the new missus and the Lore court standing in their way." She rolled her eyes, then smiled. "I promise I'll answer all your questions about your sister later."
Sensing that was more than I could even dream of only recently, I nodded and mouthed a thank you.
"Wait here," Cass continued. "I'll be right back. Just need to give a few instructions before your big adventure begins, otherwise this lot is lost without me."
I stared after her as she returned to the house, her pace bouncing, her hair swaying as though she had more energy than she could ever utilize. It was strange seeing her on such a high when only a few hours ago she looked pale and fatigued.
"It's weird, isn't it?" Thrain asked.
I nodded, turning to regard him. "You said she took longer this time."
"Yes." A sparkle of worry appeared in his eyes. "She's a reaper now with the kiss of death on her back. Soon, it might claim her forever unless—" He took a deep breath and smiled.
"Unless I help her," I finished for him. He didn't respond, which was fine by me. He didn't need to say it. "What is it she wants me to do?"
"I don't know, Sofia. My job was to find out your whereabouts. Everything else is just a huge question mark. I doubt even Cass knows what you're actually supposed to do."
"It's a huge deal, isn't it? And failure isn't an option," I whispered. His green gaze enveloped me, drawing me closer to him. I wished he would just wrap his arms around me to tell me everything would turn out all right. But he didn't. Instead, his eyes seemed to caress me as they brushed over my face. They seemed to talk to me, tell me of something I didn't know. That we were too different and yet we were meant to meet, meant to experience this adventure of a lifetime together. I shook my head at the strange thoughts in my mind, wondering why I was interpreting so much into beautiful eyes and a warm gaze. Obviously, we liked each other, but I had liked a few guys before him. The only thing out of the ordinary was that he wasn't human.
A strong breeze scattered the leaves on the ground. I picked one up and held it between my thumb and middle finger, rubbing the frail surface, marveling at how thick it seemed. Ever since moving to New York, I realized I had been growing out of tune with nature. City life wasn't me. This display of untouched nature was what I envisioned for myself, where I wanted to live. Yet I knew I couldn't have it for a few more years, until I made it as a musician and could settle down wherever my heart would take me. I dared a glance toward Thrain, wondering where his heart might be.
"Yo, ready to go?" Cass yelled from the door, startling me. I nodded and took a step forward, confused. The others seemed to just move to places, something they called 'teleporting.' Cass was something entirely else though. I had yet to see what she could do. For a moment, I pictured huge wings sprouting out of the back of her sweater, then a wink and she'd be motioning Thrain and me to hold on for dear life as she flew us over the Scottish Lowlands, past England and France, toward the Swiss Alps. Grinning at my own stupid thoughts, I pushed the ridiculous image out of my head.
"You couldn't possibly think any girl in her right mind would ever do that wearing a skirt. I'm not keen on putting my cream pie on display, you know." Cass pulled out her phone. I thought she needed to make a phone call or something, until she started punching on the keys like a maniac and the air began to crackle. My eyes widened, though I wished they wouldn't because I probably made a complete fool of myself.
Cass pointed at the air, grinning. "Please, step right through."
"Through where?" I asked.
"Give me your hand."
I grabbed her outstretched palm and took a tentative step forward. The air crackled some more as Cass's left side disappeared. She looked as though she had been cut in half, which freaked me out.
"It's a portal," I muttered, feeling even more stupid because I should have known if people could teleport from one place to another, they sure could open portals to take them to places. Cass walked through and I followed