Portals (13 page)

“I will return in a few moments and then we will leave directly for Phaete,” he said, his voice the same deep velvet it was in his human form. That was something that still rather surprised me. “I’ll be moving quickly, so you must be ready to follow, as soon as we have moved through the portal.”

He made sure he had enough room and began to open another portal. He stepped through, but was gone for only a few moments. When he returned he was followed by two daemons carrying Sarah Grant. She was in human form, but obviously still under the same spell that kept her immobilized. He quickly moved over to the portal to Phaete and passed through.

Right behind Jones and the Grant trio, came two more groups of three. Each group contained two daemons carrying one seemingly human immobile captive. The two “human” men were actually the two daemons who had been in attendance on Sarah Grant. I wondered what had happened to the two real humans who had worked for her. Although maybe I was better off not knowing.

All three groups lost no time in ascending the steps and going through the portal after Dhavenbahtek. My group was up next. Aela and her warriors led the way. Sloane and Reo were in front of us. To my side, Thulu gripped my hand. Stuart stood nearby dressed in comfortable hiking clothes. That was the first time I’d seen him out of his dark suits. It wasn’t a big enough distraction, though. My heart was thundering so hard, I was afraid it was going to beat its way right out of my chest.

Thulu and I took the steps to the platform together. My backpack felt like it weighed a ton. As soon as Reo and Sloane disappeared into the portal, Thulu and I made our approach. Still holding hands, we stepped through together.

My trip through reminded me of the first time I’d gone through a portal. I tasted butterscotch and smelled orange blossoms. The swirling colors around me flashed with bright colors. Tastes and scents quickly came and went, leaving me with a kaleidoscope of sensory overload.

Time telescoped for me and seconds seemed like years between one step and the next. But then I was through, my hand still firmly grasped in Thulu’s. And for the first time, I took a breath on an alien world.

My first impression was that I’d become turned around in the portal and returned to Earth. The room I was in was identical to the one I’d just left.

However, seeing the dozen or so daemons stationed around the perimeter of the room, I realized that we had indeed traveled to Phaete. Their wings were furled and they gave little reaction to our arrival.

The air smelled quite different from Earth. It held scents I couldn’t identify. Not unpleasant, but jarring because I didn’t recognize them. The nearest I could come is that it smelled like I was in an exotic spice shop where cooking was taking place in a back room. There was almost, but not quite, a burned smell underneath.

Thulu’s tug on my hand reminded me to keep moving. We made our way down the platform. I could feel tension in the air, but wasn’t sure what caused it.

The expressions on the faces of the daemons seemed grim, but since my experience with daemons in their natural form was really limited, I wasn’t sure if that meant anything.

Grant was under even stricter guard, with the addition of two daemons to the two already attending her. Each of her cohorts also gained an extra guard. The immobility spells were still in place. And each of the frozen, human looking figures was carried easily by two of the daemon guards.

Dhavenbahtek motioned us to come forward and join him. He exchanged a few brief words with the daemon I assumed was in charge of the portal sanctum. Their voices were too low for me to catch what they said.

The other daemon’s skin was a rich chocolate and his wings and hair were bright copper. His gaze was focused on the portal, and he ignored the rest of us. I guessed his Mama hadn’t taught him any manners.

We waited as the Light Ones began to file into the room. The tension ratcheted up even higher as the daemons in the room reacted to the presence of their ancient enemies. The room slowly filled, until the last of the Light Ones had stepped through the portal.

The atmosphere changed as Belus and Aurelia made their appearance. Apparently even daemons respected them.

The copper daemon addressed Dhavenbahtek in his own language, but my ability to translate worked just fine.

“You will all follow me now.” He turned and headed for the door, followed by Dhavenbahtek and the guards around Grant and the other two captives.

Aurelia and Belus remained to guard the rear. Strange, but that was how I thought of it. That the elves were guarding us, but that’s exactly what it felt like.

I exchanged a nervous glance with Thulu as we followed Reo and Sloane. When we passed one of the Phaete daemons, he acknowledged Sloane, with a short dip of his head. Interesting. And reassuring.

