“But smoke doesn’t glow.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
My mind went into overdrive. I would bet my next paycheck that Zeke was Mochazon. Earth magic would have changed his appearance—it was an understood law of nature. I wasn’t sure of the exact scientific laws, but each world liked things ordered in its own categories. Pixies weren’t a species Earth recognized, so the magic would’ve given him a more humanlike appearance. While it wouldn’t have changed him drastically, I suspected the wings, at least, would’ve been erased once he crossed.
I wondered if the same principles applied to the Everbloom. The blossom was filled with Faythander magic, and glowing flowers weren’t something that naturally occurred on Earth. Could the blossom have transformed also? If so, what did it look like now?
For whatever reason, Faythander magic didn’t react the same way. It seemed more tolerant of Earth’s objects, perhaps because most species in Faythander relied on magic the same way they needed oxygen, and the appearance of a strange object—say, a paper plate—could have easily been ruled out as an object transformed by magic.
I pondered the other aspect of Miranda’s story. The guys in capes were no doubt Geth’s men. If they had captured Zeke, then things were worse than I’d feared. None of this was good news. “Is there anything else?” I asked her. “Any other details you can remember? Even something insignificant could help.”
She stared through the open window behind me, though her gaze seemed unfocused. “He did say something to me right before he left. He said he’d never met anyone like me, and that he was protecting me by leaving. He also said he was looking for someone he needed to help, but he wasn’t sure where to find her.” She stared at her hands. “It hurt a little bit because I thought maybe he meant a girlfriend. I don’t know.”
“Did he give you any clue as to where he was going?”
She shook her head.
“Miranda, did he have anything that he kept with him all the time? A necklace or watch or some sort of jewelry that seemed unusual?”
She seemed to think for a minute. “No. Not that I remember.”
“Can you remember anything else?”
“Yes,” she sighed. “After I heard that scream and smoke I told you about, I ran out to the pier and saw something moving in the water. At first, I thought it might have been Zeke. I almost jumped in the water after him, but I talked myself out of it. What if it had just been a fish? So I decided to call the cops instead. They organized a search and everything, but they didn’t find him. After they found out that he had no records on file, no birth certificate or anything, they called it off.”
“Do you think it was Zeke in the water?”
“I don’t know. The pier’s lights must’ve gone out or something because it was really dark. I can’t say for sure.”
“Miranda, what pier were you on?”
She looked me in the eyes. “Pier thirteen.”
Chapter 11
“Do you believe me?” Miranda asked.
She spoke in a casual manner, but I saw the desperation in her eyes. Outside her dorm, a shaft of sunlight pierced through the clouds, creating a dappled pattern over the worn carpet.
“Yes, I believe you,” I answered.
She sighed, sounding relieved. “Then you’re the first.”
“To be fair, I’ve had some experience with strange happenings.”
“And you believe Zeke really exists? I mean—I didn’t make him up. I know I didn’t.”
“Miranda, what would you think if I told you that Zeke comes from an alternate reality—a fairy world?”
She leaned back. “Yeah, that would be pretty strange.”
“It’s more real than you think. I believe that Zeke may be a man I’m looking for. His real name is Mochazon, and he comes from a world called Faythander.”
“Faythander?”
“It’s an alternate reality, a magic-fueled version of Earth.”
She rubbed her neck. The tables had turned, and now it was her turn to believe my story. “Is that why his eyes were… you know… yellow?”
I nodded. “It’s also why he didn’t like crowds. There are some bad people looking for him. I’m sure he wanted to stay as secluded as possible.”
Her shoulders slumped. “And I’m the one who made him go out.”
“Don’t beat yourself up about it. You didn’t know.”
“What happens now? Can you find Zeke for me?”
I hesitated. If Zeke had been kidnapped by Geth’s men, I knew Miranda wouldn’t like my answer. But there was a slim chance he’d escaped. “I’ll do what I can. In the meantime, I need you to stay safe. Keep your doors locked. Don’t go out unless you have to. Make sure to stay in crowds where lots of people would notice if you got abducted.”
“Abducted?”
“The men who took Zeke are looking for something he has. There’s a good chance they may believe he gave it to you.”
“What was it?”
“A magical flower.”
She grew very still.
“He didn’t give it to you, did he?”
She shook her head.
“He never gave you anything?”
“No.”
“Miranda, are you absolutely sure? He never gave you anything?”
She hesitated. “Yes, I’m positive.”
I wasn’t completely sure I believed her, but twisting her arm about it would only make her distrust me. She would tell me the truth when she was ready. Picking up my pack, I decided to pay a visit to pier thirteen.
“You have to go?” Miranda asked.
“Yes, but I’ll stay in touch. Call me if you remember anything else. And if Zeke tries to contact you, I need to know.”
“Okay.” She ushered me to the door. “Thank you,” she said before I stepped outside, “for believing me.”
“It’s what I do.” I gave her a brief smile before I made my way outside and down the stairs.
The faint scent of marijuana lingered in the air. Typical college campus, I thought as I made my way across the parking lot to my car. Despite the sunshine, the air remained chilly. Wind stung my cheeks as I unlocked the door and climbed inside the Thunderbird.
In case Miranda needed to
