Бесплатный фрагмент - The clan Holost – 2. The Bloodhound

Chapter 1

It’s been a year and a half since my father’s funeral, and I still miss him. As it turned out, on the day when magic filled my mind, there was an initiation that almost killed me. But thanks to Mars, I am now standing here at the ball at the castle of the Lausan clan. Of course, I was offered to get another familiar, but I flatly refused. No one can replace Mars for me. Natalie and Jack got married. Who would have thought, right?

He hadn’t noticed her for so many centuries, and here he doted on her. After the wedding, my sister and our clan moved to Ljubljana, to Jack’s castle. It was sad to leave our previous place of residence in Rome, because my father created it. He put his soul into it. And this place has been my home for a long time. But life goes on, and time does not stand still. The relationship with Karin developed gradually, slowly. And I liked it. He understood me, my condition. He was always there for me and supported me. Thanks to him, I still haven’t lost heart and I can laugh sincerely.

After the first year, I didn’t even have to take exams, because I completely mastered my magic. But despite this, I still continued to study at the Day Lines Academy. All the adepts and magisters already know who I really am. And, actually, as one would expect, someone treated it normally, for example, like my friends, and someone with contempt, like Laura. Hena, of course, scolded me that I did not trust her and initially did not tell the whole truth, and even managed to take offense at Kaius for not telling her, knowing the truth. Eliphas also shook his head disapprovingly at first, condemning my secrecy, but then even proudly declared that he now had a friend, a tribrid. Like a child, honestly!

For a whole year I studied at the combat faculty under the supervision of our dean, magister Logan. Yes, it turns out that he is not only a magister of dark magic, but also oversees the combat faculty. Tomorrow I had to go to field practice with our entire course. And do you know where? To another world! Can you imagine? Our scientists have finally been able to develop a teleportation gate to another world. According to rumors, everything in this world is tied to magic. And not only magicians live there, but also demons, and dragon familiars, and even centaurs. But that’s all tomorrow, and today I’m resting. His Majesty Rauf organized a whole ball in honor of the birthday of his dear wife Michelle.

I was standing with a glass of champagne in my hands, dressed in a delicate beige dress, its patterns embroidered with gold threads shimmered, creating a magical lighting effect. The dress was simple, but at the same time refined and elegant. Hair is loose, but braided in an elegant braid. The room was very beautifully decorated: a gorgeous chandelier in the center of the hall, classical music, many tables with various snacks, alcohol, and, of course, crystal decanters with fresh human blood. We settled down on small upholstered sofas. Karin didn’t leave my side all evening. Well, almost all of it. Now he went to the birthday girl to give her a gift and congratulate her on the holiday.

— So you’re His Highness’s new crush, — an arrogant voice rang out. I turned around and saw a gorgeous black-haired woman in front of me. The first thing that caught my eye was her full, well – proportioned lips and dark scarlet eyes with an expressive look of long eyelashes. Anyone could envy her posture. She was holding up pretty well for a commoner. The woman began to look at me frankly.

— I’m sorry, — I cracked an eyebrow. — Who are you, exactly?

— Oh, I didn’t introduce myself to you, — she pretended to laugh. — I’m Monica. His Highness’s wife, — a young man with the same black hair and expressive cheekbones as a woman approached her. The only thing that was different was his lips. They were not so full and proportionate. Monica put her hand on his shoulder and said: — And this is our son Maximilian.

— I’m glad to meet you, — he took my hand and kissed it. — Your Grace.

— It’s worth leaving you for just a minute, — Karin suddenly found himself next to me and, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulled me to him, looking disapprovingly at Monica and her son. — Like hyenas are ready to pounce on you.

— Oh, honey, — Monica laughed, casually touching him with her hand. — Well, what are you saying? We were just having a nice conversation.

— I heard your conversation perfectly well, — the man said, taking her hand away from him. — You’re not my wife anymore. We divorced two centuries ago, Monica. Take it with dignity, — the woman wanted to say something else, but Karin raised his hand before she could get a word in. — And behave yourself, since my brother has deigned, for some reason I do not understand, to invite you to this celebration.

Pursing her lips in displeasure, Monica turned around and left.

— I hope they didn’t bother you too much? — He said to me tenderly, kissing the top of my head.

— They didn’t have time. You arrived in time, — I smiled.

— Let me ask you to dance, — the man suddenly pulled away and held out his hand to me.

— With pleasure, — I replied, putting my hand in his.

We walked to the center of the hall and danced around. I’m in a beige dress, and he’s in a dark tuxedo. We were like light and darkness. So different, but surprisingly compatible. Karin looked at me tenderly, and a joyful smile did not leave his lips. The man pulled me closer to him, and our waltz became more like an ordinary slow dance.

— Do you have to leave tomorrow? — He whispered into my earlobe, and his breath made my nipples tighten and my skin crawl.

— Unfortunately, — I said with a sigh. — This will be my first and last practice. During this year, I worked hard and deserved to finish my studies as an external student, but practice is mandatory.

Suddenly the music stopped. Karin pulled away from me and got down on one knee. He took a small velvet box out of his pants pocket, and my heart started beating faster. I definitely wasn’t ready for this.

— Sophie Castell, — he said. — Since our first meeting in New York, you have not left my thoughts. You won me over not only with your beauty, but also with your intelligence and kindness. You are a wonderful, extraordinary girl who has irrevocably captured my heart. I want to live with you all my eternity and not part for a minute. After all, you are my life, my breath. You’re the one who makes me smile and feel alive. I have already received the approval of Her Majesty Natalie and your Aunt Sabina, but the most important agreement for me has not yet been announced. I want to fix it. Sophie Castell, will you marry me? — With these words, he opened the box, and an old expensive ring with a large diamond appeared in front of my eyes.

— Yes, — I replied, barely holding back tears of happiness. — I agree!

The man got up from his knees, put a ring on my finger and kissed me gently on the lips. There was joyful applause all around.

— Congratulations, — Natalie and Jack came up to us and hugged me in turn. — Father would be happy.

— Yes, — I agreed with her words. — It’s a pity that he’s not with us.

— When are you planning the wedding? — Jack asked, pulling me out of my sad thoughts.

Karin and I exchanged glances. I don’t know about him, but I haven’t even thought about it yet, because the offer has just arrived.

— We haven’t thought about it yet, — I replied with a shrug.

— If Karin proposed to you, — the man said, looking at his friend. — He was obviously thinking about it.

— Yes, I thought, — the vampire did not deny. — But first I would like to discuss this with my fiancee.

— Okay, let’s leave the young people alone, — Natalie said, winking at me, and taking Jack by the hand, she left.

I just rolled my eyes at her words. Young? I’m older than her, and my fiance is even more so.

— Do you want something to drink? — Karin asked.

— No. I’d like to go to my chambers. The day was quite eventful.

— I accompany you, but first I will inform my brother about our leave, — with these words, the man went to the throne where Rauf and his wife were sitting, leaving me alone.

But I didn’t have to be bored alone for a long time.

— Congratulations on your engagement, — Maximilian came up to me.

— Thank you, — I replied.

— Only, — he hesitated briefly. — Are you sure you’re not making a mistake?

— What do you mean? — I immediately tensed up.

— My father is a complicated man, — he replied, approaching me. — If we got to know each other better, maybe you would change your decision.

— First of all, as far as I know, you are not his biological son, — I held out my hand, pulling away from him. — And secondly, be so kind as to observe the proprieties!

— It’s difficult with you, — the young man grinned and looked at me with a sticky look that made me feel uncomfortable.

— And yet I’m not a commoner, — I said coldly, instantly irritated. — Your actions, as well as your words, may well be regarded as insults. And I will not tolerate insults against myself.

I turned around, trying to find Karin with my eyes. I wanted him to hurry up. Maximilian made me feel as uncomfortable as possible. When I noticed him among the others present, I found him talking to Monica. Switching to vampire hearing, I listened.

— You’ve never made such a big gesture towards me, — the woman chided him.

— You’re not Sophie, — the man replied coldly.

— Oh, yes, that’s right, — she smiled bitterly. — Sophie is special. Both the tribrid and the Duchess — what a find!

— That’s not the point. Our marriage was a mistake. I had feelings for you, I don’t deny it. But my past feelings for you are nothing compared to what I feel for Sophie, — he turned around, feeling my gaze, and finally said, — Keep your slutty son away from my fiancee, otherwise I won’t vouch for myself.

Coming up to me, Karin wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me to him and turned to Maximilian:

— Maxie.

— Father, — he replied with a grin.

— You’re free, — the man said, not taking his angry gaze off the young man.

***

In silence, we walked slowly through the corridors of the castle, heading for my chambers.

— Weren’t you too cruel to her? — I decided to break the silence first.

— She deserves it, — he replied calmly. — Stay away from Maximilian. He’s not a friend. He is cunning and treacherous, just like his mother.

— Don’t worry, — I replied. — I can take care of myself.

When we reached the door leading to my chambers, we stopped.

— Have you already thought about where we will live after the wedding? — I looked into his eyes, which I could drown in by putting my hand on his chest.

— We have a choice, — he smiled gently.

— Yes, — I grinned. — Either I become Her Highness, or you become a duke.

— What do you want more?

— As you know, I have my own estate. It would be nice to live there.

— But Avril is there, — the man frowned.

— She’s not dangerous, — I replied. Yes, after my father’s funeral, Caius asked Natali to pardon Avril, citing the fact that his father manipulated her. Natalie, of course, at first doubted whether it was worth keeping her alive, but Sabina still managed to convince her. We have signed a new contract with Avril. She has remained my maid and now, during my absence, manages everything on my estate. — You know Zero manipulated her. Any woman will do anything for her child.

