Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T he group of twenty angels follow Finlay and me as we fly over the Kingdom toward the Dark Forest. Most of the Zelons are spaced around the borders, guarding the perimeter of the Kingdom, but many are still within the forest.

We glide down and land near the edge of the trees, deciding it's probably best not to take twenty angels who have never been there before. I whistle, and moments later, Keva bounds out of the forest toward me.

All the angels gasp and take several steps back. Smiling, I walk up to meet Keva, and we rub faces before Keva licks my cheek. I giggle and wipe his slobber away while the group of young angels all stare in shock and awe.

So cool, Finlay says.

"Hey, boy, how are you doing?" I ask.

He grunts and excitedly nudges my shoulder with his nose, and I laugh.

"These angels are all students from the academy, and I want to see if we can pair them up with their own Zelons, just as I have with you. Can you help us?"

He shifts his focus to the group and then cautiously pads across the grass toward them, licking Finlay's cheek on his way past. I raise my hand to ensure none of them move. Keva won't harm them—I know that. But he needs time to assess them and understand that they aren't a threat to him or the other Zelons.

He circles the group, sniffing them and nudging them with his nose as they nervously wait for his approval. Once he's satisfied, he moves back to my side and then releases his wings.

"Can he really understand you?" one of the young males asks.

"He can. And that's something you will experience with your own Zelon, in time, once you've earned their trust." I release my wings, and the other angels do the same.

Keva takes to the skies, and we all follow. He leads us over the Dark Forest toward the mountains.

Where is he taking us? I've never flown this far, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't worry me, taking these young angels this far out. But I trust Keva, and I know he would never lead me into danger.

You sure this is safe? Finlay asks.

I glance at him and am surprised to see the worry lines etched across his face. I trust Keva.

We near the base of the mountains where it's much cooler, and there's only a small amount of snow covering their peaks. The rest has melted beneath the sun's rays. A wide river cuts through the landscape, swirling from the mountains down through the forest below. Keva glides down to a clearing near the bottom of the mountain that's teeming with Zelons.

It's incredible.

Wow, Finlay says.

There must be hundreds of them. This clearing is easily ten times the size of the one in the forest near the gateway.

One by one, we glide down and land on the grass, and Keva spreads his vast wings out and has what I can only describe as a stare-off with the other Zelons. He's telling them it's okay, that we're not a threat to them.

They cautiously approach us but keep their distance as they scope us out. Keva yelps at them several times, and they yelp back in understanding.

He then pulls his wings in tight to his body and moves to my side, nudging my shoulder with his nose.

Phew. Everything seems to be okay.

Several large male Zelons bound toward us. Keva appears relaxed, so that helps, but the group of young angels panics.

"What now?" a female asks, her voice cracking ever so slightly.

I spin around to face them, and despite Keva making it clear we're okay, their expressions show fear and uncertainty.

"It'll be all right," I tell them. "If Keva's not concerned, neither am I. Just remain calm."

The approaching Zelons grunt to one another. Keva pads forward to meet them, and they sniff one another. Keva is larger than all of them, which is interesting, but they are still huge, muscular males. Capable of tearing us all to shreds, if they wanted to.

Keva moves to my side again and licks my face, and the other Zelons tilt their heads in curiosity. They circle the angels, several of whom bob from one foot to another, as if deciding whether to initiate their fight-or-flight reflex.

"Stay calm," I remind them as the Zelons suss them out. "They won't harm you. If your intentions are good, they will know it."

More Zelons approach us, including several females. The young pups have kept their distance, though, hanging back with the other female Zelons. A couple of them bound toward us, but their mothers growl and put them in their place like children. It's cute and amusing all at the same time.

A female angel has positioned herself at the very back of the group, and she chews her nails as her focus darts around from one Zelon to the next.

"You there, at the back?" I call out and point to her.

The group of angels parts, giving me a clear view of her.

She nervously glances around then places her hand on her chest. "Who, me?"

"Yes. Come forward."

She brushes her hands down her leather pants, slowly making her way through the group of angels, and stops a few feet before me.

"What's your name?" I ask her.

Her attention is locked on Keva, who is staring at her in the most intimidating way, as if she's a snack. He licks his lips, which doesn't help one bit.

"Hale," she replies in a high-pitched tone. "He looks hungry."

I can't help but laugh, and she frowns at me. "Sorry. I don't mean to laugh, but Keva won't eat you. Are you ready to choose your Zelon, Hale?"

Her eyes grow wide as she stares at me.

Clearly, no, she's not ready.

"You'll know when it feels right. Take your time, and look for that deep connection within yourself and within them," I say, placing my hand over my chest.

She gulps, then slowly walks around between the Zelons. One turns its head a little too fast, and she jumps.

The other angels laugh.

Hale takes her time, walking amongst them, and eventually comes to a stop next to a female Zelon. Hale tilts her head as she studies her then reaches her hand out. The Zelon sniffs it, then rubs her face against it.

