As soon as the gates closed behind them, two guards dressed in gold armor from head to toe stepped in front of them pointing their javelins, which were blazing with fire. "Stop," one on the right ordered. "Who have you got Emma?" he asked.

"These two are guests for the event, where this girl is a contestant."

​​

Dawn stared at Emma. What contestant was she talking about? What event?

They removed the javelins. The guard nodded, waved his hand in the air and two wooden talismans threaded in gold chains appeared. With his chin, he pointed Ileus and Brantley to step forward. When they did, the guard on the left stamped their left hand with a seal that had light green ink that came into view only to vanish as soon as they saw it. However, when their gazes were not on the seal, it disappeared. The guard on the right, made them wear the chains. He looked at Dawn and once again flicked his fingers. Her hands were forced in the front and orange lights coiled around them like manacles.

Dawn was completely stunned as her eyes widened and her heartbeat accelerated. "Why have you shackled me?" she asked Emma. "And how am I a part of a contest? Are you mad?"

Emma shrugged. "Those are the rules of your entry!" Saying that she shoved her forward.

"What? What is happening?" she said as she stumbled forward.

Brantley hissed at Emma for mishandling her. "You do that again vampire, and I will rip off those arms in a way that they never regenerate."

Emma bared her fangs at him. "Remember your magic is limited here. You are on dangerous grounds. The queen would love to see your head roll."

"She wouldn't dare to touch me, Emma!" he warned her. "She knows what I can do to her!"

Emma laughed. "She dared to get this neotide here."

"Shut up and take us to the queen," Ileus said in a stiff voice. "There won't be any contest and we will negotiate!"

Emma bellowed with laughter. "You will only end up as guests. Wait and watch."

A hurricane of thoughts invaded Dawn's mind. What was going on? What unknown contest was she being shoved in? What the hell did she sign up for? "Where is Daryn?" she asked. The situation was so different from what she perceived. Contact with Quetz broke the moment she crossed the gates. Her mind was overloaded with anxiety.

"You will meet him soon," she replied and hurried holding her upper arm.

And now Dawn was walking along the streets of Ixoviya like a dreaded criminal in manacles, which were so tight and fiery that if she moved against them, they would burn or slice her skin.

With Emma leading the way, Dawn stepped onto a cobblestone path. They were in a shallow valley with mounts and rolling hills up on all the sides. Her gaze was drawn to the buildings that dotted these heights. Every building was built with white stones and their edges were that of gold, which shone brilliantly as the first rays of sun hit them. Bordering every building were cobblestone streets, which meandered and eventually led to one place – the Norhall Castle. The climate of the place was warm and the air was heavy with magic. It was the place that sorceresses and warlocks loved. At every corner there was a small illusion created, which gave directions to the castle.

As they walked Dawn could feel the air rippling at every step. It was like the place was covered in layers and layers of magic and she was stepping deeper and deeper into it.

Emma's pace increased as the sun started affecting her skin, which was turning redder.

"Why don't you take us directly there instead of making us walk?" asked Ileus.

"Do you think I don't want to?" she retorted, obviously irritated. "It's the bloody magic of these people that is preventing me." She looked vexed. "Besides it's only five minutes more."

"Where is Daryn? Take me to him! And who is the queen of this place? Why the hell does she have Daryn as her captive?" For a moment she wondered if the queen was having her eyes upon her mate.

"Dawn," Ileus said as they walked down the cobbled street. "Remember what I am going to tell you now."

Dawn looked at him with a confused look.

"Do not accept food from these people. Every night either Brantley or me are going to get food for you. Eat that. Do not vow at all and do not get into any deals with people or with other contestants unless it is absolutely necessary and there's no way out. And most importantly, just don't trust anyone out there. Don't trust what your eyes see. Everything and every place is an illusion created by the queen. Every time you feel you are in danger, remember to think clearly and logically. Objective thinking is going to take you far."

Dawn's confusion only added up. "Why are you talking to me like this Ileus?"

"If possible avoid any kind of death traps. You have to understand what kind of a trap the queen is offering," Brantley said.

She narrowed her eyes. "Have you come here earlier?"

"I have but when someone else was the queen. That time there was a contest between two sisters."

Dawn's heart trembled. She lowered her gaze and said, "Thanks for coming here with me. I don't even know what I am getting into."

They reached the castle. It was a gargantuan white structure whose dome was covered with gold. Surrounded by four gold towers, it looked so beautiful and distant. The entrance to it was a cave carved out of white stones.

When they entered the cave, only the sound of their boots crunching the ground and the rustle of the fabric was heard. The cave was dark and only because they had good visions could they walk in it. For a normal human, it would have been a nightmare.

Emma seemed to relax.

After what felt like eternity, Emma dragged her forward to an area that was dimly lit and there Dawn saw leering faces. They all stared at her with cold and harsh expressions. Some whispered amongst themselves. All of them were wearing expensive clothes and lots of gold jewelry.

They walked through heavily crafter wooden doors that were opened by two guards who were once again in gold armor from top to bottom—into a huge hall that was carved from the white stone. Long gold pillars ran along the two sides neatly. Dawn was mesmerized at the display of gold. More people, more gold met her eyes. "People here love gold immensely!" she couldn't help remarking.

"Oh you don't know!" said Emma.

Chandeliers with candles hung in the center illuminating the place brilliantly. A throne of gold was right at the far end and the queen sat there, all dressed in gold. She glittered so much that Dawn couldn't make out her face from far.

As Dawn neared the throne, her eyes bulged. She stopped for a moment and then stumbled.

Lounging on the throne, was Sedora—her lips spread into a wide smile.

"Hello Brantley," she crooned, ignoring Dawn.