— That’s exactly it. And considering that he managed to escape from us, who knows, maybe he’ll want to manipulate her again.

— If that happens, we’ll know about it, — I assured him. — There are our people in the mansion who are watching her every minute.

— Okay, — Karin gave up. — This topic can be left for later.

— I agree, — I replied. — Now I want to talk about more pleasant things. For example, what date did you plan for our wedding?

— I thought it was about this month

— You know I can’t. I will not give up compulsory field practice.

— Then maybe after?

— I’m looking forward to it, just like you are, — I smiled.

— In that case, — he kissed me on the lips. — Good night, my dear Sophie.

— Karin, — I stopped him, taking his hand. I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I didn’t want to part with him either. — Why don’t you come in? Surely you won’t leave me alone on such a beautiful night?

— Anything for you, — he agreed.

We went together to the guest bedroom, where I was last time when there was a conflict with the local werewolves. The room was dark. I snapped my fingers, and several candles lit up, lighting up the room a little.

— Are you sure you want me to stay? — looking around, he asked.

— I’m sure, — I replied, kissing him on the lips.

— In my time, it was not customary to get close before the wedding, — he whispered, pulling away a little.

— Mine too, but these are different times, and we’re not on cold ground, — I teased him, remembering our first date.

Without breaking away from each other, we moved to the bed. Karin took off myself jacket and let me undo the buttons on his shirt. Then, impatiently, the shirt flew after the jacket, and his naked torso appeared in front of me. I touched his stomach with a strip of sparse hair that went down into his trousers, and felt a mountain of muscles — tense, hard, on his smooth skin. I didn’t even feel the cold under my hand — surprisingly, it seemed as if we were the same temperature. He leaned on top of me and, leaning his elbows on the mattress of the bed, kissed me passionately on the lips.

Gradually descending lower and lower, the man, pressing his lips to my neck, tore the dress apart, and his wide hands touched my chest, then squeezing, then stroking the halo of nipples with his thumb. Goosebumps ran through my body. I was scared, because it was my first time. But the desire to connect with him outweighed the fear and embarrassment I felt.

When his lips touched my nipples, I felt something hard pressing against my groin. Giving free rein to my curiosity, I lowered my hand and, penetrating into the trousers, touched the male nature for the first time. I ran my fingers along its entire length, noting with interest the silky texture. Wrapping my hand around his penis, I began stroking it, gradually accelerating, and, feeling something wet, I heard Karin’s muffled moan. After taking off my underwear, the man touched my intimate place with his hand, and his finger gently penetrated inside. It was so pleasant that, unable to resist, a moan escaped my lips, which he instantly stifled with a kiss. His fingers moved faster and faster, which made me arch with excitement, wanting more.

— How beautiful you are, — he whispered against my lips.

— Do it, — I replied through moans, almost begging him. — Enter me.

His rod touched my womb, and with one movement Karin entered me. The first thing I felt was a sharp pain, followed by a strange tension, and then an incredible, wonderful feeling. Moving slowly, the man kissed me. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, enjoying the sensations. Gradually, the movements grew into faster ones, and the kisses became passionate. The huge bed began to creak, my breathing became faster, becoming ragged, and my moans became louder, gradually turning almost into a scream. But it wasn’t a cry of fear – it was a cry of pleasure. I would never have thought that such simple movements could give such pleasure. I wanted more and more, so much that I couldn’t help myself and croaked:

— More.

With these words, Karin began to move even faster. He squeezed my buttocks, driving me deeper into himself. In addition to the internal sensations, I could smell his body, which turned me on even more. At some point, I started helping him and, although I have absolutely no experience, I tried to move in time with him. The sensations became more intense, and when I had already reached the peak, he began to slow down, making moans. In a bright flash, there was some kind of explosion of feelings in me that I had never experienced. I felt that Karin had experienced something similar, and opening my eyes, crumbling like sand from euphoria, I looked at my beloved. Our joyful laughter echoed through the bedroom, and I had time to think about how sad it was that Karin was infertile.

***

— You know, I never would have thought that it could be so pleasant, — I was lying in bed under a blanket on a man’s shoulder.

— How can we get through this month without each other now? — The vampire kissed me gently on the top of my head.

— It will fly by quickly, — I assured him.

— Do you even know which world you are going to?

— We only know who lives there, but the name of the world and the purpose of our visit there have not been told to us.

— No, you’re not going there, — he said stubbornly after a moment’s thought.

— Karin, — I sighed wearily and looked into his scarlet eyes. — We’ve already discussed this. Don’t worry, everything will be fine. And they won’t let you get bored here either, — I grinned, alluding to Monica. Of course, I was worried about leaving him here with her. However, if I was sure about him, then Monica’s behavior bothered me a lot.

— I’ll talk to my brother again, — he assured me. — Why the hell was she invited here?

— Isn’t she a friend of your family?

— No.

Relaxing, I snuggled closer to him, closed my eyes and, steadying my breathing, fell asleep after hearing his last words:

— I love you, my dear Sophie.

Chapter 2

I was standing next to a large, brightly sparkling circle with a bluish glow. It was a portal to another world. I was surrounded by my fellow students, who consisted only of men. I was the only girl in my class.

— Stay close to me, — Master Logan said. — This is not New Orleans you, but a completely different, unfamiliar world with its own laws and rules.

The man looked at us sternly and said:

— Coming in take turns, — with these words, he was the first to enter the portal. The circle flashed brightly for a moment, almost blinding us, and when it returned to its former light, the magister was no longer there.

— Are you nervous? — A man’s insinuating voice sounded next to my ear. I turned around abruptly. Marcus was standing next to me, a dark-skinned guy with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. He was a head taller than me and much bigger than Caius. We got along well during our studies, but we couldn’t be called friends.

— No, — I replied, stubbornly lifting my chin. — I’m ready.

I entered the portal, and the bright light blinded me for a short time. When I opened my eyes, I saw a small three-storey mansion. I looked around and realized that we were in the forest. Apart from the mansion, we were surrounded only by trees, thick green grass and a dark night cloud with many dim stars. Somewhere nearby, the murmur of a stream could be heard. It was probably the only sound. No matter how hard I tried to listen, I couldn’t hear birds singing, dragonflies chirping, or frogs croaking.

— So, adepts, — Logan looked around us as the portal closed behind the last of my fellow students. — Welcome to the world of Ilavis.

— It’s too quiet, — I said suspiciously.

— That’s right, Adept Castell, — the man said. — But let’s get settled in a hotel first, — he pointed at the old three – story mansion in front of our eyes. — And then we will discuss the essence of our arrival here.

— Is this a hotel? — Koil, one of the adepts, asked in disbelief, making a disgusted face. — It’s more like a long – abandoned haunted place.

— Did you think that we would live in the palace? — Logan grinned and led the way to the door of the mansion. We had no choice but to follow him.

When I entered the building, the first thing I did was look around. The interior was reminiscent of the style of the twentieth century era. A dim chandelier, not particularly brightly illuminating the hall. The wallpaper in some places is worn with time. Old sofas and armchairs on both sides. And a small reception.

— Welcome to the Dubort Hotel, — a middle – aged woman said. She was standing behind the counter and smiling benevolently. Even too much. Probably, people don’t visit this place very often. — How can I help you?

— We need available rooms on… — He stopped, without saying anything, and looked at us. — For nineteen people, including me. Six rooms with three beds and one room with one bed.

— Yes, of course, — she took out a tablet with parchment and a pen and asked: — Who should I write it on?

— Logan Royal, — he replied. — The planet of Radaga.

— So it’s you… — She looked at the master in surprise, then at us and beamed. — You’re the one who came to our rescue!

— That’s right, — he said emotionlessly, — but right now we’d like to rest.

— Yes, yes, of course, — the woman fussed and took out seven pairs of keys. — Second floor, on the right. All rooms are located next to each other.

— Thank you, — the magister waved us to follow him, but stopped for a second. — And we should have dinner. Do you have a restaurant in the hotel?

— We have a small dining room. We will cook dinner for you and arrange everything in the best possible way.

Nodding in satisfaction, the man headed for the stairs, and we followed him. When we reached the second floor, accompanied by the creaking of old rotten boards, we stopped. Logan handed each of us a room key and said:

— I’m expecting everyone at dinner in an hour, — and headed for the door of his room.

My fellow students split into pairs. I got Marcus and Koil, and if Marcus and I could still somehow find a common language, then Koil did not flatter me with his behavior.

When I entered the room, I found that there were only three beds and one bathroom. Great.

— I hope there are no bedbugs here, — Koil grimaced, examining the room.

— Are you afraid that they will encroach on your aristocratic ass? — I chuckled.

— I’m afraid they’ll attack you, — he retorted. — Otherwise, there will be more mini-tribrides.

— It’s genetically impossible, — I rolled my eyes. — They will not be able to physically survive such a mutation. But don’t worry about yourself either. If there are bedbugs here, they won’t like you. They are unlikely to want to get infected with your character.

— I worry about myself only in your presence.

— You’re not my type, — I said, wincing as if I’d been drinking sour lemon.

— Can you stop this empty chatter? — Marcus cut in irritably. — We are in a completely unfamiliar world and an alien environment. In our situation, we need to cooperate, not sow discord.

— She started it first, — Koil pointed at me like a little boy.

— Yeah, — I said, grinning. — Remind me, who at the beginning of the course openly showed their dislike for me just because I am a tribrid?

