Wolves began piling out of the hall and back along the corridor toward the residential quarters. I hung back with Victoria for a while until the room became a little emptier. Then Victoria climbed on my back and we made our way down the staircase. I sped up as we reached the ground level and bounded toward the exit before making my way as quickly as possible back to our chamber.
Victoria had almost closed the door behind us when a heavy paw jammed it open. Growling, I nudged Victoria backward. It was Brucella in our doorway. Behind her was another wolf—another female—whom I did not recognize.
“I have some good news for you,” Brucella said.
“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes on her. I wasn’t sure if I had ever received good news from Brucella.
“I was just speaking to Ethel Krepler here.” The Kreplers had been gathered by a different tribe, and I hadn’t yet gotten the opportunity to speak to any of them. “She informed me of something incredibly interesting… a hidden portal. To the human realm. Only about a mile away from Rock Hall.”
My jaw dropped. I felt winded, like I’d just been punched in the gut.
Brucella went on, “Ethel says that our ancient ancestors were aware of it, but hardly any wolves know about it these days. Though it is knowledge that has been passed down through the Krepler family for decades.”
My mouth had lost all moisture. A portal. So near? My first and only instinct was to immediately discount my aunt’s words. As selfish as it was, I didn’t want to believe that her words were true… I didn’t want Victoria to leave.
I turned on Ethel. “Is this true?” I asked hoarsely.
“It is,” she replied.
“We can all go there now if you like,” Brucella added, “and take your human friend back. There is no point doubting us, Bastien, when you can come and see it for yourself. In fact, you two could go alone. I can describe to you the exact location. Head out of the entrance and take a right turn. Walk until you see a tight cluster of five oak trees. At this point, climb the mountain immediately next to you, right to the top; you’ll reach an overhanging ledge, above which you will find the portal. It’s very simple really.”
“Where does it lead?” I shot the question at Ethel.
“Last time I ventured down there,” Ethel replied, “about four weeks ago, it led to the interior of a gated city. A human settlement. Where exactly on Earth, I am not sure.”
“But from there I’m sure Victoria could find a way back to her island,” Brucella went on.
My gaze turned slowly and reluctantly on Victoria herself. She was looking quite speechless, almost breathless. Her cherry lips were parted as she stared at Brucella and Ethel.
“We could go and check it,” she said slowly, running a tongue along her lower lip. “If it really does lead to a city, I would try to contact the authorities and get in touch with The Shade. I’m sure that eventually I would figure out a way to get back.” She paused, her blue eyes rising to meet mine. “But I need some closure, Bastien. I need to know what’s going to happen to you and your people while I’m gone.” She swallowed. “I would like to stay until tomorrow, when your plans will be finalized.”
The idea that we had a few more hours before she left was somewhat comforting. But as with all things temporary, I knew those hours would be hard to truly enjoy.
I turned back to my aunt. “You heard Victoria. We will take her there tomorrow.” When I can check for myself if there really is a gate there and this isn’t some kind of ruse to separate me from Victoria. I was still selfishly hoping that this would be the case. But I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Brucella had been telling the truth. What would be the point in lying when she was inviting me to see for myself? I had little doubt that there really was a gate there… and that this would be the last night I spent with Victoria.
With a curt nod, my aunt backed out of the doorway with Ethel. Venting frustration, I rammed my head against the door, slamming it shut after them.
Breathing heavily, I padded over to the corner of the room, where I had left my satchel. For these last few hours that I had with Victoria, I wanted to be a man.
Victoria
I was still grappling with my emotions as Bastien stooped to his satchel and withdrew a fresh set of clothes. I turned around, my eyes fixed on the wall so that he could shift and change.
A part of me was jumping for joy at the thought of finally discovering a portal—a way out of this strange, perilous realm—and one so nearby. Another part of me was aching.
“You can turn around.” Bastien spoke behind me.
I turned to see him standing near the wall. Bastien, the man. Rugged. Wild. Fierce… Yet unworldly. Wide-eyed. Pure. Memories of the days we’d spent together flashed through my mind.
The fear that I might never see him again after tomorrow was eating away at me.
“You could come back with me,” I whispered, as I moved forward to close the distance between us. I was already anticipating his answer.