Page 27 of Rock Bottom
At least that way we could watch each other’s backs.
Kirsten popped back in — she was starting to remind me of a magical Uber — and she zapped us to a room with massive windows overlooking a huge courtyard.
“These are magical windows,” she explained. “You can see out, but no one can see in. They don’t open. There’s only one way in or out, and guards are posted right outside your door to keep you safe. You aren’t prisoners here, but I’m keeping you isolated for your protection.”
Right. Isolated. In a place called Alfheim. After a dragon ride.
I hadn’t asked to ride the dragon in time, so now I blurted out, “You let me listen to all that so I’d know about Julian?”
“Officially, no,” she said gently, “but Julian’s wanted to tell you and wasn’t able, so it’s good you were brought along to keep you safe. It’s important you understand Julian wanted to tell you from the beginning, but Marco told him to wait and see how Micca’s campaign went before deciding how to proceed. I hope you aren’t angry with him for following orders.”
I stared at her, my throat tight. “I don’t know what I am. Or how I feel. It’s…a lot. I guess I need to talk to him before I figure that out.”
I took a breath. “At first, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to see him again, but the more I think about it…” I shrugged helplessly. “He hasn’t hurt me. I trust him, and that means I need to talk to him before I can decide anything. Do you know how old he is?”
“I have a rough idea,” Kirsten said, “but I think it’s best if he answers that himself.”
She turned to Mikey. “I know some things Silver likes to eat, but I don’t know your preferences. Anything special I should have them bring? I assume you aren’t vegetarian?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Burgers and beer works for me. Steaks, buffalo chicken, ribs, barbecue.”
Kirsten’s mouth curved. “We can handle that without a problem. It’s fine for you to eat and drink here, and I’ll have food brought up shortly. You’ll find water and glasses near the door. If you need anything, there’s a pull cord with a bell on the left side of the door. Just pull it, and someone will come.”
When she was gone, I looked at Mikey and whispered, “Tell me you’re also low-key wondering if this is all a shared psychotic break.”
He nodded solemnly. “Oh, absolutely.”
Chapter 9
Silver
When she was gone, I stood at the window and watched the people in the courtyard. Odd hairstyles, odd clothing. Many were super-tall and thin, some were short and squat. Some looked human, others didn’t even look close.
They brought us a feast, and Mikey and I ate our fill. Steaks, potatoes, and savory vegetables I couldn’t define, but they were good. Also, some sweet treats, different from food at home, but similar.
And then we watched the people in the courtyard more. A group standing close to us were especially tall and thin. All had long hair and long faces. Attractive, but certainly not human.
“So, elves?” I asked Mikey. “Elves on Alfheim? Elf and Alf aren’t far apart.”
“I thought elves were in Fairie,” he said.
“Maybe elves are here and pixies are in Fairie? I don’t know.”
Later, a band set up on stage, and I wished we could hear them. We could see everything happening in the courtyard, but couldn’t hear a thing.
The stringed instruments were different than ours, and there were no microphones. This world didn’t seem to use electricity, so it wasn’t surprising.
While we were watching the band, someone knocked and then came into our room. One of the vampires from earlier.
“I am Josef,” he said. “Kirsten should be here momentarily. The oath was explained to you earlier, but I’m going to explain it again. Once you take it, you won’t be able to share any of our secrets. If you choose not to take it, I’ll rewrite your memories, so you’ll remember going from the band’s home to a safehouse via a Drake Security SUV. You won’t remember Kirsten teleporting into the theater, your time in Alfheim, shapeshifters, vampires, or anything else.”
“No, I want to take it,” I told him.
“Me too,” Mikey agreed.
Kirsten knocked and walked in, and Josef told her, “They both wish to take the oath.”
She nodded and met my gaze. “There’s no right or wrong answer. I could argue for and against either decision.”
