I wake suddenly, a strange sensation in my chest pulling me from sleep. My eyes flicker open, and the darkness of the room feels… different. Heavier, almost suffocating. The hum of the pendant against my skin is faint but steady, vibrating just under the surface of my thoughts.
I hear it then. Soft footsteps, light as a whisper, echoing down the hallway outside my door.
My heart skips a beat. Panic threads through me. It's late. The house should be silent.
I roll over in bed, straining to listen. The footsteps continue, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.
"Mom?" I call out, my voice shaky. My mom must be awake, moving around in the dark, like she often does when the weight of her thoughts keeps her from sleep.
But there's no response.
I sit up, tension coiling in my body. A cold wave of unease sweeps over me. It's too quiet now. Too still. I glance at the clock—well past midnight.
I swing my legs out of bed, feet hitting the cool floor. "Mom?" I call again, louder this time. My voice echoes in the empty hallway.
I stand, hesitating. The house feels… off. The air is too thick, as though it's holding something back. A knot tightens in my stomach. I creep toward the door, reaching for the handle.
Just as my hand touches the knob, it opens.
Lilly stands in the doorway, her silhouette outlined by the dim light from the hallway. I freeze, heart pounding.
"Lilly?" I whisper, the words slipping out in shock. A chill runs down my spine.
Her eyes are wide, her expression more serious than I've ever seen. She steps into the room, glancing past me as if searching for something. There's a quiet urgency to her every movement.
"Sarah," she says softly, voice strained. "They've taken your mom."
My breath hitches in my chest. "What? Taken her? What do you mean?"
"Someone from the fae realm," Lilly's voice drops, steady but urgent. "They've taken her, Sarah. And the fae council needs your help to find her."
I blink, feeling like the ground has just shifted beneath me. "The fae council? My mom?"
Lilly steps closer, scanning the room, her movements hurried. "Yes. Your mom isn't just human. The fae… they know who and what she is. And now, we need you. You're the only one who can find her."
I stagger back, my mind spinning. The pendant at my neck pulses, almost as if it's reacting to her words, urging me to listen. To understand.
"What do you mean? I don't—"
"Sarah, please," Lilly interrupts, her voice pleading now. "There's no time. They've taken her to the fae realm. The longer we wait, the harder it will be to get her back. You have to come with me."
I shake my head, my heart racing. "I… I don't even know what to do. I don't know where to start."
Lilly's gaze softens, and she places a hand on my arm, grounding me. "You've always had this power inside you. We knew it long before you did. Your mother's been protecting you from the council. But now… it's time for you to protect her."
I glance around the room, my mind reeling. The pendant. The fae. My mother's secrets. Nothing feels real anymore. But deep down, I know it's not a choice. If the fae have my mom, I can't sit back and wait. I have to act.
With trembling hands, I clutch the pendant. It hums against my skin, stronger now, as though answering Lilly's words. "What do I do?" I whisper, the weight of everything crashing over me.
Lilly doesn't hesitate. "Come with me. We don't have much time. We'll go to the portal, and I'll show you the way."
I swallow hard, my pulse thundering in my ears. Taking one last look around the room—the home I've known my entire life—it feels like a dream. Everything is wrong. I can't stay here, not while my mother's in danger.
I nod, heart pounding. "Let's go."
********
The air is thick, almost heavy, as we step closer to the portal. The heat presses in from all sides, and the hum of the pendant around my neck pulses against my skin. It feels like something ancient is waking up within me, pulling me toward the door, urging me to move.
Lilly is walking ahead of me, her steps confident, but even she seems slightly tense. I can feel the shift in the atmosphere, as though the air itself is alive, breathing in time with my own heartbeat. Every instinct screams at me to turn back, but I know I can't. My mother is out there, and I'm the only one who can bring her back.
Lilly stops in front of the doorway. The moment I step closer, the air grows warmer, and a sudden sense of dizziness strikes me. It's like reality itself is bending around us, and I hesitate, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"This is it," Lilly says softly, her voice cutting through my swirling thoughts. "Are you ready?"
I nod, though I'm not sure what I'm ready for. I feel both like I've been here before and like I'm stepping into something completely new. Something powerful. Something I don't fully understand.