"It looks like you've found your match," I tell Hale.

She smiles and runs her hand down the side of her Zelon. "This is incredible. I am no longer afraid. I can feel her."

Her Zelon lowers herself down onto her front legs in invitation for Hale to climb onto her back. Hale looks at me for reassurance, and I give her a nod of encouragement. Once she's securely on her back, her Zelon releases her wings and takes to the skies.

The other angels gasp and watch in amazement as her Zelon shoots above us. They all rush forward, eager to find their own Zelon.

I raise my hands. "Patience. Believe me, you don't want to frighten the wrong one. Take your time, slowly."

The angels move about the Zelons, sizing them up and digging deep for their own inner connection.

Once they are all paired up, I look to Finlay. He hovers near the edge of the group, and I realize there are no more Zelons left. I whistle to Keva, who is at my side in an instant.

"Hey, boy, do you think you can gather some more Zelons? Finlay here needs to connect with one, too."

Keva grunts then bounds toward the remaining Zelons in the clearing. He soon returns with several hot on his heels. They circle Finlay, who looks to me for the go-ahead.

You got this , I say.

The excitement in his features melts my heart, and I know he's been waiting for this moment for a long time now. He moves between the Zelons and eventually stops near a large male. They stare at one another for a long time, and then the male licks Finlay's face. Finlay laughs and then strokes his head.

"Good to meet you, too," he says with a chuckle.

I can sense Finlay's genuine happiness, and it sends warmth through my body at how happy he is, back here in the Kingdom where he belongs, after being given a second chance at a life he almost lost.

Once Finlay has climbed onto his Zelon, I get onto Keva's back, and we fly above the clearing. Keva and I take the lead to ensure the others don't go too far.

A smile spreads over my lips, and for the first time in a while, I feel as though I have a purpose. After a good fifteen minutes, and once I'm sure the angels are all confident with their Zelons, I lead them back to the academy to take the next group out.

We land on the field outside the arena, and the young angels are all smiling and chatting excitedly amongst themselves. I head inside for the next group while Finlay hangs back to get to know his Zelon better. Once I have the next group ready, we fly back to the same spot and go through the same process to pair them all off.

By the end of the day, we've got half the academy paired off with their own Zelons, and I'm exhausted. The last group of angels takes to the skies to ride their Zelons for the first time, when a familiar feeling washes over me. Something I haven't felt in a long while.

I stare off into the forest as I try to make sense of it. Something is calling to me, or rather, someone.

"You okay?" Finlay asks.

I snap back to the present and find he's giving me a strange look. He raises his brows as I divert my focus to the forest and back again.

"Yeah, I think so. I might hang back for a bit. Can you guide them back to the academy when you're done?" I ask.

He tilts his head and takes a step closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You sure you're all right? I'm not so keen to leave you alone out here."

To be honest, I'm not super keen on being alone out here, either. But I have Keva, and I know he won't let anything bad happen to me.

"Yeah, I just want to have a look around. I'll be fine. I'll see you soon, okay?"

He gives me a tight-lipped smile, climbs atop his Zelon, and flies up to join the other angels. He circles them, instructing them to follow him, and then he leads them back to the academy.

Keva licks my cheek, and I giggle.

"Wanna check something out with me?" I ask him.

He grunts then bends his front legs so I can climb onto his back.

The familiar feeling grows stronger, and it draws me toward the gateway. On instinct, Keva knows where to go and flies us to the clearing. We land before the gateway, and I can just see it, like a shift in the air. The symbols of the gods glow across the archway at the top. I need to go through it. Where? I'm unsure, but I have the sense that it's my mother calling.

I scratch Keva behind the ears. "You wait here, okay? I won't be long."

He nuzzles his face into my neck and then plonks himself down. His curious eyes remain laser focused on mine, and I know he's not going anywhere.

I step up to the gateway, take in a deep breath, and then close my eyes. I picture my mother in my mind's eye and then jump through.

I free-fall for some time, hating every second as nausea sweeps through my stomach and into my throat.

Please don't be sick, please don't be sick .

The firm ground knocks the air out of my lungs, and I snap my eyes open to see where I am. I'm in a forest I immediately recognise. Where I've visited my mother before.

But there's something different about it this time. What was once a calming and beautiful place now feels darker, colder, like there's something seriously wrong here.

I wander through the trees and eventually come to the waterfall, where I find my mother waiting for me. Her long, blonde waves touch her hips, and she smiles at me as I approach her.

But there's something not quite right. The water doesn't sparkle like it usually does, and there's sadness in her eyes, mixed with something else. Fear.

She opens her arms to me, and I embrace her. Only this time, it feels rushed, like she wants to get to the point of why she called me here. She presses her lips into a firm line as she studies me and then tucks my hair behind my ears.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

Her attention shifts around the area, as if to ensure we are alone. "Someone has opened the Realm of Lost Souls, allowing a connection between Earth and here."

