The area was at least five times larger than it had been before. The grass had changed to a light shade of purple, with tiny pure green flowers sprouting in little patches. The trees were sweeping, spiralling masses of white bark. Golden leaves hung from their numerous branches, glowing with some kind of natural light. Bushes sprouting the most intricate flowers I’d ever seen were spread everywhere. The unassuming barn had become a giant silver arch with shimmering technicolour doors.
Above, odd looking birds with two sets of sweeping wings, looped about. The lake had evolved into a huge expanse of crystal blue water, complete with multiple levels and a grand waterfall, which crashed down from moss covered rocks into the main pool. The whole place was bathed in light and soothing warmth from a hidden sun.
I was lost for words.
“It’s amazing isn’t it? Walk forward a bit. You’ll see more,” Gabriella said.
I stepped forward and instantly understood what she meant. Near the lake, for the first time, I noticed a pride of small lion-like animals frolicking about. Some rolled together in the grass, or play-bit their siblings. Others turned their heads sideways and tugged at the reeds which grew around the lake edge. Their sleek brown bodies were topped with a set of matching feathered wings, which drooped over their undersized backs. Curled black stingers — sectioned like a scorpions, contradicted their cuteness like deadly question marks. As they played, they made funny sharp growls, which sounded like a blend of a mew and a hiccup.
Manticore. Wild beasts that roamed the Blood Deserts of Pandemonia. I’d read about them in the handbook. I’d also read that despite their dangerous appearance, they were actually herbivores and only attacked when threatened.
The flash of a fish-like tail in the lake caught my attention. I watched in amazement as a merman flipped out of the water, somersaulted and as graceful as a dolphin, cut back under the surface. More followed, and soon the lake was a circus, with merfolk flipping and spiralling out of their aquatic arena.
“They’re such show-offs,” laughed Gabriella, rolling her eyes. I smiled, but was distracted by something happening in the centre of the lake. The water had begun to churn and bubble. Waves rippled from the epicentre outwards in expanding rings that rolled all the way to the sides and lapped onto the grass. A hauntingly beautiful woman rose slowly out of the water like a sunken treasure. Seaweed clung to her naked skin. Water poured from the edges of her body. Once she was exposed up to her pelvis, she stopped.
And began to sing.
The sound was infinitely more beautiful than anything I’d ever heard. It was as if all of the world’s best kept secrets and hidden desires were wrapped up in each note.
The melody made my head fizz and instantly it felt like my heart was overflowing with love and happiness. I wanted to go to this woman — to stay with her while she sang to me. Gabriella caught my hand and squeezed it.
“Take a few deep breaths and it’ll pass,” she said. I did as I was told and the sensations drifted away. The lady in the lake sung harder and then when I made no more reaction, she scowled in disappointment and slipped under the surface.
“That’s a Siren right?” I said.
“Temptress of the sea in all her glory,” Gabriella agreed with a nod. “Let’s see what you can tell me about them.”
I thought about what I’d read in the handbook. Each page appeared in my mind as if it were open in front of me. I mentally flicked to the right page. I repeated the words aloud.
“Sirens use their hypnotic voices to lure unsuspecting males into the water to mate with them. But their unwilling lovers often drown, because they get lost in the moment and forget they can’t breathe underwater.” “Exactly. And a Siren’s song is…” “A remembrance to all of their lost lovers.” Gabriella smiled. “You’ve been doing a lot of reading. I’m impressed Alex.”
As we made our way around the lake, a colossal shadow bathed the area in darkness. I looked up just in time to see the mother of the Manticore cubs stamp down onto the ground.
It was a fiercely majestic creature. Irises the shade of polished gold. Wings — unlike its offspring — in perfect proportion to its muscular body. Instead of dark brown, they were the plumage version of a rainbow — shimmering, swirling patterns of colour that shone in the winter sun. They gave the beast such an essence of regal beauty, any peacock would have hidden in shame. Its oil black tail whipped the air in sharp swipes. It padded over to the cubs and nudged them into a tight group, before looking back up at us.
Gabriella gave the creature a gentle smile and stepped around, giving the pride plenty of space. I copied. The Manticore snorted as we passed. A soft sound that could only be described as a friendly warning.
“So this is where you keep all the Fera that made it through the veil,” I said.
Gabriella nodded. “Most of them are acclimatised to Earth now. If we sent them back through the Veil, they wouldn’t survive. So we keep them here, safely hidden and protected with magic.”
We headed over towards the large stables, which now appeared to have been carved out of frosted glass that glinted different colours in the sunlight. Gabriella pointed towards one of the openings, near a paddock area. “These are my favourite of all of them.” She made a light whistling sound. I gasped as a real life Unicorn emerged from the stable into the paddock.
The grand Equidae stood well over twice the height of a regular horse. Its coat was as pure and white as a snowdrift. A silky mane of hair swirled around its slender neck. Its intelligent turquoise eyes shone out at us like polished glass. But by far the most impressive feature of the beautiful creature was the long ivory horn, which extended from its forehead. A spiralling pattern that reminded me of sea shells coiled around the outside, running all the way up to the sharp tip. The unicorn gave a little whinny and shuffled on its feet, before moving over towards where we stood on the other side of the fence. “This is Isiodore, the stallion of the herd.” “He’s so beautiful,” I said and stretched a hand out to stroke him. “Don’t!” Gabriella screamed.
Isiodore let out a high pitched squeal and thrust his head forward, stabbing the horn directly towards me. I reacted just in time, diving out of the way — but not before the razor sharp horn caught with my jumper sleeve, tearing through the thick material as if it were tissue paper.
“What the hell?” I shouted, checking my arm for damage. The Unicorn was pacing around its stable, stamping its hooves and letting out harsh snorts. His eyes had turned a dark blue and his lips coiled up into a snarl.
Gabriella pushed me further away from the opening. “Dio dannazione!” she swore, “Alex, you have to be more careful! I thought you’d read the handbook!”
“Not all of it! I protested. “Why did he attack me?”
“Unicorns are as fierce as they are intelligent. What do you think the huge spike on its head is for idiot? Before you approach one, you have to gain its approval,” she sighed. “Look, I’ll show you. Stay here and watch.”
Gabriella moved over to a nearby bush and delicately plucked a beautiful white orchid type flower from it. She held it in the centre of her outstretched palms and moved towards the unicorn, which was still thrashing about and snorting as if possessed.
“It’s okay Isiodore, it’s okay boy,” she soothed as she edged closer to the opening. The Unicorn started to slow his movements and eventually came to a stop, although his teeth were still bared and lips coiled into the aggressive grimace.
“It’s okay boy,” Gabriella repeated. I watched as she sank to one knee with her head bowed and pushed her hands through a gap in the fence. The Unicorn regarded her for a second and then its snarl vanished. Like a departing mist, the dark blue seeped away from its eyes and was replaced by bright turquoise once more. He gave a soft whinny. Then I watched as he moved close and gently ate the flower from her hands.
Gabriella stood up, and put a hand over the top of the fence. Isiodore moved forward and pressed the side of his face against her palm. “Now you try,” she said over her shoulder. I emulated Gabriella, plucking a flower from the bush and knelt down, offering it out towards Isiodore. “Keep your head down.” I lowered my head as much as it would go, so much my chin was in danger of penetrating my chest.
Isiodore gave a non-committal snort. I kept my head down. Then I felt a light tickle on my hands. I raised my head and drew in a sharp breath as I saw the Unicorn eating the flower from my palms. His eyes were still turquoise and as they met mine.
I knew he had forgiven me.