We moved up another broad staircase much like the one on Earth, except on this side of the portal the scale was far larger to accommodate daemons, who easily topped eight feet.  Climbing those stairs worked some muscles I didn’t know I had, and I felt the strain as we neared the top.

The chamber we entered was far different from its counterpart on Earth. The designs on the walls were elaborate and elegant. In a way it reminded me of ancient Egyptian art, only more refined, more detailed, more realistic. And the scale continued to remain huge.

Daemons lined the broad hallway in what had to be a palace. Highly polished white marble, heavily veined with gold, made up the floor. We went along the side of a wide room, with high, thick columns embossed with swirls of gold. The ceiling was high above and flashed bright jewels of color.

Our escort’s long strides made the smaller races, including humans, have to hustle to keep up. Poor Romeo and Juliet were practically running. That annoyed me, and I said to hell with it and slowed to a more comfortable pace. Thulu realized what I was doing and matched my pace.

When those in front realized we’d slowed down, they stopped momentarily. When the procession started up again, it was at a much slower pace. One that even the goblins could keep up with.

Eventually, we were led to an enormous audience chamber. Although “chamber” doesn’t begin to cover the scale of that room. Sound echoed off the white marble as we entered through doors that you could’ve driven trucks through. The walls went up over five stories and the oval room was easily as large as two football fields, set side by side.

Gigantic, open ledges and platforms studded the walls, a testament to creatures who flew. Seeing them made me wonder why they had needed stairs below, but I had a feeling that they hadn’t been built for the daemons, in spite of the scale.

Some of the ledges held elaborate furniture, all of it backless to accommodate beings with wings. The closer we got to the end of the room, the more elaborate the furniture was on the ledges. Fabric, wood and metal gleamed throughout the room. The walls between the ledges were made of a material I couldn’t identify. I thought it might be metal, but wasn’t sure.

At the far end of the room, tall, broad steps led up to a platform, which held several very large, elaborate backless chairs. Similar in style to chairs I’d seen from ancient Egypt, the largest was obviously a throne. The chair mimicked a dragon with the head and tail curving up to serve as the arms. It appeared to be made of gold and the dragon was the same one I’d seen on the relics.

Three smaller chairs also carried the dragon motif. A large tapestry behind the throne depicted a dragon standing on its hind legs, with wings outstretched. It looked as if it was about to take off in flight.

As we moved along the enormous room, daemons began to fly in and settle on the various ledges. The Dark Ones, as they were also known, came in a variety of colors. Their hair and wings varied from bright jewel-like colors to darker hues. The sound of rustling wings grew louder, and there were errant breezes as the large, powerful beings flew above us. The chamber carried the same scents from below, only stronger.

As we progressed, we received many curious looks. We were definitely the focus of attention, something that wasn’t very welcome to me.

The glances directed at the Light Ones were probably even less welcome, though. The nicest reactions they received were glances of disdainful indifference. There was also open animosity coming from the gathering Dark Ones.

Our path continued to be lined by daemon guards, and I began to wonder if they were there for our protection or to keep us from escaping. I could feel the tension in the room and judging by the set of Reo’s shoulders, so could he.

More than a few uneasy, sideways glances were exchanged by our group. Thulu held my hand firmly as I chanced a look behind me.

The angels had guts, I’ll give them that. My quick glance had shown me that they were proceeding quietly and sedately, with heads held high. Even the children, walking close to their parents, sensed the seriousness of the situation and copied the adults’ behavior.

I caught Mihren’s eye and gave him a slight smile and nod of encouragement. If I was uneasy, I couldn’t imagine what those people felt, walking into the presence of so many of their ancient enemies. Enemies they had tried to kill in another time.

It seemed to take forever to cross the long room, but the copper daemon and Dhavenbahtek finally stopped before the thrones.

Eventually, our group was arranged in front, with the Light Ones in back of us. I caught glimpses of Aurelia and Belus, maintaining their guard on our rear. Grant and her two cohorts were in front to my left, still guarded, still immobile. Aela’s warriors fanned out to the perimeter of our group.

I was beginning to wonder if we had made a very serious mistake in coming here. The tension in the room continued to mount.

