The Veil (4 page)

He is really concerned. Things must be pretty bad over here,
I thought.

“Wow, what’s that over there?” asked Mikey.

My brother was pointing at a colossal structure in the distance that dwarfed all the buildings around it. Two sets of what looked like glass steps entwined around each other, looking like the DNA strand of some magnificent deity. The steps converged onto a flat plate, which emitted a brilliant blue glow and was ringed by freestanding columns. Something bulky sat on the top of the pillars, but I was way too far away to make out the details.

That thing has got to be over two thousand feet high, at least.

“That is the Tower of Ascension,” answered Aegis, straightening up in his seat. “It’s where the Seelian Council of Elders meet when there is something of importance to discuss. The distance from everything gives their minds the clarity they need when searching for answers.” He gestured towards Gabriella. “Also, as I mentioned earlier, it’s where Huntmaster De Luca and whomever else they summon for council will be heading tomorrow.”

The guards maneuvered the Valoons into an offshoot of the waterway, where a dock made from what looked like frosted glass was set into the wall. The gondolas came to a rest in a row, bobbing about in the water, and the guards threw ropes over glass mooring poles. The area we had arrived in was more tropical than futuristic, with an open stone courtyard leading into a series of tall rock walls that were topped with Corlia trees. I could hear the shushing sound of waterfalls nearby. Three Asrai wearing tiny, Asian-style gold and purple dresses were hovering just on the embankment, palms pressed together as if in prayer and wearing sweet smiles.

The Highwarden climbed out of the boat and offered a hand out to Gabriella. She took it graciously, but rolled her eyes at me when he wasn’t looking. “This is the Homestead District,” he said once we were all on dry land. The city doesn’t get a large number of visitors these days, so the staff will keep you well attended. Anything you need, simply ask.” He turned to Iralia, who was winking at the three Asrai while fixing her hair. The Asrai gave nervous smiles in return. “As much as it pains me to say this, Guardian Desquien, I cannot permit you to stay here with your fellow Guardians.”

Iralia’s eyes widened in confusion. Gabriella frowned at Aegis. “I don’t understand. You just said that you don’t get many visitors. Are you short of space?”

“We aren’t, no.” He cleared his throat. “Huntmaster De Luca, as much as I would like to, I am terribly afraid that I cannot permit Guardian Desquien to walk freely on the streets of Fenodara.” As soon as he had spoken the words, his guards started to fall in around the Succubus. There were a series of indignant sounds from the team, including me.

“Now now, boys, one at a time,” Iralia said with a mischievous grin, but it was obvious she was unnerved.

A cloud passed over Gabriella’s face and her friendly attitude vanished in an instant. “This is absolutely unacceptable, Highwarden. Iralia is a trusted Guardian of the Alliance!”

“She is also an Umbra,” said Aegis flatly. “In case you had forgotten, Huntmaster, we are at war with the Umbra. It would not be good for the citizens to see one of them wandering around a Luminar city unattended on a night designed for celebration, regardless of her allegiances. And no doubt it would not be good for her either.”

Gabriella’s jaw clenched together, and I watched her hands coil into fists.

She’s pissed.

“Highwarden, I am part Succubus. Are you going to restrict my liberties too?” she said through clenched teeth.

Aegis awkwardly cleared his throat. “I…wasn’t aware of that.” He paused for a moment. “No, that shan’t be necessary. You are the Huntmaster of this group and your appearance is that of a human. Only Iralia need come with us.”

His words fell away and were met with thick silence. Gabriella glared at him, her jaw set and eyes narrowed. The tension in the air was palpable – it was amazing how quickly we had gone from pleasantries to hostility. Aegis placed his helmet back over his head, almost as if it could deflect the atmosphere. “Please do not worry, Huntmaster. I promise that Guardian Desquien will be kept safe in her guarded quarters, as well as being afforded every luxury we can spare.”

“Except her freedom,” I muttered.

Aegis stiffened at my comment. Gabriella went to say something else, but Iralia raised a placating hand.

“Guys, don’t worry, it’s okay. Besides I’m quite tired. Who knew that travelling across worlds could be so knackering?” She gave an unconvincing smile. “I’ll just go with these nice chaps and probably turn in for the evening. I’ll catch up with you all tomorrow.”

Gabriella flicked her head around. “Iralia, you are a Guardian of the Alliance. You don’t have to go anywhere.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind. Really.”

“Iralia…”

“Gabriella, It’s
fine
.”

Her stalwart expression faltered. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.”

