Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

Justice halted abruptly, and I collided with his back. My legs wobbled as I struggled to regain my balance. The world slowly came into focus, the dizzying blur of our escape resolving into the familiar cobblestones of the Royal Mile. My stomach churned, and I swallowed hard against the nausea.

A narrow alley stretched into shadows between two ancient buildings. To human eyes, it would appear unremarkable, but I knew better. The portal lay hidden there, our salvation and possibly our doom. At the far end, a white church stood sentinel, its spire reaching toward the night sky. The name of the church eluded me, lost in the fog of adrenaline and fear clouding my mind.

My muscles tightened with a creeping tension as I scoured the landscape for signs of sloth demons. Tourists looked at maps and stopped to stare at landmarks. The residents walked by without even glancing at the attractions. No one stared at us. I didn't see any black-eyed men in expensive suits, but that didn't mean they weren't there.

If they attacked us, would the sanctity of holy ground repel them, or were we leading them directly to their prey? The uncertainty gnawed at me.

Beside me, Damon swayed, his usual grace momentarily abandoned. He raised a hand to his forehead, grimacing as he fought to orient himself. "Remind me not to ride the vampire train. Unless it's first class," His strained voice managed to inject a note of humor into our dire situation.

The chill afternoon air carried the faint scent of rain tainted by the raw musk of our collective dread. In the distance, I heard the muffled sounds of men and women talking, oblivious to the supernatural drama unfolding in their midst. The normalcy felt surreal, a stark contrast to the terror that still had my heart racing.

I flexed my fingers, wincing at the stiffness in my joints from gripping so tightly during our frantic escape.

Garrick glanced over his shoulder. "We can't stand here waiting for them to catch up." He grabbed Maggie's hand. "We need to move now."

Justice stepped in front of him. "No tricks. I don't want to be the only one to end up in a swamp fighting god knows what."

Garrick gave him a tight smile. "No tricks."

A knot of anxiety twisted in my gut. I hoped the Unseelie king wasn't lying. The mere thought of being separated from Justice or my brother sent dread scurrying down my back.

Garrick strode ahead, leading us down the shadowed alley. The air grew colder and damper as we ventured further, the scent of moss and ancient stone filling my nostrils.

My stomach clenched painfully as memories of our previous journey flooded back, the dizzying, nauseating ride that felt like an endlessly spinning, out-of-control Ferris wheel.

Justice's hand tightened around mine, pulling me closer until I was pressed against his broad chest. "Don't let go of my hand," he commanded.

My heart raced as fear and anticipation coursed through my veins. "I won't," I promised, my fingers interlacing with his, holding on for dear life.

Behind us, I heard a rustle of movement. Damon reached for Zara's hand, his fingers closing around hers. "We're going on another wild ride," he warned.

I glanced back at Zara and caught the flash of dread in her eyes. Her face had taken on a sickly pallor, a hint of green tinging the skin around her eyes. She remained silent, but I could almost feel the waves of nausea radiating from her. She was clearly fighting to keep her composure.

I faced the path ahead, steeling myself for what was to come. The air thickened, charged with an otherworldly energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. My pulse pounded in my ears as we approached the threshold of our next perilous journey.

Furious clouds crowded the sky, their thunderous growls echoing through my bones.

Justice's gaze darted upward, and his jaw clenched. "I think our friends have found us again."

My body shook as a chill seeped into my core. Warmth rushed from my face, leaving me lightheaded as images of Grady and Scott flashed through my mind.

Justice's lips brushed my ear. "I'll protect you, Sawyer. I won't let those creatures touch one hair on your head."

The protectiveness in his eyes warmed my heart.

Garrick's hand traced circles in the air, his lips moving in a silent incantation lost beneath the sky's angry rumbles. Inky tendrils of smoke plummeted toward us, cutting through the charged atmosphere.

"Son of a bitch!" Damon's gruff voice snarled. "Move your asses, people! Those demonic sloths are coming in hot, and I'm not about to be cursed into a throw pillow."

My heart hammered in a desperate plea for survival. Damon's colorful outburst somehow grounded me in the midst of the supernatural storm brewing around us. His familiar sarcastic bravado was oddly comforting.

