made up of pure white stone walls that seeped into a ribbed vault. On the left sat a large wooden door with wrought iron handles. To the right were four tremendously large windows with intricate stone carvings decorating the sides.
“This is the Council’s foyer,” Zia said. “Quite remarkable isn’t it?”
“Very.” Hand me a goblet of ale, call me wench , and I’d fit right in. “What’s that room called?” I asked, nodding behind me.
“The Council’s Hall.”
“Wow.” I laughed. “Someone busted a vein coming up with those names.”
She grinned. “It is what it is.”
We passed through an arched doorway and the word Guardian was etched into the stone wall. Before I could voice my question, Zia said, “The Otherworld is home to many of us. We each have a part of the castle that is ours. This is the Guardian’s House. Since you will be training among the Guardians, it is only right for you to stay with them.”
“Training to do what?”
“Baby steps.” She smiled softly, patting my shoulder. “Let’s get you settled first.”
As we went through another doorway, a giggle escaped me. What was this a medieval hotel? The hall was lined with thick wooden doors on the left and pointed arched windows on the right. Each door we passed had a name written in pretty gold calligraphy on it. Keir, Drake, Nexi.
Wait, rewind!
I skidded to a halt. “Why is my name on this door?”
“Because this is now your home,” Zia answered, opening the door.
Don’t know what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t this. Matching beige sofas were huddled around a stone fireplace that reached from the top of the ceiling to the bottom of the floor and in between them was a thick dark oak table with a vase full of yellow tulips on top.
The kitchen was just off to the side—a rustic oak island matched the large cabinets with brass decorative handles, and a thick pine country table rested in the corner.
On the other side of the living room sat the bedroom, which fit the country charm perfectly. Centered against the back wall was a huge white iron king size bed with a frilly white duvet on top. Two aged wooden tables sat on either side of the bed, which held pretty, decorative lamps, and to the left was a walk in closet that happened to be stocked full of clothes. Beside it, was the bathroom.
“Is this to your taste?” Drake asked. “Your mother liked this look. I thought…”
“It’s perfect.” And it was—the country motif was just my thing.
His body relaxed from the tense one it had been in and a grin rose to his face. “I’m sure you need a moment. Join us when you are ready.”
After they left, I made my way to the bathroom. When I entered, I grinned to myself. A huge—perfect for two bodies huge—claw foot bathtub sat against the wall with a toilet and pedestal sink off to the side. An antique bookcase rested beneath an oval mirror filled with washcloths, thick white towels, and bath products.
This room, I was sure to enjoy. Baths and I got along real well.
Meeting the sink, a complete and total meltdown threatened to rise. I was sure as shit entitled as far as I was concerned. The question weighed heavily for a moment, but I eventually gave up. It wouldn’t get me anywhere. I’d still be here and have to deal with this. So, I quickly washed up and went back out to join them.
As I drew closer, Zia was preparing some toasted sandwiches with a spinach salad. I was beyond delighted. Who knew what they ate here? Very relieved it wasn’t something with a heartbeat.
“I hope you are hungry,” Zia said as I sat.
“Starving,” I responded, grabbing the sandwich and took a bite. After I swallowed I asked, “Out of curiosity, what happened after I disappeared from Carson City? I mean, did anyone notice?”
“The police were contacted by a neighbor who hadn’t seen you in a while,” Drake
“This is the Council’s foyer,” Zia said. “Quite remarkable isn’t it?”
“Very.” Hand me a goblet of ale, call me wench , and I’d fit right in. “What’s that room called?” I asked, nodding behind me.
“The Council’s Hall.”
“Wow.” I laughed. “Someone busted a vein coming up with those names.”
She grinned. “It is what it is.”
We passed through an arched doorway and the word Guardian was etched into the stone wall. Before I could voice my question, Zia said, “The Otherworld is home to many of us. We each have a part of the castle that is ours. This is the Guardian’s House. Since you will be training among the Guardians, it is only right for you to stay with them.”
“Training to do what?”
“Baby steps.” She smiled softly, patting my shoulder. “Let’s get you settled first.”
As we went through another doorway, a giggle escaped me. What was this a medieval hotel? The hall was lined with thick wooden doors on the left and pointed arched windows on the right. Each door we passed had a name written in pretty gold calligraphy on it. Keir, Drake, Nexi.
Wait, rewind!
I skidded to a halt. “Why is my name on this door?”
“Because this is now your home,” Zia answered, opening the door.
Don’t know what I expected, but it definitely wasn’t this. Matching beige sofas were huddled around a stone fireplace that reached from the top of the ceiling to the bottom of the floor and in between them was a thick dark oak table with a vase full of yellow tulips on top.
The kitchen was just off to the side—a rustic oak island matched the large cabinets with brass decorative handles, and a thick pine country table rested in the corner.
On the other side of the living room sat the bedroom, which fit the country charm perfectly. Centered against the back wall was a huge white iron king size bed with a frilly white duvet on top. Two aged wooden tables sat on either side of the bed, which held pretty, decorative lamps, and to the left was a walk in closet that happened to be stocked full of clothes. Beside it, was the bathroom.
“Is this to your taste?” Drake asked. “Your mother liked this look. I thought…”
“It’s perfect.” And it was—the country motif was just my thing.
His body relaxed from the tense one it had been in and a grin rose to his face. “I’m sure you need a moment. Join us when you are ready.”
After they left, I made my way to the bathroom. When I entered, I grinned to myself. A huge—perfect for two bodies huge—claw foot bathtub sat against the wall with a toilet and pedestal sink off to the side. An antique bookcase rested beneath an oval mirror filled with washcloths, thick white towels, and bath products.
This room, I was sure to enjoy. Baths and I got along real well.
Meeting the sink, a complete and total meltdown threatened to rise. I was sure as shit entitled as far as I was concerned. The question weighed heavily for a moment, but I eventually gave up. It wouldn’t get me anywhere. I’d still be here and have to deal with this. So, I quickly washed up and went back out to join them.
As I drew closer, Zia was preparing some toasted sandwiches with a spinach salad. I was beyond delighted. Who knew what they ate here? Very relieved it wasn’t something with a heartbeat.
“I hope you are hungry,” Zia said as I sat.
“Starving,” I responded, grabbing the sandwich and took a bite. After I swallowed I asked, “Out of curiosity, what happened after I disappeared from Carson City? I mean, did anyone notice?”
“The police were contacted by a neighbor who hadn’t seen you in a while,” Drake
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