“Like the shifters?” I grinned as his lips thinned. “That’s an awfully long time to go without being challenged.”

“Indeed. There is no such democracy in the Realm, and the lack thereof is starting to be noticed.”

“Then a war is brewing.” I paused just before the magical fog.

“It seems that way, yes. And our goal is not to set it in motion.” He must’ve caught my staring. “As we walk through, keep your focus forward and don’t make eye contact with other beings.”

That was easier said than done. Not having spent much time in the Realm, I often saw creatures that surprised me with their appearance or their abilities. The first time I saw a faerie, for example, I gawked something awful and followed her around, staring. She was about a quarter my height, really super pretty, flying, and so closely resembled Tinker Bell from Peter Pan that I figured a magical person must’ve created that children’s story. She even shed a reddish sort of dust as she flew.

Another time, I made eye contact with a half-man, half-bull-looking dude. That pissed him off something fierce. He got the idea that we needed to fight it out. I was more than willing, of course. Because really, when didn’t I want to rumble? He started his charge, but when I started forward to meet him halfway, he lost interest at the last moment, content to huff at me and wander away. I didn’t know what his deal was, but it should’ve reminded me that it wasn’t polite to stare. The lesson hadn’t stuck, of course. I was the worst.

Darius likely knew that, and maybe it was a small part of his motivation for choosing a fast track, one of the magical paths in the realm that seriously shortened a person’s travel time. The land beside us flashed by even though we were walking. Cute little dwellings came and went, a large community off to the right. To the left were fields growing rows of a plant I didn’t recognize.

My stomach growled.

Almost there, Darius thought, picking up the pace.

“Can you feel my hunger or something?”

I heard it. Now you will dwell on it, and that will be painful.

He knew me too well.

It was night, but shadows still fell across the path, magically created, casting it into more darkness. The colorful flowers beside the path lost their vibrancy and began to wilt, and a couple of supercharged steps later there were large holes in their rows that screamed death. The farming community disappeared, as did the lush green fields. There was barren land on both sides, deep pockets of black pooled in hollows.

“Well, there goes the neighborhood.”

As I said, we are close now.

I didn’t like the look of this. It looked exactly as I had feared it would, and we weren’t even there yet.

Great boulders rose on either side of the path, jagged and blackened with fire. The temperature dropped, though the Realm was known for always being the perfect temperature for everyone. The burnt orange of the night sky darkened until it was almost black. That didn’t bother me, since I was used to it in the Brink, but the lack of stars was suffocating. Like a cover had been thrown over the world, snuffing out all the light.

Up ahead, over the massive rocks, rose a giant metal trellis. Words twisted through the scrollwork, but I couldn’t read them. We moved another step closer, and I saw a jagged line in the air, this one black and surrounded in blood red fire.

To get through this tear in the worlds, you must have a certain type of magic, Darius thought. Vampires have it. Trolls, gargoyles, and a handful of other creatures do, too. They are welcome in the edges, the outskirts of the Dark Kingdom.

“Why would they want to go in there?” I whispered.

Trade. Communicating. Buying goods. Staying out of the elves’ kingdom. There are a few reasons, different for each species.

“Shifters?”

Cannot go through.

“Elves?”

Of course, but they almost never do. They have their reasons, one of them being that they don’t want to intrude upon Lucifer’s territory. Just as they don’t want him intruding upon theirs unless he is expressly invited. That is the reason Vlad is trying to recruit Lucifer—he stands equal to the elves in might and power. Lucifer would greatly increase Vlad’s chances of overthrowing the elves’ rule. Come, let’s get ready. Our real journey is about to begin.

Darius glanced behind him while unslinging the backpack. In the distance, walking toward us, was a large creature with horns twisting up from its head.

“Is there anywhere else it could be going?” I asked as I unslung my backpack. I followed Darius’s lead and took out the scaly leather suit.

You saw yourself. There is nothing much in this direction. No. It will be coming in behind us. We’d best hurry and stay ahead of it so it doesn’t get a good look at us.

The leather was lined with a soft material, smooth on the skin. The outfit itself wasn’t nearly as stiff as I might have expected, and judging by the material of the scales, and the hum of magical vibration I felt around me, it must’ve cost a pretty penny. A team of mages had probably made it, though the spells were muffled somehow. I couldn’t feel what they were for, and didn’t want to prod them too much in case I messed them up.

“Is the collection of spells in this suit necessary? I’m worried my magic will unravel it.” I pulled a cap out of the backpack and frowned. It would go over my head and face. After realizing Darius had one too, I shrugged and put it on. It couldn’t look much weirder than a human wandering around the underworld.

The silk velvet lining will protect the suit from you, as long as you don’t actively try to unravel the spells. The suits are supposed to repel attention, making us invisible. If a being forces their focus to stay on you—us—the spells woven into the suits will hopefully fool the onlooker into thinking we are demon-type creatures.

“So, they are necessary.”

I can’t say what is or is not necessary. Not without seeing for myself. They might not work down there at all. Ja said magic fluxes. I don’t know what to expect.

He knew a lot better than I did. Then again, he was a planner. I usually did just fine flying by the seat of my pants.

I reattached my new pouch, feeling a small twinge of guilt for liking it just as much as—if not maybe a little more than—the older one. The older one was just so scarred and stained. Not to mention the shape was not much better than a lumpy pillow. Poor old pouch.

Are you okay? Darius faced me, his gaze delving into mine.

“Can you feel my emotions?”

Some of them, yes. If they are strong enough. You feel guilty and sad. What is the matter?

“Why can’t I feel yours? I’m starting to think I got hosed. Except for the speed and visibility, that is. And the memory. Those are awesome.”

His brow furrowed, his eyes and a slice of his forehead the only things visible through his mask. You seem to be blocking the bond somewhat, as well as some of your powers. He shook his head. We can’t dwell on that now. We must get underground.

“Okay. Well.” I strapped on my gun and sword. “Let’s do it. I’m ready.”

Darius nodded and took my arm, walking me forward. He glanced behind us before picking up the pace. As we reached the blood-red fire burning in the air, I felt him hesitate for a brief moment before stepping through.

Prickles of heat and stabs of cold covered my body. A tunnel opened up before us, about ten feet long and surging with fire on all sides. Pulsing through the middle, attached at the top, were icicles, the points glistening and sharp, extending and retracting.

“Don’t come through here; we get it.” I stuck out my hand to touch the fire. The sweet heat glanced off my skin in a familiar way. “I wouldn’t touch that—”

I cut off the words as Darius ran his hand through the fire. His lips tweaked, threatening a smile. It is painful, but pleasantly so. Is this how you feel?

“Yep. You’re welcome. Except that fire isn’t overly hot. If that hurts, I wouldn’t go skipping through a more intense flame. You’ll burn your skin off.”

This is a mighty gift. I wonder if the potency of hellfire will be diminished as well.

I just shook my head. He was punch-drunk. A quick taste of the fire I’d spoken of would be enough to dampen his excitement.