Chapter 8: Chapter 8

The next morning, she woke up and slipped on the green dress. She washed her face, brushed her teeth and did all the things she could think of. Hunter had told her not to leave the room. But she was going to lose her mind soon. She had even made the bed. She was starting to rearrange the furniture when there was a knock on the door. She stilled.

"It's me, Twyla," Hunter's voice said from the other side of the door.

"Oh!" Twyla squeaked, rushing to open the door.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Hunter rumbled, beaming down at her.

"Yes, thank you. Did you sleep last night?"

"I did. Thank you. I would like you to meet someone," Hunter requested, walking into the room. He was followed by a porcelain woman with raven black hair and big, bright blue eyes. "This is Iynx. I thought you might like to have some company when I cannot be around," Hunter said, nervously.

Twyla bounced up to Iynx and stuck out her hand. "Hi! I'm Twyla."

"Hello. Iynx," Iynx sang, her voice like a river running down a mountain.

They both smiled.

"Should we eat?" Hunter asked.

They crowded around the little table and Twyla looked at Hunter. They didn't have any food. She tilted her head at him.

"We have some magic at the resistance," Hunter declared. He looked pointedly at Iynx.

Iynx smiled and her eyes lit up. Wind swirled around her and her dark hair covered her face. As the wind settled, food floated onto the table.

"What? But? Are you one of them?" Twyla accused.

"Of course not!" Hunter cried. "Iynx is a nymph with beautiful powers of summoning. And no, the food did not come from nothing. She simply summoned the food that was already in the kitchen to your table."

Iynx beamed up at Twyla with a look of pure innocence and Twyla could not see how she thought this was the same as the monsters from the chapel.

"It is pretty cool, Iynx," Twyla conceded.

Somehow, Iynx's smile got even bigger.

Hunter had to leave to sort out more business and Twyla was left with Iynx. What she really would have liked was some answers. But at least, Iynx's company was pleasant. Iynx could summon anything so they ate pastries (Iynx had as much of a sweet tooth as Twyla) and played board games.

"How did you get the board games?" Twyla asked Iynx.

"Hunter brought some with him when he went to the human world," Iynx replied, distracted by her next move.

"Is he the only one who goes to the human world?"

"Hmm yea. We can't."

"Why not?"

Um… You'll have to ask Hunter."

Twyla didn't want to lose her only friend so she didn't push further.

"You want another chocolate croissant?" Twyla questioned instead.

"Isles yes!"

Night bloomed before Hunter came back. Inxy had gone to bed already but Twyla stayed up. His knock was tentative and she rushed to the door in case he changed his mind. He was wearing a baldric over his shirt today and the hilts of knives glittered in the firelight.

"That's some weaponry," she commented.

"I like to be prepared," he growled, his eyes dark.

"Right," she whispered, swallowing hard. "How was your day?"

"Treacherous," he spat out. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "I am sorry. It has been a long day. How was your day? Did you have an enjoyable time with Iynx?"

"Yes. We had a bunch of pastries. There are still some left over?"

She led him to the table. He unbuckled his baldric and sat down with a soft sigh.

"Would you like some tea?" he proposed, already ringing the kitchen bell.

"Thank you. I would love some."

He warmed up as they drank tea and laughed at how badly Twyla lost at everything she played. Finally, she asked him.

"Why are you the only one that can leave this world?"

He put down the pastry he was holding and studied her. Twyla held her breath as he folded his arms around his broad chest.

"The border we went through today is not one created by nature. Corrupt powers created it. The border keeps in magical creatures, plants and animals so those at the top can control them and their magic. Iynx should be able to move mountains but can barely summon objects from within the castle grounds. The resistance is full of stories such as hers."

Twyla thought about the brittle woman she played board games with. It seemed impossible that all that power could be stored in Iynx. He studied her again as if he wasn't sure whether to give her more information.

He stood up and offered his hand. As she took it, she felt the roughness of his callousness mingle with the gentleness of his touch. "It is getting quite late," he whispered, looking down at her with warm brown eyes. "I will see you in the morning."

He kissed her on the forehead and left her standing there.

As she got into bed she realised that he never answered her question.

Twyla looked at the pink, knee-length dress she was wearing and reminded herself to thank Iynx for summoning more clothes. She was getting tired of green… This dress was looser and more practical. It also had pockets.

While she twirled around enjoying the swirling of the colour on the dress, a knock sounded.

"Twyla? Are you ready for breakfast?" Hunter called through the wooden door.

"Yea," she responded and rushed to open the door. She moved back automatically to let him in but he ginned, wolfishly.

"Today we are going to breakfast downstairs. I think it is time for you to meet the resistance," he declared, a glint in his eye.

Was she ready? She had only been here a few days and, sure, her body had healed but there was so much that she hadn't been ready for. Her whole world had been turned upside down and she had to rethink her core beliefs. And Sofia - Sofia! That was why she was here. How had she forgotten about Sofia? She needed answers. She had to go down to breakfast and meet all the magical creatures and learn everything she could; no matter how scared she was. She needed to focus. This was not about her, Twyla. This was about Sofia and finding out what happened.

"I'm ready," Twyla affirmed, head held high.

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