— Why only? — He looked at me in surprise. — Not only that. You don’t belong in the combat faculty at all, just like any girl.

— Who told you that?

— That’s enough, — Marcus exclaimed, and icy water fell on Koil and me.

— Well, thanks, Marcus, — I said irritably, watching drops of water drip off me onto the floor.

— You, — he said to Koil, — It’s not up to you to decide who belongs in the combat faculty and who doesn’t. Especially since Sophie has been initiated and can kick your ass at any moment. And you, — he turned to me now, — stop following his provocations.

— Hotair, — I said, summoning my magic. After a moment, I felt the warmth warming me and drying my wet clothes, wet hair and body. When I looked at Koil, I found that he was still standing wet… and displeased. — Do you need help?

— I’ll manage on my own, — he grumbled and headed for the bathroom.

Koil had the gift of the earth, and therefore could not dry himself as easily as I did.

***

The dining room was… a little one. Yes, you could say that. As it turned out, not only the lobby, but the entire hotel was furnished in the style of the twentieth century. And here I was wondering, is this the only design here? Or, in principle, has this world lagged behind ours? And how are things in other worlds that we haven’t been to yet?

— It looks like Sophie’s stay hungry today, — Koil began again, looking at the long table covered with all sorts of food. — There’s no human blood here.

— Why? — another boy from our class replied. — You’re here.

— She’s averse to aristocrats, — the adepts chuckled. — She prefers the poor.

It was time to teach him a lesson. I focused my gaze on him and imagined his new jacket smoking and then catching fire. And so it happened — his jacket caught fire. In a panic, the guy took off his clothes and started stomping on them, trying to put them out. The laughter stopped immediately. I chuckled at my actions, took pity on him, and called back my magic.

— What have you done? — he shouted. — Do you know how much it’s worth?

— Really more valuable than your life? — I replied.

— Adept Castell, — came the Magister’s booming voice. — If this happens again, you’ll not only be expelled from here place without passing your practical, but also from the academy without the possibility of reinstatement, — Koil grinned, but Logan looked at him and said: — This also concerns you.

We sat down at the table and began to eat. I ate in silence, but I listened to the conversations around me. The Magister, as he ate, looked at us, observing each of us.

— Why do you always fall for his provocations? — Marcus’s voice was right next to me ear.

— He should be put in his place from time to time, — I replied, not looking up from my food.

— Don’t you realize that he’s jealous of you?

— What’s to be jealous of? — I asked in surprise.

— Your strength, — he replied seriously. — Your success.

— It’s all small things, — I shook my head. — He has loving parents who are still alive. I would gladly give up my magic to bring my father and Mars back. I should be the one to envy him, not the other way around.

— The way we humans are, — he shrugged. — The way we are. We’re always hungry for more. We only appreciate what we have after we’ve lost it.

Marcus has always been smart beyond his years, but now he especially surprised me with his comment.

— Magister Logan, — said the voice of a fair-haired youth at the other end of the table. — Why do you call our planet Radaga?

— That’s she what it’s called in this world, — he replied. — Our planet is more advanced than their world. As you stay here, you’ll see for yourself. In our world, as you know, there’s not only magic but also technology. Usually, these two things are incompatible, but our planet is an exception. There’s no technology in this world. Everything here is based on magic.

— It’s noticeably, — I blurted out, referring to the hotel’s design.

— Oh, that’s just the beginning, — the Master chuckled. — The style of their clothing and their laws are very similar to life in the eighteenth century. Therefore, be extremely careful in your words and actions.

— So, what is the essence of our practice? — asked Koil.

— The king of mages, the leader of centaurs, and the king of demons have recently asked for our help, — the magister said, putting down his cutlery and leaning back in his chair. — Recently, creatures called Vierns have arrived from another world. The leaders of this world have welcomed them warmly. However, since their arrival, some strange things have been happening.

— What kind of things? — Marcus was interested.

— The water has gone bad, and children have started disappearing, — he said, folding his arms in front of him. — In addition, some mages and demons have started behaving strangely. Some have lost their magic, and they’ve become nervous and aggressive. Those who still have their magic have started distancing themselves from their loved ones and living in isolation, which is unlike them. This could lead to an imbalance that could destroy their world and cause the extinction of all races.

— Have they tried talking to the Vierns? — asked one of the adepts. — What do the Vierns say?

— The Viernes? — I murmured thoughtfully. — That sounds familiar…

— They’ve spoken with the Wyverns, but they’re actively denying everything, and they seem to be just as concerned about the current situation, — Logan replied to the young man. Then, turning his gaze towards me, he said: — The Wyverns are similar to werewolves in their own way. They walk among us as ordinary people, but their true form is a human face, a snake’s body, and fangs. According to our information, they live near water, as it is their natural habitat. You were supposed to study them in the “magical creatures” class.

— Yes, I remember something like that, — I frowned, trying to remember everything I knew about them. — I think they fight with swords and spears made of their own magic. They can also cast illusions and put people to sleep with their singing.

— Exactly, — Logan confirmed.

— So the leaders of this world, — said Koil, — have asked us to help them find the cause and eliminate it?

— Yes, — he said, standing up from the table. — That’s why we’re going to meet them tomorrow.

***

After dinner, we went straight back to our room. Outside the window, there was nothing but a blood-red moon hanging so low that it seemed like we could reach out and touch it. While our world was in the midst of a hot summer, here, it was still in the midst of spring.

— I can’t believe it, — Koil said. — Mages, demons, and centaurs can’t solve their own problems. Are they that stupid?

— When we’ve dealt with this and returned home, — Marcus replied, — we’ll discuss it. For now, we only know the surface.

— I wonder, — I said. — If their water is tainted, what do they drink? After all, every living creature, whether demon or mage, is made up of eighty percent water.

— I think we’ll find out tomorrow, — he replied. — Now, let’s get some sleep.

— You lie down, and I’ll go outside for some air.

— More accurately have a bite to eat, — Koil teased.

— I can fix your hair if you want, — I said with a fake grin.

— Okay, okay, — he said, holding his hands up. — I was just joking.

I went down to the lobby and was about to leave when the receptionist stopped me.

— You shouldn’t go outside now, — she said to me. — It’s especially dangerous at night.

— What do you mean? — I asked, turning around. — I’m sorry, but what is your name?

— Aza, young Magess, — she introduced herself, bowing her head slightly.

— Why did you call me a magess? — I asked in surprise.

— That’s how we do things around here, — the woman said with a kind smile. — Women magicians are called magissas, and men are called magi. We call female demons devilians, and male demons are called devilions.

— And the centaurs? — I asked curiously.

— A teutour, for both men and women.

— So, okay, — I said, shaking my hair. — What did you mean when you said it’s especially dangerous at night?

— Don’t you know? — Asa was genuinely surprised. — At night, someone kidnaps children, and those who saw it are killed. Cut their body in half.

— Don’t worry, I can take care of myself, — I tried to reassure the woman.

— You should be more careful than the others, — she continued to warn me. — Why do you think children are the ones who get kidnapped?

— Because they can’t stand up for themselves, — I replied the obvious.

— Yes, but not only that. Children have pure and strong energy. As they grow older, their energy changes, — the woman said, looking at me. Or rather, not at me, but somewhere beyond my reach. — You have the same energy. Even stronger. There are several. You could be a real find for a kidnapper. It’s very dangerous for you to be here.

— Don’t worry, — I put my hand on her shoulder. — I won’t go far.

I left the inn and breathed in the fresh air. Of course, the woman’s words had given me a scare, but I’ve been close to death before. I can handle this. I need to focus right now. Sabina had taught me a spell that could be useful. I really wanted to contact Karin. It had only been a day since our last meeting, but I already missed him. Focusing my gaze on a single point, I imagined his image in my mind, let my magic flow out, and a bright blue cloud appeared before me. In it, I saw a bedroom I didn’t recognize, with a light on. The walls were adorned with dark wallpaper, and there was a double bed with a bedside table holding a photo of us together. The photo was taken in a small clearing in the woods. I vividly remember it being sunny that day. Karin had arranged a picnic for me. We were sitting on the grass, I was eating, and he was talking and making me laugh. That’s when we took our first photo together.

— Karin, — I called out to him. A moment later, I heard rapid footsteps, and a few seconds later, I saw the man I loved more than life itself.

— Sophie? — came his familiar, surprised voice. Karin was standing there, bare-chested, wearing only his trousers.

— Hi, — I smiled.

— Hi, baby, — he said softly. — I’ve been trying to reach you, but I couldn’t.

— Yes, we’re already in a different world, — I replied. — They don’t have technology here, so there’s no connection.

— That’s an original way to contact me, — he smirked.

— I missed you, — I said, a little embarrassed.

— Me too, — he sat down, I think, on the floor, and asked. — How’s it going? In another world. Is it already known about the essence of your practice?

— Yes, — I replied, and I told Karin everything they had told us.

— If that woman says it’s dangerous for you there, — the man frowned, — you should listen and come back.

— I’m not afraid of danger. I won’t go back until I’ve finished my internship, — I replied stubbornly. — People here need our help. How can I leave without doing anything?

— There are your fellow students and a magister who will help them.

— Exactly, — I jumped at his words. — Which means they can protect me if anything happens. But believe me, I don’t need protection. I can take care of myself.

— I don’t doubt that, — he smiled. — But keep me informed so I know you’re okay.

— Okay, I promise.

After a little more talking, we said our goodbyes. I looked up at the moon and felt a sense of longing. According to my father, this was the time of year I was born: in the spring, during a blood moon. It was also the time I lost my mother. I was told that I looked very similar to her, but being similar and knowing her as a person were two very different things.

