accidentally dropping into another dimension, would we?'
'No, that would be very bad.'
Once he'd pulled the Dumpster completely away from the wall and I could see the outline of the gateway clearly, he turned to me with a concerned expression. 'Look, I'm doing this for you against my will. I want you to know this. You shouldn't go back there. You should drink the potion and be safe here. But you want to go and so I'm taking you. Just. . just be careful, okay?'
I'd expected him to still be mad at me for pulling rank and this strange concern was surprising. I swallowed hard. 'Okay.'
He fixed me with a grim look that softened the longer he gazed into my eyes. And then he turned around and disappeared through the glowing gateway. I didn't wait too long. I followed, experiencing the lurch and vertigo of my previous gateway trip. The next moment I stood on the threshold of the Shadowlands, with the faery realm next to me, warm and green and beautiful.
Well, here I am again, I thought, as the stunned realization sunk in that I was really back. The vertigo stayed a moment longer than last time and I wobbled in my high heels. Michael put his arm around my waist to steady me. After I regained my equilibrium, I took off his sweatshirt and handed it back to him. Our fingers brushed as he took it from me and then he slowly gazed at my lavender dress, which he could now see in daylight.
'You look so beautiful, Princess,' he said.
A breath caught in my chest. I normally would have been thrilled with a compliment from him, but he said it so sadly and when he looked in my eyes, he seemed worried.
He was afraid. Of what, exactly? Of bringing me back here unannounced and getting in trouble? Of my father dying and my being trapped here as a very unwilling queen? I was afraid of that, too. More than he knew. Or was it something else entirely?
Before I could ask, he turned away from me. 'Let's go.'
My high heels dug into the soft ground as we walked, but once the ground turned to gray rock it was a bit better, although still precarious. The front doors of Castle Dread opened for us when we finally reached them and a chill went down my spine as I entered the now-familiar expansive front area with its glistening black floor and spiral staircase.
I felt a wave of fear then, but I knew there was no time for that. I wanted to see my father, I wanted to talk to my aunt. Now, before it was too late.
My feet were killing me. Heels were great for sitting in a limo and hanging out at a dance, but obviously not so good for interdimensional travel. I took a minute to take them off and leave them by the front door, preferring to walk around on the cool, smooth floors in bare feet than to continue with my selfinflicted torture.
'Where's Elizabeth?' I asked.
'She's probably in her quarters,' Michael said as we began making our way up the stairs. At the top I reached for his hand and he glanced at me with surprise.
'You don't mind?' I asked.
'Of course not.'
We walked past the large, cavernous room with the fireplace that I remembered very clearly from last night, and then down a hall, deeper into the castle. Instead of electric lights, there were candles and oil lamps on the walls. The flames flickered in the darkness to light the hallway.
Michael glanced at me. 'You're sure you really want to be here?'
'Of course. Why?'
'Because you're practically squeezing my hand off my wrist.'
I cleared my throat. 'Maybe I'm a little anxious.'
His grip increased on my hand as well. 'I can take you back. You don't have to be here at all. We can leave.'
I shook my head. 'I have to talk to my aunt.'
Then I froze as I heard a bellowing roar reverberate through the castle. The sound made me go cold with fear.
'What was that?' I managed.
Michael's arm came around my waist. 'It's okay.'
'It didn't sound okay. What was it?'
His jaw was tight. 'Your father.'
My heart clenched. My father made that horrible noise? It sounded like a creature in such anguish that death would be a relief.
'Don't cry,' Michael said as he stroked my tears away.
'How can I not cry when my father is in so much pain?'
He swallowed. 'Come on. Let's see your aunt.'
I listened for any more sounds from my father, but there was only silence. We continued on through the castle until we came to an open doorway. I peered inside to see my aunt standing behind a black, marble-footed basin that looked like a very shallow freestanding sink. She stared down into the water as if mesmerized by what she saw there.
'What is she doing?' I whispered to Michael.
Elizabeth raised her head and looked directly at me. Her eyes were demon red, but then faded quickly to a hazel that matched my own. She smiled warmly at me.
'This is my gazer,' she said. 'I can use it as a communication device as long as whoever I'm trying to contact also has one.'
'Like a two-way videophone?'
Her smile widened. 'Yes, I'm sure it's very much like that.'
She moved away from the basin so I could see that she wore a red dress with long, draping sleeves and gold flowers embroidered at the edges. It was low cut and the material split at the waist to show a black skirt beneath. Her blonde hair was in one thick braid that draped over her left shoulder. She still wore the small blue bottle of perfume from her boyfriend around her neck on a thin gold chain.
'Nikki,' she said. 'I didn't think I'd ever see you again. I'm so glad Michael has brought you back to see me.'
'I'm glad to see you, too.'
She approached me to give me a hug and then leaned back to look at me. 'Although I'm worried. This means you haven't drunk your potion yet?'
'That's right.'
Her forehead furrowed. 'What does this mean?'
'It means that I wanted to see you again. And I want to see my father before. . before it's too late.' I glanced at Michael, who had slunk back into the shadows at the side of the room and seemed to be studying the floor. 'I heard him a minute ago.'
'He's gotten much worse, I'm afraid.'
'Michael told me there are only hours left. Do you really think so?'
She reached out to squeeze my hand. 'It must be terrible for you. To find your father after all this time and then to have him taken from you in such a tragic way.'
My throat thickened. 'It is terrible.'
'I think it's good that you've returned. We must cherish the short time we'll have together. I'll take you to see him if you like.'
'As soon as possible.'
'Of course.' She nodded. 'Nikki. . did you happen to bring the potion with you or did you leave it at your home?'
'I have the bottle here.' I unzipped my purse and pulled it out to show her. Then, instead of putting it back, I slid the chain over my head and let it drop to my chest.
'Did Desmond tell you that's all the potion there is?' she asked. 'Such a small amount for such an important task. It's crucial that you keep it safe.'
'He mentioned something like that.' I traced my fingertip over the cool vial filled with red liquid, her words making me very nervous. All there is. 'But can more be made if necessary?'
