“Pass, please?” The sprite stationed beside the wall doesn’t lift his eyes from the screen of his handheld device. From what I’ve gathered during my time among humans, this small gadget seems to hold immense importance—it allows them to communicate with each other, capture moments, and watch animals behaving strangely. Sometimes, I wonder if these devices are familiars for humans, for they seem inseparable, almost as if their lives depend on them.
“I would think my face alone would suffice as a pass.”
The sprite glances up, his eyes widening as he realizes who stands before him. He scrambles to his feet, nearly dropping his handheld device in his hurry.
“My apologies, Your Highness! I wasn’t informed you’d be arriving.”
I bring a finger to my lips, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s a secret, of course. A quest for the Queen.”
“Of course!” He nods eagerly, his pointed ears quivering in excitement. “Captain Vestor at your service!”
“We appreciate your service, Captain. However, as you can understand, I am in quite the rush,” I say with an apologetic smile, stepping forward toward the shimmering barrier. Just as I am about to cross, Vestor thrusts his hand out, his face paling considerably.
“Sincerest apologies, Your Highness,” he stammers. “I do not mean to cast any doubt on you, but I must log your pass. It is the law, as you well know.”
I clench my teeth, masking my frustration behind an affable smile. “Yes, indeed, it is.” I hand over the hastily constructed pass, hoping he doesn’t scrutinize it too closely. If he does, he will surely notice the lack of Mother’s official seal.
“Wonderful!” he says, his cheerfulness betraying his naivety. He takes the paper and moves to feed it into a larger version of his handheld device, a machine meant for scanning official documents.
“Just one moment, Captain. I need to verify my exact location,” I say quickly.
“Of course!” Vestor returns the pass to me without hesitation, his expression filled with earnest loyalty. His willingness to help almost makes me feel guilty for what I am about to do. Almost. In the end, anything that benefits Vaeloncia will ultimately benefit him, whether he knows it or not.
Locking eyes with him, I focus all my energy and send a powerful glamour his way. Vestor’s expression immediately goes slack, his eyes glazing over as the spell takes hold. To my surprise, my power settles over him so easily, and it dawns on me that a mere fraction of my power would have sufficed. It’s almost laughable—Valentina, a child, had been more resilient to my powers than this captain.
“Listen closely, Captain Vestor,” I say, my voice even and calm. “You will forget that you ever saw me here tonight. Should anyone inquire, you will deny my presence, and if pressed, you will present the logs as proof. Once I cross through the portal, you will wait until I am completely out of sight. Then, you will immediately erase all footage of me from any devices—hidden or otherwise. Once your tasks are complete, you will continue viewing...” I crane my neck to glance at his device. “Ultimate Models of Pixia. And it will be as though I was never here. Understood?”
“Yes,” Vestor replies, his voice vacant, his head nodding mechanically.
“Good.” I wait until he returns to his seat, slumping back with a dazed expression, before proceeding.
Satisfied, I turn my attention to my own appearance. I channel the energy within me, allowing the glamour to take form—my dark, flowing hair transforms into unruly, flame-red curls that stick out at odd angles. My well-built, muscular frame shrinks into something far more slender, almost lanky, and I lose a few inches of height. I let a luxurious red mustache and beard sprout over my face and turn my eyes a shade of green.
Next, I focus on my attire, trading the simple tunic and trousers for a human outfit I despise—stiff denim pants and a long-sleeved shirt. The fabric is scratchy and ill-fitting, but it’s necessary for the disguise. Finally, I pick up my rucksack, heaving it over my shoulder.
Before I step through the portal, I hesitate, tugging at the bond between Nix and myself, already feeling his absence like a missing limb. My sparrow answers immediately, our connection pulsing with shared longing. It’s comforting, though bittersweet—I know that separating will be hard on both of us. Still, we have our missions, and I have faith that Nix will accomplish his part just as I will strive to accomplish mine.
Taking a deep breath, I place my foot on the shimmering line that separates Vaeloncia from the human realm. I allow myself a final glance over my shoulder, the soft, enchanting glow of my homeland behind me. Then, with a sense of both determination and trepidation, I cross over.
A shiver runs through me, the sudden shift palpable, almost disorienting. The power that courses through Vaeloncia like a heartbeat is barely a whisper here, an emptiness that leaves me feeling momentarily unbalanced. Yet, I steady myself, my yearning for a better, more peaceful future guiding me forward.
I can do this. For Vaeloncia, for Father, and for everyone who has suffered under Mother’s reign.
THE END