She steps forward, and I follow her. The moment we pass through the threshold, the world around me seems to shimmer. The air thickens with magic, and everything—the trees, the buildings, the sky—seems to hum with energy, as though the very landscape is alive. I blink against the light, which feels almost too bright, but then I see it.
Lumindellar.
The city is breathtaking. It's like something straight out of a dream—a place where magic is tangible in every brick, every tree, every beam of golden light. The buildings are tall and sleek, their spires reaching toward the sky. They're like medieval castles, but alive, almost organic in their design, covered in vines and blooming flowers that pulse with soft light.
The sky above is a warm golden hue, with thin clouds drifting lazily across it. The air smells fresh, like wildflowers and rain. I can feel the magic swirling around me, slipping beneath my skin and into my veins, making me feel like I've been here all my life.
But it's also overwhelming.
I take a hesitant step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The pendant around my neck pulses, and for the first time, I realize that it's not just a piece of jewelry. It's part of me. And it's responding to the magic around me, resonating with it, guiding me forward.
"Sarah," Lilly's voice cuts through the haze of wonder and unease. "There are things you need to understand about this place."
"Okay", I nod knowing there is nothing I know about this place.
"The council you're about to meet is made up of a couple of courts. Unseelie and Seelie courts. I'll explain everything about them later. Just know to be careful"
Before I can respond she's already walking ahead, leading me through the streets of the city, her pace quickening.
I try to keep up, but I can't stop staring at everything—the way the trees shimmer with bioluminescence, the way the buildings glow with a soft light. The Fae realm is unlike anything I've ever imagined, beautiful yet terrifying, filled with wonder and danger in equal measure.
Lilly doesn't stop until we reach a grand palace—a towering structure made of smooth stone, with large windows that let in the golden light from above. The air feels even thicker here, like magic itself is pressing against me from all sides. It's hard to breathe, hard to think. I grip the pendant tighter as we approach.
"Here we are," Lilly says, her voice tense as she pushes open the door.
Inside, the Fae Council is waiting.
The room is vast, its ceiling stretching high above us, covered in strange glowing symbols that twist and writhe with the same magic that fills the air. The council members are seated around a long stone table, their eyes all trained on us as we enter.
There are eight of them in total, four from the Seelie Courts, and four from the Unseelie Courts. They sit like statues, their presence commanding and cold.
"Lilly," one of the Seelie members says, a tall woman with silver hair and a voice like wind chimes. "You've brought her here?"
"Yes," Lilly responds, her voice steady, but there's a tension in her shoulders.
"Sarah is the one who can help."
They turn their eyes on me, all of them. My heart skips a beat as I realize I'm being judged, measured, tested.
The Seelie members are calm, their energy serene, but the Unseelie members are more… volatile. They watch me like I'm a threat, their eyes narrowed, their lips pressed into thin lines.
One of the Unseelie members—a man with dark hair and sharp eyes—leans forward, his voice low. "We don't trust her. She's just a human."
Another, a woman with twisted vines for hair, scoffs. "She's a half-blood at best. Her kind has always been a threat to our world."
The tension in the room rises, and I feel it—like I'm standing on the edge of something dangerous. The Unseelie members are hostile, and the Seelie members are cautious but hopeful. I feel exposed, like I'm caught in the middle of something I don't understand.
Lilly steps forward, her gaze hardening. "You will trust her," she says, her voice sharp. "Sarah is the only one who can find her mother. Someone here in the fae realm took her, and only Sarah can save her."
The silence in the room is deafening. Then, another voice cuts through it. A tall man with gold-tipped wings and an air of authority leans forward. He's a Seelie member, I think, his eyes steady and calm. "What is it about her that makes her the only one to find her mother?" he asks, his gaze flicking to me, then back to Lilly.
Lilly hesitates before answering, and I feel a pang of fear. She knows something, but she's not telling me everything. "Sarah's bloodline, her connection to the magic of this world, is stronger than you think. Her mother had been hiding it all her life, but now… it's awakening."
I stare at Lilly, my mind racing. What does she mean by that? What connection do I have to this world?
"I don't care what she is," a voice from the Unseelie Court snaps. "She's no different from the others. She can't be trusted."
"I'm not sure we have time for this," Lilly says, her voice edged with frustration. "Her mother is in the Fae realm, and if we don't act now, we might lose her forever."
