Page 6 of Alec in Wonderland (Rainbow Tales #1)

Alec followed Quinlen through the dense woods, ducking under branches that seemed to have a life of their own. They kept curling into the path, reaching for him. Quinlen just brushed the branches aside, but when Alec tried to do the same, they snapped at him. He was trying not to take it personally.

It was just the two of them. The others were waiting back at camp. Quinlen was intent on their destination, striding quickly down the path. Alec was less so. The deeper they went into the woods, the more nervous Alec got. He still didn't know what being read meant. He wasn't a book. So how could anyone read him? Unless the caterpillar read his palm. An image suddenly filled Alec's mind—of Quinlen plucking a furry caterpillar off a tree and plopping it into Alec's hand to “read him.” It wouldn't have surprised Alec in the least.

“Here we are.” Quinlen motioned Alec forward as he stepped out of the woods.

Alec followed Quin into a little meadow, most of it taken up by a bright blue tent. Gold stars and butterflies glittered against the blue background and curling fingers of sweetly scented smoke wafted out of the tent's open flap. Quinlen went inside.

With one last look at the woods, Alec ducked into the tent. He stood just inside the flap, squinting to adjust to the darkness. In the center of the tent, atop a mushroom the size of a dining table, sprawled a man with long blue hair. A pile of pillows propped him up while he idly played with his hair and stared at the tent's ceiling. Slowly, as if the ceiling was far more interesting than his guests, the man dragged his gaze down to Quinlen.

“Ah, General Hatter,” the blue-haired man said. “You're early.”

“Commander Hatter,” Quinlen corrected as he walked along an aisle formed of burning incense sticks, over to the ‘shroom.

“Same difference.” The mushroom man sat up and peered at Alec. “You've gotten larger. I hope you're large enough.”

“Large enough for what?” Alec asked as he followed Quin, careful to walk the same path.

“For your fate, of course.” The man crossed his legs and cocked his head at Alec. “I see the human world has made you senseless.”

“Excuse me?” Alec huffed.

“No, I cannot.”

Quinlen motioned at the man. “This is Griel, the Caterpillar.”

“Why do they call you the Caterpillar?” Alec asked. “Can you transform into one?”

This seemed to stump Griel. He blinked his blue eyes at Alec. “More nonsense! What has happened to you?”

Alec, who didn't think he was the one talking nonsense, scowled. “Then why are you called the Caterpillar?”

“Why? Why? Why?” Griel huffed. “That, at least, has not changed.”

“You're the Caterpillar,” Quinlen said. “It's your duty to answer questions.”

“Not the foolish ones!” Griel snapped.

Quinlen removed his hat and bent his head.

Griel sighed, though it was more of a huff. “Very well. Come forward, Alec of the human world.”

Alec stepped closer to the mushroom.

“I am called the Caterpillar because I can see through the weave of time and unravel the cocoon of fate. With my help, people may transform, as a caterpillar does into a butterfly. Do you want my help?”

“Um.” Alec looked at Quinlen.

Quinlen stared back, expressionless.

“Yes?” Alec said.

Griel chuckled. “Still the same. Come closer.”

Alec stepped closer until he was leaning against the spongy side of the mushroom cap. It was the same shade of blue as the tent, with bright yellow spots. Alec wondered if the coloring meant it was a poisonous mushroom, but he decided against asking Griel. Then he looked up and met Griel's gaze. Alec couldn't look away. Smoke started pouring from the nearest incense sticks until a cloud of the stuff enveloped Alec. Everything but Griel disappeared. And then Griel went hazy too, only his eyes remaining in focus.

Something grabbed Alec through the smoke. He couldn't look down to see what it was, but out of the corner of his eye, the shape looked like a hand. Not just a hand. Several hands at the end of several arms, all attached to Griel. But that was silly. Griel only had two arms.

“Let me see you,” Griel said. “Let me read your fate.”

The words swirled with the smoke, invading Alec's mind. He breathed them in and swayed, but the hands held him upright. Images appeared, layered over the Caterpillar's eyes. He saw a red castle, roses, the Queen of Hearts, and a dragon with red scales. Fear lanced through Alec as the dragon roared.

And then Alec's mind cleared along with the smoke. He blinked as Griel released him both mentally and physically.

“Alec?” Quinlen grabbed Alec's shoulder.

“I'm fine,” Alec said, still staring at Griel. “Was that the Jabberwocky?”

“Yes,” Griel said. “And it is still your destiny. You are the key to Wonderland's survival, Alec. Commander Hatter here will tell you it's up to you—your decision. He wants you to feel as if you have some control over your part in this. You do not. You lost all control when you followed the white rabbit into that human forest. Now, your fate is sealed. You will face the Jabberwocky and you will conquer it, Alec. If you do not, we will all perish.”

Alec gaped at the Caterpillar.

“Great fuck, Griel!” Quinlen snapped. “Have some tact.”

“Tact is for tacticians,” Griel said. “I'm the Caterpillar. I only speak the absolute truth. You know what you must do, Commander. Do it now. Time is folding inward and if Alec doesn’t step into play soon, Wonderland will fold in upon itself too. Every second is precious.” Griel waved his hand and the incense smoke enveloped him.

With another curse, Quinlen grabbed Alec's hand and drew him from the tent. Smoke followed them, billowing out as if showing them the door.