As we were leaving, I grabbed my new bow. I figured it might come in handy. Maybe I'd even find a string in the realm of lightning. I sighed, tucking it between my back and backpack. I walked from the bedroom into the living room. The boys rose at my approach. I smiled, gesturing towards the door. They all filed out silently, leaning one after another against the wall, waiting for me. I closed the door and locked it. I turned to Gray. He nodded, sliding a piece of paper over the lock. He held up his palm; the writing glowed purple. The paper became one with the door, disappearing entirely. Good. That gave me peace of mind.
"So, how are we supposed to get there? Do you have a portal human-side?", Arlan asked. Chase brought up the rear, Gray in front, Arlan close to my side. His arm brushed mine as we walked. I assumed he wanted to be sure of my position at all times. Arlan turned to me, and back to Gray.
"We do have a portal human side, less than three miles from where we are now, but I want to visit Matilda first. She'll know what to do", Gray said. Chase and Arlan exchanged glances, and I was miffed at his brash decision. But what could I say? We reached the bottom of the stairs. Gray passed through the door, turning to hold it open for the rest of us. We all gathered, watching him closely. He threw a handful of salt over the front steps. He knelt and slid another piece of paper under the crack in the wooden steps. He stood, dusting himself off.
"That will buy us a few weeks most likely", he said, clapping his hands free of the leftover dust. He turned to us, his gaze falling on me.
"But with your presence, they're likely to return. Like bugs to light in the dead of night. They'll continue to come back, more and more each time unless we can curb this soon", he said, crossing his arms. It bothered the boys. Arlan and Chase both shifted uneasily. I shrugged.
"We'll be ready", I said, prying his hand from under his armpit. He blushed, turning his head away. He nodded, his raven hair bobbing. We began our walk to the portal. I wondered where it could be, if it was so close. We passed shop after shop, heading deeper into the city. The daylight washed away all remnants of the vibrant nightlife I knew of this city so well. It almost didn't seem like the same place. As we continued on our way, it was getting odd. We turned a corner into an alley. We came upon a building; tall, skinny, and ornate. I looked between Gray, Arlan, and Chase. They all shrugged, letting me take the lead. I grabbed the enormous golden door handle. It creaked under its own weight; it finally gave way.
I opened the door wide; faces sitting at tables met me with a mixture of shock and awe as the sunlight bathed them. Tables of cards, tables of money, tables of weapons littered the poorly lit ballroom. I glanced at Gray, unsure of what to make of this. They were all from other realms. A collective of misfits and rejects. I finally started to put it together, where we were and where we were headed. As I took a step inside, a man threw his arm out, stopping me in my tracks. I looked at his arm, up to his face, my disgust obvious. He swallowed, struggling to keep his opposing figure. I let my eyes meet his, burning with anger. I felt the fire in my chest rise, hotter and brighter. He gulped again, dropping his arm to pick it back up again, crossing his chest. He bowed, removing himself from the doorway. Chase and Gray cleared their throats simultaneously, pulling more attention towards us. Gray gave me a nudge forward. I held my chin high, returning my attention to the room.
As I walked past the tables; people averted their eyes, held a fist to their chest, or stood at attention. I worked my way back through the crowds, finding a main hall leading to a staircase. It was red, painted with gold dragons and samurai locked forever in epic battle.
"I can guarantee he knows we're here by now, probably that we were in the area. Think he misses you?", Chase asked Gray, nudging his ribs with his elbow. I shook my head, not understanding who the 'he' was. I was still confused about the sudden change of plans. Gray gestured for me to continue up the stairs. I slid my hand over the gold gilded paintings, they were smooth as silk under my slight fingertips. Chase stuck to my left, Arlan stepped closer to me, our shoulders brushing again. Gray hung back, bringing up the rear right. We came up to two intricately carved wooden doors. Silks and gauzes hung along with lanterns, casting an eerie red glow over the walls already redder than blood. I held a hand over my chest as the door opened, unsure of what we were to be met with. Two men hauled the heavy doors wide enough to allow my party through.
