Page 48 of Ever Dark Academy: Volume 6

“Uhm, ah, yes, yes,” Charlie murmured.

Charlie’s gaze darted away from them both which had Ryder frowning. What could the Mirryr Vampire be hiding here? Despite his ability to disguise his face, he was an awful liar. Or maybe he was just an awful liar with them, because he didn’t wish to lie. That was a thought.

“I’m more worried that there will be secret handshakes or passwords or something,” Ryder said, putting Charlie’s aversion out of his mind for now. “I imagine there’s some way that they identify each other and who belongs where so to speak.”

“And won’t they recognize strangers?” Fiona asked.

“We won’t go as strangers!” Charlie piped in. “I just need to catch a few visuals of the people inside and I can duplicate them easily. Don’t worry about that. Also, I’ve known quite a few Kalys in my day, especially those around in this time. We should be fine.”

“Famous last words?” Fiona lifted an eyebrow, but she was smiling.

“It’s our best bet in any case. We need to get to a gate and go someplace that is not here,” Ryder said.

“But what about the time travel bit?” Charlie rubbed his hands together anxiously. “Fifi can’t even teleport within this time, how is she going to get us back?”

“The gates and my gift are connected,” Fiona said, brow furrowing as she stroked her chin. “There might be a way to use them to get us back.”

“Those structures were likely made to adversely affect normal Vampires, but Immortal gifts are different,” Ryder said slowly.

“Meaning that we were sent back in time accidentally?” Fiona asked.

“I think you can do that, but the structure caused that part of your gift to trigger. As Wyvern, you must have known how to do it,” Ryder suggested. “Maybe you can remember or figure it out again.”

“Time travel? Really?” She blinked.

“Every Immortal had special aspects of their powers that they kept from the others,” Charlie quickly said as if trying to rush the words out in guilt for holding words back earlier. “Time travel was likely one of yours. In fact, I’m certain it is.”

“Why is that, Charlie?” Fiona asked, smiling and uncertain.

“Ah, well, there was a time when someone quite special to you… died,” Charlie explained. “I remember them falling. I remember their blood spilling, their bones breaking, their skull being crushed. I remember their last breath. I remember you screaming. I remember… And then everything was back to how it had been a moment before all of that happened. They were not dead. They were alive. They were saved. When I asked others if they remembered, none did. But perhaps it was because I was there and felt your grief. It left a mark.”

Fiona stared at Charlie for long moments, but then she slowly nodded. “I trust your recollection and understanding of what happened, Charlie. I just wish I could remember myself so that I could get us out of here without having to face what’s in there.”

She tilted her head towards the city.

“We’ll figure this out, Fiona.” Ryder put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Now, I need to undress and I’m afraid I’ll need one of you to hold my things otherwise I will be naked once we get to the other side. Not that it will matter with Charlie’s glamor upon us, but still, I’d like to have pants when we get where we’re going.”

“Definitely, old man. Pants are the thing.” Charlie nodded sagely.

Ryder quickly and efficiently stripped out of his clothes. Fiona took half and Charlie the other. It was then that Ryder felt something cold settle in his chest. He let out an involuntary sound and put a hand over his heart, which was beating rapidly.

“Ryder, what is it?” Fiona asked, alarm written large in her voice and eyes.

“Oh, dear, this can’t be good,” Charlie muttered.

“I don’t know what is happening… Ah! It’s– it’s Grayson. Something is… wrong,” Ryder whispered and felt a shudder go through him.

“How do you know? You have some of Balky’s powers now?” Charlie asked a little anxiously.

“They’re connected. Maybe we all are. But they are closer,” Fiona breathed, coming to a conclusion that none of them knew was out there until now.

“I’ve got to get to him!” Ryder cried.

But he didn’t know where–or when–Grayson was. He had no idea if the gates would work to bring them together. And, even if they, would they do so in time?

“Okay, okay, so we need to get to a gate,” Fiona babbled. “I’ll figure out a way to get us back! I swear it!”

“Yes, I need to–”