Gabriella seemed to consider things for a moment, and then she gave a slow nod. “All right.” She turned to face the Highwarden. “But if I discover anything has happened to my Guardian under your care, I will be holding you
personally
responsible. Do I make myself clear?”

“Abundantly.” The Highwarden gestured towards the waiting Asrai. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must prepare for this evening’s festival. Your Homesteads are ready and waiting for the rest of you. As I said, feel free to explore the city once you have settled.” He averted his gaze. “Do you still wish to dine with me this evening?”

There was a bloated pause. “We will see you there, Highwarden,” Gabriella said finally, her voice absent of all warmth.

Guess we’re back off first name terms then,
I thought.

He gave a nod. “Very good.” And with that the Highwarden turned on his heel and marched away, his wardens ushering Iralia into one of the Valoons. The gondolier unlatched the rope and pushed the boat away from the dock. In a matter of moments they had all disappeared from view, taking Iralia to some unknown place.

“Well that was awkward,” said Danny, staring at the spot where the boats had been.

“If she so much as has a bad night’s sleep, that prick is getting a faceful of Fury,” said Troy, patting his giant hammer. “To hell with behaving.”

“He has got a point, though,” said Grey. “I mean, she is the enemy. No, I mean…she’s not actually the enemy, but she does
look
like the enemy.”

“Shut up, Grey,” said Gabriella.

“Will do, Huntmaster.”

“That goes for everyone. I don’t like what just happened at all, but this is their city and we have to respect their rules.”

Everyone reluctantly agreed.

The sound of something tiny clearing its throat broke the silence, and I saw that one of the Asrai had floated closer, a sweet smile still on her face. “Welcome, Guardians. I am Freya.” She gestured to the other two Asrai. “This is Gilly and Viven. Please follow us to your homesteads.” With their wide smiles, the tiny luminar spun around and began to float away on their dragonfly wings.

As we followed after the Asrai, I felt the knot in my stomach tighten.

2

Alex

The beauty of Fenodara had temporarily distracted me from the fact that Pandemonia was a world locked in a deadly war. And with war came propaganda and persecution. Aegis Caria’s hostile treatment towards Iralia had been a rude awakening. As we followed the swooping Asrai through the courtyard, I vowed not to underestimate this world again.

The atmosphere remained tense as we passed through a series of rock tunnels decorated with sweet-smelling flowers and rich tapestries, which gave the area a homey vibe. The light from the twin suns poured through the gaps on both sides, making the area bright and humid. A sheen of sweat clung to my forehead, and I wiped it with the back of my hand. All I wanted to do was tear off my gear and dive into a pool of cold water to wash off the stress, and I could tell that next to me, Gabriella was thinking something similar. However, her face was as stony as it had been since Aegis Caria had taken Iralia away, as was everyone else’s. The dense silence of Orion spoke volumes.

Sophia was walking by herself at the back of the group, quietly whispering to Midnight. The Familiar had returned to her shoulder soon after we had climbed into the Valoon and was now cooing softly as his companion reached up and stroked his downy feathers.

The rocky passage opened out onto a stunning lake, ringed by glimmering quartz rocks and filled with turquoise water. A myriad of waterfalls spilled down between the rocks from differing heights, providing the area with a soothing baseline. Spread out across the lake was a web of raised wooden walkways, which led to dozens of squat, domed buildings. Each of the pods was constructed from an impressive mix of shimmering metal and canvas – like the lovechild of a yurt and a miniature observatory. Several porthole windows were placed around the sides and small chimneys in the centres puffed out trails of smoke.

Mikey appeared next to me, his silver eyes shimmering with awe. “This is crazy, bro. I still can’t get my head around the fact that this place even exists.”

“Not exactly what I expected either, given what we know about Pandemonia,” I admitted.

“The most beautiful things are often the most deadly,” said Scarlett from just behind us.

Mikey turned and gave a grin. “Must be why you scare me to death, then.” The two Bloodlings gave each other a smile.

“You all have your own homestead,” said Freya, twirling around so that she was facing us. “And all of your relevant belongings are already waiting for you.” Next to her, Viven pulled out an electrical unit from a pocket in her dress, which looked like a miniscule version of a Biomote. She squinted down at the display. “Um, so which of you are Troy Campbell, Hollie White and Daniel Jackson?”

“That’s us,” said Danny. He and Hollie had been staring at fish over the railings. They pushed away and walked over.

A nearby Troy gave a lopsided grin to the Asrai. “And me.”

“Fantastic. Please follow me.”

“Shall we come back out and find you guys when we know where we are?” asked Hollie.

