Twyla tried to keep track of turns and twists but Hunter didn't dawdle. She did catch glimpses of bewitching paintings, marble sculptures and large balconies. All the art was themed around the forest that surrounded them. And wolves. There were wolves everywhere. Twyla wondered about their fascination with wolves.
Keeping the medieval castle look, the dining hall looked exactly as she expected. There was an empty raised platform across from gigantic wooden doors. Wooden tables ran the length of the hall with benches on either side. Little kids ran around on the raised platform. Torches lined the side walls with candelabra on the tables. Everyone was using pretty standard crockery; no fancy metal goblets.
"We keep our metal for weapons," a silky voice said in her ear.
Twyla jumped and faced the sleekest-dressed person she had ever met.
"I appologise for Dimitri. He is part Siren," Hunter said.
Dimitri looked straight off a catwalk. Cheekbones that could cut paper with skin that looked airbrushed. His midnight black suit fit so well, Twyla wondered if someone sewed him into it. Draped ever so casually over his suit was an intricately sequined stole. She could see her reflection in his shoes.
"Part si- siren?" Twyla stammered.
"Hi, honey. It can be a lot to take in. I catch glimpses of thoughts," Dimitri explained. Twyla shook his extended hand. It was as pale as the rest of him and each finger was adorned with a jewel.
"Twyla," she whispered and tried to think of nothing.
"Hmm. Yes. Good job," Dimitri laughed, clearly hearing her thoughts.
Hunter tugged on her hand and she let herself be led away. As she moved towards the table, she saw more less human-looking magic folk. There were pointy ears and large eyes, wings, leaves growing through skin, flaming hair, tails, and other bits that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Everyone clearly saw her but was doing their damndest to avoid staring.
Twyla and Hunter sat at the first empty space they found. Her plate had black flowers around the edges while his was plain white.
"I brought back various sets from the human world. They are easier to clean and Dimitri is right. The metal is more valuable to us as weapons," Hunter said, seeing her look at the plates. "I brought back different ones because the little ones got excited seeing what colours I would get next."
He looked up at them playing, his eyes going soft. Twyla felt her heart melt a little. She was definitely falling for this man. She better stop it. She had a purpose here.
"So, he finally let you out," a tall, green, winged person sat across from her.
"Um… yea. I get to eat at the big kids' table," Twyla attempted a joke.
The person hollowed with laughter. "I like this one. No wonder you kept her from us, Hunter. I'm Arke."
"Hi, Twyla," Twyla replied, wondering how many times she would have to repeat her name.
"Would you like some pancakes?" Hunter offered.
"Yes!" Twyla sighed. She could use a sweet distraction.
Hunter ate eggs, various meat and other protein while she kept to her sweet diet. Arke ate lots of plants. Maybe that's why Arke was so green. Hunter and Arke spoke about a border patrol while Twyla contentedly half-listened.
"-bloodsucker king has to be st-" Arke stopped abruptly as Twyla's spoon fell. They had forgotten she was there and damn, why hadn't she been listening?
"What?" Twyla looked at Hunter. What was she missing? What did she not know?
"There is much to tell you," Hunter said. "I have not wanted to burden you with too much information at once. Especially while you have been healing."
Twyla felt a wave of frustration. She was not fragile or breakable so why was he treating her like that? Was she letting him treat her like that? She let him keep her in that room and play games. She didn't ask many questions. She didn't ask any questions except the one last night. Had she made herself into this weak creature?
"I would like to know what is happening," Twyla demanded, her head held high.
"Good. Keep that strength. You'll need it here," Arke said.
"Do let her scare you," Hunter said to Twyla. "Arke is just dramatic. Are you ready for a walk?"
"Yes, let's go," Twyla got up, eager to hear more about the world she had stepped into.
Hunter was quiet for a long time as they picked their way through the tables and out of the large doors. He quietly ambled through the antechamber at the entrance of the dining hall and then took them through a small door that led to the outside. Morning dew crunched under their feet as they walked across green lawns.
Today he was wearing a crisp white shirt and black pants. His golden hair was loosely held back.
"The corrupt power I mentioned yesterday - " Hunter paused, considering his words. Around them, trees swayed with the soft breeze and birds sang tunes of the morning. "The corrupt power that created the border is the king of the Isles of Sarafina. The vampire king."
Twyla froze as a memory flashed in her mind. A memory of the secret room in the chapel. Of the man on the throne. The man wreathed in shadows. She remembered the way he lounged on that massive throne. The quiet power he exuded. The muscles of a warrior. And a detail she hadn't quite noticed at the time. It was simple and maybe that was why she hadn't paid it much attention. Or maybe it was the threat of death… But he was wearing a crown. It was black points that gathered to a point. It had glittered ever so slightly. Was that him? What that the king? Was that the man that had created the border that sucked the power from innocent creatures like Iynx and kept the two worlds separate? Was he the one that took Sofia? Or more likely had someone do the dirty work for him?
"Twyla? Twyla?" Hunter was calling her name. "Are you alright?"
"Sorry. Yea. I'm okay. Carry on."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, please. I want to hear what happened."
"The vampire king rules these lands. His family has always ruled. It is how it is here. Vampires run the world. They are faster, stronger, heal much quicker and their magic is superior. There are also just more of them. They have more covens of vampires than there are packs of werewolves, for instance."
"Werewolves? There are werewolves?!" Twyla squealed and for a second she thought she saw something flicker in Hunter's eyes.
"Yes. There are werewolves. The human legends all came from existing creatures in our world. Although, humans have… sensationalised their tales."
"Mermaids?"
"Yes. They are quite dangerous. I am not sure how they ended up being so… gentle in human stories."
"Unicorns?"
"Yes, but they are just horses with horns."
"Dragons?"
"Yes. The stories about them are accurate. Do you want to ask about every magical creature or do you want to continue with the story?" Hunter asked, laughing.
"Fine, fine. Yes. We can continue."
But Hunter stilled. Twyla looked around but everything looked exactly as it did. "Hunter?"
"I am sorry, Twyla. There is a problem at the border. Iynx will come find you," Hunter was already running into the trees as he said those last words. Twyla was left standing there, confused. How did he know what was happening at the border?