I frown. How in the gods is someone able to do such a thing? "How do you know?"

She swallows hard and checks once more time that we're alone. "They've been opening portals, allowing lost ones to escape. Allowing them to enter the Kingdoms. I've even seen portals here, sucking spirits through them, and I fear…"

Her eyes widen a fraction.

"What? What is it?" I ask.

"I fear they will be trapped in the Realm of Lost Souls, or even down on Earth, unable to ever find peace."

I scratch the side of my nose. "So it's true, then. This is the Spirit Realm?"

My mother wets her lips and nods. "Yes. I have always had a connection to the Spirit Realm, and it appears that you do, too."

My mouth parts in shock, and I raise my hands. "Hang on a second. So I can see ghosts?"

She laughs. "I suppose if you put it like that, it sounds a little crazy. There are two realms where you can go when you pass over. The Spirit Realm, if you're lucky and were a kind and decent angel, or the Realm of Lost Souls, if you were not. If you've done serious harm to others. Someone has been taking spirits from the Spirit Realm, and I fear their intentions."

This is big. And it's not good at all.

"Who would do such a thing?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Someone with a lot of power. It's possible they're trying to build an army. Zarla, you must stop it. The Gatekeeper of the Spirit Realm has been on high alert, trying to protect the spirits here, but he's had trouble protecting them all. He cannot intercept the ones who are destined to come here who are being sucked through portals into the Realm of Lost Souls. He doesn't like outsiders coming in, which is why he wasn't happy to see you here the last time."

I snort. "He was a little more than unhappy. He wanted to kill me."

She brushes her fingers over my cheeks, her touch tingling my skin. "I will always be here for you, and you will always be able to find a way back to me. You have strong powers, and you don't need the gateway to get here."

Okay, now I'm just confused. Although, I remember the first time I came here, I didn't use the gateway. I just passed through from Silanthia into this realm like it was nothing. I decide not to ask her about it, knowing there is much she can't tell me.

"Our time is limited," she says. "You must go before the Gatekeeper finds you here."

I wrap my arms around her and breathe in her floral scent one last time before making my way through the forest toward the gateway.

"Zarla?" she calls out and hurries to catch up to me. "You must be careful around the lost ones. If you are marked by one, you will become one when you die and be trapped in the Realm of Lost Souls for eternity."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I think of an easy way to tell her it's too late. But there isn't one, so I just turn around and lift my top to show her.

She gasps as she touches my scar, tingling my skin once again.

"How did this happen?" she whispers.

I lower my top. "It's a long story. I was distracted for a moment. But I'm okay."

The worry etched in her features frightens me a little. I guess I just need to make sure I don't die.

Should be easy enough.

I pass through the gateway and back into Silanthia. Finlay is waiting for me, arms folded as he leans against a tree.

He rushes toward me and pulls me into his arms. "Where have you been? I couldn't mind link with you, and I was freaking out."

He lets me go, and I can't help but smile.

"It's nice to know I have someone who cares when I go missing," I say.

He closes his eyes briefly and pinches the bridge of his nose. "It's not a joke, Zarla. How can I protect you when I don't know where you are?"

The smile vanishes from my face as I glance down. "I know. I'm sorry. It wasn't planned."

"What wasn't?"

I take a deep breath and then blow it out. "I can trust you, can't I?"

He frowns. "Do you really feel you have to ask me that?"

I tilt my head to the side, reach out, and give his hand a squeeze. "Sorry. I know I can. I was visiting my mother. In the Spirit Realm."

He stares at me with wide eyes. "What?"

"I don't know how it's possible, but it is. She said I have a special ability, like she does. A connection to the Spirit Realm. I have been there a few times now."

He runs his hands down his face. "Wow. That's…wow."

I laugh. "Finlay Kallis…speechless. Never thought I'd see the day."

He gently whacks my arm.

"I believe my father, my real father, is out there somewhere. I think he's a god, and I have to find him. He holds the key to what's going on, the key to my past. I know it."

We walk to the edge of the clearing.

"Do you know where he is?" Finlay asks.

I shrug. "Maybe. I have an idea anyway."

"Well, I'm always here if you need anything, okay? But for now, I've got to get home. My father is expecting me for dinner. Want to join?"

I fold my arms over my chest. "I don't think they would be too happy if I showed up. You go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow."

He eyes me suspiciously. "Why don't you fly back with me now?"

I playfully shove him. "Just go. I'll be fine."

He rolls his eyes and releases his wings. "Just remember, I can mind link with you, and I will know if you're up to no good. But on a serious note, call me, and I'll be there, okay?"

I nod. "I will. Promise. Now go. I don't want you to be late and give your parents another reason to dislike me."

Once he's gone, I turn to head back over to the gateway when voices cut through the still night air. I duck down behind a fallen log and watch as Amaros forcefully hauls Astelle by her arm toward the gateway.

My skin prickles. What in gods is going on here?