Suddenly, a rustle behind the trees caught my attention. Looking closer, I saw a dog come out to meet me. A huge black dog. There were flashes of fire under his smooth fur. It was as if they were inside the dog itself, without coming out. The dog cautiously approached and sniffed at me.

— Hey, hi, — I sat down and let him smell my hand. — Whose are you so handsome?

The dog carefully put its head under my hand, and I stroked it. Its fur was rough and hot, but pleasant to the touch.

— Good evening, — a man’s voice said. I looked up and saw a tall, dark-haired man with prominent cheekbones.

— Good evening, — I said, standing up and pointing at the dog. — Is he yours?

— Yes, — the man replied, taking a closer look at me. — He usually doesn’t let others get close to him, — the stranger emphasized. — Aren’t you from around here?

— That’s right, — I replied. — We just arrived from Radaga today.

— Now I understand why you have a different energy than we do, — the man said with a knowing smile. — You should return to the hotel. It may be dangerous here.

— I know. I’ve been told, — I said, taking a closer look at him, and for the first time, I felt a strong, dark energy that wasn’t hostile. — Forgive me for being so blunt, but are you a demon?

— Exactly, — he smiled proudly. — My name is Abigor, and this, — he pointed at the dog. — Vin.

— It’s a pleasure, — I smiled amiably. — My name is Sophie.

— I assume you have a meeting with our king tomorrow? — he asked.

— That’s right, — I confirmed.

— In that case, you should get some sleep, — he bowed respectfully. — Good night, young Magess.

— Good night, Honorable Devilian, — I said, crouching down to pat the dog one last time. — Good night, Vin.

Chapter 3

In the morning, several carriages arrived for us, and we set off. I was assigned a carriage with both of my neighbors and our tutor. When the driver commanded the horses to move, I expected a rough ride, as I had experienced in my youth, but to my surprise, the carriage moved smoothly.

— Sophie, — Koil said to me, — Did carriages move smoothly in your time?

— No, — I replied.

— It’s most likely magic, — magister Logan replied. — In our world, it was forbidden to use such magic, even for our own convenience.

— Yes, you were unlucky in your youth, — the young man said with a smile, glancing at me.

— I’m not particularly lucky right now, — I replied grimly.

— Yeah? — he continued to grin. — The wedding ring on your finger says otherwise.

— Perhaps the death of both my parents confirms what I said, — I said, looking at him irritably. He had nothing to say to that.

***

At first, a dense forest stretched out before the window. The rustling of grass, the leaves of trees, and even the singing of birds could be heard. In the distance, mountains could be seen. The scent of pine trees was invigorating, and the forest music brought a sense of tranquility.

I couldn’t get the previous night’s encounter out of my mind. The dog was so big, black, and had fiery streaks. It was the first time I’d seen such a creature. I guess it was a hellhound. Its owner was a tall man with coal-black eyes and small, curled horns, and I think he had a tail. It was a very interesting sight.

Suddenly, a city appeared before my eyes. It was a large city with many passers-by. There were all kinds of people: ordinary mages, demons, and even centaurs! The centaurs were the most impressive, with human upper bodies and horse lower bodies. They behaved with such dignity, as if they were all aristocrats!

Looking around, I saw many buildings: shops, cafes, infirmaries, pharmacies, taverns, and more. But there were no banks or residential buildings, only commercial establishments.

— Where are all the residential buildings? — Koil voiced my thoughts.

— This is the city of Sonemrof, — the curator replied. — There are no living quarters here. This is a city for all the races that live in this world.

— Where do they live, then? — he asked.

— Mages live in the city of Sorlonta. Demons live in Ramadel, and centaurs live in Ethelongue. The city of centaurs is located in the forest.

— What about the viern? — I asked.

— As I said yesterday, they live near the water. However, they do not have a city, but rather a village.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped.

— We have arrived, — the magister said.

I heard the coachman jump down from his seat and, approaching the carriage at a rapid pace, open the door and offer me his hand. I accepted this gracious gesture and, leaning on the coachman’s arm, stepped out of the carriage, only to be taken aback by the sight before me.

In front of me was a huge palace made entirely of white marble. In the center, where a fountain would have been in our world, stood three statues. The first statue depicted a powerful middle-aged man dressed in what appeared to be a fur cloak. He had a stern gaze, a long beard, and held a staff in his hands. The other statue resembled a demon, but not the one I had encountered the previous day. This statue had a stern gaze, a strong chin, and a more masculine appearance. It seemed to have a power that could sweep away everything and everyone. The statue’s horns were large and curled, and its tail, with a sharp tip at the end, wrapped around its legs. The final statue depicted a noble centaur with long hair. He held a tree trunk in his hands, and his wise gaze was fixed on the distance.

— Amazing, isn’t it? — a smooth male voice said nearby.

I turned around and saw the demon from yesterday, only this time he wasn’t accompanied by a hellhound.

— Abigor, — I exclaimed in surprise. — What are you doing here?

— I have been sent to escort you to our rulers, — he said, pointing to the statues.

— It seems the Vierns have been deprived of their power, — I chuckled, glancing at the statues. — Where is Vin?

— He is waiting for us inside, — the man then turned to our supervisor and bowed his head in greeting. — Magister Logan of Radaga, it is a pleasure to meet you.

— Thank you, — Logan replied, also bowing his head.

— Please, follow me. Our sovereigns are waiting for you, — said the demon, and led the way to the castle.

When the metal doors opened, I saw a wide corridor with high ceilings. The floor was covered with a red carpet, and there were various paintings on the walls. There were not only the current rulers, but also other people. Perhaps their ancestors. We turned right at the middle of the corridor, then continued up a dark marble staircase to the third floor, where we reached a door with a golden ornament. The door handles were designed to resemble dragons, which was very surprising, as would not find such things in my world. On both sides stood two men in silver armor with swords sheathed.

Abigor opened the door, and we entered the throne room. There were two thrones on a pedestal, and the rulers of this world were seated, with only the centaur leader standing. I took a closer look at them and realized that they were much more beautiful than they appeared in statues or paintings. The king of the mages was a man of average height with long red hair, a beard, and deep-set eyes. His attire spoke volumes about his pride and authority. The demon king was a handsome, tall man with short black hair and scarlet eyes. If it weren’t for his horns and tail, which were twitching nervously from side to side, I would have easily assumed that he was a vampire. The demon’s attire, which consisted primarily of armor and a red cape, indicated that he was a warrior who was ready to fight at any moment. That’s really a man! The centaur leader was not as handsome, but he had his own charm. His long, snow-white hair, which reached his waist, was tied in a thick braid. He wore no clothes, but his arms were adorned with thick silver bracelets. His eyes were the color of a clear sky, and his gaze conveyed the wisdom and knowledge of centuries, making me feel as if I were standing before a teacher.

— Your Majesties, — Abigor said, bowing. — The guests from Radaga have arrived.

After the demon king nodded approvingly, Abigor stepped aside, and as I followed his gaze, I noticed Vin sitting peacefully. However, Vin also noticed me. As our eyes met, the dog’s demeanor changed. It seemed to be smiling and wagging its tail with excitement, eager to greet me. I smiled warmly at the hellhound and looked back at the lords.

— Welcome to our world, dear guests, — said the king of the mages in a commanding voice.

— Thank you, Your Majesty, — Logan bowed. — It is a great honor for us.

— I am Alatar, the king of magicians, — he introduced himself, then pointed at the demon with his hand: — This is Samael, the king of demons, — the demon just proudly raised his chin. Then Alatar pointed at the centaur: — And this is Medon, the leader of the centaurs, — the centaur bowed his head in greeting, and silence fell.

Now it’s our turn to introduce ourselves.

— I am Logan Royal, the Magister of Day Lins Academy, originally from Radagi, — the Magister introduced himself and began to introduce each of us, one by one. As each student was introduced, they would step forward and bow. When it was my turn, Magister Logan said: — This is Student Sophie Castell, a Tribrid, a relative of Rector Sabina Sammoth, and the Duchess of the Holost Clan.

Stepping forward, I curtsied and felt three sets of interested male eyes on me: Alatar’s intense gaze, Samael’s lustful look, and Medon’s curious expression.

— Tell me about your clan, child, — the centaur’s melodious voice said.

— My clan consists of werewolves and vampires, — I replied. — My younger sister is the queen of our clan.

— In that case, your title was misrepresented to us, — he said.

— I beg to differ, Your Majesty, — I stammered. — Last year, I was to have ascended the throne, but for certain reasons I did not, giving the right of succession to my younger sister, which is why I am now a duchess, not a princess.

— I’m afraid it will be dangerous for you here, — said the demon’s mysterious voice. — I can feel your energy, and it is different from the others. It could be a great temptation for our child thief.

— Speaking of the kidnapper, — Alatar interjected. — I think it’s time we got down to business.

— Two years ago, creatures from the world of Adamon, who call themselves the Vierns, came to us, — Medon said. — They asked for our help, as their world was dying. We allowed them to live and exist in our world, and we gave them our water, as they are water creatures and cannot survive without water. A year later, the first kidnappings occurred. However, it all started with the water. Our people gradually began to go mad and lose their magic. Then the kidnappings began. We found the missing children a few days later, but they were devastated and dead.

— We assume it was their doing, — Samael interjected.

— Or they may have unknowingly brought something to our world that has put it at risk of extinction, — the centaur insisted.

