Page 68 of Anaki

She raised her eyebrow and came closer as I touched the vines. I parted them slightly and paused. “I’ve only been here a few times. Last time I was here, they were only halfway done building. I’m not sure what it's like now. They work quickly. Especially now that they can work without fear, and it isn’t as cold.”

“Without fear?”

My shoulders slumped. “Yes, the fae were hidden away in Russia for a long time. They came to Earth for refuge. The Elysian Realm is full of politics. The dragons just stayed away from most of it. We were powerful despite our low numbers, and magic had little effect on us.”

Elena frowned and squeezed my hand again. “Fae, certain shifters, even witches, sought power, but that is a story for a different time. These fae, the spring and summer, found Earth and hid for many years, until Locke offered protection to them recently. There is a dome, that Tajah created with her magic, to conceal the territory so no humans flying above can see it.”

Elena’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing. Is Tajah’s magic unlimited?”

I chuckled. “Definitely not. She is powerful, and more so with Bram. He is an ancient, powerful warlock who lives here. He is weak now, but he continues to teach her. I don’t know the logistics. Tajah can hold so many rune papers, or whatever. You would have to ask them. I know nothing of magic. Just the awesomeness of this body.” I ran my hand down my chest.

Elena snorted, shrugged her shoulders, and stepped closer to me. “Well, aren’t you going to let me in?”

I bobbed my head back and forth. “Sure, give me your sweater first.”

She obeyed, but a questioning face lingered. “You will not need it. Besides, I enjoy gazing at your backside without anything hiding it.”

Elena swatted my butt, and I held open the vines for her. She instantly gasped as I pulled her inside the otherworldly domain living inside the forest.

In place of the typically overcast sky that blankets the forest of the Pacific Northwest, the area was bright, bathed in a radiant light that transformed the area. Tiny particles of dust drifted lazily before us, each particle shimmering with golden- and silvery-like glitter, creating a dazzling dance inthe air. The bark of the trees, usually cloaked in somber shades, displayed a palette of light grays and whites, mirroring the brilliance of the foliage above. Leaves, tinged with hues of gold, light greens, and delicate pink, caught the sunlight and glowed with an ethereal beauty, casting a spell of vibrant enchantment over the forest.

The grass, thick like moss, sank under us with each step. For once, Elena was silent as she stepped forward, taking in the sight. Once we stepped off the moss and onto the dirt path, rows of homes guided our way.

Twisted branches, vines and trees made up the homes. It didn’t appear that anyone had used a hammer or cut any wood. It was all nature that had created the small community.

“Huh.” I scratched my head. “They made a little town so damn fast. Kinda neat.”

Elena’s mouth hung open, with her arms flopped at her sides. “What do you mean, kind of neat? This is incredible! How long did it take to make a place like this?”

“Not long!” A feminine voice came from one house. The tightly woven door shut behind them, and she pranced over to us. She was everything a summer fae should look like. She had golden sparkles on her cheeks, pointed ears, and typical human clothing of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. More so, she could go into the human town if she so wished. She was, however, barefoot to feel the earth beneath her feet, and her cheeks were a bright red, as if she’d been out in the sun too much. “Name is Meriam. The forest said you were coming. We thought we would give you time to acclimate before we rushed you, since you brought a human.”

Several other fae came out of their homes. Most were women, only one male. They all gave us enormous smiles and came toward us.

“I’m sorry, you said the forest told you?” Elena stepped forward.

Meriam nodded. “Yes, we can listen to the forest. Each tree, shrub, andflower is alive; you just have to listen. That is what the spring and summer fae do. There are usually more of us, but many of us left this morning.” Meriam gave a small smile, and another female put her arm around her shoulder.

I nodded in encouragement. “They will be safe. There won’t be any fighting. It will just be a quick extraction.”

“What?” Elena asked. “What’s going on?”

A male summer fae stood beside me, his presence as striking as the midday sun. He towered over me, though he lacked the robust build one might expect. Instead, he evoked the image of a tall Japanese Maple transformed into human form, with his elongated, slender frame and flowing deep crimson hair that cascaded down like leafy branches. "Duke Idris," he began, his voice smooth yet urgent, "a stone fae, has taken humans captive, and our kin are assisting the Iron Fang in liberating them. We owe this club our very lives and would go to any lengths to repay that debt."

Elena’s eyes now filled with worry. “I didn’t know that was going on, Anaki. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I ran my hand through my hair. “I just found out before I brought you here. Bear, Nadia, Beretta and Tajah have gone, too. I’m not sure where Abuela and Luis are. I wanted to bring you here before we went to find them. Show you a little of the sunshine you missed, before—”

“Ah, Abuela and Luis? They are here!” Merium interrupted. “They are in my home. I was told to keep them hidden until Tajah and Beretta returned. Come on.”

Elena and I exchanged a lingering look before we were gently ushered into the intricately branched home. The light, wooden vines were artfully woven into the structure, their broad gaps allowing sunlight to stream in from above, casting a warm glow throughout the interior. At the rustic wooden table, Abuela and Luis sat, deeply engrossed in a lively card gamewhile savoring brunch-style food. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of toasted bread.

“Luis?” Elena yelled.

“Mama!” He jumped up from the table and ran to her, this time being more gentle, and gave her a tight hug. “I got to see the fae! I also got to see Tajah’s shop. Mom, I can wield fire!”

Elena’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, what?”

Luis crossed his eyes and stared in front at his fingers. He snapped them together, and a small flame appeared. “See! Fire!!”

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