Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 147649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 738(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 492(@300wpm)
“Holy fucking shit. Where am I?”
But there’s no one to hear me because Pia is far away now, already passing through the one open end of the courtyard.
I follow her. Not flying though. Just jogging a little.
My legs feel different. I can’t decide if they are more or less springy.
They feel… stronger in a weird way. I’m not sure. I just know they feel different.
Pia disappears once she’s through the open courtyard gate. A huge, huge wooden gate made of a very light blond wood. And when I pass through the gate, and see what’s on the other side, I actually stop in my tracks and gasp.
And once again, the words, “Where the fuck am I?” spill out of my mouth.
Because this is a castle. A freaking castle. I’m talking made of gold blocks of stone, and those parapet things or whatever they’re called. And huge banners, and flags, and tall-ass flagpoles, and more fancy carriages, and horses, and a fountain that is spurting something very bubbly that looks like champagne. And on the other side of that fountain is the most massive set of stairs I’ve ever seen. Pia is already flying up them.
For a moment I’m afraid that she will go inside and leave me here. But the door to the castle is closed and she stops, hovering in the air, then turning to look my way. “Hurry!” she calls. “We’re late!”
“Late for what?” She can’t hear me though. Because these are distracted, mumbled words and I’m really just thinking out loud.
I run. Right past the carriage and horses, around the fountain, and up the stairs. And when I get to the top Pia floats over to my shoulder and once again settles there. “I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep for weeks. What are you waiting for? Open the door!”
The door.
I like doors, don’t I?
Or no. Do I hate doors?
Why do doors give me a weird feeling?
I push the door open and see nothing but fog and I am instantly annoyed. Maybe even pissed. I move forward, muttering, “What the fuck? If this stupid place is a trap—”
My rant comes to an abrupt stop. Because the moment I cross the door’s threshold it brightens around me like it’s some kind of technological device. The light flashes, causing me to close my eyes and put up a hand as I am momentarily blinded.
And when I open my eyes again, I find that the fog has disappeared and in its place is a whole other world.
3
I’m not exactly surprised about the new world in front of me. I’ve gone through my share of magic doors at this point in my life, but everything about the next moment feels… different.
And this is not a feeling I recognize.
My perspective changes. That’s the only way I know how to describe my viewpoint. Or maybe the room grows? It’s a massive room and the ceiling height of the great hall in Saint Mark’s cathedral doesn’t even come close to how tall this room is. It’s like giants live here.
And there are people! Well… chimeras! And not any old chimera, either. No frat-boy satyrs or half-naked wood nymphs in this place. Nope. They are the lion chimeras. Like Callistina.
For a moment I’m sure that this door has deposited me directly inside the Vinca palace because that is my only point of reference for castles. But I wasn’t in Vinca when I walked up to the door. And sure, the door probably scooted me through realms, or whatever. So it’s still possible that this is Vinca. I guess.
It’s just… so not Vinca.
It’s nothing like Vinca. And aside from Callistina and her guards, I’ve never seen so many lion people.
And the clothes. My God, the clothes.
There is a row of young lion-girls along one wall. They are maybe… I dunno, sixteen? Not fully adult women, but not children, either. And they are all wearing lavish skirts. I’m talking skirts made of layers of silky tulle and chiffon, making them flare out from their bodies. They are a rich mustard color and go all the way to the floor, but I can just catch a glimpse of the golden sandals on their feet that are paws. There is a lot of elaborate embroidery at the hem and gold thread weaved into the top layer of fabric. They shimmer like jewels as they stand there along the wall, cupping their hands to their mouths the way girls do when they gossip.
On top they are wearing silky blue camisoles and short jackets made of thick fabric embroidered with a blue and tan floral pattern. And more gold threads are woven through the design.
They are all blonde and their long hair flows over their shoulders in gentle waves. Like it is water falling over a cliff. And they each have a very small set of golden antlers peeking up from their heads.