“Comforting,” I mutter.
Varek steps forwards, his expression unreadable. “We’re not wandering blind.”
Kael arches a brow. “You know where to start?”
Varek nods once. “I have a contact. We’ll begin there.”
“Care to elaborate?” I ask.
“No.”
Of course not, but we follow him anyway.
The pathway is uneven, cut into the stone itself, bordered by sleek walls that glow faintly with etched runes. The further wewalk, the more I notice: floating lights that seem to be contained in orbs overhead, illuminating the streets like lanterns with minds of their own; doorways that seal with a press of energy, a quiet hum echoing as they slide shut; strange vehicles—hovering, low-slung transports that glide silently past alleyways, disappearing before I can fully focus on them.
It’s different, sure. But also… familiar. Like Earth and Terrafeara had a drunken one-night stand and this was their weird, beautiful, slightly terrifying baby.
“The tech,” I whisper. “It’s getting more advanced, right?” At least that’s what I heard. I suspect the multitude of species who are finding their way here, bringing their knowledge with them—as well as patches of their homes—will have helped significantly with that.
Kael nods. “The queen’s been pushing development. Integration from rift remnants. Borrowed tech. Stolen in some cases.”
I have a feeling the “stolen” here refers to species’ knowledge rather than an inanimate object. “And the energy manipulation?”
“Still the foundation,” he says. “It powers everything. Machines, defences, even transportation. Without it, this city wouldn’t function.”
Varek doesn’t comment, just keeps walking. Fast. Determined.
We continue to follow, but I can’t help but wonder what kind of contact Varek has in the heart of enemy territory. But one thing’s certain—we’re not here by accident. I can’t imagine Henny bringing us to a place we shouldn’t be.
“Where are we going?” I whisper, matching Kael’s quiet steps as we trail Varek.
“To someone who owes me a favour.”
That’s ominous and not at all encouraging.
We wind through side streets, ducking under archways and past stone pillars etched with softly glowing sigils. No people. No movement. Just the eerie sense that something’s watching.
“Wait.” Kael’s hand shoots out, stopping me as we near a narrow alley. “Someone’s nearby.”
Varek doesn’t pause. “We’re close.”
We follow him down a tight passage that opens into what looks like the back of a stable or a transport station. Varek gestures for silence. There’s a building ahead—low, squat, more like a storage structure than a house. A heavy stable-style door sits partially ajar, faint light spilling through the gap.
Voices carry out. First in Glowranthian—low, sharp, clipped. I pick up a few words, mostly due to Varek’s tutoring, but the dialect is fast. Three voices. Maybe more.
Then English.
My brows shoot up. I lean towards Kael. “Did you hear that?—”
Light explodes through the door. The wood jerks open with a creak, and a tall, brown-skinned man steps into the alleyway, eyes wide and mouth open. He’s human, wearing the robes of a Glowranth native, but clearly not military. My heart pounds, and Kael steps in front of me instantly, his body going taut, hand already near his sword.
The man curses, low and vicious.
I grab my dagger. Kael goes for his blade.
And then?—
The guy charges. Not at us. At Varek.