Gabriella shook her head. “No. Don’t worry, go ahead and get settled. We’ll all meet back here in half an hour.”

Danny gave a nod and the three Guardians peeled off down a path leading to the far left side of the lake. The rest of the group continued along the main walkway, which lead us right into the middle of the lake. From the corner of my eye, I saw a school of iridescent fish with multiple fins skip along the surface of the water like pebbles.

The path split into two, and Gilly retrieved her own display unit from a little apron pouch on her front. She gave a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile whilst gesturing a hand at the right-hand path and scanning the display out the corner of her eye. “I need Paul Garrison, Michael Wilson, Scarlett Reid and Delagio...um…unknown last name to follow me.”

Delagio took off his hat and gave his trademark grin coupled with a wink. “Delagio Unknown Last Name at your service, lil’ one,” he said in his southern drawl. The Asrai gave an involuntary giggle and then led the foursome down the boardwalk towards a cluster of the little homesteads, Delagio’s winkle-picker boots making a series of loud clomps on the wood as he went.

Freya checked her electronic unit and gave a polite bow. “So that leaves Alexander Eden, Sophia Winters, Huntmaster Gabriella De Luca and Aranvai Valdenia.” She paused for a second and then looked up at Aran. “Oh wow, it says you’re an Urisk. I’ve never met one of your kind.”

The Luminar had her arms folded behind her back. “That is because it is uncustomary for Urisks to associate with any species beyond their own. Aran is a rare exception to that rule.”

“Oh I’m sorry…I thought
you
were Aran.”

“The Asrai is correct.”

“Which Asrai?”

“Freya.”

“I’m Freya.”

“Aran is aware.”

“Um, right…okay,” said Freya, looking utterly confused. “Well anyway, please follow me. Your homesteads are just down here.” The Asrai gestured for us to follow her down a final collection of walkways. She stopped outside the entrance to each pod, which was fronted by a wooden door that opened by a circular handle similar to a ship’s wheel. Sophia entered into hers first without a word, and then after a bit more confusion, Aran went into hers.  Soon only Gabriella and I were left.

“Here you are, Alexander,” Freya said, stopping by a homestead at the far end of the lake. “I hope you enjoy the room.” She turned her attention to Gabriella. “Now if you’d like to follow me, Huntmaster De Luca, you’re in the Apex Suite at the end.”

“Come see me in a bit,” said Gabriella, brushing a hand against my arm.

“Sure.”

I pressed my palm against the scanner next to the door as the others had done. An electronic voice came from somewhere within.

Welcome to your homestead, Guardian Eden.

There was a click and the wheel shifted slightly as it unlocked. I turned the handle, and the door opened with ease. Stepping over the threshold, I was met with a blanket of cool air and the scent of wildflowers. Inside, the circular room was the epitome of luxury. Deceptively large, it was one giant pool of water, separated into sections by four wide wooden platforms that joined together in the middle like the spokes of a wheel. A bubbling spa bath sat on a platform to the immediate right, followed by a bed that was an exotic twist of gold and hanging sheets, and a screened-off area that I figured was the bathroom. A chimenea-style fireplace stood in the centre of everything, its golden flames crackling and casting an inviting glow over the room.

I walked around the platform spokes until I reached the bed, admiring the ceiling as I moved, which was the equivalent of looking at the galaxy through the Hubble telescope – a mass of what appeared to be stars shimmered above me – but it was clearly just Fae magic at work. My bag was sitting next to the bed, waiting for me as promised. I unzipped it and pulled out my trusty sword, sliding it out of its black holster. The blade winked red in the light that poured through a nearby porthole window. I’d redubbed it Crimson because after its counterpart had been shattered and reforged into the Blood Brothers, it was no longer part of a twin set. I slotted Crimson back into the sheath and hung it by its holster from a metal weave on the bedframe, before taking off my jacket and sitting down on the edge of the bed – which was soft and comfortable. For a while I stared into the crackling fire and tried to get a handle on my erratic thoughts.

I’m in another world.

I had seen and done so many things since becoming a Chosen and joining the Alliance. I’d fought creatures that defied belief, conversed with a god and had to deal with my own brother becoming a Vampire. But all of those things had been the effect to Pandemonia’s cause – the results of a parallel world imposing its influence on my own. Nothing – not even the stories I’d been told – had prepared me for my arrival on the other side of the Veil. It was like having some distant dream materialize in front of you; it unfolded from something abstract into something you could literally reach out and touch.

I didn’t like it.

My soul feels unsettled...it really doesn’t want to be here.
There was that thought again. I wondered if it was how Pandemonians had felt when they had first been forced to flee through the Veil to Earth.
Do they still feel that way?

