Permanently if you decide to serve at the Warren. Although you can serve at any base you want.” “Is that what you did?”
My companion’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I transferred from Castello a few years ago. I couldn’t even tell you why to be honest. It just felt like something I needed to do.”
So she didn’t transfer a few weeks ago with her family then. I aired the thought. “No.” Her direct response implied that nothing more would be said on the subject. “I can’t see any reason why I’d want to transfer. I’ll serve here.” Gabriella smiled.
We emerged onto the right-hand balcony high above the grand entrance I’d seen in the vision. As we moved along the carpeted walkway, Gabriella pointed to the large portrait hanging above the stairs.
“Sage Faru’s quarters are through there. So is the section of the Veil the Warren is built around. Fae magic seals it. It’s impossible to get in or out without his permission.”
I looked up at the towering picture. Faru’s unique eyes seemed to stare down, keeping watch on all the people who bustled about below.
We reached the ground level. In contrast to the vision, several of the doors were blocked by more of the hulking guards I’d seen in the Temple. They were like statues, heads bowed against staffs as if in prayer. That was until someone moved towards their door. Then the head lifted up and the individual was scanned with their pinprick eyes. Like mechanised robots, they stepped aside to allow access, before moving back and falling silent once more.
It was creepy.
“What’s behind all these doors?” I asked as we reached the ground level.
“Offices mainly. Normal humans we call agents work here. They do most of our clerical work for us. You’d be surprised how much paperwork has to be filled out when we deport or kill a Rogue.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Even the supernatural has red tape. “Others lead to normal places like reception rooms, the library and the kitchens,” she continued. The final word made my stomach growl. “Guarded doors tend to lead to the Nexus.” Gabriella gave me a playful nudge. “Most of the cool stuff happens underground.”
My eyes were drawn towards a vast set of golden double doors near the staircase. An impressive jewelled display depicted a knight crossing blades with what appeared to be an upright wolf with bat’s wings. The same motif was written underneath in Latin.
Chosen we rise — Allied we prevail.
“I’m guessing something important is behind there,” I said.
Gabriella nodded. “That’s the Feasting Hall of Unity. It’s where all joining ceremonies take place. You’ll see inside when it’s time for yours.”
She peeled away from me, heading towards a guarded door. A gorgeous aroma teased me from the other side. My mouth began to water. Gabriella stopped at the entrance, hands placed impatiently on her hips. “So you’re guarding the kitchen today. The kitchen…really? What am I going to do, leak recipes to the SOS?” The guard simply raised its head in response and glared with its blood filled eyes. “Move!” The hulking giant stepped to one side. I eyed it warily as we passed.
Inside the grand, steam-filled kitchen came the reason for the added security. Numerous miniature creatures flew about on dainty wings, tending to an array of bubbling pots and pans that sat on large hobs. They stirred wooden spoons almost as large as themselves and shook condiments into the various pots with both hands. They were pretty little things, sporting silvery hair and wide eyes with baby pink pupils.
“Asrai,” whispered Gabriella. “They must be preparing for the joining feast.”
I stared at the dainty things as my mind attempted to rationalise the fact that I was casually watching a group of fairies cook. All the while I felt an odd sense of acceptance. All this hard work is for me.
One of the Asrai noticed us enter. She swooped over to a metallic bench, where a plate of sandwiches sat. Leaning over, she grabbed the edge with both hands and floated back up, plate wobbling between knees and wrists.
“Faru told us to prepare this for Alexander,” she breathed as she drew near. Her voice sounded like tinkling glass. I stared at her.
“It’s quite heavy,” she added.
“Oh, right!” I plucked the plate from her grip. “Uh, thank you.”
“Fresh Quinberry juice is in the fridge.” The fairy gave a little mid-air bow, then without another word, floated off and resumed cooking.
Gabriella grabbed a glass of pinkish liquid from a fridge next to us and handed it to me.
I ate ravenously, tearing off thick chunks of the soft bread with my teeth. The food was delicious. Thick rolls of ham coated in some kind of sweet and sour marmalade, topped with crunchy lettuce. The juice was even more incredible. It tasted like sharp apple mixed with strawberries, and fizzed on my tongue. Afterwards I felt like my insides had been spring cleaned.
“Wow,” I said after draining the last few drops from the glass. “That was good.”
Gabriella nodded. “It’s made from a rare berry that grows in Pandemonia. Should help clear the last of the brain fog.”
I set the plate and glass down on a storage unit behind me. A sudden rush of air forced me to cover my mouth with my sleeve and deliver a sly burp. “It’ll do that too,” Gabriella winked. “Ready to go?” “Absolutely.” “Okay, time to toughen you up.”
*
“Don’t worry, I’ll see you soon” said Gabriella as the elevator doors rolled shut.
Searching the multitude of buttons on the panel, I found the one she’d told me to press. A coiled fist. I pushed my finger on the symbol and it glowed blue.
GYMNASIUM, said the hidden voice.
My breakfast almost made a reappearance as the elevator dropped into free fall. Bending my knees against the force, I pressed into the corner and lowered myself down, hands gripping the railing above me. I bowed my head into my knees, trying to settle myself as the elevator plummeted through the Nexus. After an eternity it stopped descending and rushed forward, every now and then lifting up and sinking down as if navigating speed bumps. Mercifully after a few more seconds, it rolled to a stop. The elevator beeped and the doors cranked open to reveal an amused Midnight and Sophia staring down at me. A bear like hand was extended and I was yanked to my feet.
“You get used to it”, Midnight grunted in a thick cockney accent.
“I really hope so,” I said exiting the steel death trap.
A cavernous gymnasium stretched out in front of us. All manner of equipment ran along the vast walls; treadmills, weight benches, rowers and punching bags. The roar of whirring and clanking equipment hit from every angle. Several boxing rings were scattered about too. At first glance, it seemed like any other gym. But on closer inspection, it was anything but normal. A pale looking man on a treadmill ran so fast, his lower legs were blurred — the type of thing you’d see in a cartoon. A dainty looking woman bench pressed what seemed to be dozens of solid stone weights. The bar sagged like an unhappy face as it struggled with the incredible loads stacked on either side. I had to stifle a cry when I saw the two fighters sparring in the closest ring. The towering beasts made Midnight look vertically challenged. Their skin was a mixture of shining black and red scales. Skull-like heads topped with a cluster of arching horns. Eyes like dying embers and parted mouths which revealed teeth like hypodermic needles. They ducked and parried, grunting and striking each other with sledgehammer fists.
“Oni,” whispered Sophia. “They’re strong but pretty dumb.” I noticed now that we were closer that she suffered from Heterochromia. One of her eyes was a vivid blue, the other the velvet green of a tree leaf. If anything, it made her even more adorable.
I didn’t know how to respond to the information, so nodded quietly. We weaved through the room, passing all manner of creatures. Sophia acted as visual translator, listing off the species as we walked.
“Pixie, Incubus, Goblin, Bloodlings, oh — that group over there are all Chosen like us.” She pointed to a cluster of guys and girls who looked a few years older than me. They raised their heads in curiosity as we passed. Then they placed both hands across their chests in an X shape before extending them to us. It took a few confused seconds to understand it was a greeting. Midnight and Sophia returned the gesture and I tried my best to emulate it before we moved on.
A colossal thump echoed around the room. I turned just in time to see one of the Oni fighters slam to the