The room falls silent once more, and I can feel the weight of their decision. The tension is unbearable, and I don't know who to trust anymore.
Finally, the Seelie member, I believe, with the golden wings speaks again. "We'll help her," he says, his voice soft but firm. "We must. But we must test her. Her abilities are untested, and the Fae are not forgiving of failure."
Another member of the council—a woman with emerald green eyes—looks at me intently. "You must prove yourself, Sarah. If you fail, we may not be able to help you. If you succeed, we will guide you."
Lilly looks at me, her eyes filled with determination. "You can do this. I believe in you."
I don't know if I believe in myself.
The weight of everything—the pendant, my mother's disappearance, the council's scrutiny—presses down on me. But deep down, I know I can't turn back now. My mother is out there, and the Fae realm holds the key to saving her.
I take a deep breath, feeling the hum of the pendant in my chest. It's my only connection to this world, and I need to trust in it, trust in myself.
"I'll do whatever it takes," I say, my voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling in my chest.
The council members exchange looks, some skeptical, others hopeful, but they nod in agreement.
"Then," the golden-winged man says, "your trial begins."
The moment the words leave the golden-winged man's mouth, the room feels colder, like the very air is holding its breath. The council members exchange glances, their sharp eyes never leaving me. A ripple of uncertainty spreads through me, and I try to calm the frantic beating of my heart.
The trial. My mind echoes the words, but my feet feel rooted to the floor. What does that mean? What do they expect me to do? How can I prove myself when I don't even know what I'm supposed to be?
Lilly steps closer, her presence a brief comfort amidst the tension. "Sarah," she says, her voice firm but soft, "trust yourself. You've got this. You are more powerful than you think."
I swallow, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, like I've been standing on the edge of something bigger for my entire life. The pendant around my neck hums again, louder now, vibrating through my chest. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of its power.
The golden-winged man nods once, signaling to another member of the council, a tall figure with long silver hair and striking violet eyes. "Alette," he says simply, and she stands, her regal movements effortless and graceful.
"Follow me," Alette commands, and the sound of her voice is like a bell tolling in the air. Her tone brooks no argument, and before I can gather my thoughts, she turns and walks toward the large doors behind the council.
I glance at Lilly, but she doesn't offer any further reassurance, her gaze focused on me with an intensity that leaves no room for hesitation. "Go, Sarah," she urges softly.
I nod and take a step forward. The others fall silent as I walk toward Alette. With every step, the space between us seems to grow. The room, once so grand and intimidating, feels smaller now, and the weight of every eye on me presses harder. I reach the doors and push them open, the cool breeze from the other side washing over me as Alette leads the way.
The corridor beyond is even more beautiful than the city itself. The stone walls shimmer with an iridescent glow, and the air is filled with a low hum, like the heartbeat of the Fae realm itself. Every corner of this world is alive with magic. It sings in the air, curls in the trees, pulses in the ground beneath my feet.
We step into an open space, and my eyes widen as I take in the scene before me. The area is circular, surrounded by tall, intricate archways, each one covered in glowing vines and flowers. A patch of land at the center is clear, the ground covered with soft grass that seems to pulse with its own rhythm.
"This is where your trial will begin," Alette says, her voice steady, but I hear the faintest edge of something—expectation. "You must prove that you can wield the power that lies dormant within you."
I swallow hard, the weight of her words pressing down on me. How can I possibly prove something I don't even understand?
Alette raises her hand, and in an instant, the ground before me shifts. The soft grass seems to ripple, like the surface of a pond disturbed by an unseen force, and from the depths of the earth, a glowing orb rises, floating just inches above the ground. It pulses with light, flickering like a heartbeat, and I instinctively take a step back.
"This," she says, "is a test of your control."
I look up at her, confused. "Control? What do I need to do?"
Alette smiles faintly, her violet eyes glimmering. "You must call upon the magic within you. The pendant you wear connects you to the power of this realm. It is time to awaken that power."
I take a deep breath, my hands instinctively going to the pendant around my neck. The hum grows louder, resonating deep within me, until it feels like the very air around us is vibrating with it.
"Focus," Alette instructs. "Channel your magic into the orb. Let the power flow through you."
