Blue Ridge: Vol. 2 - The Search by Sophia Gray Page B

electricity wired to it, and that only meant one thing; several high members of the Fae were present inside.
     
    Foster pushed the door open enough to allow his body to move through. The barn was no ordinary barn. Looks could be deceiving, and to any mortal it would appear just a dusty place, with a broke down tractor and an old dried up cow. They would even perceive to see two ordinary horses and a few chickens. In reality, with help of Glamour, it was a pristinely kept place with many strong animals including two spirit horses. The far end of the structure was the meeting hall. Part of the way Foster’s father had earned his place back within the Nephilim ranks was performing certain unsavory tasks for hire and being the bearer of the meeting hall. A meeting hall must be present so close to a Realm Door.
     
    As he approached the hall, all eyes turned to look at him. He stopped halfway and announced in the most authoritative voice he could muster.
     
    “I wish to enter the Realm.”
     
    *****

Nadia’s head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds and the constant throbbing caused her to wish for sleep again. The room she was in was almost completely in darkness. She lifted herself tentatively on one elbow and winced at the increased pain in her head. A wave of nausea caused her to lay back on the make shift bed she was laying on. She touched the sides of it with her fingers and it felt like some like of woven straw or thick grass. There was a pillow under her head and to her amazement it felt as cool as if it had of been in a refrigerator. The door to the little room opened and a shaft of light cut across her face, causing Nadia to throw an arm over her eyes.
     
    “Here.” A rough voice said.
     
    Nadia slowly lowered her arm and blinked at the person standing over her. His features were non-descript since he was standing in front of the light, but she could tell he was tall, impossibly tall.
     
    W here are all of these tall men coming from? She sighed and tried to sit up. The man bent before her and helped her lean against the wall. He tried to put something in her hand.
     
    “What is it?”
     
    “It will help the pain in your head.” He placed what felt like a leaf in her hand and set a small wooden cup of water beside her. He stood and walked out of the room without another word, but he left the door partly open so she could see. Nadia squinted at the little leaf. Another wave of nausea went through her and she shrugged placing the leaf of her tongue. She chewed it up and swallowed. It really didn’t have much taste at all. The water from the wooden cup, on the other hand, was the best water she had ever tasted. Completely cool and slightly sweet, Nadia was disappointed how quickly she drained the cup dry. She turned the cup up several times hoping to find just one more drop, before finally tossing it aside in frustration. She wanted to stand and see what was on the other side of the door, but her mind was becoming fuzzier. The edges of her vision blurred, and before she could have time to consider what may have been in that sweet water, she was asleep on the straw mat once again.
    *****

Foster had never been so audacious to interrupt a meeting within the confines of the barn. His father glared at him from under furrowed brows.
     
    “ Foster! ” he bellowed, but was cut short by the raised hand of an old man in a long robe. The only thing Foster could think was, My God, they have a wizard out here.
     
    “We will hear him, Derrick.”
     
    Foster stepped forward and swallowed hard. The old man looked at him impassively. An older woman sat beside him dressed in a similar manner. Foster could have sworn she was trying not to smile. He dared a quick glance at his mother and saw that she was doing the same thing.
     
    “I wish to enter the Realm before my twenty-one without accompaniment.”
     
    “What is your reasoning for doing so?”
     
    “I believe the human Nadia James is being held there against