Page 62 of The Demon's Delight
It was with a pang of guilt that I mostly ignored the people who attempted to greet me, and it wasn’t until I was nearly past it that I remembered I was supposed to sign out where I’d left that note when I went topside the first time.
“Hi, Meg. I’m out for a few more days. Mission earthside, Keplar knows.”
“I warned you about checking in, didn’t I?””
“You did.”
“Worth it?” she asked.
“A million times.”
She smiled, all her sharp teeth starkly white against her deep-red skin. “Alright. I got you down. Have fun.”
“Thanks.” I finished my run to the portals, debating my options.
I had no idea where the closest one might be to our camp. The only one I knew of for sure was in the ruins, and I hadn’t even seen it while we were there. There might be one in or near Ravenglen, but I’d never been there. I could use Hailon’s face as a focal point, but if there wasn’t one near her, I might end up somewhere completely unfamiliar and take longer than necessary to get back to her.
The vast hall stretched out before me; the possibilities endless in the infinite doorways.
Then I smiled, realizing I could manage several things at once. I hurled myself toward a very familiar and reliable portal not all that far from where we’d camped, relatively speaking.
The portal turned me inside out and sideways, but I enjoyed every moment. I could travel again. I loved dreaming of the possibility that I could potentially bring her with me like this one day soon, take her to the fae realm to visit with King Ris. With me to Hell, even, to see my little apartment and the parts of it that weren’t actively participating in torture. I allowed myself to fantasize of a time where I could go everywhere, just as I always had, in the blink of an eye, only better. Because Hailon would be at my side.
My smile had returned with the daydreaming, and it widened as the portal dumped me out on the familiar grounds of the Collegium d’Arcan.
Chapter 28
Seir
Iwas able to walk right through the doors of the main building of my brother’s magic school, which honestly left me a bit concerned for the state of the school’s security. Not all that long ago, a fae had sifted himself past all the wards and stolen a priceless book directly out of a classroom. As I strode down the hall, I filed that away as something to periodically surprise test once things had settled down a bit. If nothing else, it was a surefire way to get under my brothers’ skin, which was one of my favorite things to do.
A quick peek in the dining room revealed the room was empty, though I could hear the clatter of dishes being washed back in the kitchen. The lingering smells from whatever delicious food had been served had my stomach rumbling. A real meal would not be amiss, particularly one of his head cook Grace’s, but I didn’t have the time.
I went straight for Vassago’s classroom next, the one the book had been taken from. I happened to get lucky and found both of my brothers and their wives ensconced there.
“Seir?” My sister-in-law Greta was the one to see me first, as she was standing at her worktable across the room and hada clear view of the door. I’d startled her, but she recovered beautifully, the vial in her hand not having spilled a single drop.
Everyone’s head turned to follow her stare, so I strode in, waving.
“Security is lacking at your school,Stolas.” I used my brother’s old name to further prod at him. He went by Rylan now, had for quite some time, but he’d started as Stolas ages ago and now used it as his surname.
“Clearly, if someone of your caliber just wandered in,” he shot back, grinning. “What brings you here?”
“Do any of you know much about nulls?” I asked.
“Hello, Seir. How are you? I’m lovely, thanks for asking. Just traveling through?” my brother Vassago teased, setting down his book. He rose from the armchair he’d been sitting in as I got close, tying his long hair up with one of his favored silver ribbons. As always, his silver and white clothing was posh and pristine. He pulled me in for a quick embrace, the thump of his hand on my shoulder a welcome familiar presence.
“Yes, hello to you too. I’m in a bit of a hurry I’m afraid. I don’t mean to be rude. What do we know about nulls?”
“Not much, except they’re exceedingly rare,” Rylan frowned, head tilted. He was the dark to Vassago’s light, his long hair loose and clothing black. “I’m assuming you’ve met one?”
“Yes, I believe I have.”
“Well, bringing them here is an option, though?—”
I shook my head. “We are operating under the assumption that she cancels out all magic near her, so I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“She?” Rylan’s wife, Calla, piped up, interested in this new development.
