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The room hums with nervous energy and anticipation. My allies look to me to lead them into the unknown. Their faith warms me. I push down my anxiety, focusing on opening an interdimensional doorway as Adrian coached me.

I close my eyes, sensing the latent power that swirls within, ready to be unleashed. With a deep breath, I concentrate wholly on the Fae Realm, picturing the path leading there. Magic dances around me, responding to my summons. I reach out with trembling fingers to part the fabric separating worlds.

A kaleidoscope portal blossoms open, redolent with the perfume of exotic blooms.

"You're so close!" Adrian encourages.

With a final mental push, the passage stabilizes. I'm through the looking glass, gazing upon a surreal dreamscape.

Lush meadows dotted with fragrant blossoms stretch to the rainbow-hued horizon. A marble-white palace capped in flowers crowns a distant hill. The Court of Blossoms awaits.

Crossing the threshold hand-in-hand with Rhyland, wonder washes over me. Towering trees sway, dripping with vibrant blossoms. Thick, glowing grass cushions our steps. Above, butterflies twirl, wings glittering like stained glass.

We stand stunned as delicate wings glitter overhead. Flocks of jewel-toned birds flit by, calling curiously among themselves as they observe these strange newcomers. Their songs blend with the bubbling springs and rustling leaves into a living natural symphony.

"What in the actual fuck..." Lucian mutters, uncharacteristically lost for words as he surveys the vibrant alien landscape surrounding us.

Adrian shakes his head slowly as if convincing himself this is real and not some vivid dream. He kneels, letting the thick grass sift through his fingers. "The true Faerie Realm," he murmurs in awe. "I never dared hope to set foot here outside ancient tomes. Its beauty defies description."

I drift forward, entranced, grass caressing my feet. An explosion of vivid blossoms perfume the air. My skin tingles when I gently brush a silken petal. This world pulses with natural magic. I exhale in stunned disbelief. The brothers stand frozen in equal wonder beside me.

Rhyland squeezes my trembling hand tightly. "Nothing could have prepared me for this," he breathes. I cling to him for support, overwhelmed by the otherworldly beauty surrounding us.

Gradually, we recover our wits and take stock of our surroundings. "Which way now?" Lucian asks, then snorts in disbelief, gazing up at the palace. "Well, Tinkerbell sure has a damn fancy crib. Let's go introduce ourselves, shall we?"

I close my eyes, trying to sense the pull of the Faerite stone. Its muted call seems out of reach, like a magnet tugging inside my chest. I can't pinpoint a location.

Rhyland senses my confusion and unease, grabbing my trembling hand and squeezing it tight. “We will find it,” he murmurs in confidence.

The eerie stillness descends abruptly, even the birdsong muffled unnaturally. A sinister energy permeates the once-idyllic air, raising goosebumps on my flesh. I motion for the others to listen closely, sensing that danger lurks.

We all whirl toward an unnatural ripple of darkness. Behind us undulates a viscous portal, black as spilled oil. Foul tendrils unfurl lazily from its surface, blindly grasping for victims.

My breath stalls as Azrael materializes, his fathomless eyes bleeding pure evil. Rooted helplessly in place, I'm unable to flee his vile presence.

"Dani," he purrs lasciviously, relishing each syllable. "Thank you for sharing your secret to your remarkable gift."

His depraved meaning hits me like a sledgehammer. Rhyland exhales harshly beside me, paralyzed by equal parts volcanic fury and heart-stopping dread. Azrael's abyssal gaze slides leisurely to Rhyland, brimming with sadistic anticipation.

"How?" I demand, determined to understand despite my fear.

Azrael's mouth twists into a cruel smile. "Isn't it obvious, my dear? Your power allows me to create my own portals shortly after you open one. I simply piggyback on your gift, accessing the realms as you do."

His words turn my blood to ice, and he sneers with twisted pleasure, turning to Rhyland, "Your toothless council can't save you from what's coming. But my thanks for the warning, Adrian."

Horror's icy fingers claw at my spine. Adrian steps forth, refusing to meet our disbelieving stares.

Rhyland finally erupts, voice shaking with rage. "You fucking traitor! I'll rip your goddamn heart out!" His hands flex helplessly. But Adrian doesn't look up, a portrait of gut-wrenching betrayal.

"Ah yes, Adrian." Azrael turns to me casually as if discussing the weather. "You thought he was helping you this entire time?" He tsks, a mocking smile on his lips. "No, my dear. Adrian, here is merely my personal lapdog."

A jolt of realization hits me. Adrian was against us from the beginning.

Rhyland reacts with blistering rage, rounding on Adrian. "You backstabbing bastard," he growls, muscles coiled tight like a panther about to strike. "You were the one who called the Brotherhood and had us chained up like fucking animals?"

I swallow hard, still reeling from the revelations. Adrian's betrayal, all the lies...the hurt, Rhyland's pain pushing hard on my chest.

Adrian shifts nervously under our demanding stares. "I've been searching for the prophesied one for eons," he finally murmurs. "Then you arrive on my doorstep, literally handing her over to me. I had no choice but to inform Azrael."