Once again the sky was filled with inky darkness, but this time they could hear the gurgling and hissing of the Shadows through the darkness.

"Go higher!" Bianca said on top of her voice.

​​

Ileus's broom shot higher in the air and others followed him close behind.

"She is watching us," Bianca hissed. "Sedora is watching our movement."

"How can you say that?" asked Ileus. He flicked his fingers and a wisp of inky smoke rose higher up in the air. The wisp extended and curled and started to swirl attracting more smoke and gaining speed. By the time they came near to it, the portal created was almost two meter in radius. His broom whooshed through it and they found themselves on the third level of the wizard kingdom, right outside the palace.

Bianca stepped down and turned back to see if others had arrived safely. When she was assured that they have, she exhaled a long heavy breath. "That was close!"

Ileus asked his question again. "Why did you say that she is watching us? How can she do that?"

She started walking towards the palace along with Ileus. The outside walls of the palace were glowing in the dark. Sweet smell of the orchids and carefully tended blossoms, wafted in the air. The fountains splashed water and the spatter of the water could be heard loud in the quietness of the night.

It was difficult to shirk off the ominous feeling. She rubbed her arms and took in a deep breath. In a low voice she said, "I could hear her in my mind… The eyes of the Shadows... they glowed..."

Ileus's eyes narrowed. "That woman is known to have dark magic. She is a sorceress and can sway people's minds. You have to be extremely careful with her."

Bianca's hand went to the back of her neck. She nibbled her bottom lip. "I will be careful now. I am also a sorceress," she mumbled.

Daryn rushed to her and grabbed her by her elbow. "Bia!" he said in a nervous voice. "Why aren't your mental shields up?"

She stared at him. "Father, I had to communicate with all of you. How could I put up my mental shields?" She said frustratingly, and then started to walk inside the palace.

As soon as they reached the heavily crafted door of the palace, two guards appeared in front of them with their spears crossed. They straightened their spears and bowed to Ileus. The doors opened to the main hall.

Dmitri and Adrianna were standing right there waiting for the team.

Daryn and Caleb walked up to them and hugged.

Looking as beautiful as ever, Adrianna simply towered above the rest of them like a queen. She was wearing a silver tunic and black slacks. Her hair was curling around her shoulders and her skin was glowing. Dmitri was standing right behind her. Tall, with broad shoulders, his son shared his masculine looks.

The man and his wife looked as if they hadn't aged even one bit despite their years. Bianca loosed a breath when she saw them and out of respect bowed. Adrianna smiled. She gathered her in her arms and said, "You have grown into such a lovely woman!"

"Thanks," she blushed at the compliment.

As the men gathered around them, Dmitri said, "The Shadows are not able to breach the walls of the kingdom, but there's a force that keeps slamming the walls at one point on the east. The spells out there seem to weaken every now and then." He went to sit on the cushioned chair. "We have been building the spells one after the other."

"It is just two to the dawn, mother," said Ileus. "We must move to the Land of Gaira. Where is Isidorus?"

"He is already on his way to Gaira. We will be meeting him there. In fact let's not waste the time and start," said Adrianna. She turned towards Bianca. "I want you to travel with me, Bia."

She nodded.

"Why don't we just create the portal and go there. It is way up north and winds are going to get chillier as we move," Daryn suggested. He was in a huge rush. From the corner of his eye, he saw Dmitri who was watching every movement of the vampire king. Lazarus had been so arrogant that he had given them a curt nod upon arrival. He had scowled at every other thing that was around. Perhaps he was missing Emma as much as he was missing Dawn.

"I will create the portal when needed, but this is the only time I can talk to Bianca," Adrianna explained.

Daryn pursed his lips and glanced away, but he didn't go against her decision.

This time six more Mozias and an elf joined them. It was the first time Bianca was seeing Haldir and her breath hitched. She had no idea how beautiful the elves were. With those pointy ears and straight white hair that fell around his face till his back added to his ethereal beauty. She couldn't take her eyes off him for some time. He looked at her and nodded.

Daryn and Caleb greeted him and he returned the greeting with serious expression. He didn't even look at Lazarus and in a way Lazarus liked it. Daryn shook his head. Obviously, Lazarus had his nose high about his vastly handsome looks, and seemed a little jealous of Haldir.

Haldir bowed to Adrianna. "My queen, I will be accompanying you to the outskirts of the kingdom for ten miles. After that I shall return." He looked at Ileus. "You better be careful and let me drag your sorry ass back here!"

"That's the sweetest endearment I have heard from you Haldir," Ileus teased keeping his hand over his heart.

Bianca burst out laughing. Adrianna was already pulling her back to the garden. The entire group was on their brooms, up in the air.

All the while Adrianna taught Bianca on how to communicate with the mortal world and give instructions. "Take advantage of the Cadvals. They are useful. I will try my best to go to Zor'gan, so you have to guide me."

"Yes," Bianca murmured.

Adrianna went on to speak more. It was as if there was a lot to tell her in so little time.

Ten miles later, the air became chiller and Haldir turned back, but only after creating a portal for them and ensuring that they all walked through it instead of flying more. He sealed the portal once the entire group flew through it and returned. A Mozia had seen a Shadow lurking on the outskirts of the wizard kingdom. He didn't know where to enter from and so was slamming against the invisible wall repeatedly.

They reached the Land of Gaira and dismounted the brooms. While the Mozias stayed behind, the team walked behind Ileus and Adrianna to the hut behind the old Aspen tree.

Isidorus was already waiting for them inside the hut. Looking older with a bunch of wrinkles around his wintery gray eyes, his gaze went to the youngest of them—Bianca.

Without wasting time, he pointed at the four cots that were readied for them.

Bianca's body went rigid. She looked at Daryn. "Daddy…"

"Go on my baby," he encouraged her. "I am coming to find you. Just stay around, okay?" He wanted to add, don't stray. His heartbeat increased.

She nodded and then went to lie on the cot.