A Gift of Three (A Shade of Vampire #42)(17)

“Don’t worry,” replied Serena, “it’s given us a chance to people-watch. Everyone looks amazing—who knew my mom and dad could scrub up so well?”

Aida and I looked at her suspiciously.

“Err… Everyone, Serena. Your parents are insanely good looking,” Aida replied, shaking her head.

Ibrahim, Corrine and Mona (with her husband Kiev next to her) were standing closest to the edge of the port, the witches and warlock waiting for everyone to arrive before transporting us. The dragons would be traveling by themselves—some were coming from The Hearthlands, with those who lived at The Shade presumably having gone on ahead already. My great grandparents Sofia and Derek were standing with my parents, along with River and Ben. They all looked so sophisticated, and inhumanly beautiful.

“Oh, look!” Serena exclaimed, as Shayla appeared with Ash and Ruby and their two kids—the boy, Varga, who was seventeen, and Elonora, a fifteen-year-old who was the spitting image of her mom. Serena rushed through the crowd to meet them, and we followed. Before we reached them, Claudia and Yuri were there, embracing their daughter and son-in-law. Both Ash and Ruby were the same sentry-and-vampire mix that Serena’s parents were, but remained living in Nevertide, though they visited The Shade often.

“Serena, you’ve grown so much!” Ruby exclaimed, hugging her. “And where’s Phoenix? Where are your parents? Where are Benedict and Yelena? And Julian?”

Hazel and Tejus appeared from behind us, and I stood back to let the old friends talk. Benedict, Yelena and their daughter Fiona had to miss this evening’s event, due to an issue in the UK (Yelena’s birthplace), concerning some dodgy ‘Jack the Ripper’ style killings that were unnerving – but we weren’t entirely sure were supernatural-related, hence Benedict and Yelena going to investigate. While they were that side of the world, they’d taken Fiona to stay with Yelena’s parents. As for Julian, he should be here with his girlfriend Ariana… But where was Phoenix? I glanced over at Aida, who was searching the crowd for him, but neither of us could make out his tall figure. As I scanned the crowds, my eyes lighted on Jovi, who looked very handsome in a dark suit, his dark hair brushed back off his forehead, for once, and his facial hair trimmed down to a designer stubble.

Serena was standing nearby, and I noted how beautiful she looked with her head thrown back in laughter at something Ash had said, one arm slung over the shoulder of her mother. I couldn’t help but notice how many guys our age were watching her, but squashed the small flicker of jealousy I felt instantly. I loved Serena—I could hardly blame her for the fact that boys rarely noticed me. It was just because I was too shy, never appearing as carefree as Serena, or as approachable. I suddenly wished that Zerus was coming, but I already knew he had declined the invite. I could just see how the evening would go—fae princes and soldiers gathering around my friends like flies, while I awkwardly hovered by the edges of a dance floor, beyond irritated at myself for being such an introvert.

“Are you excited to be going to your birth star?” Aida turned to me, her eyes glowing.

“Yes.” I grinned, reminding myself why I had been excited about this trip in the first place—the fire star was linked to my primary element, and if there was anywhere in the worlds where my abilities might be at their strongest, it was there.

“I can’t wait to sleep in the palace,” Aida replied, “and eat fae food. The night’s going to be amazing, trust me.” She gave my hand a squeeze, guessing how I felt.

Ibrahim waved to get our attention.

“Everyone gather round—we’re going to depart in one minute.”

Everyone muttered their assent and did as Ibrahim instructed. Serena moved to stand next between Aida and me, grasping each of our hands.

“Wait!” Serena said to her parents. “Where is Phoenix?”

Before Tejus or Hazel could reply, Phoenix’s voice came from behind us. “Here.” We all turned and looked up at his grinning face.

“Where have you been?” Serena scolded him.

He shrugged, still outside the circle everyone was forming. “Just finishing something up—never you mind, little sis.”

Serena turned back to face her parents, who stood opposite us. “Whatever.”

“Get in the circle, Phoenix,” Aida muttered, and finally he did.

Corrine clapped her hands. “All right, all right. Ready everyone?”

“Ready,” everyone chorused.

A moment later, we were standing on the snowy peaks of Mount Logan. I shivered, hit by the sudden extreme drop in temperature, but it would only be temporary. We all piled into the portal walled by grayish blue mist, and started to glide along—our pace kept slow by the witches’ magic, to prevent the vortex from sucking us right down. Corrine gestured that we should start moving closer toward the wall of the portal, and soon we were enveloped in its thick mists, totally blinded and disorientated for a few moments until we broke through to the other side. The mists disappeared to reveal an expanse of blackness, small pinpricks of stars surrounding us as we floated through the dense silence. This part of the journey was a strange one; the stars and the great, black void were so awe-inspiring that it made me want to stay forever, but the crushing and absolute absence of noise also started to feel like it would drive me mad.

The fae planets came into view, the small spheres glowing brightly as we moved toward them. Their light bounced off the smooth skin of my friends, giving them an iridescent, unearthly appearance.