Two girls fought in the middle of another large, circular, red room. Blood was spilled over the floor, light grunts coming from both girls as they continued to deal hits between each other. They didn't seem phased by our entrance. A man sitting on an elevated platform across the room held his hands up as I did. My palms glowed white; his red. His eyes glinted as my light overwhelmed him. He conceded. He motioned the girls off of their battle; they went separate ways across the room, both panting and bleeding. I looked between them both; both bore the same marks as the boys, but both bore red glows and grey skin. They both nodded to me, dropping to their knees. I let my hands drop, but let the embers glow within my palms. I was ready for a fight. Chase and Gray both tensed as the man got up from his seat. He imposed such a threatening aura that it made my knees weak. I hoped he couldn't tell. He sauntered over, sizing me up. He stood taller than Gray, much more muscular. I kept my chin high. He dropped to his knee, as well. Chase and Gray both dropped to their knees, Arlan quickly following their lead. I stood as tall I could, allowing a bow to acknowledge him. The mystery man had grey skin with the same knots and twists as Chase used to, letting red light seep through. He stood, his retainers closing in on us from behind him. They threw a large shroud over his shoulders. He adjusted it, returning his attention quickly to me. His face was horribly scarred, but that didn't make him any less attractive. He had almost ethereal features. The same, thick black locks of hair as Gray. They were held in a high bun. The slightness of his face didn't match his rough exterior.
"A pleasure to be in the presence of another greatness like myself", he said, casting his red eyes down to mine, grabbing my hand, not wincing at the heat I propelled into him. How narcissistic, he'll be a joy to deal with. I blinked rapidly. He brought the back of my hand to his lips. Gray and Chase stood, again followed by Arlan.
"What have you brought to my palace for me to play with today, boys?", he asked the three of them. His eyes crinkled at the edges as his smile grew wider. The scar perfectly centered over his lips whitened as the skin tightened. Although it was positioned perfectly from his cupid's bow down through the bottom of his chin, it didn't seem intentional. Gray stepped forward.
"We come with an offer that I don't see you passing up in this lifetime", Gray said, smiling as well, matching his energy. The man slapped him on the arm.
"Well then, join me for a drink or two. I'm always down for a trade", he said, winking at me. Chase let a low growl escape his lips. The man tisked at Chase, turning the corner down a hidden hallway leading away from the circular arena room.
"Everything for an equal price, you of all people know that", the man said. Chase grumbled, turning his head away. The man met my eyes again. I raised an eyebrow at him, he smirked and turned back to Gray, linking their arms.
"So, what brings you and the DayDreamer here today, old friend?", he asked Gray. Gray gently rubbed his neck, not quite nervous but definitely unsure.
"Well, I brought her to you to see if you or Matilda could help her learn and control her powers", Gray said. The man stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at me, his eyes wild with red fire.
"You mean to tell me, she's entirely untamed, unbridled, untouched raw power right now?", he asked, growing more excited and interested in me. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. I grabbed the strap of my backpack. Definitely a masochist of some sort. He looked me up and down, literal head to toes. He stopped at my eyes again. He dropped Grays arm, picking up my hand again. I politely nodded, but pulled my hand away.
"It's polite to ask first", I said, asserting myself. He guffawed, almost in shock. He bowed, asking my pardon.
"It's not everyday that a war friend brings me the DayDreamer, you'll have to forgive my excitement", he said, returning upright. His stature changed once we were out of sight of his retainers. His shoulders relaxed. We followed him to another ornate door. This man obviously lived for flare and flex. He opened it and allowed us in. I should assume a private meeting room. He motioned for us to sit in a circle around a small tea table. I set my backpack and bow down behind me, using it as a rest for my back. His retainers quickly joined us again, holding trays of alcohol. One was set down in front of each of us. As Gray and the man continued talking, I pondered my last few days. Everything happened in such a whirlwind. Arlan slid a hand over mine under the table, glancing down at me without moving his head. He gave it a quick squeeze, quickly letting it go when we both noticed the man staring blatantly at us. He cocked his head to the side, putting fingertips to his chin, smiling dryly.