— In any case, we have not yet found any evidence of their guilt, — Alatar said. — Everyone who saw the kidnappers is dead. The balance of our world is crumbling with each passing day. Our people are in danger. Our world is in danger.

— Need necromancers here, not battle mages, — Logan suggested.

— If our necromancers couldn’t help, then your necromancers probably couldn’t either, — the mage king replied.

— What can battle mages do to help? — Koil asked. All eyes turned to him, making him squirm uncomfortably.

— As Magiss Sabina has told us, — the man replied. — The battle mages of your world learn not only to fight, but also to investigate. We need a fresh perspective. Perhaps you can find something we have overlooked.

— Where are you staying? — the demon asked suddenly.

— In a small inn in the middle of the forest, — the magister replied.

— That won’t do, — he said, shaking his head in disapproval. — It’s too far away, and it won’t be convenient for you to work there. We’ve prepared a small mansion for your arrival. That’s where you’ll stay. Servants will also be provided.

— Thank you, — Logan said. — It’s an honor for us. If you don’t mind, we’d like to pack our things before we move.

— That’s not necessary, — Samael said, and snapped his fingers. — All your belongings are already in the mansion.

I was shocked. Who gave him the right to decide for us? What a lack of respect! My indignation knew no bounds. Were they treating us like their pets? I glared at the demon, but he just smirked, saying: “Look, this is my world. You’ll live by my rules”. Arrogant bastard! I had assumed that Alatar was proud and arrogant, but it turned out to be the opposite. Yes, appearances can be deceiving…

— I’m sorry for our friend’s tactlessness, — the centaur said, noticing my look. — We should have asked your opinion first. As an apology, I’d like to invite you to visit our city tomorrow.

— It’s an honor, — Logan replied. — We would be delighted to accept your invitation.

— I think I will agree with our wise Medon, — Alatar said.

— I don’t mind showing you the delights of the demonic city either, — Samael said. It was like he was doing a favor.

— Excellent, — the centaur said with a pleased smile. — Then we will see you in our cities one of these days.

— Abigor, — the demon said.

— Your Majesty, — a man said, bowing.

— Show the guests out.

We left the castle and headed towards the carriages. I was filled with indignation at Samael’s behavior.

— Would you like to come with me? — Abigor suggested.

— Sure, — I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

Settling in the carriage, the coachman set off, and the carriage moved smoothly. A dog climbed into the chair next to me and rested its head on my legs, and I began to stroke it.

— He seems to like you, — the demon chuckled.

— It’s mutual, — I smiled.

— Don’t be angry with our lord, — he said suddenly. — He has a difficult temper, but he’s not a bad man.

— There’s a slight difference between a difficult personality and a bad upbringing, — I said, pursing my lips.

— You may be right, but we’ve become accustomed to it, — he mused before continuing. — From what I’ve seen, you’ve caught the attention of our lord. This is a good sign.

— Time will tell, — I replied.

We rode in silence for the rest of the way. I stroked Vin’s rough, hot fur as I looked out the small window, observing the surroundings. Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt. I couldn’t understand why, as we were facing an ordinary building, similar to many others in the area.

— We’ve arrived, — the man said.

— Arrived where? — I asked in bewilderment. But Abigor did not answer me. He opened the door and offered me his arm.

— This is your home for the time being, — he said.

— But it looks more like one of the shops, — Koil said in disbelief. And he was right. In front of me was a tall, gray building connected to a clothing store on the right and a trinket store on the left.

— Please, — the demon said, pointing to the door. — Come in and you’ll see for yourself.

I opened the doors, and a large, bright hallway appeared in front of me. Although it looked more like a gym. A massive chandelier hung from above, soft snow – white sofas in the middle on both sides, two staircases leading to both sides of the second – floor corridor, and another door between them. Most likely, the entrance to the dining area.

— No one but our sovereigns and their advisors knows of your arrival, — the man said.

— Is that why Viern wasn’t at the meeting? — I asked. — I thought they’d been restricted in their power.

— That, too, — the demon chuckled.

— In that case, we need new clothes to avoid being recognized, — said Magister Logan.

— All your new clothes are in your chambers.

— Gentlemen, — a woman’s voice exclaimed. I turned towards the sound and saw a heavyset woman approaching us. She wore a headscarf, but a few strands of blonde hair were visible. She smiled warmly, causing wrinkles to form around her green eyes.

— Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you. Been preparing all night and all day, — the woman continued to say. — I’m Matilda. Come on, I’ll show you around. Oh, and whose young lady is this? — she suddenly asked, looking at me in surprise. — We were not warned about the married couple.

Now my eyes were wide open in surprise.

— Matilda, — Abigor cut her off. — This is Adept Sophie Castell, from Radaga.

— So there’s no married couple here? — the woman still didn’t understand.

— Of course not, — the demon said, rolling his eyes wearily.

— Oh, — she blushed, making her plump cheeks redden. — I’m sorry. Come on, I’ll show you around.

— And who is she? — I asked Abigor in a whisper.

— The mage and your butler, — he replied. I was about to say goodbye to him and follow the others, but suddenly the demon stopped me by grabbing my hand. — Don’t go anywhere alone. The laws here are completely different. Women have almost no rights in our world. If someone takes a liking to you, they might try to buy you off or even kidnap you.

— Abigor, — I tried to remove his hand, or at least loosen his grip. — I may be a girl, but don’t underestimate me. I can take care of myself!

— I have no doubt of that, — he finally let me go. — But you might accidentally give yourself away.

— I’ll be careful, — I promised solemnly. I didn’t want to disrupt my practice.

Catching up with the others on the second floor, I heard Matilda telling everyone what was in their room as she showed them around. We went from room to room, placing everyone in their rooms one by one.

— Each of you will have your own servant, — the woman said, holding up her hand as if we were about to object. — That is the way it is done. You will stay in your rooms until dinner is ready, and then you will be escorted to the dining hall.

— Everyone will their own room? — marveled Michel — one of our adepts. A dark-skinned young man with short dark hair, full lips, charcoal eyes, and sharp cheekbones.

— Of course, — she replied calmly. — Every self-respecting wizard should have their own personal space.

Once everyone had settled in and only I was left, we headed to my chambers, where I would be staying for the coming month.

— And how did such a young girl end up in the combat department? — Matilda wondered. — You’re so small, so fragile.

— Trust me, — I grinned. — I’m not as fragile and defenseless as I might seem.

Chapter 4

Abigor visited us again last night. I remembered his words about how no one knew about us except for close associates. Then I thought about all those servants, the coachman, and the woman at the inn. But he reassured me that they had a magical non-disclosure agreement that couldn’t be broken. They had thought of everything.

Day one

— Have you seen the tavern around here? — Michel said enthusiastically. — We must visit them!

We were sitting in the dining hall. It was quite cozy and bright. For breakfast, we were served something similar to our Earthly pancakes, only they were green and sprinkled with something resembling coconut flakes.

— We didn’t come here to have fun, — the Magister said.

— But where else, if not in a tavern, can you get the necessary information about what is happening? — The young man insisted.

— In any case, we have other plans for today, — Logan continued. — After breakfast, we’ll visit the city of the centaurs. We need to learn more about their culture. Perhaps we’ll hear some information there.

— There are succubi among the demons, — Koil grinned slyly, anticipating a visit to the city of Ramadel.

— If you want to give them some of your energy, go ahead and have fun, — I said. — But remember, it’s not you who’s playing with them, it’s them who’re playing with you. They also feed on you during intercourse.

— Yeah, you’ve got a demon right under your nose, — he teased.

— What do you mean? — I asked.

— Don’t pretend, Sophie, — he replied, rolling his eyes. — We all saw the way Abigor and His Majesty Samael were looking at you.

— Take them, — I said, laughing. — I don’t mind.

In fact, I didn’t see anything objectionable in Abigor’s gaze, just curiosity, nothing more. His interest was similar to when you see something unusual and incomprehensible in front of you. However, I couldn’t say the same about the demon king.

***

After finishing our breakfast, we headed for the exit, where our usual coachman was waiting for us.

— To the city of the centaurs, — after leaving the mansion, the magister ordered the coachman.

The people who drove us didn’t change. They were always the same silent men dressed in strange clothes.

After a while, we left the city and entered the forest again. I had expected the centaur city to be beautiful, but I had not expected it to be this beautiful. As we approached the gates, we were met by two men. I realized that they were the guards. They had well-built bodies, lower horse-like parts, and shoulder-length, wavy brown hair. They were dressed in leather vests and held spears in their hands. One of the men approached the carriage and said to the young driver:

— For what purpose did you arrive?

— Guests from Radaga, invited by Chief Medon.

I heard the sound of hooves approaching us. A handsome man with rough cheekbones looked through the window, glancing at each of us in turn. After confirming the young man’s words, the guard stepped back and waved at someone near the gate. I heard a slight creaking sound, and the carriage continued its journey.

I saw a forest. But it was different from the forest we were traveling through. There were houses and shops, but they were covered in moss. I’ve seen baby centaurs and adult centaurs. They were so happy, and they seemed so carefree. The people here were doing magic right in front of us. There was a small lawn, and it was empty, but a woman raised her hand, and a light like pollen poured out of it, and flowers began to grow on the lawn — they looked like daisies, but they were red and smelled delicious. It was amazing. Soon, we reached a small house and stopped. At first, I didn’t understand why, but then I got out of the carriage and saw Medon. His face was lit up by a kind smile, and next to him was a woman with two children who looked to be around five or seven years old.

— Welcome, — he said. — How was your journey?

— Thank you, — Logan replied. — We made it without any problems.