The spinning portal loomed before us, a swirling vortex of otherworldly energy. Garrick and Maggie plunged in first, the maelstrom quickly swallowing their forms. Before I could brace myself, Justice pulled me forward, and we leaped into the churning chaos.

The world exploded into a frenzy of motion and light. My stomach lurched as we were flung about, helpless as leaves in a hurricane. Amid the tumult, Justice's arm snaked around my waist, securing me against the solid wall of his chest. His grip was almost painfully tight, but I welcomed it, clinging to him.

A kaleidoscope of colors assaulted my senses as blinding flashes and dazzling hues whirled around us like blinding fireworks. My skin prickled, and my hair stood on end in the electric atmosphere.

As suddenly as it began, the wild ride abruptly halted. My legs gave way, and I crumpled to the ground beside Justice, my head spinning and limbs trembling.

The familiar world of Edinburgh had vanished, replaced by the eerie landscape of the Unseelie realm. Gone were the cheerful flowers that adorned the Royal Mile. Instead, strange and unsettling vegetation surrounded us. Unfamiliar scents laced the air, musty and slightly sweet with an underlying note of decay.

"The last place I wanted to come," Justice grumbled. His words carved a path of ice through my nerves, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in this shadowy realm.

A sickening sound drew my attention. I turned to see Damon supporting a pale and shaking Zara, his hand rubbing circles on her back as she retched violently. The poor girl had finally lost her battle with nausea, and her body rebelled against the otherworldly journey we'd endured.

As I took in our new surroundings, a sense of foreboding settled over me like a heavy cloak. With its alien landscape and oppressive atmosphere, this dark realm held secrets and perils beyond our imagination. We had escaped one danger only to land in the midst of another, and I knew our trials were far from over.

Garrick's hand sliced through the air, sealing the portal with a resounding thud. His eyes darted between us, tension etched in the lines of his face. "Something was trying to come through the portal, but I shut it down."

My fingers intertwined with Justice's, gripping tightly as if dark tendrils might materialize to tear him away at any moment. The memory of our last separation sent icy fingers crawling up my spine. "What do we do now?" My voice quivered, betraying the fear I tried to hide.

"Find the Forgotten Hollows," Justice growled, his gaze boring into Garrick. "Where is this damn place?"

Garrick's expression softened as he glanced at Zara, who was swaying on her feet. "Not far from my castle, Angarth Stronghold. I suggest we stop there for some rest and food." His tone gentled further. "I don't think Zara can go on."

Zara's head snapped up, her fiery hair whipping around her pale face. "No, I can make it." The words barely escaped her lips before she stumbled, her knees threatening to buckle.

Damon scooped Zara into his arms. "Whoa there, sweetheart. You look like you're about to hurl again, and these are new boots." He turned to Garrick, a cocky grin spreading across his face. "All right, Tinkerbell, lead the way to your magical fairy castle. And hey, if you've got any fairy dust that helps you fly, I wouldn't say no. My arms are gonna get tired carrying Sleeping Beauty here."

Garrick's eyes flashed dangerously, his jaw clenching. "Do not call me that," he hissed, drawing himself up to his full height. "I am a dark fae. Not a fairy."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Legolas," Damon quipped, rolling his eyes. "Just point us in the direction of safety before something decides we look like a midnight snack."

The air crackled with tension, the hostility between Damon and Garrick crystallizing into an almost tangible force. I inhaled sharply, the unfamiliar scents of the Unseelie realm filling my lungs. Damp earth, exotic flora, and something darker, more primal.

Around us, the alien landscape seemed to pulse with energy. Strange, twisted trees loomed overhead, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. In the distance, I heard unsettling sounds. The rustles, chirps, and low growls made my skin crawl with dread.

My heart hammered in my chest as I took in our dire situation. We were trapped in a hostile realm, pursued by unknown forces, with one of our party already weakened. Our quest was as depressing and dangerous as Frodo's in The Lord of the Rings .

As we prepared to move toward Angarth Stronghold, my only hope was that I still possessed the mirror, the amulet, and the dagger. But I wasn't sure it was enough. We were walking deeper into the lion's den, with dangers lurking in every shadow.