"How long have you two been an item?", he asked, pointing between us as Arlan took a sip of his drink. He choked on it, spitting it back into the cup. I gasped at the question, appalled.
"Oh, they aren't-", Chase began to say while chuckling, before being cut off.
"Let the girl speak for herself, she's owed it", the man pressed, leaning in with his face in his hand. I couldn't look away, but spoke with absolute certainty. I hoped to god he bought it.
"All of my warriors are kept close to me. That has absolutely no reflection on romantic feelings", I stated, also leaning forward, challenging him. He sighed deeply, leaning back, defeated and unsatisfied that I wouldn't crack.
"So you're available for the taking then? I'm shocked that Gray hasn't claimed you, knowing how he is though, it isn't surprising, I suppose. Always so stoic", he continued on. His eyes darted between Gray and I. Gray looked like he could crawl in a hole and die as he let his hair fall around his face. I spoke up first.
"Gray is indeed special to me, also very close. But again, all of my warriors are. I rely on them to be my extra ears, my extra eyes, extra hands, my extra everything. Without them, I am nothing", I pressed. The man rubbed his chin again, nodding. It seemed what I was saying was sinking in. I leveled my head again. I wouldn't be had or used. Not today. Gray and the boys looked at me, almost shocked at my response.
"You seem to have the answers people would want to hear. You're good under pressure. You have the tact, you have the delivery. Maybe a decent tactician. You definitely have the sex appeal", he ran a finger over his lips, contemplating or plotting; I couldnt tell.
"I'll definitely take you on as an apprentice marksman, martial artist, knife fighter, whatever you want to learn, if you could best me in a spar", he said after a long pause. Gray loudly placed his hand on the table; followed by light protests from Arlan and Chase. They would just have to be unhappy. If this is how I was going to gain a following, they could be as upset as they wanted. Silenced by his raised hand, he turned to me, gesturing.
"Deal", I said. I held my hand out to shake his. He smiled coyly, placing his hand in mine. I tightened my grip, pulling him up over the edge of the table. The look of bewilderment on his face was delectable. I got within inches of his face, letting my scalding white breath wash the stupid look off his face. I may actually have a chance if he's easily distracted by a woman who can do hand on hand combat. I thought back to the two women fighting earlier, their moves running through my brain as fast as they struck each other. I thought back to my test with Gray, in the field. I could totally win this with the element of surprise, his center of gravity was high off the ground unlike mine. I just had to be faster. His hand tightened back around mine, his face turning from shock to pure bliss. I could feel the horror and tension of the boys, who could only look on, waiting on my next words.
"But, in exchange, a favor?", I asked. I knew he wouldn't deny me. His eyes opened wider. He tilted his head, waiting.
"Pledge yourself to my cause, and to me personally if I win", I continued. He gave a quick, sharp nod. Hooked on me already, he most undeniably was.
"This will indeed be fun, hopefully not just for me", I said winking, releasing him back across the table and standing to orient myself. I felt my fire swell, almost overtaking me. I had to physically work to restrain it, being naked now could be a setback if I burst into flames. He is the key to this operation working. I had to get him to pledge, I had to win. He stood as well, throwing his cloak to the ground. His huge muscles almost glistened in the dim lighting. I couldn't tell if he was sweaty or if it was his aura seeping out of their place onto the rest of his skin.
"Shall we?", he gestured back out the door, both of us ignoring the pleas and begs of the boys. I nodded, bending down to grab my drink. I slammed it back, finishing it in mere gulps. I met his eyes, wiping my mouth with my thumb, taking the arm he offered to me. He leaned down and rested his head on top of mine. He had the same hot aura I did, unlike my boys, who seemed ambient. He radiated fire and strength. At the very least, maybe I could bring an ally out of this situation, nonetheless a friend.