— Let me introduce you to my family, — he said, pointing to the woman and her children. — This is my Isaiah, Ravenna, — he said, then pointed to the children standing next to her. — And these are our children, Neor and Lavi.

— It’s a pleasure to meet you, — Logan said, bowing slightly.

— So do we, Master Logan of Radaga, — the woman sang. — My isai has told me much about you.

— Let me show you around our city, — the centaur offered.

— With pleasure, — the magister replied.

We set off on foot. Many passers-by stopped to look at us, examining us curiously. The city of the centaurs seemed to be enveloped in an invisible dome: everything was so forested and green. Birds chirped loudly, some enjoying their flight, while others peacefully perched on the roofs of small houses and various shops, all of which were covered in moss.

I was trailing behind everyone, curiously examining every detail, listening to the conversations around me. Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a kitten playing happily on the lawn in front of a small antique shop. The kitten was fascinated by the pollen and was trying to catch it with its paw. I approached the kitten and crouched down. As I took a closer look at the kitten, my heart ached with pain: it was a replica of my Mars. The kitten looked up from its amusement and came over to me, wobbling awkwardly on its paws. I reached out my hand, and it nuzzled it as if it were being petted.

— Have you recently lost someone close to you? — Medon’s voice sounded nearby.

— Yes, — I replied as I stood up. Medon was quite tall, at least two meters, so I had to look up at him all the time. — This kitten is an exact replica of my deceased familiar.

— It’s not exactly a kitten, — he pointed at it, and I turned to see what he meant. In place of the cat, there was now a beautiful white unicorn with bright blue eyes.

— Wow, — was all I could say.

The unicorn approached and leaned down, offering its thick mane for my hand to touch.

— He likes you, — Medon smiled. — Tell me, Magissa Sophie, are there many people like you in your world?

— No, — I replied. — In fact, I’m the only one of my kind. At least, I’ve never met anyone like me before.

— That’s interesting, — he mused.

— You know, I’ve noticed something, — I said, looking at him and taking my eyes off the unicorn. — Your world has a different language. We understand it and speak it, but we don’t realize that it’s different from our own. However, if you listen carefully, you can hear the similarities. Your language is similar to one of our world’s languages, Vietnamese. The intonation and words are similar, but the meaning is different.

— That’s another of our world’s charms, — he smiled. — It’s even surprising that you were able to notice it. Your colleagues clearly didn’t notice the transition. The fact is, when you arrived in our world, our magic subtly reconfigured the language barrier for you.

— What do you mean? — I asked.

— A small part of our world’s magic has flowed into you, which has made it possible to remove the internal language barrier. That’s why you understand us and can speak our language freely.

— But why didn’t the others notice the difference? — I still couldn’t understand.

— Because magic only flows into magic, — the centaur explained. — But you have two other entities besides magic. They helped you recognize the difference.

— And what is Isaiah? — I asked, remembering his address to the woman, as we continued on our way.

— This is the chosen one, — he replied. — This is the woman you have loved with all your heart. This is the woman who is destined for you. This is the woman with whom you will build a family.

— We call them “wife”, — I smiled. — I honestly thought you lived in a palace, but your home is quite modest and cozy.

Day two

The next place we visited was a city of mages. First, we took a carriage to the river, and then a boat to a small island. Once we arrived on the island, the driver changed into winter clothes and opened a portal. We stepped out of the portal and found ourselves on a mountain. In front of us was a massive gate. The area was covered in snow, but there was no snowstorm or strong wind, even though we were in an open area. As we entered the gate, we saw a typical city, but the magical energy was evident everywhere.

Dragons were flying in the sky, pushing the clouds away with their huge wings. Local restaurants were openly preparing various drinks and dishes using magic. That was all I managed to see in a short time, until we were teleported to the palace. The king of mages’s house was indeed a palace. It was a grand and ostentatious palace made of gold and silver.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by servants who escorted us to the dining area. Inside the palace, the floor was covered with a red carpet, and the high ceilings were adorned with crystal chandeliers. The walls, made of an unknown mineral, were adorned with paintings. The dining room was quite spacious, with panoramic windows on the right side overlooking the palace garden and a long table covered with red cloth on the left. The table was filled with a variety of dishes that I had never seen before, and they exuded a delightful aroma.

— Your Majesty, — Logan bowed.

— Please, sit down, — the man said, waving his hand at the table. — Have lunch with me.

People in white aprons immediately entered the room and placed plates of meat and something resembling potatoes in front of us.

— Thank you, — the Master replied.

We sat down at the table and began to eat. From time to time, I could feel the tension coming from Alatar, and I couldn’t understand why he was so bothered by my presence. Was he afraid of me? But I doubted that I, even with my entities, was stronger than him, the king of magicians. After all, they relied on magic for everything. They consumed magic every day. It was endless for them, as they replenished it subconsciously. It was unlike what we had in our world.

— Sophie, — Alatar said suddenly. — Why did you choose the Department of War?

— I’ve always been interested in martial arts, — I replied with a shrug. — Knowing how to use your abilities properly can be useful at any time.

— Considering your background, — he continued a few minutes later. — I assume you are much older than your peers?

— That’s true, Your Majesty.

— What do you think about the current situation in our world?

— It’s too early to draw any conclusions. We only know the surface of the situation. I think we should talk to the Vierns, observe them for a while, and then draw our own conclusions, — and again there was silence, but this time I decided to break it. — Your Majesty, may I ask you a question?

— Ask me, — he replied.

— Why are you so tense?

— It’s interesting that you noticed that, — he said, putting down his cutlery. — You see, young magissa, this is the first time I’ve encountered someone like you. I don’t know what to expect from you, and your energy is confusing to me. It’s either hostile, friendly, or neutral.

Silence fell again. After the meal, we were served tea.

— Your Majesty, — Logan addressed him. — In our last meeting, Their Majesties Medon and Samael expressed their opinions about the Wyverns and the situation, but what is your opinion?

— I don’t think the Vierns are involved in this, — he replied after a moment’s thought. — Perhaps something came after them. But they definitely dragged it along unconsciously.

— Why do you think that?

— Have you seen our city yet? — Alatar abruptly changed the subject after a moment of silence, without answering Logan’s question. It was very strange.

— No, — Logan replied. It was clear that Alatar’s behavior had caught his attention.

— You can go and take a look around, — he said as he stood up. — And I’m sorry, but I have urgent government business to attend to.

***

As I walked along the cobblestone path, I took in the sights around me: the taverns with their live music and loud conversations, the shops selling food, jewelry, and clothing, and the office supplies. Magister Logan was walking behind us, lost in thought. I slowed down to talk to him.

— Magister Logan, — I said. — Did you notice that His Majesty was acting strangely?

— I’ve noticed that too, Adept Castell, — he replied thoughtfully. — But it’s too early to draw any conclusions. We need to observe him.

— I’ve heard that somewhere before, — I said. — When my maidservant was acting strangely, I reported it to the advisor. He told me the same thing you just said.

— We can’t confront him with accusations right now anyway, — he replied. — We need proof.

Logan was right about this. I’m not dealing with an ordinary servant now, I’m dealing with a king! I can’t just come in with empty accusations and suspicions — I need solid, irrefutable evidence.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a girl. She was thin, with sunken eyes, sharp cheekbones, and long, greasy dark hair. Her thin lips were pulled down so tightly that it seemed as if she was constantly dissatisfied with everything. In her trembling hands, she held a small bottle of water. With eagerness, she unscrewed the cap and drank it in one gulp. As she did so, her lips stretched into a smile, her eyes brightened, and her hair regained its shine and health. However, her thinness remained, as did her sickly, exhausted appearance. As she disappeared from my view, I noticed that she was standing near the entrance to a small shop called “Pure Water.” I entered the shop to find out what kind of water it was. On all the shelves and displays, there were bottles of water. Each bottle had a different color: some were clear, others were pink, and still others were green…

I came closer and read the name. Next to the clear bottle of water was written “Healing Elixir”, next to the pink one was another name “Love Forever”, and next to the green one was “Fertility”. I went to the counter, hoping that at least someone would come to me. I would like to know what these bottles are. They do not look like elixirs, at least not our ones. And the elixirs of this world do not differ in appearance from ours. The internal composition and power of action are different. In appearance, genuine elixirs should be thicker, but these bottles of water are liquid.

— Hey, — I called loudly, tired of waiting. — Is anyone there?

But no one answered. There wasn’t even a rustle.

— Sophie, — Koil called out to me. I jumped in surprise and looked at him reproachfully. But the young man did not react to this. He continued to stand near the entrance, leaning his shoulder against the door frame, with an unperturbed look in his eyes. — It’s time for us to return.

Day three

Today, we went to the city of demons. Only this time, we went deep into the forest. Then, we were blocked by thickets that we had to navigate through.

— It feels like we’re not going on a visit, — Koil grumbled. — But going through a test!

Finally, after passing through the thicket, we saw the entrance to the cave.

— And we were definitely going in the right direction? — I asked the coachman doubtfully.

— That’s right, young Magissa, — the coachman replied with a slight bow.

Everyone present summoned their magic, and a magical ball formed, illuminating the dark cave as we walked through it. The sound of dripping water could be heard, falling from the stone ceiling and hitting the ground. Ahead, there was a light, but it didn’t look like an exit. The light seemed to come from a campfire. As we approached, the guards immediately met us, clutching their swords. They were all clad in armor, with a wagging tail a sharp tip, and their horns were visible through their pointed iron helmets.

— Who are you, and where are you going? — said one of the guards. He was probably in charge.