As I looked around I saw that the spectator ledges were packed full, daemon wings kept close to their bodies. I guessed we were pretty good entertainment for them. I caught snatches of conversation in the language I’ve heard Jones use now and then. I was happy to have the ability I did because I could understand the fragments of their speech that I could hear.

All conversation ceased as a low gong reverberated around the room. Attention shifted to a set of tall doors to the right of the throne dais. The room grew very still as the doors opened and a procession of daemons entered the room. They proceeded to arrange themselves on the thrones.

The central throne was occupied by a Dark One with coal black hair and wings. His dark skin gleamed in the light. He wore tight, dark blue leather leggings and black boots. The room was hushed, as once more the gong sounded.

The low sound faded from the room and the King, Emperor or whatever he was looked at Dhavenbahtek and spoke one word.

“Brother.”

The room was perfectly still, and I’m sure my surprise showed on my face. Thulu looked at me and tilted his head toward mine. Reo had eased back to stand on my other side and took my other hand. It was easier for him to read my mind that way. Very quietly and under my breath, I translated the word.

My attention immediately went to Dhavenbahtek. I wasn’t familiar enough with daemon expressions to read the one on Dhavenbahtek’s face. Or his brother’s for that matter.

Dhavenbahtek inclined his head toward his brother.

“My Lord and Supreme Commander Lhukharocet, I thank you for your generosity in sharing your presence with us.”

“Do you indeed, Dhavenbahtek?” the king said quietly, with what I suspected was a slight smile. “We invite you to enlighten us as to why you have stayed away these many years. Your own presence has been missed.”

Dhavenbahtek shook his head. “I can offer no excuse that will make up for missing your magnificence.”

Lhukharocet gave a very human sigh. “Enough of this.” He looked around the room at his people. I got the impression he was tempted to dismiss them, but thought better of it. He made eye contact in turn, with Belus, Aurelia and Sloane.

“It has been a very long time since the elves have graced this court. I bid you welcome to Phaete.”

They acknowledged his greeting with a nod.

He looked around at the rest of us and nodded graciously, but his eyes lit up slightly when he saw Aela.

“And a princess of Fairie. It is an honor to have a warrior such as yourself visit us. I have heard of your prowess, your highness. Be welcome.”

Aela flew to the foot of the platform where she gave an elaborate bow before returning to her spot.

The goblins were next to get his attention and he graciously welcomed them as well, before turning to Thulu, Reo and me.

“You are the humans who assisted my brother recently, are you not?”

I looked at Thulu and Reo, as I translated. Thulu bowed, as did Reo. I copied them.

“We had that honor,” said Thulu in English.

“We thank you for your service,” Lhukharocet responded in heavily accented English, his tone neutrally polite.

His attention next fell on Sarah Grant, who was still in her human form.

“Why have you bound your mate?” he continued once again in his own language.

“She is no longer my mate, your magnificence. I set her aside many centuries ago,” answered Dhavenbahtek tightly.

“Ah, yes, so you did. Yet, she followed you to the human world. I thought perhaps you had reconciled.”

“No reconciliation is possible with madness.”

Lhukharocet rested his arms on the sides of his throne. “Madness? Please release the spell and explain this.”

Dhavenbahtek nodded at the daemons on either side of Sarah Grant, who grasped her arms. Within seconds, her mobility returned and she took a look around. Realizing where she was, she seemed to relax a little. I found that bothersome.

Dhavenbahtek gave a terse, short explanation of what had happened with the kidnapping of the two children, her delight in extreme pain and her subsequent attack on him. He recounted the conversation the two of them had in the basement in Chicago. He offered Sloane, Thulu, Reo and me as witnesses, but the king waved that away.

When Dhavenbahtek was done, Lhukharocet turned to Grant. “I do not agree with you that war and revenge should be our course of action. Dhavenbahtek has defeated Gabriel, as he swore he would do. For this, he has the gratitude of our people. Dhavenbahtek has accused you of attacking him. While he may consider the other actions crimes, we do not, no matter how regrettable they might be. However, threatening and attacking a member of the royal family carries with it a sentence of death.”

“I am a member of the royal family, as well.”

“You
were
, but are no longer. You lost that protection when my brother set you aside. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”