. Its significance is not in the stories but in the locations where those stories take place.”

“What do you mean?” Vena asked.

“The fae have been visiting humans for a very long time, even before humans thought of writing about them. In ancient times, the fae were often revered for their abilities. However, as humans evolved and understood more, they saw the threat in the fae. They also realized the fae weren’t of their world.”

What Cross was saying struck a chord in me. We called the fae, dwarves, vampires, werewolves, and every other creature an otherworlder. Why? People whispered that they were not of our world, but they’d dwelled among us for centuries, hidden in the shadows, too afraid to step forward because they were different.

“So, where are they from?” I asked.

“A world connected to this one. A world where humans lose all sense of time and self in pursuit of simple pleasures.”

“And the book?” Miles said.

“The book and corresponding map are clues where to find the portals to that world.”

I barely heard Miles swear under his breath.

“A page at the end of the book depicts four gems,” Cross continued. “Gems found by the dwarves and enhanced by the fae. They hold the power to reopen the portals that were closed by a mutually agreed upon treaty to prevent humans from being taken to the fae realm.

“Each race had its reasons to agree. The vampires needed the humans for the food. The werewolves needed them for mates.

“Orphia, the woman I ran from centuries ago, wants the rings to reopen the portals to the fae realm. The reason for preventing access to the fae world hasn’t changed. Opening the portals would cause chaos and fear during a time when relations between the races and the humans is growing into something truly harmonious.”

“Except for with the vampires,” I said.

“Precisely,” Cross said. “I believe she wants to turn everything back to the chaotic times when all the races were equally shunned and the humans lived in fear of everything. A time when vampires could feed and kill without fear of consequence.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound good,” Vena said.

“Not good at all,” Cross agreed.

“Thank you for telling me,” Miles said.

“If that’s what the book is about, then how is it connected to our grandparents’ disappearance?” Vena asked. “They wouldn’t have been part of anything that would throw the world into chaos.”

“I’m going to talk to Mom and Dad,” Miles said. “If our grandparents were out in the field because of that book, it means they had help from our parents. You know Mom and Dad did all the research for Grandma and Grandpa.”

I wondered how much their parents already knew and weren’t saying.

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