"Where are you off to, Gabe?"
"Several of the Chosen are dead. Holden thinks those responsible are renegade chayot working with other magical creatures, including the Hunter, Christopher, and even the witches. Holden wants me to take my father's place as leader. I'm going to destroy Christopher-make him pay for what he's done to Snow. Besides, there's nothing I can do here."
"Oh, son. I know it's hard, but we've got to-"
"Don't bother. I've got work to do."
"What about Snow? Did you want to say good-bye?"
"I've already said my good-byes. Now I'll avenge her."
"Why are you treating her like she's dead? Her heart still beats. Her chest still rises and falls."
"Don't wait up."
Chapter 6
The sound of roaring water came from somewhere within the building, and grew louder the higher we went. When the guards, Ryden and I reached the top I understood the noise. A large waterfall raged, causing mist to churn and swirl. It clung to my fur, and slicked off my wings. A chill saturated the air.
Directly in front of us was a rounded landing dangling by six silver chords. Veb climbed on, and beckoned me to follow. I stifled a sigh, knowing if the bottom fell out from under me I could use my wings to escape. Still, I held the slick crystal rail encircling the landing, hoping to steady my nerves.
Slowly, like molting lava, the landing moved, pulling us closer and closer to the waterfall. When it looked like the raging would soak us, a circular piece of ceiling, just larger than the landing appeared, diverting the water around us.
At once we were swallowed in darkness. I was thankful my eyes easily adjusted to the dark, but I knew Ryden wasn't as lucky. Her tiny fingers clung tighter to my neck.
"So dark. It's like we've been buried," she whispered.
After several moments, I was about to say something.
Veb must've sensed my uncertainty. "We will arrive innnnnn-"
The landing clanged softy, and the water parted like a curtain.
"Now."
We stepped into a wonderland. I was too shocked to say anything. Clear blue sky shone so perfectly, I wondered if it was real. Trees bearing the most beautiful, luscious-looking fruit, in different colors, abounded. Their fragrance had my mouth watering. Surprised, I took a step toward the nearest tree, clasping a lime colored fruit in my fingers. Its texture was soft and smelled like blood, my favorite blood. That of my Hunter's-Gabriel.
How was that possible?
Overwhelmed, my eyes tore through the sumptuous garden, searching for an answer. Birds sang from dense branches. Their feathers all the shades of the rainbow, their tails nearly touching the ground. Animals great and small-the unicorn and the gremlin, the lion and the lamb, the eagle and the mouse-frolicked together.
"Where are we?" I asked, unable to help myself.
"This is my home."
I swung in the direction of his voice. Devoran walked toward me, his hands spread out on either side of him in welcome. He wore a crisp white shirt with embroidered white buttons, and matching white pants. Silk, white slippers adorned his feet. His long silver hair was pulled back and secured, with long pointy sticks, in a bun. He appeared relaxed, his features kind. He smiled. His almond-shaped eyes, the color of a cloudy sky, crinkled in mirth.
"Devoran?" I said, but didn't move. My eyes told me that was who walked toward me, but my mind struggled to believe.
"Welcome, Silindra. I've been expecting you."
I remained immobile. Everything about the way Devoran acted went against all I'd known of him over the last millennium. That concerned me. Why was he different? Was this a trick? Had the phantoms caught hold of my mind, and this was all a hallucination?
It couldn't be, I thought, discreetly pinching myself. The air smelled so intoxicating I almost decided I didn't care. With a shrug, I plucked a fruit from the tree and sank my teeth into it before I changed my mind. The fleshy fruit tasted exactly like Gabriel's blood.
"What is this?" I asked, too startled to follow decorum.
"Amonie fruit. Do you like it?"