I close my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart. I focus on the pendant, the way it hums against my skin, the way it feels like a part of me, like it's waiting for me to do something. I try to think of all the times I've felt its power—when it pulsed in my chest, when it guided me forward. I reach for that connection, that power, but it's elusive, like trying to catch the wind in my hands.
But the more I concentrate, the clearer the feeling becomes. It's not just the pendant—it's me. The magic is inside me. I can feel it now, surging through my veins, like a fire igniting in my chest.
I hold out my hands toward the orb. Slowly, cautiously, I push my magic forward, trying to focus it, direct it. The orb flickers, its light growing brighter, but I feel my energy faltering. My control is slipping, and I panic, unsure how to keep it together.
Alette's voice breaks through the haze of panic. "Focus, Sarah. Don't fight it. Let it flow."
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. It's not about forcing the magic—it's about letting it flow through me. I concentrate on the pendant, on the energy that swirls within it, and suddenly, the orb flares to life. It expands in size, glowing brighter with each passing second, until it hovers above my outstretched hands, pulsing with a rhythm that matches the beat of my heart.
I open my eyes, and for a moment, I'm stunned. The orb hovers there, alive with magic, responding to me. I did it. I made it happen.
Alette nods approvingly. "You have passed the first test, Sarah."
But as I lower my hands and the orb fades back into the earth, the air around me seems to settle, the hum of magic in the air softening. The weight of the pendant against my skin is almost comforting now, like it's finally at peace, but the unease gnawing at me doesn't dissipate. I know I've only taken the first step into this world of power and danger, and the road ahead is uncertain at best.
Alette stands tall, her eyes still trained on me, but there's a glimmer of approval behind the sternness. She nods, but her expression remains unreadable. "You've done well. The first test is complete, but this is only the beginning."
My heart pounds, my hands still tingling from the magic that surged through me. "What comes next?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
Alette doesn't immediately answer. She steps back, glancing at the others who have gathered behind her, their eyes piercing, their energy palpable. The room, or whatever this space is, feels more alive than ever. The ground beneath me seems to pulse with its own rhythm, the trees around the perimeter swaying, their leaves shimmering in a strange, unearthly light.
"The next test will not be so… forgiving," Alette finally says, her voice low but firm. "You must face what lies within you—the magic, yes, but also the consequences of using it."
I swallow hard. Consequences? What kind of consequences could I possibly face?
Alette turns to the others, and I notice how they watch me, sizing me up like I'm some kind of puzzle they've yet to figure out. The Unseelie members are as cold and distant as ever, their eyes narrowed, clearly skeptical. But the Seelie members, though silent, exude a quiet, restrained hope that I can feel deep in my bones.
"She is not ready," one of the Unseelie men speaks up, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. He stands from his seat, tall and imposing, with sharp, angular features. "How can we trust her to complete the task when she hasn't even mastered the magic?"
Lilly's eyes flash with irritation, but she doesn't intervene. Instead, she steps closer to me, placing a reassuring hand on my arm. "She's more ready than you think," Lilly says, her voice unwavering. "Give her time. She will prove herself."
The Unseelie man scoffs but says nothing more, and Alette raises a hand to silence the murmurs of discontent from the council members. The silence stretches, thick and heavy, until Alette finally speaks again.
"You will have to prove your mastery over the pendant, Sarah," she says, her voice commanding. "You must show that you can wield its magic without allowing it to control you."
I glance down at the pendant, now warm against my skin, and for the first time, I truly wonder: What am I unleashing? What kind of power lies dormant within this small piece of jewelry? How much of it is truly me, and how much of it is the Fae realm pulling at me, guiding me?
Alette's voice pulls me back to the present. "There is a place where the power of the pendant can be tested. It is in the city of Nox, deep in the Unseelie lands. There, you will face the greatest test of all."
My chest tightens at the mention of Nox. The name sounds ominous, like something dark, something that shouldn't be disturbed.
"The city of Nox?" I repeat, my voice laced with uncertainty. "Why there?"
Alette's eyes glimmer with an unreadable emotion. "Nox is where the power of the Fae is at its strongest, where the laws of magic are most volatile. It is a place of mystery and danger. If you can harness the pendant's power there, then you will prove yourself capable of handling the responsibility that comes with it."
