FORTY ONE

Word Count: 2116

~Tove

Keo smooths a map down on the table in front of me.

"This realm has an interesting layout," he notes, running his hand along it.

The map shows an island split into two. Keo is right, it does have a strange layout, with one side seeming to be mountainous, while the other is smooth and flat. It seems small compared to my home realm too.

"Okay." I'm nodding numbly, trying to drink everything in. I'm going to have to not only become familiar with this layout, but also become connected to it.

It's been made clear to me that today is the day I'm transporting to the new realm. There is no other option, considering the pressure from Relm.

"There is no point aiming for anywhere in particular, since you've never seen, nor can you even imagine being there, so just shoot for the general area," Keo says, motioning around the perimeter of the islands.

"That sounds dangerous." What if I plunge myself into a massive volcano or something similar?

Keo holds my gaze. "It is dangerous. But if anyone can do this, Tove, it is you."

I sigh. I'm not sure I have that confidence. I know nothing about this realm, nor how to cross over to it. It's going to take more energy than I have ever mustered before, and I'm likely going to be stuck over there until I can regain enough to return.

"Someone nearly killed me last week," I remind him.

He frowns, turning to me. He has been overly sensitive since the incident, which was over a week ago now. He hasn't left once, when usually he has a lot of business to attend to.

I thought I would hate him lingering, but I enjoy his proximity.

"We will find your mother, okay? For now, concentrate on this," he says. He's right, revenge is going to have to wait.

I look back at the map. "Alright..."

"Now, I'm going to try to feed some information into your mind about this realm. I've been there a few times, so I should have enough memories for you to work off of," he explains.

I stare down at the map, which is lacking any real detail. "What makes this realm good for the Demon's?"

"It isn't very densely populated, and there is enough unclaimed land that we can set up on and essentially disappear," he explains.

I blink, glancing up at him. He makes it sound like he wants us to ultimately settle in this realm.

"We?" I test.

He gives me a long look. "You know what I mean."

I shift, not entirely convinced. I haven't even been to this realm and I know I don't want to establish a life there permanently.

"I don't want to move...I don't want to leave Mary behind," I remind him coldly. "Even if my mother chases me down, trying to kill me for the rest of my life."

His shoulders are tense as he regards me. It's moments like these where I can see Keo remembering that he has a mate now, and that the decisions he makes aren't always going to work for the both of us.

"You won't have to. We will find a way to appease Relm, and all will be fine," he soothes.

Neither of us actually believe it will be that easy, but dwelling on it now will only hinder our progress.

"Right..."

Keo points to the map again, pulling my attention. "You're going to go there, and you will come straight back, okay? Hopefully Relm won't notice your presence as you pass through realms."

"This is only slightly terrifying."

Relm has made it clear to me that if I go against his warning, there will be consequences. If he notices me moving through realms, he may never let me return.

Or worse. He will kill me.

"No," Keo cuts in abruptly, shaking his head. "Don't let that doubt in. Not even for a second."

"You're right. I just need to do this," I mutter, drawing in a deep breath. Regardless of what happens, I need to try, and I need to try now. So many people are waiting patiently as their lives remain at risk as each day passes.

Keo takes my hands in his, squeezing my fingers. In his eyes, I read a whole myriad of emotions that I also share. He's apprehensive, but he knows what needs to be done.

"I'm going to use the mate bond to connect our minds for a short time. Once you have enough of a grasp on this realm, go for it," he instructs.

I nod. "I'll give it a try."

His eyes rove over my face, noticing the way I shift and avert my eyes. "Come straight back okay? If you need a break, take it, but make sure you leave promptly."

I almost laugh. There is no way I'm going to be hanging around this other realm for very long. The moment I can, I'm going to leave, although I suspect I won't be able to right away.

Keo knows that too. It's why he seems so anxious.

"I know," I breathe.

He nods once, signalling that this is starting now. All I can do is cling to his hands and allow his magic to overcome me, putting the images of this other realm into my mind.

I nearly flinch away as the images overcome me, almost like memories I'm recalling, although more vivid and eerie.

These are obviously Keo's memories, as he stands atop a hill, looking over the landscape.

It's pretty. Long, rolling meadows and hills covered in lush emerald grass stretch all the way to the horizon, with no civilisation in sight. It's not particularly special looking, but I grasp the memory, feeding off the strength of Keo's magic that flows through me.

I'm not sure how much time I spend, mustering up as much energy as I possibly can, fighting past the usual urge to transport myself until I'm sure I've hit the peak of my magic.

The amount of need to do this isn't normal. It's beyond anything I've ever harnessed before.

And then, it happens, without me even consenting to it.

I drop hard. My mind spins as I fall through darkness. This feels similar to the usual sensation of transporting, and yet, so different.