It was as if we had crossed some invisible point of no return. Although they were meant to be lighthearted, Scarlett’s words lingered in my mind. Fenodara was the beautiful adornment to the dark underbelly of the beast that was Pandemonia – the alluring pattern lining poison-tipped wings. I knew that beyond the walls of the city, the world was a dying, hideous place full of chaos and misery, and that thought scratched at the back of my mind. All I wanted to do was grab Gabriella and the rest of my friends and go home.

But I can’t leave. I’m here for a reason.

I stared down at the golden mark wrapped around my right arm – the purified version of the Mark of Sorrow. The darkness that had attached itself to me after I had destroyed The Sorrow had almost claimed my soul, twisting me into some evil version of myself. Luckily, I had managed to imprison it and take control, and afterwards I had emerged as some kind of walking weapon capable of incredible feats that dwarfed even the incredible powers of a Chosen. With my sudden evolution, for the first time in a long time the HASEA was a real force to be reckoned with – stronger than it had been in millennia and now a legitimate threat to Hades, and I knew that my leaders were planning to use me to end the Ageless War. But the power I now wielded was something still unknown – not even by me – and the unknown needed to be treated with caution. There was no telling how long I would stay in control, and what the impact to me would be in the long run.
After all, genuine power is the most dangerous thing in the world; it corrupts those who possess it and destroys those who desire it.

I unpacked the rest of my bag. The contrast of contents was almost amusing. Piled on top of a host of backup weapons and apotropes was a selection of clothes, toiletries and a pair of trainers. I scooped out the clothes and trainers, and carried them over to a curved wardrobe that stood one floor section over. Hanging over a few pairs of sandals in the wardrobe was a number of white linen shirts and trousers. Everything seemed to be my exact size.

After packing away my things, I pulled the clothes out of the wardrobe and set them down on the bed.  As I did, my mind drifted to the other reason I was here. The reason I had spent months trying to groom a team who would be willing to come over to a hellhole a world away from their homes.

I need to find my dad.
 

The bombshell that he hadn’t been killed in a hit and run had been hard enough to deal with. The aftershock that Peter Eden was a Chosen like me and still potentially alive – trapped inside a coliseum or one of the escaped who had formed part of the resistance – had floored me. At the moment I’d found out, I had vowed that if he
was
still alive, I would come to Pandemonia and bring him home. Being honest with myself, even though I knew it was selfish, that was what I cared about the most.
The impending interdimensional war can take a back seat until I know, one way or the other.

I checked behind the screen and discovered that it was a very normal-looking bathroom section, complete with a freestanding washbasin and a toilet. I splashed water on my face – relishing its fresh coolness – and then changed into the Fenodarian clothes. They were light and comfortable, and they fit perfectly. By the side of the bed was a small table with what looked like a glass credit card and a small map of the city sitting in a silver dish. I added my Biomote to the mix and scooped everything into a pouch pocket on the shirt and then put on the sandals – hopping forward as I tried to pull the backs of them over my heels – and left the homestead. 

I squinted as the beaming suns replaced the subdued lighting of the pod. As the door clicked shut behind me, I glanced around but couldn’t see any of the others. The whole area was quiet, apart from the rush of the distant waterfalls and the gentle lapping of the water against the walkway struts. I walked to the end of the raised path, glancing over the side and following more of the unusual fish as they sliced through the water like multicoloured knives. At the far end of the walkway stood a homestead twice the size of the others, with two additional sections connected to the central dome.

I knocked on the door and a minute later Gabriella opened it. She was wearing a beautiful white robe that hugged her figure and fell to her ankles. Her hair was tied in a ponytail that hung over one of her shoulders. She gave me a smile, and I felt my heart thud against my chest. It was amazing that after everything we’d been through together – all the things that could have torn us apart – she still had the ability to steal my breath.

“Hey you,” she said. “Come in.”

“Looks like someone got the premier suite,” I said as I followed her inside. Beyond containing oversized versions of the furniture from my room, the pod also had a completely separate lounge area, with sleek sofas and tables containing bowls of exotic fruit, and a section of glass flooring that looked down into the clear water below. I perched on the edge of the spa-like bath and dipped a hand inside. The water was the perfect temperature – warm, but not too hot. As the liquid swirled around my fingers, I felt myself relax, and the knot in my stomach once again started to unbind. Gabriella sat down in front of me and pressed her back against my chest, letting her head rest on my shoulder. I could feel the patches of her umbra skin throbbing against my chest, like miniature heartbeats.