— Guests from Radaga have arrived at the invitation of His Majesty Samael, — the carriage driver said, presenting them with an invitation personally signed by the demon king.

The guardian read the invitation and stepped back, drawing a dagger from its sheath. He swiped it across the empty space, as if tearing open a cloth, and a portal appeared before us. But this portal was unlike any I had seen before — it was not bright, warm, and round. Instead, it glowed red and spewed lightning. It exuded heat, and its shape seemed to tear through space.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the portal first and found myself in a demon city. It wasn’t bright, but it wasn’t night either. The surroundings, like the clouds, were a deep shade of crimson. It was so bright that it made my eyes water. Creatures that were completely different from us were walking around. They were much taller, with horns, tails, and hooves instead of feet. Some were too thin, while others were well-built, but there wasn’t a single overweight demon or demoness. Even the little demon children, walking hand in hand with their parents, looked like angels. The appearance of these creatures was truly beautiful. And even the flaws that set demons apart from us do not diminish their beauty.

— So this is what demons really look like, — I breathed in awe.

I turned around to see what was behind me, and I saw a cliff with fiery lava flowing down below. It must have been quite hot for humans, but for some reason, none of my companions seemed to be struggling with the heat. And I was feeling quite comfortable.

— Welcome, — boomed a familiar voice. I turned to see a towering, powerful demon standing before me, a trident in his hands. His features were unmistakable, of course, from our last encounter, but the rest of his body, so unlike a human’s, and his immense height, I barely recognized him.

— Your Majesty? — I blurted out.

— It is, — Samael replied proudly. — Almost in all its glory. You can take a walk around my city and see the surrounding area, while Magister Logan and I will go to my castle and discuss business.

— As you command, Your Majesty, — Logan said, bowing.

Samael struck the ground with his trident, and they disappeared together, leaving a small trail of sulfur-smelling smoke from the spell.

— I see a tavern, — Koil exclaimed, pointing to one of the many buildings nearby. — Shall we go in?

— I don’t think that’s a good idea, — I replied skeptically, noticing with my vampire vision that the tavern was quite “crowded,” if I may say so, speaking of demons.

— Well, then, stay here, — he said at last. — Bore.

I had no choice but to follow them. It seemed that I was the only sensible person around, and I was right to be afraid of the demons. This was the first time we had encountered them, and we didn’t know what to expect from them. Without understanding their behavior and laws, we could easily get into trouble.

We entered the tavern, and the smell of alcohol immediately hit my nose, mixed with alcohol and sweat, which barely interrupted the aroma of baked turkey. My fellow students split up and took the empty tables. I sat down separately from everyone and ordered only a glass of water. While I was making sure that the boys didn’t get into trouble, I didn’t notice a tall, muscular demon standing next to me. He was staring at me with a lecherous look, almost licking his lips.

— How much do you cost? — he sat down at the next chair, leaning back on the backrest. I was taken aback by his audacity. Had he just asked me how much I was worth? Had I heard him correctly? Was he treating me like an object? — Is you mute?

— I’m not a thing to be sold, — I replied, staring defiantly into his crimson-rimmed eyes.

— Everything is for sale, girl, — he replied with a nasty grin, his eyes raking over me. He reeked of alcohol, but I wouldn’t have guessed from his appearance that he was drunk. — And especially young magisses, — and again I didn’t respond.

Is it worth responding to someone who doesn’t hear anyone but themselves? I don’t think so either.

— So how much? Ten gold guineas? Twenty? I don’t think you’re worth more than that.

— I will certainly inform His Majesty of your disrespect for his guests, — I said with a false smile.

— What do you have to do with it? — He turned around and looked at my fellow students. — Have they already bought you?

— I came with them from Radaga.

— Well, everything is clear about them. They’re young battle mages, but you’re clearly not one of them.

— What makes you say that? — I raised an eyebrow.

— Young maidens have nothing to do in the combat department, which means you’ve come to have fun, — he sighed wearily. — I can provide you with unforgettable entertainment. I’ll even pay you more than you need — fifty gold guineas.

— It seems that you need entertainment, — I chuckled. — I will repeat myself once more: I, a student of the combat department at Dei Lins Academy in Radagi, do not sell myself.

— Is he bothering you, young Magissa? — A man’s voice sounded behind me. I turned and saw Abigor.

— He’s already leaving, — I replied, returning my gaze to the arrogant demon.

— I’m not leaving, — he said stubbornly, and turned to Abigor. — I want to buy her. Who should I pay?

— The young sorceress is not for sale, — the demon said, putting his hands behind his back.

— Well, — he sighed, and, stepping close to me, he seized my hand. — Then I’ll take her for free.

— Hey! — I was indignant. His actions instantly enraged me, awakening a fiery magic that began to fill my veins, ready to burst into flames at any moment.

— Let her go, — Abigor growled through his teeth. — The king will have your head cut off and feed it to his dogs for disrespecting his guests.

— You go, Commander-in-Chief, — he said, still holding me. People were starting to look at us. My fellow students were watching the scene. Marcus was about to stand up, but Koil grabbed his arm, and I heard him whisper, — Don’t interfere. She’ll handle it. — The demon continued, confident in his own power: — Report to our king about his right hand. Let’s see who he listens to. It’s unlikely that a major conflict will break out over a single otherworldly whore.

Abigor began to grow in size, becoming taller and larger, and his dark brown pupils were covered with a crimson veil.

I unleashed my magic, striking the demon in the chest, and the king’s right-hand man was thrown several meters away. He crashed into one of the tables, breaking it apart with his weight. My legs lifted off the ground, and my entire body was consumed by flames. I wanted to destroy this fool who had dared to treat me this way.

— Sophie, — Abigor called out to me. I turned around quickly, ready to incinerate him on the spot, as well as anyone else who got in my way. Abigor calmly shook his head, indicating that it was a bad idea to show my power to a fool. And he was right. If there was someone here who could interfere with our practice, it would be bad for everyone. As I calmed my emotions, the magic began to recede, and my feet touched the ground again.

Desnitsa was about to stand up, breathing heavily and glaring at me, but Abigor was there before he could do or say anything.

— Don’t underestimate her, — he said quietly. — Go away, and I promise I won’t tell the king about what happened here today.

Grunting in displeasure, the demon stood up and left the tavern, slamming the door behind him. Gradually, everyone returned to their conversations and drinking. Abigor sat down across from me, where the king’s right-hand man had recently been, and ordered a mug of an unknown alcohol called “fire sulfur.”

— How much do I have to pay for the broken table as compensation? — I asked.

— Don’t worry about it, — he replied. — The owners of the establishment saw everything. They’ll present the bill to Nahel,” noticing my uncomprehending look, he explained: — That’s his name. And I’m sorry for his behavior. He’s too arrogant and can be stupid sometimes. We’ll talk about it later.

Chapter 5

Just like any other morning, the entire class was sitting in the dining hall, drinking tea after a hearty breakfast.

— Can we visit the local taverns today, at least? — Michel looked at Magister Logan with hope in his eyes.

— Was the previous time not enough for you? — He chided him. — You are a team, and in the end, Adept Castell had to deal with the short-sighted hand of the king on her own.

The day after our visit to the demon city, Samael sent me a box of red tulips and a note apologizing for his hand’s behavior. As part of his apology, the demon king invited me to dinner. I should have accepted his invitation, but I didn’t feel the need to do so. After all, I was here for a practical experience, not to find a suitor. However, I was still curious about how Samael had learned about the situation? It can’t have been from Abigor — he doesn’t seem like the type to break his word. Maybe he sent someone to follow us before he disappeared with the Magister?

— But nothing bad happened, — Michel rolled his eyes.

— That’s not the point, — Logan sighed wearily. — If you’re not a team, your chances of survival decrease. We’re not in our own world; we’re in a foreign one, and we need to stick together. If we’re all fighting for ourselves, I don’t see the point in practicing. Let’s go back and end this.

— Will we still get credit? — asked another adept.

— No, of course not, — Logan replied irritably. Yes, there were some stupid people among us. Meanwhile, the Magister continued to lecture us. — If it weren’t for His Majesty, I wouldn’t have known about this situation at all.

— But who told His Majesty about this situation? — I muttered to myself.

— And so, as a punishment, — he said even louder. — No taverns!

— The Magister is having breakfast, — I heard one of our maids say in the corridor.

— Tell him that this matter is urgent, — I heard Abigor say. What was the matter? As if reading my mind, he answered. But not to me, but to the maid. — Another child has gone missing tonight.

The maidservant gasped in fright, and I felt a chill run down my spine at his words, and I heard her quick footsteps approaching us.

— Abigor has arrived, — I said aloud, and all eyes turned to me.

— What brings him here? — The magister asked in surprise.

— Another child went missing tonight, — I repeated the demon’s words and stood up from the table.

At that moment, a maidservant burst into the dining room, and all eyes turned to her. She looked frightened and confused at the same time. It was the first time I had seen her like this.

— I’m sorry, Magister Logan, — the woman said, breathing heavily. — The Honorable Devilian Abigor has come to see you.

The Magister quickly stood up and headed for the door, and we followed him.

— Another child has gone missing, — Abigor repeated, ignoring the greetings.

— I know, Adept Castell has already informed me, — the Magister replied, and the demon turned his curious gaze on me, causing me to lower my eyes. — Is his search already underway?

— Yes, — he replied.

— We’d like to participate as well, but first we’d like to visit the child’s parents.

— Why? — Abigor stared at him in bewilderment. — The search is currently taking place in the forest, where we usually find children.

— The house where the child lived has a strong energy. It will make it easier for us to find him, and if we are lucky, we will see what happened.