A scream is trapped in my throat as I continue to hopelessly topple through space and time, never seeming to be able to grasp onto any sense of reality.

And then light erupts through my vision, and my feet hit the ground.

I yelp as I lurch forward, falling flat onto my face.

For a few moments, my mind spins. I just lay there and accept it, my body coming to terms with what just happened, all while my face practically freezes in what must be snow.

Slowly, I push off my trembling arms, looking down at the imprint of my face in a thick layer of snow.

I stare at it for a long moment, processing what just occurred.

I'm in another realm. I can feel it.

Raising my head, I scan the area. Everything is covered in snow, which still falls in thick clumps, landing on my shoulders and hair. Nothing about this place looks familiar, until I realise I am exactly where Keo's memory leads me, it's just snowing now.

I struggle to my feet, rubbing my temples. I made it, but I'm weak. I can't return yet, but I also can't linger out in these conditions.

So I set off, walking toward where the sun is starting to dip down.

Keo said this place isn't densely populated, so there is a chance I won't find anyone to help me. And what if the people here are hostile? I know absolutely nothing about this place.

The crushing weight of hopelessness falls upon me. It's cold, barren and the sun will be setting soon.

However, as I scale one of the hills, I see what looks like a small town tucked into the valley.

My heart thumps against my chest as I run towards it, forcing my legs through the thick layers of snow. The town isn't lit, but it's not dark yet. Surely there has to be civilisation there...

Once I reach the town, I wander down the main street, trying not to slip on the ice slick cobblestones.

Doors to stores are open, some even broken off. Each one I check inside of is abandoned, with most of the furnishings either destroyed or missing.

I let out a frustrated groan. Please don't tell me I've stumbled into an abandoned town.

No matter how much I explore, I can't find a single soul. There is no evidence that people have been here for a long time, which suggests that they won't be coming back.

On the outskirts of the town I find an old inn. The wind blows through smashed windows as I shift from room to room. Thankfully, I managed to find one with boarded up windows and no glass on the floor.

Pressing my back into the corner of the room, I hang my head down, breathing through the dizziness.

I need to get back. At least before I freeze to death.

A drip of blood suddenly appears beneath me on the wooden floor. Frowning, I touch my nose, drawing my hand back to see blood on my fingers.

I curse. That isn't good.

"This is awfully far to travel for a rather bleak sight."

I raise my head slowly, that painfully familiar voice making my stomach turn. I should have known he would come...I couldn't get out of here quick enough.

Relm has his hands seated in his pockets as he strolls into the room, looking around distastefully at our surroundings.

"You know why I'm here," he murmurs.

"Oh yes, I do." I press the palms of my hands my forehead, defeated. I'm too weak. Even now, I don't have the energy to escape back to the safety of the other realm where Keo awaits my return.

There's a flicker of sadness in his eyes, although he promptly smothers it.

"So what, you're going to kill me?"

"Yes."

I close my eyes for a moment. I barely have the energy to stand, so there's no chance I can fight him off. I either have to accept my fate, or try talk my way out of this.

"I'm doing the right thing. You know I am," I remind him tightly. I'm only doing this to protect people who have gone centuries without being protected. As an Angel-blood with the powers I have, I feel obligated to help them.

"I cannot allow Demon's to run free around here. I don't trust Keo, and I don't trust them," he says softly.

He shifts, sitting cross-legged on the floor opposite me, leaning his back against the wall.

If I weren't about to be killed, I would consider him rather thoughtful and understanding for someone with so much power. His strange, multi-coloured eyes seem saddened by the thought of taking my life.

"Who would you trust?" I push.

"There's hardly anyone I trust," he admits. "And the one's I do, aren't going to do your bidding."

"So you're just going to kill me?"

Keo told me Relm is a problem-solver, and does not partake in petty revenge. Perhaps if I gave him another way to solve this problem, he wouldn't come for my neck.

"I don't relish in taking innocent lives," he admits, running his hand through his inky black hair. "However, I've been tasked with protecting these realms, and those within them are not meant to move between them."

I scowl at him despite myself. "How is it fair that Angel-blood's get to kill Demon's as they please?"

"Have you forgotten what you are?" He looks over me, like he can see what makes me an Angel-blood.

"Answer my question," I snap.

"It may not be fair, but it is what it is. Perhaps Demon's could have lived here, but there is only one person with enough influence to control them," he muses, brushing snow off his shoulder.

"Who? You?"

He gets to his feet, looming over me. Suddenly he looks even more intimidating than I remember. He looks deadly, which is exactly what he is.

His eyes are sullen as he holds his hand out to me. "Shh Tove. I'm afraid I am now going to have to kill you."

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