Lilly steps forward, her expression serious. "The warlock who controls Nox knows more about your family and your mother than anyone else. That is where you'll find the answers you're looking for. But first, you must master your magic. If you fail… we may lose everything."
My heart races again, but this time, it's not just fear. It's anticipation. Nox. A warlock. My mother's secrets. I feel the weight of it all settling over me like a storm cloud.
"How do I get there?" I ask, my voice steady despite the churning uncertainty inside me.
Alette's gaze softens, just slightly, as if she's acknowledging the difficulty of what lies ahead. "You will be guided. We will give you what you need to find your way, but it will be up to you to unlock the path to Nox. Trust the pendant. It will guide you when the time is right."
Lilly's eyes meet mine, her expression intense. "Sarah, I know this is a lot. But you can do this. You have the strength, the magic, and the will to survive what comes next. Don't let fear hold you back."
I nod, though doubt still lingers in the pit of my stomach. The pendant thrums against my skin, as though agreeing with her words. It feels like a promise, a pull toward something greater—and yet, something dangerous.
Alette turns away, signaling the others to stand. "Your trial isn't over, Sarah. But you've passed the first test. Now, the real journey begins."
As I look around at the council, some still skeptical, some quietly hopeful, I realize this is just the beginning. Nox, the warlock, the pendant—it's all part of something much larger than I ever imagined.
I swallow the lump in my throat, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on me.
"Let's begin," I say, the words tasting strange in my mouth, but for the first time since stepping into this realm, I feel like I'm starting to understand. The magic is in me, and whether I'm ready or not, it's time to unlock it.
The words "Let's begin" feel like a declaration, but as I say them, they seem to echo in the space around me, bouncing off the walls of the grand chamber. The council members watch me with varying expressions—skepticism, curiosity, but also something more. Something calculating.
Alette nods, but her expression tightens with something that feels like… expectation. "This is only the beginning, Sarah," she says again, as if reminding me of the weight of what's ahead. "You must not falter."
Lilly steps forward beside me, her presence a steadying force. She places a hand on my shoulder, her fingers warm against the cool tension of the air. "You'll have your answers soon," she whispers, and though her words are meant to reassure, they do little to dispel the swirl of fear and uncertainty rising in my chest.
The hum of the pendant against my skin pulses again, stronger now, almost insistent. It's as though it's alive, speaking to me, urging me to trust it. Trust myself.
I look at the council members once more. The Unseelie courts seem unmoved, their faces impassive, and I can feel the disdain in their gazes. The Seelie members, on the other hand, are quiet, their eyes filled with a distant hope. I wonder if they believe in me. I wonder if I believe in myself.
Nox. The city of Nox hangs in the air like a dark promise, a place I'll have to face soon. The thought of it sends a cold shiver down my spine. But there's also something else—a deep pull, a beckoning feeling from within me, like Nox is calling me home.
"We'll guide you," Alette says again, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. "But only you can unlock the path. The pendant will show you the way when the time is right."
The weight of the words sits heavy on my chest. A heavy responsibility, a power I'm still learning to control, and an unknown fate that awaits. The road ahead feels like walking on a razor's edge. One misstep, and everything could fall apart.
I nod, feeling the full force of the magic swirling within me, but also the crushing weight of uncertainty. The power is mine, but so is the fear. And yet, somehow, I know that I have no choice but to continue. For my mother. For the answers that lie in the Fae realm.
"I won't fail," I whisper, the words slipping out more as a promise to myself than to anyone else.
Lilly's eyes soften with something close to pride, but there's still a shadow of doubt there. "You won't," she says, and her voice is so certain that for a moment, I believe her.
Alette turns, signaling the others, and with a final nod, she leads us toward the door. "Your trial begins now," she declares, and though the words are spoken calmly, the weight behind them hangs heavy in the air.
The city of Nox waits for me. And with it, the warlock. My mother's secrets. The pendant's power.
As we step out into the strange, magical world, the landscape around me shifts, and I feel something inside me stir—something deep, ancient, and undeniably connected to the world of the Fae. It's like the air itself recognizes me, pulling me further into its grasp.
And as we walk toward the unknown, I realize one thing for certain: My life will never be the same again.