— Our mages have already tried to do this. They failed. Why do you think you will succeed?

— Just take us to his house, — Logan sighed wearily.

— As you wish, — the demon shrugged. — But I still think it’s a waste of time.

After waiting for us to get dressed and clean up, which took no more than three minutes, Abigor pulled a curved, serrated dagger from its sheath and swung it through the air, creating the same magical portal we had seen when we first visited the demon city.

After entering the portal, we found ourselves in a city of mages, covered in layers of snow-white snow. However, this time we were not near the gates, but near one of the few two-story brick houses that stood in the center of the city. It was snowing this time. Small snowflakes fell on my curls, face, and clothes, melting within a minute due to my body temperature. Suddenly, a man with wavy brown hair that reached his shoulders ran out of the house. I don’t know why, but for a moment, I thought I saw my father. However, it was not him. The man didn’t resemble him in any way except for his hair.

— Have you found her? — he asked with hope in his eyes. — Have you found my Leah?

— The search is still ongoing, esteemed Magus, — Abigor replied calmly. — But I have brought assistance. This is Magister Logan of Radaga, — he pointed first to our mentor and then to us. — And his adepts.

— Please find my daughter, — the man pleaded, grabbing the magister’s hands in a fit of emotion.

— We’ll do our best, Mr… — Logan stammered.

— Diyner, — he introduced himself.

— Dear Magus Diyner, — I interjected. There was no time for greetings or emotions, although it was difficult to keep my own emotions in check in such a situation. — Please allow us to see your daughter’s room.

— Why? — He stared at me in bewilderment.

— Your daughter’s chambers are imbued with her energy, — I explained patiently. — We need to examine her and familiarize ourselves with her energy. This will make it easier for us to locate her. With any luck, we may be able to see details of her disappearance, but we cannot afford to waste any time. Every second counts.

— Yes, yes, of course, — he said, fidgeting. — Please, follow me.

— We’ll wait for you here, — Logan said to me. — There’s no need for a lot of people there. Only energy can get confused.

I nodded back and followed the man. As soon as I entered the house, I immediately saw a small living room, but I didn’t have time to look at it. We went to the stairs leading to the second floor and went up. When I entered the girl’s room, I looked around: an ordinary children’s room — a bed, a closet, toys, books. It looked as if the girl hadn’t disappeared anywhere, but had just gone out for a walk with her peers.

— How old is your daughter? — I asked.

— Her just turned five yesterday, — he replied sadly.

— Do you mind if I stay here alone for a while?

Dainer didn’t respond. He simply walked out and closed the door behind him. I picked up one of the girl’s toys, sat on the floor, crossed my legs, and closed my eyes, focusing my energy. As I calmed my breathing and slowed my heartbeat, I tried to sense the child’s energy. I found it in a subtle, pure line. Grasping onto it, I entered a state of trance, where the night sky was illuminated by stars. The girl was peacefully sleeping in her bed, hugging the toy that I was holding in my hands. Suddenly, something changed. I felt an inexplicable sense of unease. After a while, I saw a woman’s figure appear in the darkness. However, I couldn’t make out her features clearly; it was as if she was blurred or hidden by a powerful spell. The figure approached the girl and touched her. I clearly saw little Leah open her eyes. There was more than just fear in her eyes, there was terror. She tried to scream, but she couldn’t. No sound came out of her open mouth, as if she had been robbed of her voice. The dark figure covered her mouth with its clawed hand, and in an instant, they disappeared, leaving a trail of dark smoke in their wake. It was strange that I couldn’t see the figure itself, but I could clearly see the hand.

I opened my eyes wide and walked out quickly. Dainer saw me and ran after me.

— Well? — the man asked hopefully. — Did you see anything?

I looked at Magister Logan questioningly, asking with my eyes for permission to tell the girl’s father about my vision, and the curator nodded in approval, and I said:

— The vision was blurry. I saw a dark female figure and a clawed hand. It seemed to appear out of nowhere, silencing the girl’s voice before disappearing with her into thin air.

— How is that? — he asked in confusion.

— Perhaps whoever kidnapped your child used a powerful concealment spell.

— So my daughter has joined the list of missing children, — the man said in a dejected voice.

— Not yet, — I tried to reassure him. — I’ve felt Leah’s energy enough. We can find her.

— The main thing is that you find her alive, — the man said, and disappeared into the house.

— It’s interesting that our demons, mages, and centaurs couldn’t see anything, — Abigor mused aloud. — But you could.

— How old were the missing children? — I asked, ignoring his words.

— From three to six, — he replied, breaking away from his thoughts. — It’s a pattern. It’s during these years that children’s magical energy is at its peak, as it settles into them and adapts to their bodies.

***

In the next moment, we were in the forest, in front of many people. It seemed that everyone was there: mages, demons, centaurs, and some other beautiful creatures that I didn’t know.

— I see you weren’t in a hurry, — Alatar said impatiently.

— The guests visited the house of the missing girl, — Abigor explained. — And they even managed to…

— I don’t care about your excuses, — he interrupted. — We’ve wasted time, and every second counts in this situation.

— Instead of reprimanding us, we could start searching right away, — I snapped.

— Split up and start searching, — the king ordered through gritted teeth, glaring at me.

I turned my attention to the beautiful women standing apart from the others. Each of them was like an angel fallen from heaven, yet they were all different. One of them, a woman with golden hair and bright blue eyes, looked at me with an expression of admiration that I could not understand.

— Who’s that? — I whispered to the demon.

— The Vierns, — he replied. — They are also concerned, and so they have decided to join the search.

Everyone was divided into groups. I got Abigor, a stranger mage, and one of the Viernes. Yeah, I was really lucky.

As I walked along the paved path and through the green grass, I could feel a faint residue of Leah’s energy as I ventured deeper and deeper into the forest. Eventually, the path ended, and we had to navigate through tall grasses, thorny bushes, and crooked trees. This part of the forest was significantly different from the one we had come from. It was darker and seemed less welcoming. After a while, I lost contact with the girl’s energy. It was as if she had disappeared. Then I focused on my vampire nature: I tried to sense at least the smell of her body. And I almost succeeded, only one curious person disrupted my concentration.

— You have an interesting energy, — the Vierna said in a soft voice. — It’s different from your colleagues’ energy.

— Excuse me, what should I call you? — I asked irritably, with feigned politeness.

— Rhaenyra, — she replied.

— Rhaenyra, I’m trying to concentrate right now, — I explained to her like a small child. — Please don’t distract me.

— Yes, of course, — the woman replied, looking down guiltily. — Forgive me for my lack of restraint.

I tried to focus again, and once again I could smell the girl’s body. She was about five hundred meters away, maybe more. I tried to listen for her breathing and heartbeat to see how she was doing, but then I heard Rhaenyra’s voice again, which distracted me.

— I’m sorry, — her voice said near my ear. — Did you find anything?

I was about to raise my voice at this stupid person. Once again, she’s getting in my way, and I have to start all over again! But suddenly, I heard a low-pitched sound, and it seemed like I wasn’t the only one to hear it. Rhaenyra turned in the direction of the sound in an instant, and her body tensed.

— What is it? — I asked her, frowning.

— What are you talking about? — the mage asked. I had forgotten he was there.

— That sound, — I explained to him. — Can’t you hear it?

— No, — he replied with a puzzled look.

— Rhaenyra, — I wanted to say, but she was nowhere to be found. I looked around in confusion, but the verna had disappeared. — Where is she?

— Maybe she got bored with us, — the man shrugged carelessly. — Let’s keep looking for the girl.

— Sophie, — Abigor said, looking at me seriously. — Where did you hear that sound?

— From there, — I said, pointing to the right.

Abigor went in that direction without a word. I followed him, and the wizard, sighing and muttering under his breath, followed us.

Following Abigor, after a while I heard the sound of a brook. With each step we took, the sound only grew louder, and finally I saw a beautiful place: snow-white, clean sand, a crystal blue sea, whose waves crashed against the rocks somewhere in the distance.

— Where are we? — I asked admiringly.

— This is the home of the Viernes, — Abigor replied.

— It’s beautiful, — I breathed.

I was about to step forward and touch the sea, feeling its warmth and moisture, when Abigor abruptly stopped me by grabbing my arm. I stared at him in confusion, but he simply raised his index finger to his lips, indicating that we should be quiet. After a moment, I realized the reason for his behavior: I saw Alatar. He was talking to a short, dark-haired girl, but no matter how hard I tried to listen, I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

— Why can’t I hear them? — I asked Abigor in a whisper.

— Because you’re a mage, — he replied, as he thought, obviously. — And they’re too far away.

— I’m also a vampire, — I explained to him, not taking my eyes off Alatar and his companion, shaking my head at his statement. — We can hear things from several kilometers away. I can hear his heartbeat, and it’s calm. I can smell his body and the blood flowing through his veins. But I can’t hear what they’re saying. Why?

Abigor paused for a moment and focused his gaze on them, then chuckled thoughtfully:

— I can’t hear them either, — and he was silent again for a while. — They’re surrounded by a magic dome, so we can’t hear them.

— Is this dome invisible? — I asked in surprise.

— Only to the human eye, — he replied. — Look through the eyes of a magician.

I closed my eyes and called upon my magic. When I felt it respond, I looked at Alatar and his companion and saw that they were surrounded by a huge dome. One side of the dome was engulfed in flames, while the other was shrouded in a gray haze. The haze was similar to the one I had seen in my trance, but it was black instead of gray. I looked at Abigor in awe and saw that he was surrounded by black fire.